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Old 09-29-2020, 06:00 PM   #1
YOSHIII
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Default What engines can be swapped into my 2002 WRX?

Hello

What Engines and years of the engine can be swapped into my 2002 WRX?
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Old 09-29-2020, 07:13 PM   #2
snow_bound26
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Depends on how much work you want to do and how much money you have to spend. So let's get more specific and tell us what engines you're looking at, what your goals are for the car and why you're looking to do a swap. Otherwise we could say anything from any EJ engine to an LS to an RB26DET.
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Old 09-29-2020, 07:57 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
Depends on how much work you want to do and how much money you have to spend. So let's get more specific and tell us what engines you're looking at, what your goals are for the car and why you're looking to do a swap. Otherwise we could say anything from any EJ engine to an LS to an RB26DET.
Well I mean a Subaru engine.

Just curious. RB into Subaru, noooooo.

I read some where people take the EJ and put them into 2014 or something like that cars.

Wondering if I can put a new engine in it, something from 2006 and upward. WRX or STI engine of course.

Also is it worth putting a STI engine from the same year or the next year into the car?
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Old 09-29-2020, 08:08 PM   #4
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All EJ engines have the ability to be swapped. Some take more effort than others. The most direct swap is the DBC 205 or 207 w/coil on plug. These are closest to the same wiring the US 205 came with. AVCS being the main difference. EJ257 is also popular but takes a little ore work since you either have to convert your car to DBW or do a hybrid 257 short lock with 205 heads (various options to make this work properly). EG33, EZ30 and EZ36 are possible options as well but take more work still. On top of this, whatever engine you choose add $2000 to that basic conversion to cover all expenses that will pop up. Ask me how I know.

In reality you want to have a goal for the car to really decide which is your best option. They all have different characteristics and suit different applications and driving styles. So, like I asked in the previous post, what are your goals? Why are you contemplating an engine swap? Is something wrong with your current engine?
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Old 09-29-2020, 08:26 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
All EJ engines have the ability to be swapped. Some take more effort than others. The most direct swap is the DBC 205 or 207 w/coil on plug. These are closest to the same wiring the US 205 came with. AVCS being the main difference. EJ257 is also popular but takes a little ore work since you either have to convert your car to DBW or do a hybrid 257 short lock with 205 heads (various options to make this work properly). EG33, EZ30 and EZ36 are possible options as well but take more work still. On top of this, whatever engine you choose add $2000 to that basic conversion to cover all expenses that will pop up. Ask me how I know.

In reality you want to have a goal for the car to really decide which is your best option. They all have different characteristics and suit different applications and driving styles. So, like I asked in the previous post, what are your goals? Why are you contemplating an engine swap? Is something wrong with your current engine?
Well bought the car for its AWD for winter and rain. I like Nissan R32's better but have to get another one.

So for the Subaru I want good handling and and good speed. Maybe about 300whp or even 300hp would be good. Not trying to be the fastest on the road or race.
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Old 09-29-2020, 09:07 PM   #6
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If the mileage isn't too high on your current EJ205 and it was well cared for then replace all the hoses and vac lines and do a few mods and those numbers are fairly attainable. Swapping in a JDM engine with single AVCS will give better low end response for a wider power band. A fairly standard turbo upgrade that will get you close is the VF39/48 which is the OEM turbo on the US STi. VF34 is very similar but is a ball bearing turbo so it spools quicker and has a slightly wider power band with a little more top end power. A 16g based turbo will move you closer still. These can be had with journal or ball bearing options. You'll need at least STi injectors, a higher flow fuel pump, and down pipe at a minimum. I would check and see if the car still has the OE cat in the up pipe. If it does, get rid of it ASAP. They are known for breaking apart and ruining the turbo. I'd also recommend a better TMIC as the OEM WRX version is crap. STi versions are a little better, but if you have the funds I'd go for a large core, low pressure drop option like a Process West, GrimmSpeed, or Spearco. If you still have the OEM turbo inlet pipe, I'd replace it with a silicone version. The OEM ones get brittle and tear with age. Perrin is the most popular out there. Just be careful going cheap with these on eBay. Some are alright. Some collapse during WOT.

