built or swap?

[99soobiegt]

im new to subaru and just bought a 99 gt and i was actually just wondering which would be cheaper and i read thru all the posts and tried to figure out the swap pricing but could i build the gt or would it just be easier and cheaper to swap it out??

any help is great :)

[chuckthefuk]

The EJ25D is not the best candidate for building.

Swaps cost between $6000-10000 depending on engine/transmission/labor/etc


What are you planning on using the car for?

-Chuck

[99soobiegt]

well i dont really plan on racing it or anything which is why i think spending 6-10k on a sti motor plus labor is rediculous as much as id like one its just too much money...ideally i would like to just have a sleeper because mine is quick i guess but ive gotten kinda bored with it and i would like it to be faster, and i was thinking perhaps headers and an exhaust but i dont want to put all that money into trying to get horsepower if its not worth it...so if i had a budget of like 3-4k including labor is there anything i could do to make more power?

[xXGTBspecXx]

i got lucky and only spent like $1500 on building my ej25d but i have a 06 STi block now. so i dont know if thats the same thing.. but hey look at my mod list and go from there.

[impreza_GC8]

You can easily build an EJ25 block. In fact, the block is not a problem as far as supporting boost. The internals are probably the weakest. EJ22T crank and rods fit in there no problem in addition to newer EJ25 pistons and that combo can destroke the engine to 2.4L and bump the C/R to 8:1 which is great for turbo'ing. That is my setup.

[99soobiegt]

idk if it is even possible but i would like to get like 250hp n/a and pushin 300 maybe more if i was to boost it, but for now i just want it to be quicker than it is

and again thanks to everyone :)

[jey]

Or you can just swap out the shortblock - a brand new STi EJ257 block can be had for about $1500.

[99soobiegt]

well see im not good with the motor shit so when u say shortblock i have no clue what that means lol and if i was to buy the STI shortblock what else would i need cuz i imagine its not the whole engine, however i do have one question if i were to swap out the motor for an STI motor do i need to buy different motor mounts? and if so where do u find them?

thanks :)

[Huffer]

250hp NA is going to require aftermarket engine management, upgraded internals, upgraded fuel pump. You won't be daily driving it either, not without switchable maps and some slick tuning.

Then you talk about STi blocks, and you don't know the difference between a short block and a long block. I suggest you keep reading, then come back when you have worked out the nuances. I'm not trying to be rude but you can't possibly plan for a swap or a build when your goals are so unclear.

[jey]

i do have one question if i were to swap out the motor for an STI motor do i need to buy different motor mounts? and if so where do u find them?


Nope, all modern Subaru motors have the same mounting.

To help you out with your research, the first thing you need to do is pick one route or the other: Turbo, or an NA build. The way to go about either of those routes is such so different that you can't just do an NA build and all of a sudden decide to turbo it.

If you're looking for some cheap power most people will recommend turbo.

[99soobiegt]

250hp NA is going to require aftermarket engine management, upgraded internals, upgraded fuel pump. You won't be daily driving it either, not without switchable maps and some slick tuning.

Then you talk about STi blocks, and you don't know the difference between a short block and a long block. I suggest you keep reading, then come back when you have worked out the nuances. I'm not trying to be rude but you can't possibly plan for a swap or a build when your goals are so unclear.


well i may not know all the "nuances" which is why im asking now and doing my own research, i dont plan on doing a swap and or build anytime in the immediate future but i wanted to find alternatives and get as much info as possible. however i do believe that doing a build would be easier and cheaper since i already have the motor and i dont have to buy another one, i wouldnt mind turboing it but i would rather it be N/A, but if i were to do all the above u said ie management,fuel pump, etc why could i not use it as a daily driver? and as always thanks for the input :)

[jey]

250hp NA is going to require aftermarket engine management, upgraded internals, upgraded fuel pump. You won't be daily driving it either, not without switchable maps and some slick tuning.

however i do believe that doing a build would be easier and cheaper since i already have the motor and i dont have to buy another one, i wouldnt mind turboing it but i would rather it be N/A, but if i were to do all the above u said ie management,fuel pump, etc why could i not use it as a daily driver? and as always thanks for the input :)

If your goal is to get a few extra horsepower sure it would be easier to get a good tune and a proven intake/exhaust system. If you have higher goals you are talking about mods like upgraded camshafts. And you can get even more power depending on how you tune the car, but as with any tune you can compromise drivability/adaptability to get more power.

