Opinions on USDM to JDM fitment...

[e11ys]

Alright, here's my deal. I have a 2002 WRX with about 50,000 on it. My plan is to do some light mods to keep me happy(Cobb AP,TBE,UP), then swap a JDM motor in after my warranty runs out. I have been reading up a lot on swapping in a V7, but there is one thing I'm not sure about. Will my exhaust parts fit on a V7 setup? I know the V8 is twinscroll, so that's why I've narrowed it down to V7. How hard would it be to get parts that fit, or to tune this engine once it's in the car? I live in SC, so I don't think I'm anywhere near any JDM tuners( I think Kingpin is in or near CA?). Is this a good route for me to take with my car? I was thinking that maybe I could just buy the block, without the turbo parts or tranny, and hook up the US turbo set up and transmission( with a better clutch of course). As you can tell I'm no expert, so any opinions or ideas would be great. Hopefully you guys can tell what direction I'm trying to head here . Thanks in advance.

[e11ys]

Is this not the right forum to post this question?

[Capt Crunch]

No, it's the right forum.

You are right, version 8 is twinscroll, and will not fit your exhaust. Honestly, I would not care if the motor you get will fit your exhaust. If you swap the motor you are blowing so much money already that a different downpipe is not going to make a difference.

Whatever you do, DO NOT put a stock WRX turbo on a JDM motor. The damn thing would spool so quickly and not pull to redline at all. The stock VF30 that comes with the motor doesn't pull to redline, it's too small.

Buy in bulk. It will save you in the long run. Honestly, for me the best part of the swap is the transmission. It is leagues better than the WRX tranny, in both durability, gear ratios, and driver feel. Additionally you'll want a R180 rear end.

Read this thread I wrote up on the subject a while back, it explains my position.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=670037

Basically, I sold my WRX motor and transmission for a $3000 and managed to get a JDM sti motor/tranny/R180 for $6000 out of pocket. This didn't include labor, but it's not as hard as you think. The only thing I did before swapping the motor was changing an exhaust.

Why do you want the motor? Power? Finesse? How much power do you want in the long run? What are your goals? If you want a big turbo down the road, JDM sti is the only way to go.

[e11ys]

First off, thanks a lot for the reply! It's cool to hear from an authority on this type of thing. My plan is to try to mod my engine mainly with stuff that can carry over to the V7. About the amount of power: I don't know whether or not I will end up racing it, but mostly I am looking for reliabilty. I will probably end up getting a VF34 turbo, since that seems to be the best turbo for the price. Is this the stock turbo on the V7? I could probably get a better idea of what I want if I knew what was available. Let's say I ended up running a Cobb Stage 2 setup with a VF34, sti injectors, fuel pump, TBE, and up pipe. Most likely I will upgrade to an exedy organic clutch, which should be enough to handle that amount of power. That would be as far as I would go on the stock engine. Probably about 300hp? From what I've read so far, I think all I would need would be the base V7 engine (everything except turbo and exhaust),ecu, rear end, and tranny, and I would have a V7 setup. I'm planning to gradually build up my car for the next couple years to the Cobb S2, while saving for the V7. Then I would probably sell my engine and tranny like you said, get the V7 parts, and install them at the same time. What am I leaving out, and does this sound like a good idea to you? I know most people would say "just sell the car and get an STi", but I really like the bug eye look. I don't want to be stuck with payments, and I am perfectly happy with the car I have (except the engine, of course ). Thanks again for helping me out.

Ellys

[thesmokingman]

Skip the cobb, go directly to jdm swap. Seriously, don't waste ur money on it.

[DJ_STI]

i also agree to skip the cobb. and i believe that a vf34 will still be a little too small for the jdm engine, maybe a vf22?

[Capt Crunch]

vf34 is what came on the spec-c, vf30 is what comes on a normal version 7 motor. The two are identical. The vf34 has ball bearings, but the difference in spool is negligible.

Don't waste your time with a cobb stage 2. Only the exhaust will carry over. You can get motors with the turbo, intercooler etc for cheap, and it's the same as a cobb stage 2.

