engine swap worth the work? 2.5NA motor in older gc

warpspeedwrx · 08-28-2003, 11:09 PM

Hey guys and gals, i'm just wondering what ya'll think about swapping a NA 2.5 motor into a older impreza. Will it be lighter than the RS's or is it the motor that makes the rs heavier? Whats the weight difference between the 1.8 motors and 2.5 motor. For instance if one swaps the 2.5 motor in a lighter 93 impreza will it weight the same as a 2000 rs? Any advantage in this swap and is it worth the time effort and money. Tell me what u all think.

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Kostamojen · 08-29-2003, 04:34 AM

The EJ25 weighs about the same as the EJ18, its not the engine weight that accounts for the 200lbs weight difference between an RS and an older L.

Yes, it would be VERY much worth it. First of all, you get a newer motor with less miles... that alone is worth it over a useless old 1.8l engine. Secondly, the 1.8 sucks... sucks sucks sucks, i cant tell you how much it sucks

The 2.5 will make all the difference in the world, just go drive someones RS around the block and see for yourself...

Personally, im sick and tired of having to be in 3rd gear at 6000rpms to maintain speed going up a steep hill

Kevin Thomas · 08-29-2003, 09:33 AM

Wasn't there someone in named MCU?? on here that did this swap and had a big write up on it? I searched and can't find the thread but it wasn't too long ago when it was done.

stimpy · 08-29-2003, 03:31 PM

There are a couple people who have done it. It was originally my plan until I was fixated on the EJ20.

-Jon

warpspeedwrx · 08-29-2003, 06:14 PM

Yeah i'm familiar with the 2.5rs. I use to have one. Its a '02 model tho with means it weighs about 2950 lbs. How much cheaper and easier is it to do the 2.5 motor over the 2.0turbo motor. If its not that much different in price i think the wrx motor will be a better choice right? Thanx for your replies

Hawk296 · 08-29-2003, 10:34 PM

I have a 2.5 in my L. I did it because my 1.8 was old and leaky and i got a really good hookup on the parts needed for the swap. Its running off the 1.8 ECU and i must saythe extra power is well worth it. If you were going to do a swap purely for better performance then ide probably swap out the whole ECU and harness and everything as well. If you do it yourself, its still worth it. If you are going to pay some shop to do it for you ide probably recommend looking into spending alittle more and going with an EJ20 and the other related components. It will still be lighter than an RS.

Homemade WRX · 08-29-2003, 11:27 PM

hi, I was looking at doing swaps for my 94L for quite a while. For max torque the RS with a Turbo would be a beast (lots of dead trannies), the EJ22T would be cool but in order to get one it will be upward in miles, turboing the EJ18 you are a little quicker than an RS but I went ahead and did the EJ20T swap and am very happy with it. The whole project including purchase of the car has come to a wopping total of $6823 and many long nights!
Yes I said a turbo 1.8 is faster than a 2.5RS NA. I used my turbo kit without engine management and raced my friends RS before i swapped engines. But the EJ20 is deffinately the beast of the pack as far as feasibility and practicality goes. Not to mention the EJ18 if bored out to 83mm is the same block as the EJ20, just need the DOHC.
Well take it easy, Micah

08-28-2003, 11:09 PM	#1
warpspeedwrx Scooby Newbie Member#: 36318 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: OR Vehicle: 2002 wrx sold :(	engine swap worth the work? 2.5NA motor in older gc Hey guys and gals, i'm just wondering what ya'll think about swapping a NA 2.5 motor into a older impreza. Will it be lighter than the RS's or is it the motor that makes the rs heavier? Whats the weight difference between the 1.8 motors and 2.5 motor. For instance if one swaps the 2.5 motor in a lighter 93 impreza will it weight the same as a 2000 rs? Any advantage in this swap and is it worth the time effort and money. Tell me what u all think. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

08-29-2003, 09:33 AM	#3
Kevin Thomas Street Racing Instructor Moderator Member#: 110 Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: 1997 OBS, 1996 SVX, 1988 RX Vehicle: 1989 1989 XT6	Ahhh Wasn't there someone in named MCU?? on here that did this swap and had a big write up on it? I searched and can't find the thread but it wasn't too long ago when it was done.

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08-29-2003, 04:34 AM	#2
Kostamojen Scooby Guru Member#: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: haha XD Vehicle: 95 L AWD LIFTED!!! 1970 Subaru FF-1 Coupe	The EJ25 weighs about the same as the EJ18, its not the engine weight that accounts for the 200lbs weight difference between an RS and an older L. Yes, it would be VERY much worth it. First of all, you get a newer motor with less miles... that alone is worth it over a useless old 1.8l engine. Secondly, the 1.8 sucks... sucks sucks sucks, i cant tell you how much it sucks The 2.5 will make all the difference in the world, just go drive someones RS around the block and see for yourself... Personally, im sick and tired of having to be in 3rd gear at 6000rpms to maintain speed going up a steep hill

08-29-2003, 03:31 PM	#4
stimpy Homicidal Maniac Moderator Member#: 1612 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Austin, TX Vehicle: 2008 STI	There are a couple people who have done it. It was originally my plan until I was fixated on the EJ20. -Jon

08-29-2003, 06:14 PM	#5
warpspeedwrx Scooby Newbie Member#: 36318 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: OR Vehicle: 2002 wrx sold :(	Yeah i'm familiar with the 2.5rs. I use to have one. Its a '02 model tho with means it weighs about 2950 lbs. How much cheaper and easier is it to do the 2.5 motor over the 2.0turbo motor. If its not that much different in price i think the wrx motor will be a better choice right? Thanx for your replies

08-29-2003, 10:34 PM	#6
Hawk296 Scooby Specialist Member#: 14555 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Troy, MI Vehicle: 1995 L (Apex Tiger) Battle Ready Baja	I have a 2.5 in my L. I did it because my 1.8 was old and leaky and i got a really good hookup on the parts needed for the swap. Its running off the 1.8 ECU and i must saythe extra power is well worth it. If you were going to do a swap purely for better performance then ide probably swap out the whole ECU and harness and everything as well. If you do it yourself, its still worth it. If you are going to pay some shop to do it for you ide probably recommend looking into spending alittle more and going with an EJ20 and the other related components. It will still be lighter than an RS.

08-29-2003, 11:27 PM	#7
Homemade WRX Scooby Guru Member#: 33782 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: 3MI Racing LLC Vehicle: 96 bastard child search FIRST, then PM!!!	hi, I was looking at doing swaps for my 94L for quite a while. For max torque the RS with a Turbo would be a beast (lots of dead trannies), the EJ22T would be cool but in order to get one it will be upward in miles, turboing the EJ18 you are a little quicker than an RS but I went ahead and did the EJ20T swap and am very happy with it. The whole project including purchase of the car has come to a wopping total of $6823 and many long nights! Yes I said a turbo 1.8 is faster than a 2.5RS NA. I used my turbo kit without engine management and raced my friends RS before i swapped engines. But the EJ20 is deffinately the beast of the pack as far as feasibility and practicality goes. Not to mention the EJ18 if bored out to 83mm is the same block as the EJ20, just need the DOHC. Well take it easy, Micah