JDM Engine in my car?

[bAbYbEcKy]

has anyone done this swap? I want to do the SAME exact size (no 2.2 to 2.5 or anything like that). If I removed all the electronics and stuff from the JDM engine, can I just plug and play my stuff on it?

Thanks for any help!

[xXGTBspecXx]

:shock: good question. i think the block/heads are the same when they are stripped of all the wires n such

[Reason]

Angry pigeon just did this. I would think you take the heads and block of the JDM motor and swap everything else over from your old motor, even the intake manifold. I never really looked into it so I'm not sure 100%.

[impreza_GC8]

What JDM engine are you wanting to swap? A 2.2L? I think the 2.2 was pretty much only used in the US market. Additionally, Japanese motors don't run off of a conventional OBD system as we know it so depending on the engine there will not be the same types of sensors for cam position, etc. You will need to splice wires no matter what. If it was as easy as dropping in a different engine and using all the same sensors/ECU everybody would do it.
My goal isn't to be a negative nancy here. I just think that engines are sold with ECUs for a reason. They need the corresponding ECU to run correctly. Or you can put in a different block but keep your heads, then your ECU should be able to run it. Jey, a mod on this forum, successfully built a hybrid EJ257 using that method, running it with his EJ22 ECU. So there is some leeway, I myself am using an EJ22T ECU for a 2.5L block but the engine harness has been merged into the EJ22T ECU.

[TheAngryPidgeon]

I attempted to do this recently. It's a long story, so beware. hellaGT has actually done this successfully, so he may have something to add here. His '99 GT runs like a champ and he did the install himself with only one mod necessary; unfortunately, I don't recall what it was off the top of my head.

The JDM engines (long blocks) do, in fact, drop right in. They are plug and play as long as it is the same year and model (ie: EJ25 or EJ22, etc.). They only difference between JDM and USDM EJ engines is the emission control system. The Japanese are much more rigid in their testing levels and installed emissions equipment. You would purchase a long block that has all of the external components removed, and all the USDM stuff bolts right on.

I purchased mine through RisingSunEngines.com . I recommend checking out their website, they have a good deal of helpful information. While this is a great way to drop the mileage on your engine down to the 40-70k range, do understand that it is costly if you don't do the work yourself, and easy to mess up if you don't have the proper equipment.

Sadly, when you are buying a used engine, it is still used. You have no idea who the previous owner was, how many miles are actually on the long block, or how well taken care of it was by the previous owner. I am in the middle of dealing with an issue with mine as we speak.

Currently, my '98 BD sits engineless. The JDM one I received developed a knock coming from the lower crank case (sounded like a crankshaft bearing, or perhaps a rod knock). I had my mechanic pull the engine back out, and Rising Sun Engines came to pick it up and test it on their hot-run test bench. That was Monday, since then they apparently can't find evidence of the metal shavings in the oil that I, my mechanic, and another individual that was at the shop when he pulled it out, all saw. They also cannot find evidence of the knock in all their inspections and tests short of splitting the case, which really is the test that needs to be done. They are willing to split the case to look for it, but they will charge me for a rebuild if it comes to that, and with all the money I have spent on this damn thing already, I don't feel it is worth it. I also do not have confidence in their long block. I don't know what is knocking, but the old engine did not knock, the new one does, as far as I am concerned, that puppy is not going back in my vehicle unless they find and fix something.

As it stands right now: I am going to ask for a refund. The long block cost $1995 and had the timing, water pump, and many of the seals and gaskets replaced by them prior to delivery. Between that and the cost of labor, on which I received a hell of a deal, I could easily have had my old long block rebuilt with higher quality components and essentially had a new engine. This is probably the path I am going to take if I can convince them to give me a refund. It will mean being without a vehicle for another two weeks or so, but I might as well have it done right and avoid the hassle of pulling an engine out for the third time.

Also, if you do plan on doing an engine swap, strongly consider replacing your clutch while you're in there (if it's a 5MT), clutch jobs are rather pricey on Subarus, and my mechanic didn't even charge my anything extra to do it while he was in there. I also too the opportunity to invest in new motor, tranny and pitch mounts, as well as a new radiator and lightweight flywheel, but it does get pricey rather quickly.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

[bAbYbEcKy]

Thank you. I really, really appreciate your help. I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do yet. But when I figure it out, I'll let you know :)

You all are the best!

[T_F_E]

Why use a JDM engine though??? usdm would be cheaper and easier..

[TheAngryPidgeon]

Why use a JDM engine though??? usdm would be cheaper and easier..

It is difficult to find an USDM Engine that is as low mileage as the majority of JDM Engines. Due to the climate in Japan, in combination with the nature of their emissions enforcement system and their driving habits, most vehicles are retired with 40-70k miles on them, which is very often less than you will find on an USDM one. There are companies that import these engines and test them so you have a better idea of the quality of the product you are receiving.

It's not the only way to go, but it is definitely a valid option.

