Van Quixote

86BRATMAN, Since I have only the block, heads, and timing components, does this mean that it doesn't really matter if it's an ej251 or ej253? So long as all the other top of engine whatnot matches whatever harness I get? Ultimately, I'm stuffing this thing into a 1984 VW Westfalia so I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row before the big swap.

86BRATMAN, Being a greenhorn in regards to Subaru engines, how would I go about checking to see if this one is set up for a maf or a map? Or are there any other physical characteristics that would differ between the engines that I could look for? Thanks, -bob

Thanks Numbchux, The engine is clean and sitting in my garage, so a number should be easy to find. I checked around and found no number. But I found this vertical space under a tranny bolt hole on the pass side that would be perfect for stamping a VIN # on. Am I missing it or is the engine missing a VIN? Thanks for your help. i'm a newb to the Subaru. The only thing I know about this engine is that it "will work with a harness from a 2002."

Thanks, ocei77 I found, what I think is the engine serial number, but it is not a 17 digit VIN. There are only 12 digits, separated with a space after the first six numbers. Is this the location you were referring to? Or am I looking at the wrong spot? Thanks again, -bob

I have a rebuilt sohc ej25 sitting in my garage that I'm about to finish building out. I’m trying to figure out if it’s an ej253 or an ej254 or other. I do not have the VIN # from the donor vehicle. Is there a way to visually figure out which variant I have? Thanks, -bob

I appreciate your help and input, Bennie. As was told to me, the PO contacted the company that did the rebuild and they felt that the issue was with the valves and had the PO tweak the valves. The PO got it running, but decided not to continue tweaking it (due to unrelated life-based time constraints that left him no time to work on it further) and just went out and got another rebuilt engine. So the PO unloaded the engine cheap. Along with whatever valve/compression issues come along with it. Ignorance abounds! Haha.

Thanks el_freddo! My current plan (barring new info that I'm desperately trying to absorb like a sponge) looks like what you suggest: putting the top of the '97 ej22 on the bottom of the 2002(?) ej25. I hope @GeneralDisorder chimes in cuz I could use all the expertise I can find. Thanks!

ocei77 I obtained the ej25 already pulled. It is a SOHC that "works with a 2002 harness" is all I know about it. Can't find VIN # on the block or head.

Thanks for your reply, Greg. And if anyone else has any input, I would very much appreciate it as I am a total greenhorn when it comes to Subaru engines. I’m really trying to figure out the best way forward given my specific circumstances. THE GOAL: In the end, I intend on swapping out the 1.9L waterboxer engine currently in my 1984 VW Westfalia with whatever Subaru engine I can put together with the parts I have and the least amount of additional investment. From what I’ve read about Frankenmotors, the Westfalia crowd seems to love them. And the EJ25 seems to be a fine engine to use as well. Considering that the Westy is a rather heavy vehicle and not very aerodynamic, the torque seems to be of higher value than the top speed. THE SPECIFICS: I pulled a complete ej22 engine (w/ block, head, intake and all components) alongside the harness (w/ ecu & sensors) out of a 1997 Legacy with over 200,000 miles on it. My original plan was to rebuild this one down to the block and put it into the van. A ton of work, to be sure. Then I came across a very affordable sohc ej25 block and head (it does have the timing components, but no intake or other top of engine miscellany) that was completely rebuilt. If I use this, it would obviously save me a ton of time and energy that I would have spent rebuilding the ej22. There is one kicker to the ej25 engine. It seems to need some valve work (according to PO) and lost compression after a few miles of driving it after the install on PO’s vehicle. At that point, he switched directions and sold the engine to me. I do not know the year or make of the vehicle the ej25 was pulled from, only that “it will work with a harness from a 2002.” So that’s ALL the info. And here’s THE CROSSROADS: - Will the ej22 head, intake and harness from the 1997 Lagacy work with this sohc ej25 block that I know nothing about besides “it will work with a harness from a 2002”? - If so, should I rebuild the head and make a Frankenmotor? - If the ej22 top end and harness will work with this ej25 block, this seems to be the most affordable way to go about it. OR - Go full ej25? - Should I troubleshoot the valve issue on the ej25 and just try to finish this engine out? - Would the ej22 intake, top of motor components, etc. work on the ej25? - Would the ej22 harness from a 1997 Legacy work on this ej25 or do I need a new harness (sensors, ecu)? - If I can’t use any of the ej22 components, might I be able to swap them (and the entire engine, for that matter) out with someone who has some ej25 parts to spare? I know this is a very specific pickle, I’m in and I appreciate that there are people who LOVE solving these types of riddles. I have done a bunch of research but would love as much input as possible. I don’t want to end up doing unnecessary work. But I’m not afraid of work. I rebuilt the waterboxer currently in there and have done a ton of other work on the van. Thanks again! -bob PS. TL/DR haha

Is there a way to better identify what kind of ej25 I have? No VIN number that I can find. How do I tell is this is a 2.5D or 2.5L? I have been doing a boatload of work on the VW Westfalia that this engine will go in (even rebuilt the top half of the 1.9L waterboxer currently in there, along with a ton of other work), but am VERY new to the Subaru world. Green as can be. Trying to do as much intel gathering as possible before I get to turning wrenches.

I was shooting for brevity (haha) in my initial post, but the goal is to put this in my 1984 VW Westfalia. If that helps.

I pulled an ej22 and harness out of a 1997 Legacy and was going to rebuild it and stuff it into my van. Then I managed to find and buy a rebuilt block from a sohc ej25. The only thing I know about the ej25 was that “it works with a harness from a 2002 Subaru.” I’m trying to find out if I can put the head, intake, etc. (and use the harness) from the 1997 ej22 and put it on this ej25. I’ve done a fair amount of research, but can’t find conclusive info. Any help and info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, -bob

Frankemotor friends! I'm trying to get a freaky Frankenmotor going and have a question: Will an ej22 from 1997 Legacy work with a 2002 ej25 for a Frankenmotor? I pulled an ej22 and harness out of a 1997 Legacy and was going to rebuild it. Then I managed to find and buy a rebuilt block from a sohc ej25. The only thing I know about the ej25 was that “it works with a harness from a 2002 Subaru.” I’m trying to find out if I can put the head, intake, etc. (and use the harness) from the 1997 ej22 and put it on this ej25. I’ve done a fair amount of research, but can’t find conclusive info. Any help and info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, -bob