It's hard to argue that an NA build is cheaper than a turbo build, horsepower for horsepower, because you're spending a lot of money for small gains when cheap stock turbo components that bolt right up can be purchased for much less.

[99soobiegt]

250hp NA is going to require aftermarket engine management, upgraded internals, upgraded fuel pump. You won't be daily driving it either, not without switchable maps and some slick tuning.

however i do believe that doing a build would be easier and cheaper since i already have the motor and i dont have to buy another one, i wouldnt mind turboing it but i would rather it be N/A, but if i were to do all the above u said ie management,fuel pump, etc why could i not use it as a daily driver? and as always thanks for the input :)

If your goal is to get a few extra horsepower sure it would be easier to get a good tune and a proven intake/exhaust system. If you have higher goals you are talking about mods like upgraded camshafts. And you can get even more power depending on how you tune the car, but as with any tune you can compromise drivability/adaptability to get more power.

It's hard to argue that an NA build is cheaper than a turbo build, horsepower for horsepower, because you're spending a lot of money for small gains when cheap stock turbo components that bolt right up can be purchased for much less.


well for the near future and quick little power i was thinking the intake and exhaust but im just afraid of spending a decent hunk of change and not noticing anything i kno the stock setup is very restrictive but i mean i spend a couple hundred bucks on all this will i even notice that much of a difference? i mean cuz i wanted to do a good tune and a header back and then intake atleast for now and if its worth it then i will and then down the road when i decide id go with build or turbo but for now i just want some quick cheap-ish power

[jey]

Check out this stickied thread:

http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11403

[99soobiegt]

that was probably the best information on engines i have ever recieved not only on subarus but in general. for someone who doesnt even know engines that well this was like easy for me to understand thanks for this post

[anothernord]

The older JDM sti turbo engines (ej20g and ej20k) are great swap candidates; a lot of the Impreza guys swap them into the older Imprezas. Plus they can be had for pretty cheap. I recently found a deal for an entire swap with the crossmember, sway bar, ecu, wiring, ect.. for $1000. Reliability is the only concern since they are older engines.

[99soobiegt]

The older JDM sti turbo engines (ej20g and ej20k) are great swap candidates; a lot of the Impreza guys swap them into the older Imprezas. Plus they can be had for pretty cheap. I recently found a deal for an entire swap with the crossmember, sway bar, ecu, wiring, ect.. for $1000. Reliability is the only concern since they are older engines.



so if i got one of those cheap is there alot of aftermarket parts since reliability is a concern i would get parts to make sure it is reliable, but only if parts for the engine are readily available...and thanks for letting me know about that cuz i had no idea about those lol

[99soobiegt]

actually to touch up on the ej20g/k i was on ebay and found a ej20tt which is the twin turbo? anyways would that work in my legacy or no? and hypothetically if i swapped for say an eg20g or something and wanted to do short throws or headers do i now have to match to the new motor or could i still get headers from the 2.5gt engine and same with the short throw could i get one as if i had the stock motor or do i have to find one to go with the ej20??

as usual thanks

[Okin DaVanh]

i was on ebay and found a ej20tt which is the twin turbo? anyways would that work in my legacy or no?

Work? :smt017


It'll fit. It came from the same chassis. However, You will also have to make sure you get the crossmember and associated parts to convert from right hand drive to left. EBay sales are "usually" front cuts that come with all the parts needed, but always make sure. Keep an eye out for cut wires and missing sensors etc...

[99soobiegt]

i was on ebay and found a ej20tt which is the twin turbo? anyways would that work in my legacy or no?

Work? :smt017


It'll fit. It came from the same chassis. However, You will also have to make sure you get the crossmember and associated parts to convert from right hand drive to left. EBay sales are "usually" front cuts that come with all the parts needed, but always make sure. Keep an eye out for cut wires and missing sensors etc...


see thats the only thing im kinda confused about and i hate to sound all noob-ish but im not fully sure whats included in a "full" front clip and as far as a crossmember i have NO idea where i would find one, also i did some of my own research and some guy did it in his BD wagon and said that if u just have a custom up and down pipe from the turbos to get around the steering stuff it was possible and the brake cylinder was kinda tight but other than that it seemed like a little work but im guessin cheaper than a STI swap for 6k+ correct me if im wrong, anyways none the less it seems like something id be interested perhaps over the summer or maybe winter time

and as always any other info or tips are welcome
thanks :)