97 outback motor

[creiter]

I'm in Western Washington and have a 97 O/B 2.5 I have spun some berrings and am looking for new motor. All I need is a short block and or advice on what can fit. How specific is this year to year motor. In other words can I put newer motor in it? what years work if I just fitted it with a long block?

thanks
c

[J.McDonald Knives]

If you put in a newer motor you have to swap the ECU and wiring harness and headers. Might as well swap in a WRX or STI motor, wiring harness, and ECU and possibly upgrade your trans so that you don't mess it up as well.

[decke48]

a 97-99 2.5 phase 1 (DOHC) short block should bolt in with no hassles

[creiter]

I have talked with a guy says that we can just replace the rod bearrings. much cheaper than looking for a new motor. what is the likely-hood of this working out? if that is all I need.

[creiter]

is there any truth to the 2.5 motors being junk? Only getting 100-125k out of them?

[J.McDonald Knives]

ive got the same motor as you and i got 204k

[decke48]

the thing is with spun bearings it usally will scrap up the crank so you would need to replace the crank also with new bearings. $250-300 for the crank $100 for crank and rod bearings. $100-200 for gaskets $800-1200 for the labor to do that. so roughly $1400-$1800 dollar for the job. and a week without the car. but you might run into other problems like rings, valves that will just cost more money.

[AJM]

the thing is with spun bearings it usally will scrap up the crank so you would need to replace the crank also with new bearings. $250-300 for the crank $100 for crank and rod bearings. $100-200 for gaskets $800-1200 for the labor to do that. so roughly $1400-$1800 dollar for the job. and a week without the car. but you might run into other problems like rings, valves that will just cost more money.


Yes, but trust me, you never know what your getting with a used engine. It can bone you in the end. :evil: