EJ25 long block for 2006 Saab 9-2X 2.5i

[Buenos Diaz]

Happy New Year everyone! My son has a 2006 Saab 9-2 2.5i that we bought him for his first car two years ago. It is basically a rebadged Subaru Impreza. It has a EJ253 with VVLS and the head gaskets just blew on it and I’d like your advice on what the best course of action would be: Reman engine, JDM or swap out of a parts car?

The engine had the head gaskets and timing belt done about 20k miles about but the bottom end is an original with about 190k miles on it. It burned oil and we were willing to live with that but now that the head gaskets have let go I feel it needs a complete rebuild or a replacement engine. The engine has a bunch of blow by out of the oil cap, white smoke out the tailpipe, and bubbles in the expansion tank.

My son loves the car and wants to keep it It is unique and somewhat rare but being the non-turbo version it isn’t particularly valuable. We got it for a good price and he has learned a lot working on it. I’m leaning towards a replacement long block but am unsure which route to take. I know that an engine may cost about as much as the car is worth.

With that being said, who do you recommend for long blocks? A JDM engine looks like it’ll be about $2500 to $3000 shipped but I think I may get more bang for my buck by spending a little more for a rebuilt engine. I am also considering buying a wrecked 2006-2009 Subaru and swapping the engines. I feel this may be the cheapest route since I could sell the parts car after I’m done but it may be an “out of the frying pan, into the fire” situation since I’d be using a used engine.

Thanks,
Deez
_________________
1967 21 Window Bus
1965 Beetle
2019 Atlas

[modok]

A fresh short block direct from subaru is the best deal, fix and install your heads. Then it's like new, and cost is comparable to a used or rebuilt engine.

[Buenos Diaz]

Ok, thanks! Let me look into having the heads redone.

Thanks again,
Deez
_________________
1967 21 Window Bus
1965 Beetle
2019 Atlas