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syncrogreg Samba Member

Joined: November 08, 2009 Posts: 743 Location: USA (Nashville TN)
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Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 11:51 am Post subject: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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I just picked up a clean 89 Westy with bad 2.5 (2005 outback engine)
I was wondering if I could replace the engine with a 2.5 Forester 2001.
After installing the 2001 block and 2005 intake I have a non starting van. I was wondering if the cam and crank tone wheels emit the same signal.
I have got some input that it could be the tone wheels have to be swapped but I wanted to be sure. If anybody have some input let me know. Thank you so much.
Thx
Greg _________________ conversions: www.boxeer.com Common rail TDI and NOW PDK transmissions!!
travel pictures:
http://instagram.com/crepeattack/
- the Pastis build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=434656&highlight=subaru+diesel |
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Mikesarge Samba Member

Joined: September 25, 2008 Posts: 257 Location: PNW
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Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 1:42 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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OBDII yeah? got any codes? that might get you started. You're sure the new bottom end is good?
If you only swapped the block, my understanding is that you should be fine |
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syncrogreg Samba Member

Joined: November 08, 2009 Posts: 743 Location: USA (Nashville TN)
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oldskewlsk8ter Samba Member

Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 349 Location: Texas
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Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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I had to swap them when I switched from megasquirt to a stock Subaru ecu and harness. _________________ 1986 Hightop w/EJ25 DOHC & 4EAT auto
1965 Kombi project |
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mathieux46 Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2006 Posts: 304
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Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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Gregg,
You need to swap the cam and crank pulley. The notches behind the pulley for the cam and crank sensors are different.
My van has a 2005 JDM ej253 block running on a 2001 ej25, ecu, wiring, intake, etc. I had to swap the pulley.
Thanks
Mathieu |
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LBC28730 Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2021 Posts: 83 Location: NC
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2024 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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mathieux46 wrote: |
Gregg,
You need to swap the cam and crank pulley. The notches behind the pulley for the cam and crank sensors are different.
My van has a 2005 JDM ej253 block running on a 2001 ej25, ecu, wiring, intake, etc. I had to swap the pulley.
Thanks
Mathieu |
Sorry for reviving the ancient thread but this is exactly the information I am looking for.
I am considering using an EJ253, primarily because it is supposed to have increased cooling capacity over the EJ25.
Youre successfully running this with essentially everything that would otherwise be for regular EJ25?
Thanks!! _________________ 1984 Westfalia |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead

Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 17857 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2024 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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LBC28730 wrote: |
because it is supposed to have increased cooling capacity over the EJ25.
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says who?
it's the same block and heads (mostly) so.... _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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LBC28730 Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2021 Posts: 83 Location: NC
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2024 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
LBC28730 wrote: |
because it is supposed to have increased cooling capacity over the EJ25.
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says who?
it's the same block and heads (mostly) so.... |
I don't have the exact references at my fingertips but do recall it was a common aspect that was reported to be the differences.
Regardless if that is entirely accurate or not, I'm just curious if it is directly compatible and I fully assumed it would be until I was told that I'd need a JDM computer and harness section to have a harness built for the conversion. _________________ 1984 Westfalia |
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GoEverywhere Samba Member

Joined: December 13, 2020 Posts: 904 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 8:46 am Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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LBC28730 wrote: |
skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
LBC28730 wrote: |
because it is supposed to have increased cooling capacity over the EJ25.
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says who?
it's the same block and heads (mostly) so.... |
I don't have the exact references at my fingertips but do recall it was a common aspect that was reported to be the differences.
Regardless if that is entirely accurate or not, I'm just curious if it is directly compatible and I fully assumed it would be until I was told that I'd need a JDM computer and harness section to have a harness built for the conversion. |
Its not cooling CAPACITY, there's a change to the cylinder 4 cooling system to allow better circulation. A lot of the EJs dead end the coolant at cylinder 4 which allows 4 to get hotter than the other cylinders. There's a coolant plug there on those engines. On the EJ253 and the EJ20x there's a barb in the head instead of a plug which plumbs back into the heater hose loop to cool cylinder 4 a bit better.
You can make that mod on *ANY* EJ by tapping the plug and putting a barb there yourself. You can google "subaru cylinder 4 cooling mod" to find more info. |
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LBC28730 Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2021 Posts: 83 Location: NC
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 8:53 am Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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GoEverywhere wrote: |
LBC28730 wrote: |
skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
LBC28730 wrote: |
because it is supposed to have increased cooling capacity over the EJ25.
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says who?
it's the same block and heads (mostly) so.... |
I don't have the exact references at my fingertips but do recall it was a common aspect that was reported to be the differences.
Regardless if that is entirely accurate or not, I'm just curious if it is directly compatible and I fully assumed it would be until I was told that I'd need a JDM computer and harness section to have a harness built for the conversion. |
Its not cooling CAPACITY, there's a change to the cylinder 4 cooling system to allow better circulation. A lot of the EJs dead end the coolant at cylinder 4 which allows 4 to get hotter than the other cylinders. There's a coolant plug there on those engines. On the EJ253 and the EJ20x there's a barb in the head instead of a plug which plumbs back into the heater hose loop to cool cylinder 4 a bit better.
You can make that mod on *ANY* EJ by tapping the plug and putting a barb there yourself. You can google "subaru cylinder 4 cooling mod" to find more info. |
Oh cool I didn't know that! I'll keep that in mind if I ever have to do another head gasket on a subaru, I've done many! I had no idea it was such a simple modification.
Additional side note, I've read about people using the turbo head gaskets as better than the stock gasket. Myself and a friend who has a Subaru specialty shop always had really good results with the felpro gaskets. _________________ 1984 Westfalia |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead

Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 17857 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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GoEverywhere wrote: |
You can make that mod on *ANY* EJ by tapping the plug and putting a barb there yourself. You can google "subaru cylinder 4 cooling mod" to find more info. |
that's where I thought this was heading.
and that "issue" was mostly on the turbo cars, more specifically turbo cars that had the shit beat out of them
funny, felpro have been junk gaskets here. I'll never use one for a head gasket _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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GoEverywhere Samba Member

Joined: December 13, 2020 Posts: 904 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
GoEverywhere wrote: |
You can make that mod on *ANY* EJ by tapping the plug and putting a barb there yourself. You can google "subaru cylinder 4 cooling mod" to find more info. |
that's where I thought this was heading.
and that "issue" was mostly on the turbo cars, more specifically turbo cars that had the shit beat out of them
funny, felpro have been junk gaskets here. I'll never use one for a head gasket |
For sure, though I figure its an easy enough mod to make it doesn't hurt to do it if you're already in there even if its not real likely to cause you a problem especially on an NA motor... |
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LBC28730 Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2021 Posts: 83 Location: NC
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 compatibility |
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[quote="skills@eurocarsplus"]
GoEverywhere wrote: |
You can make that mod on *ANY* EJ by tapping the plug
funny, felpro have been junk gaskets here. I'll never use one for a head gasket |
Yeah, that had always been my take on them as well. _________________ 1984 Westfalia |
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