What 2.5 engines fit into a 97 Legacy?

[rocky]

Hi, I am trying to figure out what 2.5 subaru engines will fit into a 97 legacy. Do any of the 2.5L 96-98 forester or 95-98 legacy engines bolt up with no problem? Or would a newer 2001 engine fit? I just blew my engine up and I want an easy swap but I don't know if all of the years fit or not. Thanks for any help!

[jey]

They all bolt up, but how easy of a swap it is all depends on electronics. Use as many of the sensors, etc. from your old motor as you can and it will keep things simple. I've also heard there is extra complexity going from DOHC to SOHC. If you currently have the 2.2 it's SOHC, the 2.5 is DOHC. In 99 the Forester switched from DOHC to SOHC. Legacy switched to SOHC in 2000. 2.5 also has dual port heads, so if you're trying to bolt up your current 2.2 exhaust head it might not work if it's single-port.

[Sarra]

They all bolt up, but how easy of a swap it is all depends on electronics. Use as many of the sensors, etc. from your old motor as you can and it will keep things simple. I've also heard there is extra complexity going from DOHC to SOHC. If you currently have the 2.2 it's SOHC, the 2.5 is DOHC. In 99 the Forester switched from DOHC to SOHC. Legacy switched to SOHC in 2000. 2.5 also has dual port heads, so if you're trying to bolt up your current 2.2 exhaust head it might not work if it's single-port.

Yeah, um, no.

A 1997 2.2 ECU will be able to control a 1997-1999 2.5 engine with no real problems. It might be a pain to get working right, but you can actually use that ECU. If you go with a 2000+ engine, you will need an ECU as well, or you will need to do some scary things like using your 2.2 intake manifold on the 2.5, which requires fabrication IIRC.

Best bet would be to get a 1997-1999 Legacy 2.5 GT motor, as I don't think the 2.5 RS SOHC engine is compatible with your ECU. If you want a more powerful engine, I'd suggest you prepare for some serious wiring and get a 2005+ ECU, engine, and harness. You CAN tune that ECU with a Tactrix cable and a laptop running RomRaider.

The easiest, most simple thing you could do to just get your car back running would be to put another 2.2 in it.

If you have money, I'd suggest a 2.0 WRX engine, harness, computer, exhaust, and transmission. The most effort, but worth it in the end.

Edit: The biggest problem with using the 2.2 ECU to control a 2000+ motor is the fact that from 1990 until 1999, except the 2.5RS in 1999 (IIRC), all Subarus used a MAF sensor for air metering. Most of the MAF sensors are the same from what I have seen, so getting a 1998 LGT motor and putting it in your L, the MAF would work right. The 2000 SOHC used a MAP sensor, and once they switched back to MAF sensors, they used both a MAF and MAP. This makes it a pain in the butt to get your ECU to control a 2000+ motor without doing lots of conversions. The sensors on the intake manifold are also different from the 1997-1999 engines, as well as around the engine, whereas they used mostly the same sensors on 1996-1999 2.2's and 1997-1999 2.5's (you do NOT want a 1996 2.5, unless you want to do some serious work to it before you put it in, plus, it requires premium).

If you get a 1998 LGT 2.5 motor, you probably will have to switch some sensors over from your 2.2 to the 2.5 to get it working, but they should interchange just fine. I have not done this myself, though I have read other people doing it on NASIOC as well as other forums, and they say it's doable.

[rocky]

Thanks for replying back, but I should of been more specific. I already have a 2.5 engine that blew, not a 2.2 and I was wondering if any of the other years of 2.5 bolt up without any problem. Thanks

[Sarra]

Ah, that's simple then. The 1997-1999 Engines are all the same, more or less. The 2000+ engines will require a new ECU, wiring, and a bunch of other stuff to get working.

[rocky]

ok, I was not sure because I was told a 97 legacy 2.5 could only be replaced by a a 97 2.5 engine and not any other year for some reason. I also heard that the 98 had a different bell housing. Thanks

[Grafton]

ok, I was not sure because I was told a 97 legacy 2.5 could only be replaced by a a 97 2.5 engine and not any other year for some reason. I also heard that the 98 had a different bell housing. Thanks

dunno about the whole year thing but ANY ej series motor will bolt up to an EJ series tranny no rpblem just have to worry about the clutch :D

[Sarra]

ok, I was not sure because I was told a 97 legacy 2.5 could only be replaced by a a 97 2.5 engine and not any other year for some reason. I also heard that the 98 had a different bell housing. Thanks

Wow... The bellhousing is on the transmission, not the engine, and even the Automatics have the same bellhousings.

Any EJ, EG, or EZ series engine will bolt up to any transmission that came off of any other EJ, EG, or EZ series engine.

[Dead91silvia]

I just swapped a 98 Forester motor into my 98 GT. The things that with need to be changed is the sensors, intake assembly, lower water neck (thum. housing), and some other little things... Both autos...

The Forester also has an extra oil cooler, but the new motor should come with it and wont affect anything....