03 Subaru GT's 2003 Legacy GT - WRX SWAP (in progress)

[03 Subaru GT]

So this is my ride.
Bought her a couple of months ago after an unfortunate accident with my last car. She had 164k miles on it and so far I'm only up to 167K. So far I'm loving this car. I don't have any complaints.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/20110726_190730-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/20110726_190701-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/20110726_190742-1.jpg

Planned Mods: Engine
Short Ram Intake(installed)
OBX Headers(installed)
Custom made Apexi exhaust (Ordered)

Transmission:
SPEC Clutch Kit
SPEC Steel Flywheel
Ark short shifter

Suspension:
TEIN Type Flex Damper
ADDCO Front/Rear Sway Bars

Exterior:
Extreme Dimensions Shark Body Kit
VIS Carbon Fiber Hood
Sigma Spoiler

Not sure if there is anything else I want to do yet, but if any suggestions, I'll glady listen :grin:

If any of you want pictures of these mods to see them, just ask

[chuckthefuk]

Holy dollar bills batman!

You got a large list of parts that sure to empty your bank accounts.

If your planning on going with a turbo swap you should disregard all motor options and focus on suspension until the swap is complete.

Good luck with your goals and enjoy Sli. Also grab a copy of the Factory Service Manual in the manual sections.

-Chuck

[03 Subaru GT]

I couldn't get the swap. Turns out the car has a rap sheet so to be safe I'm gonna stay away from it. So I'm gonna stick with my engine. I installed my intake today, took forever to ship out. Silly me for ordering it on a friday. I'll post pics either later or tomorrow.
Also, parts wise I'm taking a step at a time. So the next part will be the exhaust. From there, I'll probably do some suspension work.

*EDIT*
Here's a pic of the intake I installed today

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/08/20110802175425-1.jpg

[Huffer]

Id do suspension before exhaust. More fun.

[03 Subaru GT]

I was planning on getting the sway bars for added stability. The exhaust wasn't happening til around christmas time, so I'm somewhat dissappointed by that but that is life.

[03 Subaru GT]

Installed headers today. I'll upload pics tomorrow

[03 Subaru GT]

So I've decided to go ahead and do the WRX swap. Ill be ordering a JDM ej20 from canada in the upcoming months. Ill post updates as soon as the process begins

[chuckthefuk]

Canada? There are no local wreckers in New York?

[03 Subaru GT]

Unfortunately the one I had found for a parts car couldn't be used so I looked to Canada. I found one for a decent price of 1800. I may just drive up and pick it up myself and save on shipping

[Mr Evolution]

How much work is that to install the ej20 into the bd?

[03 Subaru GT]

http://www.jdmenginescorp.com/engine_de ... ans-z4-ecu (http://www.jdmenginescorp.com/engine_details/subaru_subaru-wrx-sti-impreza-jdm-ej20t-ej20-turbo-engine-trans-z4-ecu)

Well this is the engine I found that I'm hoping will fit into my car without much problem

[MRLancaster]

Good luck with the swap! I'm in the process of swapping mine. The JDM motors I've heard a very hard to tune. And be aware that when parts go bad on it you may not find the parts you need right away.

[chuckthefuk]

You are playing with fire..

I hate dealing with miss informed JDM importes... GRRR.. whenever I see a EJ25DE or EJ20T it angers me!!

Customers are spending time and money on items they believe to be legit..

Look into what you are about to buy.. You don't know which variation that EJ20 is from it could be STi version 3 or 4 ? This can be a minor change but in the end wouldn't you want to know exactly what you are going to buy?

-Chuck

[03 Subaru GT]

http://www.naganojapanese.com/engine_de ... ANSMISSION (http://www.naganojapanese.com/engine_details/708/1999-2005_Subaru_EJ20_WRX_IMPREZA_ENGINE_AWD_TY755VB1AA_5_SPEED_TRANSMISSION)

The other one was out of stock but this one is in stock

[chuckthefuk]

Just as shady... cut harness and no ECU..

It seems that your looking for a swap under $2000..

[03 Subaru GT]

Well I've been searching around a lot and I'm not getting too many results but I believe I found a good one and my mechanic who will be working on the car ordered his engine from the same site.

http://www.jdmenginedepot.com/index.html

[chuckthefuk]

Now thats a company that knows its stuff.

