Well, I'm finally getting around to posting this. Just lettn' people know that I finished my WRX Conversion on my MY98 2.5RS.

I got it all together on Sunday morning and have been driving it since. I already got it certified by the Smog Referee which places a sticker in the door jam, which states that there has been an engine change and it's All LEGAL. Then I got it smoged, because I was due for one anyway, exp. in January.

Now, I have a New car in an Old body. I used the WRX Engine, ECU and wiring harness. I kept the RS Tranny & Rear diff, which both happen to be from a MY2001. These were swapped-in back in November after I blew the first tranny.

I'm still in the process of breaking-in the motor, since the donor car apparently only had about 400 miles, it was a week old. And everything looked very New, very clean.

I'll try to post a pic, if the site will let me.

Nice work, that looks like a factory setup from the picture that you posted.:cool:

Thanks, I'll be posting more. I just have to resize them all, they're all BIG! Here's another :D

youre the man adam

damn nice job man looks hella clean. I bet its friggen fast!

Craaazy Man! When people saw my car torn apart they thought I was Nuts for taking on this project.

But, now after one month of working on it (off & on), it's complete. :D So, it wasn't too bad. Just LOT'S of reading & understanding Wiring Schematics.

I went through over 100 pages of schematics, highlighting wire routes, then labeling the wire itself for both New & Old.
It's time consuming to say the least.

So far, anyone that's seen it says: "It's clean."

So, I guess: "I've done Good Ma!"

Time will tell,
-Adam

Thanks,

That's what I mean, everyone thinks it's Clean.

Good :D

-Adam

great work adam. you better break in that motor soon, cause i wanna see you at Sears Point! :lol: once again, great work. ok, next project, you do that to my car!

oh, just wondering, what happen to your old setup?

jansen

Beautiful! Time for an STI 6 speed :devil: .

Ken

Adam,

You the man! You are Mcgyver! How much you chargin to do this to other people's cars? ;) I definitely want to swing by and check it out sometime.
I was wondering what happend to you. I guess you were busy at work.

-JOE

Six speed??? Its time for a "trick" auto box so you don't have to keep replacing trannys/clutches...4eat, the only way to go;)

Very nice Adam! Also very secretive of you;). Did anyone know you were taking on this project?

I guess you got tired of messing around with all that aftermarket turbo stuff.

now you just gotta stroke it and replace those liters you lost! :)

again, good job adam. hopefully this engine will treat you a little better.

Siiiiiick. It's awesome to hear that someone was able to do a full engine swap AND keep it legal. How hard was it to get it registered? The only item that I'd disagree with is the chrome rims. At least they're RS rims and not some crap 30 lb. rims, but still...Chrome:confused:.

-Brian

As Darth Vader would say..."Impressive, most impressive!"

Very clean job indeed. Seems as if you're living up to your name...mcgyver. :)

I knew once the WRX came out that this swap was more than likely very doable and now you've proven it so. Not only that, you've also managed to keep everything legal and stock appearing. Now you truly have the best of both worlds with a great looking car and the power to back up the "scoop" on the hood. Not only that, but since the RS is several pounds lighter than the WRX, you should already be a leg up in terms of performance.

Now that I know this is feasible, I may end up keeping the RS and canning the M-Coupe purchase idea but maybe not. :)

The only item that I'd disagree with is the chrome rims. At least they're RS rims and not some crap 30 lb. rims, but still...Chrome. I think I remember him saying he bought the car like that...I always tell him I like em! :D (in person they look pretty sick) Thats awesome though! I thought Ed was the first guy to try it around here?! Now you can buy all the new WRX upgrades! Vendors seem to be straying from the EJ25 as far as motor goodies. Looks like a bright future for that GC8

C-ya on the track :p
- Dan

NICE

Dude, you are truly worthy of your "Mcgyver" handle.

Next project: converting a WRX into a hover craft using nothing more than a few hair dryers and some paper clips!:lol:

Originally posted by Catfish
...I may end up keeping the RS and canning the M-Coupe purchase idea but maybe not. :)

Forget the M-Coupe, Dave! AWD turbo all the way.

Alright Adam.

See you at Thunderhill!!! :D

Actually there's a Buttonwillow track day coming up ... www.unlimitedlaps.com...

Adam -

Great job and from the looks of it a very clean install! It looks like someone photochoped the engine bay of a REX and pasted it into the bay of your car. Hope you kept an install diary, I'd be interested in reading about some of your pitfalls, small victories, etc.

