It’s Alive…!

[xcntrk75]

Just sharing my excitement… My new motor & tranny setup were finally finished last week, and after days of reinstalling the boosted Legacy BD now lives again. I’m still tidying things up, but the initial break-in period is officially underway. I’m only running the turbo at wastegate pressure and MUST keep my foot out of it during initial break-in, but already I can feel the much added grunt from the sti 2.5l block. You can actually drive the car around in the 1.5~3k rpm range and feel the added power whereas with the 2.0l it was gutless unless on the turbo. I’ll be logging a couple thousand miles over the next few weeks allowing the new block to wear and properly seat. Then it’s time for some tuning power to see what she’ll really do!

Pertinent Mods:
EJ257 (STI) short-block
EJ20 heads + valve-train
20G/TD06 External Wastegate Turbo
Header + Custom Exhaust
820cc Inj, 255l Pump
3Gal Alky (Meth) Injection
UTEC, AVC-R, Tuner-Pro
FMIC + Nitrous Sprayer
WRX 5MT w/PPG 1-4 Strcut Gears


Teaser Pics :grin:
http://66.49.172.173/subaru/pics/sti-hybrid/tease1.jpg

http://66.49.172.173/subaru/pics/sti-hybrid/tease2.jpg

http://66.49.172.173/subaru/pics/sti-hybrid/tease3.jpg

[Plays_with_Toys]

woohoo! Must be real hard to keep out of boost. I knew it'd tempt me quite a bit. Can't wait to see new videos of the car.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Oh dear god...We have a T-25 killer out there...

:twisted:

[Huffer]

Awesome. Show and go baby! :twisted:

[Reason]

You are an animal, straight up! :twisted:

[d1giPhux]

i still hate you.. you know this right!?! :lol:





dammit, im jealous!

[OutbackGT]

You're running EJ20 heads on an EJ25 block? Do they fit? Flow enough? I'm confused.

Anyway, that setup sounds freakin awesome and I can't wait for pics/ vids.

[badbasser98]

Anyway, that setup sounds freakin awesome and I can't wait for pics/ vids.
'Nuff said :cool:

[xcntrk75]

Updated with PICS.... :razz:

[badbasser98]

Updated with PICS.... :razz:
Oh Snap!!! :shock:

[Huffer]

DAYAMN!

[Superu264]

Game over. Wrap it up.

No one will ever be able to match that.

[Reason]

Does anyone have any napkins??

[shazapple]

I guess thats kinda nice....



Damn you! what a sweet setup. Any plans for a 6MT? :cool: Im guessing you've solved the problem with the axles by switching to aftermarket or STI axles. Have you done anything with the rear diff?

[Wiscon_Mark]

OMG....https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/12/superbananagif-1.jpg

[Reason]

It's funny how nobody says anything about his sig either lol :-X

[pdawg]

I think I would be making a breakin road trip. Down 95 to Richmond, across 64 to 81 intersection. then back up 81 should do it. :grin:
Looks great.

[sybir]

Nice, dude :D

I'm really digging the Action on there too. They really suit Legacies.

[Derek]

I can feel the much added grunt from the sti 2.5l block. You can actually drive the car around in the 1.5~3k rpm range and feel the added power whereas with the 2.0l it was gutless unless on the turbo.

Is this mostly because of the added displacement from the 2.0. I ask because I'm thinking of putting the sti 2.0 engine in my car.

Anywayz, sick car, keep the shiny side up, and enjoy it in good health!!! :grin:

[Wiscon_Mark]

The EJ207 (JDM STi) cannot be compared to the EJ205 (USDM WRX) in that fashion.

But yes, displacement means more low end oomph.

[2.5GT]

SEX :shock:

[Sarra]

I'll bet those PPG gears SING when you stomp on the go pedal!

:( I wish you were local, I'd ask for lifts to work and such... I'll bet you get better milage than my wagon ATM. :p

[xcntrk75]

Thanks for the comments all…

Since there’s some questions about it; the Subaru turbo short-blocks go as follows:
EJ205 - Open-deck, non-forged internals (US-WRX, 2.0l, 1994cc)
EJ207 - Semi-closed deck, forged internals (JDM STi only, 2.0l, 1994cc)
EJ257 - Semi-closed deck, forged crank and rods (US-STi, 2.5l, 2457cc)

The sti short-block “Hybrid” motor approach is really very common amongst wrx owners. As of the 06 model year, the EJ205 block is now gone for all USA boosted platforms (good). Now all FI models come standard with the EJ257 block, exact same motor found in the STi.

