3rd Gen Engine Swap USDM vs JDM

[SmokedOutLegacy]

I've been trying to research this info alot recently and wanted any input or advice that is more relevant to the current time period since alot of the posts and such, that ive seen are a decade or older sometimes.

 

I just bought a Legacy L and it died on me same day (got it for $460 so i had a feeling it might happen anyways)... It was meant to be a beater til i could do further research on swaps...with that out the way i have a few questions that i cant seem to get explicit answers to.

ive seen swapping in a USDM 04-07 wrx/sti engine is the ideal route. But what i havent seen is someone suggesting the JDM engines that initially came in these (EJ208) . What would stop me from just ordering one from japan and slapping it in? I am in hawaii so the cost vs. the scarcity of parts is a factor even for USDM (the stis and wrxs get picked clean here quickly)

I would love to find a wrecked STi and just vulture it but my goal is to complete this in 6 months and out here it may just be easier to order the components and have em shipped

 

sidenote: i am aware of having to get the harnesses merged and will be contacting iWire

 

If anyone has done this swap i would appreciate you plugging all your shops and vendors that you would recommend. 

Also any overall advice or personal experience you have would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Thanks for reading my essay lol