98 forestor older engine swap

subari87 · 01-26-2008, 04:51 PM

I just found a junked 98 forestor for 1 dollar, usual plague of overheating, no cures, needs engine. Body, as the usual story goes is great and inspectable. This is the only way I would be looking to have one sit around until work is done. This year I have learned is notorious for very bad engine, especially my car killing locale.

What N/A engine would be of choice? I have a good idea already, and it would be an older engine stepped up just so slightly to be close to the 165hp, but would like specific year opinion instead of generalization.Somebody must be dealing with this same problem year car that stays looking good and premature driveline demise somewhere...
Thanks for replies. I hope this thread does not disappear with suby negativity as the motivation. NASOIC can be real can it not?

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flstffxe · 01-26-2008, 05:15 PM

just about any subaru engine will fit. I would check the classifieds for some one who has swapped their 2.5L NA car to a turbo and is selling their old parts. complete engine, wiring harness and ecu. Guys who have done more swaps could chime in here and go into other options also, like a 2.5l shortblock with 2.0/2.2 heads and what ecus will run those set ups. The plague of over heating is more then likely head gaskets. it is fairly common.

Patrick Olsen · 01-26-2008, 10:25 PM

Sounds to me like someone is throwing away a perfectly good car that just needs to have the head gaskets done. "No cure" means that whoever is selling the car is clueless. The cure is new head gaskets and the engine will be good for as long as you own it.

But, if you insist on replacing the engine, then as flstffxe said, any EJ-series engine will fit.

ballitch · 01-26-2008, 10:51 PM

The Phase I EJ25 had overheating issues, but the new revised HG seems to have fixed that problem.

part # 11044AA610 is the new 4-layer MLS HG that subaru uses.

If you can fix the car for a couple hundred then you have a pretty cheap car.

~Josh~

Calamity Jesus · 01-28-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subari87

This year I have learned is notorious for very bad engine, especially my car killing locale.

Yeah.. bad for a Subaru.. which isn't bad at all. As was said.. look into replacing the head gaskets. You may need to get the heads shaved since it's been allowed to overheat.

If you're still leery of the engine after fixing it.. sell it for a massive profit. Even with a busted engine, that thing was worth two thousand (assuming the mileage is semi reasonable).

gt35rRotatedSTI · 02-10-2009, 01:05 AM

cant shave the heads on a subaru the intake want line up

Patrick Olsen · 02-10-2009, 01:32 AM

Shaving heads doesn't take that much material off. There are plenty of built motors running around with shaved heads.

reddevil · 02-10-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gt35rRotatedSTI

cant shave the heads on a subaru the intake want line up

Yes you can, done it many times

98foz · 02-10-2009, 03:59 AM

just rebuilt my 2.5 out of my 98 forester, took a couple days but it went smooth and was about 350 to 400 bucks. kind of want to sell it now though. good luck with the motor!

Storm · 02-10-2009, 06:57 AM

Where is this car? I need a better DD for my better half......

Jay

01-26-2008, 04:51 PM	#1
subari87 * Banned * Member#: 167422 Join Date: Dec 2007 Chapter/Region: NESIC Vehicle: 1987 3 main	98 forestor older engine swap I just found a junked 98 forestor for 1 dollar, usual plague of overheating, no cures, needs engine. Body, as the usual story goes is great and inspectable. This is the only way I would be looking to have one sit around until work is done. This year I have learned is notorious for very bad engine, especially my car killing locale. What N/A engine would be of choice? I have a good idea already, and it would be an older engine stepped up just so slightly to be close to the 165hp, but would like specific year opinion instead of generalization.Somebody must be dealing with this same problem year car that stays looking good and premature driveline demise somewhere... Thanks for replies. I hope this thread does not disappear with suby negativity as the motivation. NASOIC can be real can it not? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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01-26-2008, 05:15 PM	#2
flstffxe Scooby Specialist Member#: 155358 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Coon Rapids, MN Vehicle: 2008 Forester Steel Silver	just about any subaru engine will fit. I would check the classifieds for some one who has swapped their 2.5L NA car to a turbo and is selling their old parts. complete engine, wiring harness and ecu. Guys who have done more swaps could chime in here and go into other options also, like a 2.5l shortblock with 2.0/2.2 heads and what ecus will run those set ups. The plague of over heating is more then likely head gaskets. it is fairly common.

01-26-2008, 10:25 PM	#3
Patrick Olsen NASIOC Supporter Member#: 120 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Where the Navy sends me... Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT QuickSilver Metallic	Sounds to me like someone is throwing away a perfectly good car that just needs to have the head gaskets done. "No cure" means that whoever is selling the car is clueless. The cure is new head gaskets and the engine will be good for as long as you own it. But, if you insist on replacing the engine, then as flstffxe said, any EJ-series engine will fit.

01-26-2008, 10:51 PM	#4
ballitch Scooby Specialist Member#: 74907 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: salem, OR Vehicle: 98 cam'd EJ251 Wrx Tranny,slowr than ish	The Phase I EJ25 had overheating issues, but the new revised HG seems to have fixed that problem. part # 11044AA610 is the new 4-layer MLS HG that subaru uses. If you can fix the car for a couple hundred then you have a pretty cheap car. ~Josh~

02-10-2009, 01:05 AM	#6
gt35rRotatedSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 185233 Join Date: Jul 2008 Chapter/Region: South East Location: tn Vehicle: 2004 wrx sti wrb	cant shave the heads on a subaru the intake want line up

02-10-2009, 01:32 AM	#7
Patrick Olsen NASIOC Supporter Member#: 120 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Where the Navy sends me... Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT QuickSilver Metallic	Shaving heads doesn't take that much material off. There are plenty of built motors running around with shaved heads.

02-10-2009, 03:59 AM	#9
98foz Scooby Newbie Member#: 197293 Join Date: Dec 2008	just rebuilt my 2.5 out of my 98 forester, took a couple days but it went smooth and was about 350 to 400 bucks. kind of want to sell it now though. good luck with the motor!

02-10-2009, 06:57 AM	#10
Storm Scooby Guru Member#: 5218 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: SAUL'S Motorsports Vehicle: 96L Most Over- Developed Beater	Where is this car? I need a better DD for my better half...... Jay