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Old 10-04-2023, 09:55 AM   #126
RedTeddy77
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Originally Posted by Sheajb View Post
Thanks alot I'll try that to see if there is any contact
Let us know how your build goes, I just snagged a 98 Block that I plan on trying to use in an 09 I think I have to use the HG from the 98 but we'll see. Right now my supplier cant get me cranks so I am grabbing up what I can.
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Old 11-21-2023, 10:03 AM   #127
Fozziebare
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Default 2009 Forester X base engine replacement

So my 2009 Forester X base model is showing signs of head gasket issues. It's been leaking oil for quite a while now and just last Friday started throwing PO301, PO302, & PO304 codes at the same time. Basically running on one cylinder so I am assuming that the gaskets have **** the bed. I recently replaced all the plugs, wires, injectors, and O2 sensors as well as the exhaust manifold which had cracks where the 4 pipes weld to the collector. Car was running beautiful then BOOM! misfiring and barely running. So I have resigned myself to the fact that I have to pull the motor which doesn't bother me I've done plenty of that type work before. But what do I do once the motor is out? Do I have the heads done and just slap it back together? It sounded to me like I had a fair amount of what I would call piston slap when starting it up in the morning. So I don't want to just do the heads to only have the short block grenade on me shortly after. I have seen JDM engines on eBay for a reasonable amount of money that have very low mileage compared to US cars. I would like to just purchase a complete JDM EJ253 and drop it in but I have seen some postings that say they aren't completely compatible? If not compatible what exactly needs to be done to have it work on my car? Is there a guide somewhere that I could follow? Thanks for any and all help folks!
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Old 11-21-2023, 11:26 AM   #128
RedTeddy77
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So my 2009 Forester X base model is showing signs of head gasket issues. It's been leaking oil for quite a while now and just last Friday started throwing PO301, PO302, & PO304 codes at the same time. Basically running on one cylinder so I am assuming that the gaskets have **** the bed. I recently replaced all the plugs, wires, injectors, and O2 sensors as well as the exhaust manifold which had cracks where the 4 pipes weld to the collector. Car was running beautiful then BOOM! misfiring and barely running. So I have resigned myself to the fact that I have to pull the motor which doesn't bother me I've done plenty of that type work before. But what do I do once the motor is out? Do I have the heads done and just slap it back together? It sounded to me like I had a fair amount of what I would call piston slap when starting it up in the morning. So I don't want to just do the heads to only have the short block grenade on me shortly after. I have seen JDM engines on eBay for a reasonable amount of money that have very low mileage compared to US cars. I would like to just purchase a complete JDM EJ253 and drop it in but I have seen some postings that say they aren't completely compatible? If not compatible what exactly needs to be done to have it work on my car? Is there a guide somewhere that I could follow? Thanks for any and all help folks!
Normally as long as I know the block is good I just send the heads out and get them pressure checked, valve guides replaced if any have dropped, valves ground and the head shaved. I have put some back together that had wrist pin slap and went another 100k with no issues. I just had someone bring me a JDM motor for their outback. Their motor was a non EGR and the JDM was an EGR motor so I just re-used the old intake (which you should do anyway) and plugged the EGR port on the cylinder head. I would just make sure the motor you're getting has the heads and if yours requires the EGR the motor has it. If it the motor doesn't have an EGR you will need to drill and tap the head for it.
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Old 11-21-2023, 11:57 AM   #129
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^+1

Also, there is a chance you'll need to change the driver's side camshaft gear / sprocket on the JDM. Just swap your original over - you'll want to install new Tbelt, pullies and WP/Tstat anyway...right? :-)

Note that '09 EJ253 was used in the Impreza, Legacy and Outback and those online forums will have lots of JDM swap info too. Been done a lot.

RE: the JDM - some won't warranty them unless installed by a shop/mech/tech, so 'heads up'.

'But I'm 'perplexed; why you'd swap the injectors? What symptoms/CELs did you have that necessitated the the tune-up + injectors? What did you put in there for replacement injectors or just get yours serviced? And did you use an OEM/Denso quality O2 sensor?



Ps. this thread was originally for swapping a 2.5/EJ255/EJ257 TURBO in place of the 2.0/EJ205 in the WRX, so you may not get a lot of eyes on this.

Last edited by wtdash; 11-21-2023 at 12:28 PM.
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Old 11-21-2023, 02:37 PM   #130
RedTeddy77
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^+1

Also, there is a chance you'll need to change the driver's side camshaft gear / sprocket on the JDM. Just swap your original over - you'll want to install new Tbelt, pullies and WP/Tstat anyway...right? :-)

Note that '09 EJ253 was used in the Impreza, Legacy and Outback and those online forums will have lots of JDM swap info too. Been done a lot.

