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Old 04-25-2017, 12:36 AM   #1
Chi_San
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Member#: 53558
Join Date: Jan 2004
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Deadford, OR
Vehicle:
2005 Baja Turbo
White/Silver/Black 3tone

Default Baja sport to turbo swap

I was originally planning on getting a Baja to do a hybrid EJ253/EJ255 swap, specifically, keeping the stock heads, but building it for boost. Sadly, I ended up with an EJ251 in my 2005 Sport. So, now I'm thinking... Bigger. I'd like to swap in a complete EJ257, most likely a stroked built motor, and am wondering about the wiring harness and ECU.

So, would a Baja Turbo harness with an STi ECU be feasible, or is this going to be a nightmare?
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Old 04-25-2017, 11:25 AM   #2
234herk
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Member#: 392388
Join Date: Jun 2014
Vehicle:
2005 Baja Turbo 5MT
TD05-18, DW850's

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It's a lot easier to start out with a car that already has the base you are looking for....then it's just a few bolt ons and a tune.

Add in all the cost and time of converting, I'd just look for a turbo Baja.
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Old 04-25-2017, 03:04 PM   #3
PA-Outback2000
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Location: PA
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2000 Outback Limited
Black

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you will benefit from a piggyback ecu if you're just worried about the engine function. if you're planning a full driveline swap, you will need everything else. will turn into a nightmare depending how far you go.
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Old 04-28-2017, 01:29 AM   #4
Patrikman
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Location: Astor Park
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2004 Outbrat XT
Regatta Red/Silverstone

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Keep it for a DD, buy a Turbo for fun.
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Old 04-28-2017, 03:51 AM   #5
Chi_San
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Member#: 53558
Join Date: Jan 2004
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Deadford, OR
Vehicle:
2005 Baja Turbo
White/Silver/Black 3tone

Default

I'm planning on a 6MT swap, so switching to a Turbo, then building a motor for it from scratch won't save me anything but wiring.

If it's that much of a nightmare, I'll just get an older GM or GC and swap it, instead. Going with a 6MT in the Baja regardless. The gearing in the 5MT is terrible. 5th gear is shorter than 4th gear was in my WRX.
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Old 05-23-2017, 02:57 AM   #6
Chi_San
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Member#: 53558
Join Date: Jan 2004
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Deadford, OR
Vehicle:
2005 Baja Turbo
White/Silver/Black 3tone

Default

Well, I've found no information on wiring harnesses.

My plan is simple (so many projects start with that, I guess). Get a Turbo wiring harness, and a turbo forester ECU, merge the harness and use the FXT ECU. Drop in an EJ257, 6MT, R180, and build conversion axles.

Though, if this becomes more of a pain, I'm going to sell this thing and get an STi and forget I ever owned a Baja.
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Old 05-30-2017, 12:08 PM   #7
PA-Outback2000
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2000 Outback Limited
Black

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sell the baja and get the STI.

or do a piggyback like i suggested.
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Old 06-01-2017, 03:20 PM   #8
Chi_San
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Deadford, OR
Vehicle:
2005 Baja Turbo
White/Silver/Black 3tone

Default

I'm not going to do a piggyback on an EJ251 ECU. If this had an EJ253, I'd probably already be building it NA, but...

Right now, my plans are to buy a 6MT swap kit, including brakes, driveline, axles, and rear diff, then buy an EJ207, build the EJ207, and drop them into a 1995-1999 Impreza L or RS, then sell the Baja.

The difficulty the EJ251 ECU presents, along with the hassle of doing hybrid axles and having to swap the crossmember is just... Meh. I love the Baja, I've had a blast driving it on some dirt roads, but the lack of power and the short gears in the 5MT have been really dragging me down.

A local friend here has a 2005 OBS with the EJ251, same as the Baja Sport, and he did an NA build that is pretty impressive. His OBS was faster than my 2002 WRX, when the WRX was stock. But the amount of trouble his piggyback gives him is really off-putting to me. If I'm going FI, I'm not going to bungle around with a stupid piggyback and an ornery EJ251 ECU. If I'm going FI, I will either use a tunable ECU, or a turbo ECU from the start.
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Old 06-17-2017, 09:17 PM   #9
isharci
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In the event you go forward with this project these guys can probably help you.

http://www.iwireservices.com
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Old 06-23-2017, 02:47 AM   #10
Chi_San
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Member#: 53558
Join Date: Jan 2004
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Deadford, OR
Vehicle:
2005 Baja Turbo
White/Silver/Black 3tone

Default

I would do the wiring myself. Though, I might give them a call to see what they have to say.
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