JDM Legacy motor

[CarpenterAWD]

I've read a lot about the jdm sti or wrx motors being a huge hassle when dealing with wiring but I was wondering how hard it is to just put in a jdm legacy gt ej25 motor. I have a 1997 lgt and im looking at jdm 95-99 engines and I just want to know if that is a lot of extra work or would it be almost as simple as a usdm ej25. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUBARU-LEGACY-FORESTER-IMPREZA-ENGINE-2-5-EJ25_W0QQitemZ140003645347QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33615QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Here is the link to the engine. It says to just use the longblock and it should work. is that true?
Any help would be greatly appriciated
Thanks,
Cary

[Wiscon_Mark]

actually, Japan doesn't have the emission restrictions we have here, so their wiring is a bit simpler.

I really wouldn't get the JDM EJ25...it's nothing special. If you're going JDM, EJ20G or EJ207 would be the engines to get, because they can't be had in the states, and they're absolutely awesome.

[Manarius]

Converting the engine from a RHD drive set up would be a pita though.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Converting the engine from a RHD drive set up would be a pita though.

I thought it was only really bad if it was the twin turbo setup.

And yeah, it's only worth it for the two above mentioned engines.

[CarpenterAWD]

i was asking because i need a new engine and those are cheap and easy to find but a new usdm ej25 is not that easy to find. A mechanic has called all the places he knows to get them around here and couldnt find one so i just wanted to know what would work. I don't exactly understand what you all are saying, is it not worth it because it is a hassle or because it is not as good as other jdm motors. I just want to get my car running again and i thought this might be the easiest/fastest way. Thank you for all the advice so far though.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'm also thinking the Japanese EJ25 would need 93 octane fuel. At least.

What we're saying, is, that with a right hand drive car, the power steering stuff is completely reversed. It would be a PITA to convert your car for that.

Your emissions control in the ECU also probably wouldn't care for that engine (OBDII).

Shortblocks (new) can be had from the dealership (and they're only slightly more expensive than a headgasket job). What exactly is wrong with your GT?

[CarpenterAWD]

I found a ej20g like mark said was worth doing it for.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-Subaru-Legacy-BF5-EJ20G-A-T-Engine-Set_W0QQitemZ110005719431QQihZ001QQcategoryZ33615QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
First could i put my manual transmission on this and second what work would it require to put this in my car, 97 lgt? If I want my car back kinda soon should i just keep looking for a usdm ej25 and also with this ej20g what was the whole thing about rhd conversion cause i dont wanna go through that.

[CarpenterAWD]

To reply what is wrong with my car, the pistons are knocking pretty bad. The shop I took it to says that i need a whole new motor. As you can tell I'm not a car guru im lacking in the car knowlege department so all the help you guys are giving me helps a lot.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Okay, I guess I should explain the reason I talked about the EJ20G and the EJ207.

They're both 2.0L motors, not good for N/A, but great motors for turbocharging. Anything else really can be gotten in the states. So if you're looking for a quick fix, JDM is not for you. I would get the shortblock replaced, it's not all that expensive, and you'd have an engine with practically zero miles on it.

[blackgtbeauty]

if your pistons are knocking sometimes (correct me if i'm wrong) the connecting rod bearings go in 2.5's causing them to sound like a p.o.s, besides the usual slap they have.

[CarpenterAWD]

Do any of you know any good places to go to get a cheap 2.5 short block? I cannot find any locally so if you know any good places to get them or if anyone has one lying around that would be awesome. Does it matter if the short block is jdm? I have 3 grand and I would like to know options that go in that price range.

[Wiscon_Mark]

3 grand would easily get you a shortblock from the dealership. And probably get it installed. IIRC, an STi shortblock is 1800 bucks. Not too shabby. You'd be able to swing it that way (then you could go turbo later and already have a motor) with all the other N/A components.

[CarpenterAWD]

does the sti short block bolt up directly or is there some extra work involved?

[Wiscon_Mark]

it'll bolt up to the tranny and heads fine.

exhaust manifold I'm not sure about.

Same goes for the intake manifold.

I'm guessing yes for both.

Same displacement, so the ECU should be ok with it.

[subaru legacy turbo]

Mark is correct..
However it seems to me you should be looking in the "for sale" thread for your parts..

one thing you haven't mentioned... is it the bottom end that's gone or a piston/valve?

I think any good rebuilder coud do the "fix"
With a jdm motor you would have to swap the intake manifold..
the throttle controle is on the oppisite (passenger) side
Regards
Ian

[quote="Wiscon_Mark"]it'll bolt up to the tranny and heads fine.