RE: the JDM - some won't warranty them unless installed by a shop/mech/tech, so 'heads up'.

'But I'm 'perplexed; why you'd swap the injectors? What symptoms/CELs did you have that necessitated the the tune-up + injectors? What did you put in there for replacement injectors or just get yours serviced? And did you use an OEM/Denso quality O2 sensor?



Ps. this thread was originally for swapping a 2.5/EJ255/EJ257 TURBO in place of the 2.0/EJ205 in the WRX, so you may not get a lot of eyes on this.
Ahh yes the camshaft gears and crank, Thanks for throwing that in there along with waterpump and TH. I am work and got distracted LOL
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Old 11-22-2023, 11:14 AM   #131
Fozziebare
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Originally Posted by wtdash View Post
^+1

Also, there is a chance you'll need to change the driver's side camshaft gear / sprocket on the JDM. Just swap your original over - you'll want to install new Tbelt, pullies and WP/Tstat anyway...right? :-)

Note that '09 EJ253 was used in the Impreza, Legacy and Outback and those online forums will have lots of JDM swap info too. Been done a lot.

RE: the JDM - some won't warranty them unless installed by a shop/mech/tech, so 'heads up'.

'But I'm 'perplexed; why you'd swap the injectors? What symptoms/CELs did you have that necessitated the the tune-up + injectors? What did you put in there for replacement injectors or just get yours serviced? And did you use an OEM/Denso quality O2 sensor?

Ps. this thread was originally for swapping a 2.5/EJ255/EJ257 TURBO in place of the 2.0/EJ205 in the WRX, so you may not get a lot of eyes on this.
So as for the injectors I already had them from a while ago. At one point I was having misfire issues and thought maybe the injectors were the issue so I wanted them on hand in case they were the problem. I never actually used them until I did the big tune up. I figured while I was in there I would swap out the injectors as they were 175k miles into their life and it couldn't hurt.

I watched this video that a guy posted about doing this very same swap/replacement on a 2010 Forester. He really didn't need to do much in the way of swapping of anything which really was positive news to me. I have worked as a paid automotive tech for Mercedes, Porsche, Ford and a stint working on boats so I am fully capable of doing this work. I just want to get all the information possible before I dive in.


I am planning on replacing the time belt and associated other hardware while the engine is sitting in my garage and is easily accessible. I also plan on replacing the rear main seal. The one thing I am not sure about and it is a big one is whether I should pull the heads on the JDM motor and have them done before installing the motor? My anal self says to do that but my frugal self that isn't rich says roll with the motor as is? These motors have very low mileage compared to ours like 45-55k so I am thinking I can get away with not messing with the heads themselves as long as they look clean? My concern is whether or not the motor really is low mileage or not and the fact there is no way to confirm the mileage? So there is some gamble in doing this repair.
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Old 11-22-2023, 12:13 PM   #132
wtdash
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I'm not a mech/tech- just a DIY'er. Approx. a dozen HG jobs>Subaru EJs only. So, take it or leave it.>>>

I wouldn't touch the rear main - not a 'subaru' issue usually. But I would look at the rear separator plate on the back of the engine. They can leak.

I'd pull the heads to replace the HG, check that they're flat, and reinstall w/the current OEM or other quality aftermarket version (no spray or sealer). Otherwise, plan on doing them in <100K as they're a maintenance item on EJs.

I'd trust the low mileage. Why? Look up why JDMs are so common in the US. But no guarantee the engine was maintained. From what I've read the Japanese are more OCD about their cars' appearance and maintenance than USA owners.

You likely have your own ways to determine the engine's health. Possibly do a UOA (Blackstone), too? Before the warranty expires.

Last edited by wtdash; 11-27-2023 at 12:41 PM.
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Old 11-22-2023, 12:13 PM   #133
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double post - fing nasioc
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Old 11-27-2023, 11:57 AM   #134
Fozziebare
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Originally Posted by wtdash View Post
I'm not a mech/tech- just a DIY'er. Approx. a dozen HG jobs>Subaru EJs only. So, take it or leave it.>>>

I wouldn't touch the rear main - not a 'subaru' issue usually. But I would look at the rear separator plate on the back of the engine. They can leak.

I'd pull the heads to replace the HG, check that they're flat, and reinstall w/the current OEM or other quality aftermarket version (no spray or sealer). Otherwise, plan on doing them in <100K as they're a maintenance item on EJs.

I'd trust the low mileage. Why? Look up why JDMs are so common in the US. But no guarantee the engine was maintained. From what I've read the Japanese are more OCD about their cars' appearance and maintenance than USA owners.