Best bang for the buck, JDM 205 w/AVCS and matching ECU if you have a manual trans. JDM AVCS ECUs don't work with the US auto trans for some reason. Easy to swap in and wire the AVCS up for the ECU. Depending on what state you live in, you may need to keep the US ECU for inspection. These handle the power level you mentioned quite well and you get the benefits of intake AVCS. If you want more power down the road then an EJ207 if you like to rev out to 8k or a 257 of some sort if you want more low end grunt. Either mated to your 205 heads or converted to DBC or converting your car to DBW. There's lots of write ups around the forum on all these options. So plenty of info to research.
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Old 09-29-2020, 09:43 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
If the mileage isn't too high on your current EJ205 and it was well cared for then replace all the hoses and vac lines and do a few mods and those numbers are fairly attainable. Swapping in a JDM engine with single AVCS will give better low end response for a wider power band. A fairly standard turbo upgrade that will get you close is the VF39/48 which is the OEM turbo on the US STi. VF34 is very similar but is a ball bearing turbo so it spools quicker and has a slightly wider power band with a little more top end power. A 16g based turbo will move you closer still. These can be had with journal or ball bearing options. You'll need at least STi injectors, a higher flow fuel pump, and down pipe at a minimum. I would check and see if the car still has the OE cat in the up pipe. If it does, get rid of it ASAP. They are known for breaking apart and ruining the turbo. I'd also recommend a better TMIC as the OEM WRX version is crap. STi versions are a little better, but if you have the funds I'd go for a large core, low pressure drop option like a Process West, GrimmSpeed, or Spearco. If you still have the OEM turbo inlet pipe, I'd replace it with a silicone version. The OEM ones get brittle and tear with age. Perrin is the most popular out there. Just be careful going cheap with these on eBay. Some are alright. Some collapse during WOT.

Best bang for the buck, JDM 205 w/AVCS and matching ECU if you have a manual trans. JDM AVCS ECUs don't work with the US auto trans for some reason. Easy to swap in and wire the AVCS up for the ECU. Depending on what state you live in, you may need to keep the US ECU for inspection. These handle the power level you mentioned quite well and you get the benefits of intake AVCS. If you want more power down the road then an EJ207 if you like to rev out to 8k or a 257 of some sort if you want more low end grunt. Either mated to your 205 heads or converted to DBC or converting your car to DBW. There's lots of write ups around the forum on all these options. So plenty of info to research.
I do have JDM EJ 205 in it. Dont know if it has the AVCS. I live in a non emission testing state.

So with the Japanese ECU I can do 300hp or the American ECU? I dont know which one I have. Wouldnt I still need a tune with the mods you suggested? What is DBC and DBW?
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Old 09-30-2020, 02:16 AM   #8
snow_bound26
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Default What engines can be swapped into my 2002 WRX?

DBC = drive by cable
DBW = drive by wire

02-05 WRX were DBC (in US)
06+ WRX and 04+ STi are DBW (in US)

You don't need the JDM ECU to make the power you are talking about. You can use either ECU. If your engine has AVCS, you would need a JDM single AVCS ECU to make the AVCS functional (along with adding a little wiring). US ECU can use Open Source, Cobb Accessport, or ECUTek for tuning. JDM ECU would be tuned with Open Source.

Easiest way to tell if you have a JDM ECU is to plug a diagnostic device into the OBD II port and see if it reads the ECU. It shouldn't be able to read a JDM ECU.

No matter what ECU you currently have, the car should have a pro tune. JDM 205 engines have different compression than the US 205 and would need a tune to run properly. There's a whole list of various ways to make the JDM swap work in a US car so I'd go back to the previous owner and ask questions on how the swap was performed, who did it, and does it have a tune. Go to the EJ 2.0 forum and look up JDM EJ205 Information Thread. This will help you figure out some questions to ask the previous owner. I tried to link it but the link wasn't working for some reason.

There were also different turbo options on JDM engines. Find out what turbo it has as well. Most of the time the JDM engines are sold with a turbo. Doesn't mean the previous owner used that turbo, but it's helpful to know what you have. There were several variations of the TD04 used on the JDM WRX and Forester as well as the TF035 used on some Forester models.

Last edited by snow_bound26; 09-30-2020 at 02:26 AM.
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Old 09-30-2020, 08:52 PM   #9
YOSHIII
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Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
DBC = drive by cable
DBW = drive by wire

02-05 WRX were DBC (in US)
06+ WRX and 04+ STi are DBW (in US)

You don't need the JDM ECU to make the power you are talking about. You can use either ECU. If your engine has AVCS, you would need a JDM single AVCS ECU to make the AVCS functional (along with adding a little wiring). US ECU can use Open Source, Cobb Accessport, or ECUTek for tuning. JDM ECU would be tuned with Open Source.