Honestly, just save. Get an exhaust if you want, but save save save. A JDM motor has all that you seem to want, no point in getting anything different that won't carry over. I wouldn't even bother with engine management, because it will change once you get the new motor.

Give a call to any of the vendors here, Kingpin, Gruppe-s, IAPerformance... ask for a price for everything that you want. I would also look into getting brakes and suspension. Get a price, and see how long it will take to save up.

ebeck is a guy on here who did it half assed. He went out and got a new turbo and such for his wrx motor, and then did the JDM swap later. He spent a lot more money than he should have, by his own admission.

So again, save for the JDM motor/tranny if you want etc. It will come with what you want. Get used to the power for a year or so, and then get a larger turbo. vf30 is only cool for a little while.

[thesmokingman]

^^ Words of wisdom. Pay for it once, not here, there, and 3 times more. Do it right and do it once.

[timman_24]

Take it from me. I am going through the process right now. I was like you and wanted to go ahead and do the cobb stages while saving for a V7 later down the road. Well now I have a blown engine and am getting ready to get the JDM Engine. I would of been much better off if I had done the swap to begin with.

I blew my engine after going to cobb stage 2.5. I only had it installed for a day before it made a nasty boost spike and killed a ring/valve. Luckly I can sell the vf30, injectors, accessport, and fuel pump for a good amount because they are practically brand new.

I got a quote from kingpin... The engine is 4500, reflash is 550, and labor is 75 an hour. It usually takes 8-10 hours. Then they sell your engine for you and take 10% of that and you get they rest. Normally you get 1800-2000 out of your engine.

So for around 3 large you have a JDM STi V7 installed, tuned, and ready to roll!

Do it right the first time!

[e11ys]

Thanks guys! I've decided to go ahead and do the exhaust, then save the rest for the v7. One question though. Isn't it pretty much pointless to get exhaust if I don't have EM to maximize the gains? What I mean is, would it be worth it to buy, say, a Cobb AP, reflash my ecu for the TB and up pipe, then sell it? Or can I just hook up with someone who has an AP and do it for free? Any opinions about this? Thanks in advance!

Ellys

[scooby-stu]

Yep me too i am right in that situation now. I went the cobb route first, i was impressed with the stage 2 but when i went to 2.5 i was dissapointed in what it offered and also what the potential was gonna be for that turbo. 2 weeks ago i finnaly made the jump and bought the Ver 7 motor for $3000 with no Turbo, ECU, and Injectors . However i did find it beneficial that i already had the turbo, and injectors from the cobb setup. I also made a good deal by swapping my stock engine and tranny plus $1500 for a JDM 6 speed, So far this has cost me.

Putting old Engine back to stock.

Stock turbo $100
Stock injectors$100

New Engine Cost:

Jdm motor $3000
I/C $300
Tranny $1500
Differential (legacy 3.90) $250
Turbo inlet hose $100
Gaskets $60
Stub shafts $100
Clutch and fly wheel (used) $500
JDFM ECU $500

As you can see it costs money, Going the cobb way first ,may work for you. Install the upgrades yourself, "get to know your engine"!
Then take the final plunge!!

I am half way through my project, i took the engine and tranny out myself over the weekend with no real problems. I should have this baby on the road next week sometime.

Now for the outlook, for upgrades again!!!

FP green turbo
Custom tune
goes on and on........

I keep on telling my wife
"this is the last time", "no more mods honey " honest

[e11ys]

Originally Posted by scooby-stu

I keep on telling my wife
"this is the last time", "no more mods honey " honest

LOL. My girlfriend is already starting to roll her eyes when I start talking about what I'm going to do to my car. Oh well, she'll have to get used to it!

[Jaxx]

allow me to descent:
it all depends on your time line and how much $$$$ you have if you have 6-10k right now go with a full swap
if you have the $ for exhaust and an AP get it for ~1500 or less.. bang for the buck nothing comes close and no down time

A. you will need the exhaust no matter what
B. the AP at stage 2 will actually use the performance that the exhaust will uncork
C. the AP has a nearly 100% resale value

if you decide to go to 2.5 by adding a turbo+injectors+fuel pump sell the AP and get a custom ecutek/(accesstuner if it ever comes out) tune