You likely have your own ways to determine the engine's health. Possibly do a UOA (Blackstone), too? Before the warranty expires.
So I spoke to my machine shop guy this morning. He has done a lot of Subaru work. He said he thought spending all that money on a used engine was too much and that I should just yank the heads and have him go through them. It only costs $600 to have him go through them completely including machining for flatness (decking) and doing the exhaust valves if they need it. I pulled the motor out yesterday and it wasn't bad at all. Took me 6-7 hours by myself going slow and methodically. Getting the motor back in will be a bigger bitch than taking it out but I'm not too concerned it will happen.
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Old 12-08-2023, 01:44 PM   #135
weavewolf
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Default Newbie... Looking for some advice as I can't decide my best next move.

Recently acquired an 05 Legacy 2.5i na non-alvs EJ253 with a knock around 130k on the motor. I also found a cheap doner 03 Forester EJ251 na with like 240k miles, bad diff and frame is shot.

The advice i'm looking for is, what would be my next best move here... here are my thoughts...

option 1: Swap in the EJ251 to the Legacy, keep the intake/TB etc. and run it as is till I either find another engine or get the EJ253 rebuilt.

* I'm thinking the head gasket will need to be replaced soon on the 251. Timing kit was replaced with a gates in 2017.. so not so sure about that either.

Option 2: only swap the short block, get the heads and block resurfaced, replace the HG and other gaskets as I go.

*I'm a little worried about the difference in wear between the heads and pistons, The knock motor was not run very much so i'm not too terribly worried about the journals, but I have yet to get my eyes on them.

Option 3: this was suggested to me, buy a rebuilt short block, aisen timing kits, good HG, and along with resurfacing the heads and what not as needed.

*I agree this would be a good option... but also more expensive than I am hoping as this will basically just be a winter driving car/ spare car.

any advice would be appreciated!
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Old 12-08-2023, 06:58 PM   #136
wtdash
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Option 3: No - this is $$ and an extra car - Why bother?

Option 2: Yes. Caveat 1: If you don't know the full history on either engine, then I'd keep block and 'best' heads together and get a new HG in there. Sounds like time is not an issue, so the extra few days to R&R the heads is worth it. Caveat 2: The '05 should be EGR; the '03 is likely NOT. Unless you want to drill and tap the '03 heads you're stuck w/the '05 heads.

Option 1: See Caveat 2 above. EGR may prevent the easy swap. Also, note that Subaru was kind enough (!!) to swap Cam sprockets/Gears (driver's side) somewhere in there, so you may need to swap over that, too. Google that for more info if needed.

RE: Gates TBelt - Not a fan.....from what I've read the newer Gates kits may be suspect - for quality. Not sure on when that changed but may be related to China-sourced parts?? The Aisin kits - and WP - are the way to go, unless you go OEM.

For reference I just 'flipped' an '05 OB w/the same EJ253. It lost its tensioner bolt - sheared off - and took out the valves. I bought an EJ251 that was remfg'd:
Maintenance/ Parts replaced:
Battery

Timing Belt, pulleys, tensioner
Water Pump
Thermostat
VC gaskets

ATF serviced

Coolant/AF

Spark Plugs
Plug wires
PCV
Air filter

Front and rear struts

Last edited by wtdash; 12-08-2023 at 07:04 PM.
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Old 12-08-2023, 06:58 PM   #137
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WTF does it dupe?

Last edited by wtdash; 12-08-2023 at 07:02 PM. Reason: double post
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Old 12-30-2023, 12:29 PM   #138
deanrocker
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Thanks for the info. I have an 06 MT Baja Turbo. I need to swap the ECU. HOWEVER, the engine was swapped from 2.55 to a JDM 2.0. Everything was working great, except cruise control, until the vehicle was briefly flooded up the seats. I'm told the ECU is likely damaged.
What should I get for a replacement ECU? One that is a straight swapout for the one currently in it, that was for the 2.55 engine, or one that is geared for a 2.0 engine?
Thanks.
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Old 12-30-2023, 12:30 PM   #139
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Default Baja ECM Swap?

Thanks for the info. I have an 06 MT Baja Turbo. I need to swap the ECU. HOWEVER, the engine was swapped from 2.55 to a JDM 2.0. Everything was working great, except cruise control, until the vehicle was briefly flooded up the seats. I'm told the ECU is likely damaged.
What should I get for a replacement ECU? One that is a straight swapout for the one currently in it, that was for the 2.55 engine, or one that is geared for a 2.0 engine?
Thanks.
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Old 12-30-2023, 12:44 PM   #140
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^Same ECU. If the harness got wet - not just the ECU - I wish you good luck.
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