So when 02~05 wrx owners blow their 2.0l blocks, the next logical replacement is the 2.5l short-block. The EJ257 mates up to the EJ20 heads just fine and you can even achieve a higher CR by using sti gaskets (9.1:1), like I did which means more power at lower boost. Most hybrid motors see a significant increase in torque curve with a smaller increase in whp. Of course with the added torque comes greater exhaust flow which equates to the ability to spin a larger turbo resulting in more whp :lol:

PS: Who needs a sti 6-speed :roll:
I already have a stronger, better ratioed tranny in place!

[Wiscon_Mark]

Anthony are you sure about that? I thought all the new turobs use the EJ255 not the EJ257...(except for the STi of course)

[Reason]

what are u selling the 6 for?

[Huffer]

what are u selling the 6 for?

xcntrk isn't - he never had a 6spd. He's always maintained that the 5spd is adequate, has better ratios and now has a PPG "dogbox" setup.

[Reason]

Yea I get it now, just read it the wrong way. :wink:

[blackgtbeauty]

Anthony are you sure about that? I thought all the new turobs use the EJ255 not the EJ257...(except for the STi of course)

From what I understand (and correct me if I'm wrong...) the two engines, the 2.5 WRX and the STi, both use the same block, and the only differences are slightly different heads, WRX has a smaller turbo (TD04?), and a smaller intercooler, and a 8.0:1 (vs. STi 9.0:1) with the differences coming from the different heads.

Kinda-sorta :grin:

[xcntrk75]

Anthony are you sure about that? I thought all the new turobs use the EJ255 not the EJ257...(except for the STi of course)
The ej255 motor is the NA 2.5l found in all non-boosted suby platforms. All the 06+ forced induction models share the ej257 block, and IIRC also share the same AVCS heads too. So the new LGT models and even Forester XT all have the same motors as an STi, only with different turbos, tuning, and other bolt-on accompaniments. Only component I’m uncertain with is regarding the AVCS cams used between models, which may be different for the STi (i.e. more aggressive cam timing).

So going back to my original anti-STi sentiments; you can have a far superior vehicle to an STi by starting with the suby FI foundation then adding a handful of aftermarket parts, all at a cheaper price tag then the true “sti” setup. Even “hybrid” motor owners (like me) running the ej257 block with ej20 heads see a far superior motor setup by simply adding performance cams. So even though the ej20 heads are more restrictive then the 2.5l heads, adding performance cams will allow them to “outflow” the stock AVCS-equipped heads.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I thought that was the EJ251 :-?

What you say about the STi is true, Anthony, but you're also making a more pure sports monster than the STi is. If Subaru wanted, they could totally strip down that car and make it a monster that even Mitsu couldn't match without compromising in the same way, but they're not going to sell cars that way. Just my thoughts. Honestly, I don't compare your Legacy to a stock STi, you passed that a long time ago :lol:

[xcntrk75]

Yeah I’m all backwards here. EJ255 & EJ257 are the designators for the 2.5l turbo short-block motor. EJ255 for the Legacy, Forester, and Baja and EJ257 for the Impreza model. Apparently Subaru carries different designating part numbers for the same block found in different models and/or different markets (JDM vs. USDM). The EJ255 has the part number 10103AB440 and EJ257 10103AB450; which both translate to the same actual part (Turbo 2.5l short-block). If you look up the “STi” specific 257 part number, it’s superseded by the EJ255 part number. So the obvious point here is they’re the same motor foundation shared throughout the different models.

..and apparently the correct designator for the latest NA 2.5L motor is EJ251… ;)

[xcntrk75]

Just chiming in for anybody who cares to read this…

Only got 600 miles on the new motor, been bogged down with holiday vacation and all. I’m currently running a break-in tune (rich as snot & conservative timing). Also I have the boost as turned down as possible. I run a 13lb wastegate spring so that is the minimum amount of boost I can run, otherwise you just keep your foot out of it.

Anyway, at 600 miles I’m nearing the realm of full ring seat and the cyclinders can start taking a little pressure. So I got on it for the first time since the motor swap! Even with the conservative timing, the turbo spun right up to 13psi in no time, external wastegate dumped atmospheric, and fueling is sooo rich I was nailing 9.5:1 at WOT post spool (stupid rich but safe). To my surprise, the car pulled and pulled hard! Even under the extremely scaled back tune and low boost, I have to say it felt nearly equivalent to my old 2.0l and smaller VF22 turbo. This thing is going to be a monster once I can turn the wick up!!!!!
:twisted:

[Wiscon_Mark]

You suck.

If I come out east this coming summer on my roadtrip, I'm stopping by.

[Reason]

Anthony, you interested in doing some work on my car?? I'll give you details in a PM :wink:

[AWDBat]

Ahh, my dream car. Maybe I should save up for an STi swap after all....

[SLIKID99]

soooooo sick !

[Huffer]

Still waiting for the video... :cool:

[xcntrk75]

It will be a while... I'm still breaking it in, then I have to work with the tune, then I have to finish the Alky system, then I have to re-tune again.... then it's on ;)