EJ25 Compatibility

[Liberty Valance]

A friend picked up a mint condition 2005 Forester X with a blown engine for $600 (it was traded at a dealership).
It is possible to see the crankshaft through a hole in the top of the block so the engine definitely isn’t worth repairing.
We want pick up a another EJ25 engine and give it a freshen up with head gaskets, timing belt, water pump, rear main seal, etc, etc….

To make things easy should we be only looking for 03-05 Forester engines or are there EJ25’s from other model Subi’s which will transplant easily without needing wiring loom swaps too?
Like 06-08 Forester for instance?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Robbks]

I'll assume it's an MY05 (pre-facelift SG)
If so, it's got the boat anchor EJ251 as found in the Gen 3 Liberty/ Outback.
Just check the compliance plates in the engine bay and then go hunting.
Should be cheap as chips to pick up another one and give it a freshen up.

You'll usually find them with toasted head gaskets, but if you intend on stripping it anyway, that's a moot point.

The 06-08 moves to the EJ253 with AVCS, etc and will need serious loom and ECU work to get it running

An EZ30D from a Gen3 Outback would be a great project and you'd get all the needed parts from a front cut or rear-ended one
although might be outside the scope of this.

 

[NachaLuva]

Yep, can't use the much better EJ253 without either an aftermarket ECU or the matching ECU and loom splice.

Id just throw in a good EJ251, get the timing belt, tensioner, pulleys, water pump, rear main seal, etc done with the engine out. Then you'll have a good, reliable Foz for cheap! :biggrin:

 

[Liberty Valance]

Thanks guys, now that I think carefully it is a 'round nose' Forester so that would make it an MY06. Looks like we will be sourcing a EJ253. I think we can have this project on the road for under $2k and make a great cheap car out of it for his kid.