[T_F_E]

Oh I see, thanks for explaining that to me, makes a lot more since now

[Airgne]

Why use a JDM engine though??? usdm would be cheaper and easier..

It is difficult to find an USDM Engine that is as low mileage as the majority of JDM Engines. Due to the climate in Japan, in combination with the nature of their emissions enforcement system and their driving habits, most vehicles are retired with 40-70k miles on them, which is very often less than you will find on an USDM one. There are companies that import these engines and test them so you have a better idea of the quality of the product you are receiving.

It's not the only way to go, but it is definitely a valid option.

i hate when ppl get the wrong info than give it back out. cars are not retired becasue of the miles on a motor. 10yrs or new cars in japan have to go get inspection every 2yrs. this inspection is almost a week long. they take apart almost everything in the car. they look to make sure there is nothing wrong and is safe to drive. 10yrs or older have to do this inspection every year.
the reason that there are so many jdm engine with low mileage is the fact that this inspection cost an arm and a leg. so therefor it is cheaper to buy a new or newer car ever 10yrs or so than it is to keep there old one in play. this is the reason there are so many jdm engines. i lived in japan for 5yrs and learned this i also own a house here(go back often), so dont question me on this this is how they do it.

[TheAngryPidgeon]

Why use a JDM engine though??? usdm would be cheaper and easier..

It is difficult to find an USDM Engine that is as low mileage as the majority of JDM Engines. Due to the climate in Japan, in combination with the nature of their emissions enforcement system and their driving habits, most vehicles are retired with 40-70k miles on them, which is very often less than you will find on an USDM one. There are companies that import these engines and test them so you have a better idea of the quality of the product you are receiving.

It's not the only way to go, but it is definitely a valid option.

i hate when ppl get the wrong info than give it back out. cars are not retired becasue of the miles on a motor. 10yrs or new cars in japan have to go get inspection every 2yrs. this inspection is almost a week long. they take apart almost everything in the car. they look to make sure there is nothing wrong and is safe to drive. 10yrs or older have to do this inspection every year.
the reason that there are so many jdm engine with low mileage is the fact that this inspection cost an arm and a leg. so therefor it is cheaper to buy a new or newer car ever 10yrs or so than it is to keep there old one in play. this is the reason there are so many jdm engines. i lived in japan for 5yrs and learned this i also own a house here(go back often), so dont question me on this this is how they do it.

I'm under the impression that I made no claim to the retiration of the vehicles being due to the mileage. I stated the mileage that was common at the time of retirement, but made no claims otherwise. From what I understand, it becomes more and more expensive to drive a vehicle as it ages, and therefor promotes the purchase of a new vehicle far sooner than one would within the United States. Regardless of how you look at it, vehicles are retired much sooner in Japan than they are in the US, and therefore JDM long blocks tend to have much lower mileage on them than if you were to look for a long block within the states.

Feel free to correct me, but from what I understand, you misinterpreted my statement, rather than me portraying false information.

[Airgne]

Due to the climate in Japan, in combination with the nature of their emissions enforcement system

this is were you went wrong. stating the fact that they have emission enforcement. only certian cars have to do this. once in a blue moon you might have to do an emissions test. i did one. i ahve to do it because my car failed for being to loud(110db limit), and to low. so therefore i had to go into a more indepth inspection.

yes most engine from japan are low miles, but you have to think of what those miles are. 95% of those miles are spend in stop and go traffic. i would rather have a motor with 100,000 freeway miles, than a car with 25,000 stop and go miles. the car with the stop and go miles has had more stress put on it in its 25,000 miles than the car with 100,000 freeway miles.

one of the good thing about japan is the fact about there oil and there gas. there oil is damn near the best in the world. there gas is some of the most clean and deposit free gas in the world(i think germany has better). also the fact that they go by kilometer. most japanese ppl have there oil changed(ie. sucked out not drained) every 3,000km. witch is 1864.1miles. this mean the engine will have less time for harmful deposits to settle.

jdm motors are great yes, but you would be better off rebuilding the one you have. with a good rebuild subaru motor will outlast the car.

im sorry about jumping down your throat.

[TheAngryPidgeon]

It's all gravy. I responded while a bit on the drunk side last night, my apologies for the hostility as well. You definitely know more about the situation than I. This is what I was led to believe through the research I had done, as well as what the company I went through told me.

I also recall something about progressive tax on vehicles, but again I am no expert on the issue.

[hellaGT]

From my experience with risingsun.com on my 2.5l JDM replacement you will swap your intake and wiring from the old block to the new one and tap the hole and threads for the pipe in the left head for emmision purposes. The new block will plug right in. Rising sun tapped the hole before shipping the block. If there is anything else they did I'm not sure, they did forget to plant a Rod knock in my block to go off a week after installing... There is a slight valve tick when the engine is cold and goes away after 20min of driving though.

Here is a pic of the left head with the hole tapped on the JDM block. Hope this was helpful.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/Pullengine051-1.jpg

[bAbYbEcKy]

thank you :)

my engine will be here on monday -- here's hoping it goes well :)