Damn! Looks great. Job well done, you should be proud! Please let us know how things go.

Adam, u da man! I guess now u don't have to worry about blown head gaskets on the EJ25! Haha.... keep the boost up!

-Adrian

Adam,

congrats! you did a very clean job!!! i am very impressed!
so, maybe you can help me do the swap when i source a WRX motor.. ;)

big ups on the changeover, looks oem to me.;)

see you around

EJ20WRX

Damn you... Always one step ahead of the rest...

Now I have a ton of stuff you can do to that car, he he...

Typical soma adam. he forgets to give props to THOSE that helped! No matter, I'll keep our Vegas stories Secret:devil:

very nice! Hope to see you around.

larry

This brings a tear to my eye! Great job, I'm glad more than one is taking on the engine swap challenge.

Now if he'd only post up directions :D
But seriously, how difficult was it?

~Alan

In a word...

BAD ASS!

Wait, that's two words...

Seriously that rocks, looks amazing...and more than all of that...the feeling of doing such a quality job has to be amazingly satisfying.

Well done!

NC

When you accomplish something like this you want to share it with the world, and here you've done it, successfully, and you are undoubtedly on top of the world. You deserve it, and all of the props coming your way. Congratulations, and good luck.

P.S. I've got an exhaust for sale to make your first post-turbo mod. Tanabe Racing Medallion. e-mail duky86@hotmail.com

:D
RD

WOW!

Thanks guys, I wasn't expecting all this. The way I see it, I just did an engine swap and replaced a few wires ;)

After all, it wasn't that Bad. It's just time consuming going through all the wiring schematics. But, now all that is behind me. I'm pretty sure that I have an understanding on how these cars work. So, if I were to do it again, it would definately take less time. But, I guess one month for the first time ain't bad :rolleyes: ;)

Thanks again,
-Adam

Yeah, Chris-Thanks ;)

Nice work. I wonder, how much lighter is your 1998 than a new WRX?

When I had my car Corner-Weighted for Laguna Seca, it weighed in @ 2,826 lbs. WRX weighs in @ 3,130 lbs.

So, you see there is a BIG difference of 300 lbs. :D

And the RS is geared much lower, 4.11 vs. WRX's 3.90 :D Not to mention the tranny is geared lower too :D It would definately be interesting to see what it can do at the track and it's 0-60 times.

Well, gotta goooo !!! Drive ;)

-Adam

C'mon Adam. When are going to do my car ;)
Otherwise, you've got to stop rubbing it in.

-JOE:p

stroke it

stroke it


andrew your disguisting!;)

EJ20WRX

Macgyver,

I think there is a line of us ready to have you help us
convert our GC8's. Honestly, If your interested in doing
it again, you have a "customer" here.


Nice work!

_chris

adam,

when will you be done with the break in miles? i wanna see you at sears point.

jansen

cool! look just like the stock wrx! clean and fresh of the boat:lol:

Thanks Guys,

I'm actually considering the feasability of doing these kind of projects.

So, who really knows if any of this would actually happen, but it is possible. And I'm pretty open to ideas.

-Adam

hey adam,

can i get your number so we can talk? i got the money for the wrx motor and other neccessary bits, but i need your help! please send me a PM when you see this msg.


thanks,

Calvin

p.s what is the wreck yard phone number? Are you talking about the one in Rancho Cordova?

Hey, you could try to make up some kind of wire harness adaptor. I'm sure that'll save tones of time and you could sell it people that aren't in the area. I'd buy it for sure!

But there's also the issue of other people getting their hands on it and replicating it.

~Alan

Adam,

What did you do about a cross member? Did the WRX x-member fit, or did you have to source something from somewhere else? About how much did you pay for the WRX parts?

JulianH

Update!

Well, it's been 1 week today since completion and I'm Happy :) to report that so far so Good :D I also managed to rack up over 600 miles this week, strange thing is, I live about 2 miles from my shop where I drive my van for work :rolleyes: This brings me over the 1k mile mark, since the engine had 437 miles on it.

So, what did I do? I connected my Apexi AVC-R to it. Now I've got boost control and what a difference :D I gained back the feel of my departed 2.5 RS-T ;) It sure Feels like my 2.5 @ 8 psi of Boost before I lowered the compression. That low-end torque is back, so much so that, I taper the boost in the lower gears. Mid-range is STRONG @ 14.5 psi, then I taper it back down again around 6.5k to 13 psi & 12 psi @ 7k.

