Subaru engine source

Good reference - Shoptalkforums.com in the "conversions perversions" section has a lot of Subaru info.

You'll most likely need the engine wiring harness, ECU (unless doing aftermarket) with the harness, and some of the sensors (?). Might be easiest to get entire car - if you can dispose of what's not needed (and maybe make a few $ on it). 

I bought an entire running car for my conversion, because I wanted to run the stock ECU. I don't think that's typical now.

The forums are a good source. If your heart is set on a turbo, be prepared to do substantially more engineering of the cooling systems than if you go NA.

Also: more than 200 hp in a car like these is dicey. The wheelbase is short and the stock suspensions and plausible brake/tire combos demand strict concentration and no small amount of skill from any driver seeking to wring it out.

If you want a car you will actually enjoy driving on public roads, buy or build a nice EJ25 NA.

If I get a donor car with an EJ25 NA, what year range and model should I look for?

I'd ask Carey Hines ( @chines1) where Special Edition (Beck) gets theirs.  An EJ253 (~180hp) is lots of power in one of these cars.

Henry ( Intermeccanica) built me a Subaru turbo roadster. It was one of the very last to come out of the New Westminster factory. I had the engine built by a Subaru specialist using a new short block and heads and with the exception of the stock ECU everything else was new. The transmission is a reversed Subaru 5spd.

This  car is very drivable and quick. Would I do it again? Yes.

There are low mileage Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) ones available - but not with a wiring harness/ECU and electronics/sensors could be different from US models.

No brainer. Call John at Outfront Motorsports. I’ve got a 200hp 2.5 EJ in my Spyder with built heads and an aftermarket ECU. It scream up to 7000 rpms with the flick of the throttle. He now has a stroker 2.6 he claims at 230hp. That’s optimistic but I’m sure it’s incredible. John is a reliable stand up guy. Greg at VMC used all Outfront engines for all watercooled application until he went completely to Pat Downs air cooled engines air cooled engines. Outfront is the way to go if you are going Subaru.

@Lane Anderson posted:

I'd ask Carey Hines ( @chines1) where Special Edition (Beck) gets theirs.  An EJ253 (165hp) is lots of power in one of these cars.

Fixed it for you.

@DannyP posted:

Fixed it for you.

210 hp (butt-dyno), 180 hp dynoed (Orange County Correction Factor), 165 hp observed at the crank.

You've got to insert all the correction factors.

@Ace

There is a chart of donor years, and what can be done to each, on Small Car's website.  We use 06-07 EJ253 Impreza exclusively, it is the latest year that you can modify the harness and ECU extremely easily and keep everything stock.  We start with a complete donor car, this way you get everything you need.  Outfront makes a great motor, and we use them for special builds that want more power than stock (175hp, dyno tested, stock) but in my opinion you can't beat a stock ECU, electronic throttle, stock intake, OBD-II diagnostics, etc...  that's why we do it.

I have my source for engines backlogged several years and he is not looking for any additional outside work, but there are many "stock" engine rebuilders out there also.

Search the conversion forums, you'll need a handful of additional special parts also, shortened oil pan, mounts, adapter plates and flywheel depending on which trans you build, etc...  And don't skimp on the trans, a lot of people do, and an under built gearbox will get eaten alive by the torque of even a stock Suby motor.

@550 Phil posted:

No brainer. Call John at Outfront Motorsports. I’ve got a 200hp 2.5 EJ in my Spyder with built heads and an aftermarket ECU. It scream up to 7000 rpms with the flick of the throttle. He now has a stroker 2.6 he claims at 230hp. That’s optimistic but I’m sure it’s incredible. John is a reliable stand up guy. Greg at VMC used all Outfront engines for all watercooled application until he went completely to Pat Downs air cooled engines air cooled engines. Outfront is the way to go if you are going Subaru.

I agree with 550 Phil. I went with the stroked 2.6L built by John at Outfront Motorsports in my VMC speedster. It is a blast to drive, with lots of power and very little to do in the way of maintaining. Just change the oil and filter and drive it.

Which one?

Which Engine to Choose? (busaru.com)

@Butcher Boy posted:

I agree with 550 Phil. I went with the stroked 2.6L built by John at Outfront Motorsports in my VMC speedster. It is a blast to drive, with lots of power and very little to do in the way of maintaining. Just change the oil and filter and drive it.

That's beautiful right there

Thanks for all the info!