Notice the engine codes and chassis/years given
http://www.jdmenginedepot.com/jdm_engines/Subaru

Good luck with your goals
-Chuck

[03 Subaru GT]

Well now I run into a slight problem or big problem however you look at it. The ej20k engine I'm looking to buy doesn't have a intercooler or turbo. I found a used intercooler of a 02-03 USDM wrx and now I'm concerned on what turbo to use for the engine

[chuckthefuk]

Choose whichever OEM turbo or aftermarket turbo fits your goals. Also when you say no turbo or intercooler does that mean there is no exhaust manifold & up-pipe?

By the way what is your goal? Stock WRX swap or something more?

-Chuck

[03 Subaru GT]

Right now I just want stock. I'd rather not boost more power out of my car as I'm going to be in debt for the time being after this swap. The engine has everything but the intercooler and turbo and the downpipe. My mechanic looked at it and said that they can order a oem downpipe

[03 Subaru GT]

So after much delay, I found a wrecked 04-05 WRX in New Jersey for 2k with 80k on it. It was rear end damage but the engine is just fine. Put a deposit on it and the rest will be paid for tomorrow and my mechanic is picking it up as well.

*Edit*
Finally picked up the engine today. Found out I'm missing some parts but I'll be ordering them by friday.

[chrish8r]

Looks like you have a very nice goal in mind. hope it all goes well. car looks good by the way

[03 Subaru GT]

Thanks. Finally got all the parts needed to start the swap, so the swap is in progress right now. Hopefully be done soon. Car has been out for almost 2 months now

[Flyboy888]

you have a build thread goin? if not, YOU SHOULD!! lol im interested

[03 Subaru GT]

Not yet, but I will now that you mention it

[Flyboy888]

Awesome, cuz a wrx drive train is in my future plans so I'd love to have a really good walkthrough.

[03 Subaru GT]

Update: engine is fully out along with the tranny. My mechanic is gonna bolt the new one on to the tranny and see what else needs to be done. Of course the wiring still needs to be done as well as placing in the new clutch.

[MRLancaster]

Awesome, cuz a wrx drive train is in my future plans so I'd love to have a really good walkthrough.

Check out SixspeedLegacy his would be your best bet for an amazing walkthrough

[Flyboy888]

oh i have been lol

[mike-tracy]

Nice man! I love turbo 3rd gens! Do you have line on a turbo hood or are you going fmic?

[03 Subaru GT]

Well, the plan was to go and cut a hole in my hood and mod on a WRX hood scoop. And in my honest opinion, I'm not a fan of fmic.

[Dead91silvia]

Soooo... You got some pics of this?! Would be sweet to see the progress!

[amgarrety]

I can't wait to see how this turns out. I plan on attempting this same swap in a few months.

[03 Subaru GT]

I'll take some pics over the course of the week. I'll upload as soon as I can

[nikolaus.conrad]

Sounds like it's going to be a fun build! Where's Scotchtown? lol

[03 Subaru GT]

About a 5 min drive or so from Middletown. Its a branch of Middletown to be exact

[03 Subaru GT]

UPDATE:So the clutch I ordered doesn't fit into the tranny housing. Sucks so I have to get a new one made for a 2.5 instead of a 2.0.

[mike-tracy]

Wait, what transmission are you using?

[03 Subaru GT]

I have a rs tranny right now. Was in the process of getting a wrx tranny but the seller backed out

[mike-tracy]

Personally I line the 4.11 FD of the RS and it's 5th gear for cruising. If the WRX tranny was an 02-early 03 then it had the same size gears as the RS ones, but worse acceleration.

[03 Subaru GT]

I agree. I had the RS installed earlier on when the original tranny was slipping. Its possible I'm going to have to rebuild the rs tranny anyway, since it has some extra miles on it

[03 Subaru GT]

UPDATE: Sorry I've been away. I've been swamped with work and have had no time to work with my mechanic on the engine until now. I will upload all the pics i have so far and run a list of what has been and what is still left to be done

[03 Subaru GT]

Took off the dash today since it was my day off. Hopefully can get to the harness tonight