Calvin: I'll PM you

Alan: Nice idea, but it won't work that way due to the differences in engine harnesses, that's what we're after.

JulianH: I used the WRX cross-member, but, it does require minor modification. Nice thing about the WRX cross-member is that it uses (4) bolts for the Anti-Sway Bar vs. (2) bolts & tabs on the RS & Legacy cross-member.

-Adam

adam i need to ask you about something. gonna send you a PM

Adam, i sent you another PM.

i sent myself a pm:D

Adam/Chris,

Thanks for calling me back. hope everything works out from here! :D

Calvin

ps.. sorry about the stuttering when you guys called.. i am just too excited about this project..
:o :lol: :alien:

Originally posted by mcgyver
JulianH: I used the WRX cross-member, but, it does require minor modification. Nice thing about the WRX cross-member is that it uses (4) bolts for the Anti-Sway Bar vs. (2) bolts & tabs on the RS & Legacy cross-member.

Intriguing... you didn't happen to document these modifications, did you ? Maybe some pictures?:)

Thanks.
JulianH

McGyver,

If you let some of us know what we will need for this, that would greatly be appreciated. I'm about to take this on in a month or two...

1. What did you do about fuel supply?

2. What parts/# were needed to complete?

3. What exactly needed to be done with the Crossmember?

4. Tranny bolted right up?

5. WRX engine mounts needed?

6. You use stock WRX Exhaust?


Sorry for all the questions, but i'm in serious need of some answers before i do this.

TIA

Bren

Hi,

I am new to the club and I would like to swap a Japanese Domestic Market EJ20 in. Any successful stories of U.S. Imprezas with JDM EJ20's in them??? Please let me know.

http://www.geocities.com/subman2001nz/

I was e-mailed this site by someone who was selling JDM EJ20's on e-bay. I guess they are popular to use in V.W. Dune-buggy projects.

Thanks,

Gary

correct, they are VERY popular in dune buggies and small aircraft.
ANY conversion can be done ...for a price.
the issues surrounding the JDMej20. harness and rhd vs lhd.
You can re-work the RHD LHD for sure. However, you will be hard prssed to find JDM specs for wiring that ACTUALLY match ou harness, lol. Really, have you ever seen the wiring manuals vs. actual harmness of any JDM? If you have you'll know what I am talking about.:eek:

bump

i picked up a JDM EJ20. It has a water to air intercooler so i believe it's 95-99 got the tranny also for $1300 and pick up a LINK Stand alone unit for $975 from Outback Motorsports, who specialize in EJ20 Sand Rails. The LINK unit the i purchase was already pre-programmed for a JDM EJ20 Swap. I'm currenty wiring is a mess but the booklet i got with the LINK was custom tailored to the EJ20 conversion. Should be done with it later today. This monday i'll be taking the heads over to my homie's machine shop and get it ported out... anyone know if i can can get new US head gaskets and use it on the old motor? I might modify my GC8 front crossmember instead of buying a WRX one... I dunno yet we'll see... if your in So Cal you can stop by if not you can call my cell if you want... 909.262.0365

mark

Originally posted by G Ace
Hi,

I am new to the club and I would like to swap a Japanese Domestic Market EJ20 in. Any successful stories of U.S. Imprezas with JDM EJ20's in them??? Please let me know.

http://www.geocities.com/subman2001nz/

I was e-mailed this site by someone who was selling JDM EJ20's on e-bay. I guess they are popular to use in V.W. Dune-buggy projects.

Thanks,

Gary

i have the number to Nippon motors there in So Cal the have JDM EJ20 and tranny's so many

mark

Originally posted by Scoobed
McGyver,

If you let some of us know what we will need for this, that would greatly be appreciated. I'm about to take this on in a month or two...

1. What did you do about fuel supply?

2. What parts/# were needed to complete?

3. What exactly needed to be done with the Crossmember?

4. Tranny bolted right up?

5. WRX engine mounts needed?

6. You use stock WRX Exhaust?


Sorry for all the questions, but i'm in serious need of some answers before i do this.

TIA

Bren
1. got Walboro $80
2. JDM EJ20 motor and manual transmission $1000
3. you can modify the GC8 front crossmember $100
or buy a WRX one $250
4. yes, the EJ25 transmission will bolt up. Will it last... no.. 2nd
& 4th gear will blow out
5. i have GC8 STI mounts... i'm using them...
6. i'm going with a custom 3" down pipe into high flow cat 3" all
the way into a flowmaster, EJ25 stuff won't work have to start
over... $250

I also opted to go with a $850 LINK ecu, so i wouldn't have to get the stock JDM EJ20 wiring loom and ECU

mark

I know outback motorsports has been involved with the ej20 turbos for awhile now and was always curious how their Link map works on the ej20's they sell.

