[417STi]

Instead of ordering a 2k4 STi, I am considering taking a US spec 1998-2000 2.5RS and swapping in the ol' EJ20 out of a 1999-2000 STi (from Japan or Australia). Except I am not real familiar with this swap. Does anyone know of a success or know someone who has completed the swap?

Any info will help!
THanks

 

[CloNeGTS]

I haven't heard of anyone in the states swapping the EJ20 at all.

I'd think it would be easier to do some serious work to a WRX than go for that engine. Reason being...that engine does make more power...but you would need to do some serious detuning to make it run on our gas.

Are you really looking only for the straight line power and engine work? Even if the swap would work out with a decent amount of power remaining, you'd still have that chassis/suspension......and so on. Not exactly a substitute for a true STi IMO.

 

[417STi]

No, I am looking for more than straight line performance. There is just no way to get around the fact that the 2k4 STi is the best thing to happen to the United States of America since 1776. Too bad mods void warranty.

 

[jbhebert]

Anything can be done with enough effort or a fat enough checkbook. The swap you propose is doable, but it is far from a bolt in. Your fabrication skills will need to be good to even attempt it. Make sure you get everything back to the rear diff to simplify your installation. If this is your first swap, I would suggest working with someone knowledgable. Figure out your timetable and multiply it by three and you'll be about right. Same goes for cost...

 

[91TB78]

You say that mods void the warranty. If you're used to a 2.5RS then the stock STi will be WAAAY more than enough in terms of power.

As far as a swap..that is going to be more headache than you know what to deal with. Once you do the swap there is no warranty either (not that it hasn't run out anyways), and you'll be stuck doing your own repairs, etc. If you're going to be doing the repairs anyhow, why not mod the STi (if that's what you want) and do the repairs on a new car if it breaks.

 

[CloNeGTS]

And just a personal note....I have really bad feelings about any car with a swap.

One, you don't know what has been done to that engine before it gets crated up. The Japanese kids have to laughed at us over the engine/tranny business they have started. "Watch, we'll beat the hell out of an engine, and then get some American to buy it off of us for good money!"

And second......they have problems...big time. My buddy here at KSU did an SR20 swap into his 240, and the thing runs maybe half the time. Last issue......just driving along and all of a sudden, dead. Ignition problem somewhere in the mess of imported garbage.

 

[91TB78]

Yup. If you take the car and motor, tranny, driveline to a professional shop that is known for EXCELLENT work in swaps..then you might have less problems, but you will still have PLENTY of issues.

All-in-all I would say not worth it. Not worth the time and certainly not the money. When all is said and done you would be able to buy a STi no problem.

 

[TiTaNiuM sAMuRai]

STi vs. Supra

I've emailed with 3 people in the US who did swaps. The cost ranges from CAD$10k to CAD$20k, but with a slightly older version STi (v3 and v4). A v6 swap will run CAD$15k minimum for the engine itself, plus labour, shipping, taxes, and contingency. Have you considered swapping in the EJ20 from a US-WRX? Contact Lachute Subaru (Quebec) for better info, or do a search on i-club (actually, NASIOC --> www.nasioc.com/forums).

As others have said, you are almost guaranteed to have issues. A used racing engine is not going to have been treated gently, regardless of where it came from.


That's not stopping me from waiting for a 2k4+ US-STi drivetrain, though...



____________________________
Death to the blobeye!

 

[jbhebert]

It all comes down to the quality of the components and the quality of the installation. I have done several driveline swaps and they have all been as reliable (or more so) than many new cars I've owned. If you don't know the history of your parts, you can get burned. If you take it to a place that you don't know anything about, you can get burned. It's just like anything else automotive.

 

[wrrrx]

Sorry to say, but you're in for a lot of grief if you're "not real familiar with this swap"...
For starters, this isn't the right site for this kind of mod- take a look at www.rs25.com .
For one thing, there is a spreadsheet comparing the cost of a STi eng swap into GC8 Impreza vs turboing the existing 2.5. (Basically, you're looking at around $10,000 in addition to the cost of the car... and a whole lotta work)
Many of the above posts point out the problems involved- you will have a "Frankenstein" car, no Subaru dealer will touch it.
Your biggest problems will be wiring harnesses (hint: you will have to take two harns and make one) and engine management- what ECU are you going to use??? A JDM STi in your US-spec RS? A US RS ECU certainly ain't gonna work...
Don't get me wrong- if you *really* know your stuff, a JDM STi engine in a GC8 Impreza would be one FAaaaAAst and nimble mo-fo, but if you DON'T know what you're doing, you're gonna have a very expensive car that doesn't run well, doesn't pass emissions, and will require more work than it's worth...
So, if this isn't the kind of stuff you're going to do yourself, you'd better have a local shop that's extremely well-versed in both engine swaps and Subarus.

Good luck,
Russ Rainforth

 

[417STi]

All is very true. Thanks for the tips. There just isn't way you can beat the 2k4 STi .
Thanks for the links to the other sites too.

 

[IH8-V8]

I am doing this swap as we speak.... if anyone is interested, I can post more info about this swap....

(as well as pics)