Easiest way to tell if you have a JDM ECU is to plug a diagnostic device into the OBD II port and see if it reads the ECU. It shouldn't be able to read a JDM ECU.

No matter what ECU you currently have, the car should have a pro tune. JDM 205 engines have different compression than the US 205 and would need a tune to run properly. There's a whole list of various ways to make the JDM swap work in a US car so I'd go back to the previous owner and ask questions on how the swap was performed, who did it, and does it have a tune. Go to the EJ 2.0 forum and look up JDM EJ205 Information Thread. This will help you figure out some questions to ask the previous owner. I tried to link it but the link wasn't working for some reason.

There were also different turbo options on JDM engines. Find out what turbo it has as well. Most of the time the JDM engines are sold with a turbo. Doesn't mean the previous owner used that turbo, but it's helpful to know what you have. There were several variations of the TD04 used on the JDM WRX and Forester as well as the TF035 used on some Forester models.
Went to a place and they connected a OBD2 reader to it and it could not read the ECU.

So that means I have a Japanese ECU? How would I find out if it has a tune or not?

I meet a person who builds Subarus, and he looked a the Engine and he thinks the turbo is the Japanese one. We were not at a shop so he could only look on top.

Does that mean I have to get timing belt supplies from Japan? Or can I use timing belt change kit here?

I wonder if they kept the stock JDM pully's and things.

Oh, and the person pointed out that I have a bigger than stock TMIC.

But another mechanic I spoke with yesterday said it has the stock TMIC.

So if I want to tune the car if its not tuned, I have to go with a Open Source tune?
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Old 10-01-2020, 07:35 AM   #10
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Default What engines can be swapped into my 2002 WRX?

Dude. Take a step back and reread all the information that was given you. Then go back a read it again. Almost every question you have is already answered. Not trying to be a dick, but it sounds like you're very new to cars. If you really want to learn this stuff then being patient will help you a lot. Some questions we can't answer because we don't have the car in front of us.

Now an important aspect that you still haven't told us, where are you located? If you take it to a mechanic who doesn't specialize in modified Subarus then there a very good chance they will give you bad info about the parts you have.

Next. There is a chance the wires in the OBD port could be loose. It does happen on the older models but is an easy fix. This is where a good independent specialized shop comes in handy. So where are you located? Let's help you find a shop with a good reputation that can answer some of the questions you have.

As for the timing belt, just get a good quality one with parts made in Japan or Germany for an EJ205. Companies like Flatirons Tuning and iA Performance can help you source parts if you want to do the work yourself. If you're paying someone to do the work then, once again, finding a good shop makes sense.
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Old 10-01-2020, 08:22 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
Dude. Take a step back and reread all the information that was given you. Then go back a read it again. Almost every question you have is already answered. Not trying to be a dick, but it sounds like you're very new to cars. If you really want to learn this stuff then being patient will help you a lot. Some questions we can't answer because we don't have the car in front of us.

Now an important aspect that you still haven't told us, where are you located? If you take it to a mechanic who doesn't specialize in modified Subarus then there a very good chance they will give you bad info about the parts you have.

Next. There is a chance the wires in the OBD port could be loose. It does happen on the older models but is an easy fix. This is where a good independent specialized shop comes in handy. So where are you located? Let's help you find a shop with a good reputation that can answer some of the questions you have.

As for the timing belt, just get a good quality one with parts made in Japan or Germany for an EJ205. Companies like Flatirons Tuning and iA Performance can help you source parts if you want to do the work yourself. If you're paying someone to do the work then, once again, finding a good shop makes sense.
I am located in Cincinnati Ohio
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Old 10-01-2020, 08:56 PM   #12
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Talk to Turn in Concepts. They are located in the Cincinnati area. I don't know if they do any service work but they can definitely direct to who can. They are a highly trusted part supplier and manufacturer in the Subaru world.
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Old 10-02-2020, 07:13 AM   #13
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Talk to Turn in Concepts. They are located in the Cincinnati area. I don't know if they do any service work but they can definitely direct to who can. They are a highly trusted part supplier and manufacturer in the Subaru world.
Thanks
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Old 11-17-2020, 07:39 PM   #14
marzism
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I have almost the same original question...

Anyone know what problems the different model years of EJ257 may pose for going in a 2002? I am leaning heavily on sourcing a 2006 STI long block assembly and emissions system, with an iWire harness merge.

Are there drawbacks to attempting the swap with more current years like 2017-2020?
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