I can buy a JDM Forester Turbo motor for $2000 with the complete wiring harness, turbo, up, dp, ic and ECU, OR I could buy the whole front clip for about $1000 more which would include the 5 speed transmission with rear end, rear sub frame with brakes, axles, radiator and front crossmember.
I am trying to save as much money as possible, so unless having the whole front clip makes the swap a lot easier and the front clip parts are a lot better it is not worth the extra cost for me. So, a couple questions if I may:

1- Does having the whole front clip make it a lot easier to do an engine swap?
2- Is the JDM Forester Turbo transmission any stronger than my stock 2.5RS tranny?
3- Will The radiator and power steering lines fit?
4- Are the brakes also larger? Would they be a worthwhile upgrade?

Thank you for the help!

I'de usually go for the clips. At least in most cases you know you have all the parts that you need for a swap. Alot of drivetrains that I have seen that were taken out by dismantlers were missing alot parts. And its a PITA to have to source parts and paying the extra for what is missing.

Very true, but with the front clip its more money to buy it, 700+ dollars to ship it, and them I'm stuck with a ton of S*** that I have to rent a truck to dispose off and then pay some more money for a junkyard to take it. All in all, I'd really want to avoid it unless its an awesome transmission, a brake swap, and the radiator and PS lines fit....

you cant have it all. there is no easy solution for everything. if u get a set , u will be missing components and if u get a clip u willl have to deal with excess parts that u dint need and higher shipping charges. in this case there is no RIGHT answer, its all based on ur budget and how much s#!t ur willing to put up with to get this swap done. i would go with the clip tho. u rpaying more but u dont have the hassle of searching for parts that woulda been in the clip.just my 2 cents

in my case a front clip was cheaper I paid 2500 shipped for a version 1 wrx front clip. therse little misc crap that you don't know you need until you accually get the clip. car runs great but that was a long time ago i got the clip now they are so expensive its amazing how much I paid the place i got it does'nt sell front clips any more

If you stuck with your stock RS transmission, you'd have a much harder time trying to find a clutch that will hold up to the power. The push style clutches don't seem to hold much.

If you went with the clip and got the forester transmission (with it being a turbo, it will have the pull style clutch, and you can use any clutch that's made for a WRX) It opens your clutch options up a whole lot. In my expierience, it's definately worth it to have the clip along with all of the components you need to do the swap, instead of finding out you need some part that you can only get from Japan, and it's a 2 month wait.

Well, I have an exedy clutch and an ACT 13 pound flywheel. I imagine that would be good enough for the 260HP that engine makes, and doubt my transmission would hold up a whole lot more than that, so I don't feel too tempted to be upgrading the engine for much more power. I guess the question is: Is the FOrester Turbo transmission that much stronger and do all the other parts from the front clip (transmission, brakes, radiator) fit readily and are worth the extra cost?

personally if it were me, i'd go with the clip, you can always sell the extra parts like fenders, hood, grill, stuff like that if it comes with it, granted i dont have any real knowledge dealing with swaps just what i've read here but if i had a choice i'd go with the clip. :)

Yes its worth it if you can find/ afford it.

Randy

Just out of curiousity, where did you find this clip? PM me if you don't want to post.

-James

There's one on eBay right now.

It got sold.

I had to do the sourcing of parts, and that was a PITA, but well worth it in the end.;)

USDM WRX motor/harness/etc.

Much easier to source replacement parts.

-mykr.

from personal experience...JDM parts are hard to get a hold of, some times better off just getting aftermarket parts to instead of stock...;)

Thank you for all the comments. Unfortunately that motor got sold. Could you comment on this motor (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=761219) instead? Its the one I may go for.

Where the hell are people finding front clips for 3500? I can't find anything below 5k...