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Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:49 am

I know this topic has been talked about a lot but I am considering replacing my current 1600cc motor with a EJ25.

Right now its in the planning phase and so I am looking to gather a list of things I will have to get in order to make this conversion happen.

I have a relative who can get me the Subaru engine for little to no cost so I was wondering what else I needed besides the motor.

Also if I can do this with minimal body work I would like to go that route.
I plan on upgrading the car to be more modern with disc brakes and better suspension as well as new wiring. Pretty much restoring the car to new condition.

Any help/advise is appreciated. and I really wanting to go through with this so my mind is set on the conversion. car has the old motor dropped already (was running really rough aka didnt run).

Thanks

Tue Mar 19, 2013 11:21 am

check out the performance section, lots off info on the suby swap there

Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:19 pm

Thank you for the lead.

I know the basics of the conversion but I just feel its TOO easy. there has to be something I need to watch out for.

I know that if I want to fit the EJ25 in nicely I need to put EJ22 headers on to reduce the width of the engine. Helps with power and compression etc. and I have read that the Subaru engines are similar to VW engines as the parts are interchangeable and can easily be moved around to better fit in the tight space.

I also looked up a bit on installing the radiator in the front and possible options as to which radiator would be a good fit for the engine.

would all I need to do is simply adjust the engine to fit and then set up a cooling system?

Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:42 pm

Don't forget all the wiring for the fuel
Injection....

Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:00 pm

Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:59 pm

Well I dont see the wiring and cooling system as that hard of a task. I know basics and have a few mechanic relatives who have the complete know how.

My goal for this car is to renew it anyways so eventually I would have replaced about everything in the beetle.

Price wise for me it would be cheaper to go this route than build a VW motor with equal power (not entirely what I'm going for but its a nice addition).

I know Ill need Subaru Engine Adapter kit, the entire cooling system, possibly new/custom exhaust, disc brake kit, wiring, probably invest in a different spedo or digital so original can stay, etc.

Got a little Excell spreadsheet I like to keep lol

Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:09 pm

BrettBrokaw wrote: Well I dont see the wiring and cooling system as that hard of a task. I know basics and have a few mechanic relatives who have the complete know how.

My goal for this car is to renew it anyways so eventually I would have replaced about everything in the beetle.

Price wise for me it would be cheaper to go this route than build a VW motor with equal power (not entirely what I'm going for but its a nice addition).

I know Ill need Subaru Engine Adapter kit, the entire cooling system, possibly new/custom exhaust, disc brake kit, wiring, probably invest in a different spedo or digital so original can stay, etc.

Got a little Excell spreadsheet I like to keep lol

Speedo runs off front left wheel cable... why would you need to swap it?

Thu Mar 21, 2013 2:13 pm

The one that is in there right now is inaccurate. The only thing that works relatively well is the mileage gauge. It would be nice to upgrade especially the fuel gauge.....reads 1/4 tank more than what is actually in there, always has.

Its more so just wanting the car to fit my taste i suppose.

Thu Mar 21, 2013 4:50 pm

Mr.Duncan wrote:
Speedo runs off front left wheel cable... why would you need to swap it?

Computerised engines like Subarus need a speed sensor.

I just made one on my rear axle, was a $25 sensor and 4 years later is still working well, Its multi purpose actually

I've still got my original speedo but I also have a digital heads up display speedo on the windscreen.

My speed sensor is for the engine ECU but it also operates the HUD speedo.

Being on the rear axle also stops the ECU going into limp mode on dynos because the front wheels aren't turning

Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:50 pm

Alright, so I've been looking around and pricing engines and other things.
I found 2 local people parting cars ( a 1999 and 2003 Forester).
The 99' wants $900 for the engine (possibly wiring) and I haven't heard from the other yet.

I found a website that says they can get needed parts but its probably $3000-$4000. Other than that I haven't found a wire harness.
http://www.ccrengines.com/id25.html

If anyone has any information on some websites or businesses that ship throughout the US.

Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:10 pm

I bought my engine from http://www.nippon-motors.com/ it looks great, But I have yet to start it. If you could get a donor car for 900 I would go that route.

Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:29 pm

Yeah, I've been mainly searching for a donor car but if I can find a good engine for a nice price then Ill do that as well.

can you buy a car from a pick-n-pull? that would almost be easier than searching craigslist

Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:16 pm

I found a used auto shop near me that has a 2002 Impreza EJ25 for $1350. I only has 106,000 miles on it. I know that's almost enough for a used parts car but its hard to find one.

I emailed them asking for a quote of all the other parts I need as well so we shall see what they say. I don't mind paying the money but I don't want to over pay.

Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:55 am

What shape is the rest of the car in?

you can usually pay for most of the donor selling off the transmission, interior, panels, wheels etc

Around here transmissions alone are worth nearly what engines are.

I know it seems cheap and easy to go and pay a few hundred just for an engine but by the time you chase up the correct ECU and loom plus all the other small parts you don't think of at the time you would probably end up paying more than a donor car anyway.

Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:32 pm

Im not sure what they would ask for but Im sure its more than what I have saved up right now :/

It will be about another month or so before I get the money for that but I am sure Ill find a nice donor by then.

It would be nice to find an 03 forester because that is what my wife has and I can save spare parts for her lol

Thu Apr 25, 2013 6:15 pm

I found a 2002 Forester for $1600. Side swiped a barrier and passenger doors are dinged. engine has 219xxx.

Any advise on whether I should go for this?
its a salvage title and the car isn't bad besides the side lol

I can always do a rebuild to get the engine back to good health.
Don't need the body anyways

Fri Apr 26, 2013 8:00 am

I think that's too much :-k

Fri Apr 26, 2013 11:56 am

Im putting in an ej22 into my bug :twisted: I already have the whole Subaru which I got for free lol, now I just need to fork out the cash for the adapter plate and flywheel.

Fri Apr 26, 2013 4:44 pm

JasonBaker wrote: I think that's too much :-k

Way too much if it does have 219k on the clock.

The problem with those phase 2 SOHC EJ25 is they still need some bodywork mods to fit between the bumper mounts.
Thats why I fit phase 1 heads on my EJ25 so it fit with no body mods still.

Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:38 pm

Im going to look at the car and see what I do from there. The car was reduced to $1500 so Im thinking of offering $1200 cash.

I'm thinking of replacing the apron as well because it was pretty dinged. I would get a phase 1 but there aren't many for cheap. People are asking way too much for their hardly running cars....
I've been searching for about 10 months and nothing has come close to think cheap or new. Even the engines are selling for $1000...

Do you have to create a mount to hold the engine up? I've read that its 264 lbs and the 1600cc that was in it was about 220.
Im getting polyurethane mounts for the tranny cause the rubber ones are like chewed bubble gum (the original ones lol)

I also should be able to get any replacement parts like pistons or other metal/aluminium parts for free so there is always that