Can you please give us a good review on the Link map after your install? Thanks.

The older style ej20 turbo motors + Link + Outback Motorsports tuned map might be a good way to go on a budget.

Hey, I was wondering if you still had the stock EJ25 motor? if so I'm very interested and would like to buy. Post or PM me please.
Thanks, Micah

Nice job on the conversion. I've also got a 98 RS and have been really considering doing the exact same swap (instead of a built 2.5 or a Supercharger setup...both of which i'd like to do some day) I was wondering if you could give me details on the ever-present hiccups in the operation, clearance problems, ancillary device relocation, custom fabrication.. etc...the more specific the better, as any problems you had would directly apply to my car as well. I was also wondering if you had drawn up any finalized wiring diagrams in referance to the integration of the WRX ECU and whether you'd be willing to share them. Finally, I found this front lip spoiler for the "L style" front bumper, offered by BCautodesign in Canada, and thought I'd share this image with a fellow 98 RS owner:

http://www.bcautodesign.com/bodykits/Subaru/Impreza/95-00/SubaruGC8BClip.jpg

Thanks for any help in advance...

I'm doing a MY02 WRX motor swap into my 00 RS.


where can i get the wiring schematics? that's all i'm really worried about since that's about the hardest part.

It has a water to air intercooler

only 90-94 legacy turbo had the air to water .... also has a pretty small turbo td04

hope fully the tranny you got was a manual i paid 650 for my legacy turbo motor i seriously considerd outback motor sports ..but found a used tec 2 instead

hey adam what clutch are you using? also how did you modify the WRX cossmember to work (4 holes vs. 2 holes)? did you use the fuel pump controler from the WRX harness or is this anyway around that? Please let me know. I'm going to be doing the project and was hoping to get some tips.
thanks, Micah

Hey I could use a little help. I just swaped out my EJ25 for a JDM EJ20 is it better to buy a legacy crossmember or WRX does it really matter and what are the prices. I am hearing the legacy is $330 dam expensive and think they are way ripping me off (it is new). Also is the link system ECU stuff really that hard to do yourself. Also the other wiring is it that hard I have the front wiring harness which has the connectors for the engine bay so I can use same plugs but splice US to the JDM wiring stuff correct? I can get the wiring diagrams as well they are on there way. Well if any one can give me any help it would be appreciated. Also is there any shops local close to mira mesa that can help. I am doing all this myself with the help of one guy John but we have no place to put the car now to work on it or I could do it all myself. But don't have time and place to do it anymore.

Car looks sweet. Wish that I had the money for an RS. I just had a WRX swap finished on my 98 L Impreza. We got everything to work except for the speedometer. We have found that the 98 instrument cluster is non interchangable with any other year. I figure that your cluster is the same, except the color, and was wondering if you had any problems and or solutions with the speedo. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Brett

Since Adam isn't on line that much, I thought I'd help out a bit:

-Adam uses an ACT clutch with a lightened flywheel in his 98 RS conversion. Currently there is an ion turbo, samco hoses, 3"exhaust, crushed up pipe and AVCR (16psi) in his car. It runs 13.1 at 104 (i think).
- the fuel pump and pump controller from the wrx is used in the conversion.
-You can get and use the wrx crossmember for about $160 bux.
-The JDM engine and USDM engine connectors are very similar. There are no emission connectors in the JDM.
- if you can't buy shop manuals...another good resource for schematics is alldata.com

Chris
I-Speed USA

ps. How do i know so much about Adam? Well, Adam is one of the Founding members/partners of I-Speed USA. You can email him at alevy@i-speedusa.com
:cool:

I am atempting to convert the interior of my 96 model wrx to a 2000 model wrx, the problem is the wiring, I need wiring digrams of these models and have no idea where to find them. if some one could me that would be great because I am really stuck

Thanxx, kat

ish ya that kills nice work keep that boy alive and kickin for years to come:p

I am atempting to convert the interior of my 96 model wrx to a 2000 model wrx, the problem is the wiring, I need wiring digrams of these models and have no idea where to find them. if some one could me that would be great because I am really stuck

Thanxx, kat


are you serious??? you needed to bump a 5yr old thread for this?

www.imprezamods.com