kc 2004 Forester XT

The machine shop I took my heads to does work for the Subaru dealers in town. They gave them back to me and said get new ones. I figure any way I spin it I am getting a '04 forester XT for around $4-4.5k or much less if this 05 Legacy has an EJ255. I feel like it is a good deal (all power, heated seats, spoiler, every option but a sunroof) but I would obviously like to keep that as low as possible without risking pulling it again in 6 months. Im doing the swap myself with a friend. We have done this a few times before on newer cars, just not a Subaru. Also we just install, all machine work is done at a shop. I have read about guys just talking the filters out for turbo/cam oil feed lines. I'm undecided... I have looked on NASIOC before. I cant find anything there? Do I need to register and put up a "wanted EJ255 heads" post?

That is good news. I don't want a short block because I would still need to buy cams and heads. Machine shop cant fix the scoring on the cam and cam journal. I was thinking of getting a second opinion... but I am still left with the uncertainty of the crank. The XT I bought for $850, 160,000 mi, near perfect interior and exterior, and yes I know the PO, she babied it then started letting her daughter drive it. The daughter drove it for 20 min while overheating because she didnt want to pull over on the highway. The $2,700 long block option is still a used motor, not rebuilt and has about 160k mi on it. Any used motor I buy I will still do a gasket kit and timing kit. Is there anything else you consider to be a must on these EJ255s? I am going to see the Legacy today. I'll post back with what I find out. Thank you all for the feedback.

I have a 2004 XT with an EJ255BXTBB. My heads are shot, not sure about crank. I bought it after it broke down and was assuming it was just a head gasket job. Anyway the heads and cams are scored. PO dove it for like 20 minutes while it was overheating, loss of oil viscosity, broke down on side of the road. Not sure about the crank yet but have heavy concerns. I am pricing a replacement motor. Can anyone tell me if the 2005 Legacy had a model with a EJ255BXTBB? Wiki says the EJ255 came in that model but wont confirm BXTBB in any variations of the legacy. Most motors I am finding are $2,700+ used. I am in Kansas City, MO. A local pick-n-pull has a 2005 Legacy and 50% off sale on all parts this weekend. The Legacy has only been there for 2 months, have not seen it yet, not assuming it has a timing cover to identify. Is there a more reliable resource for cross referencing Subaru models and engine #s? Someone on subaruforester.org stated that if it is a turbo EJ255 than it will work if I reuse my original intake manifold stating that the turbo, intercooler and intake are different on the EJ255 in the 2005 Legacy than the EJ255BXTBB on my 2004 Forester XT. Any experience here? While he may be correct I would like to know if anyone else can support this statement. I could come come in way under $2,700 even after I send the heads to the shop, buy a gasket kit and a timing kit so I would really like to find out if this is an option.

I have a 2004 XT with an EJ255BXTBB. My heads are shot, not sure about crank. I bought it after it broke down and was assuming it was just a head gasket job. Anyway the heads and cams are scored. Not sure about the crank yet but have heavy concerns. I am pricing a replacement motor. Can anyone tell me if the 2005 Legacy had a model with a EJ255BXTBB? Wiki says the EJ255 came in that model but wont confirm BXTBB in any variations of the legacy. Most motors I am finding are $2,700+ used. I am in Kansas City, MO. A local pick-n-pull has a 2005 Legacy and 50% off sale on all parts this weekend. The Legacy has only been there for 2 months, have not seen it yet, not assuming it has a timing cover to identify. Is there a more reliable resource for cross referencing Subaru models and engine #s? I could come come in way under $2,700 even after I send the heads to the shop, buy a gasket kit and a timing kit so I would really like to find out if this is an option.