I know these questions have been discussed before, but I can't seem to find my way into a search function on the archived forums. I am looking at an 01 OBW with 187,000 KMS with a seized 2.5. The guy wants $1100 for it. Other than the normal things like wheel bearings and such, what issues are these cars known for? Is this one of the years prone to ghostwalking? Lastly, it is my plan to pull the 2.5 out of my wife's 00 Legacy and throw it into the OBW, But hers has the 4eat and the OBW is a 5 speed. Any difference with the motor? I did the head gaskets and all timing stuff on her motor about 25000 kms ago, so it is in decent shape. My kids are growing and her car is falling apart, so it is time to replace it anyways. Just need to know if this is a straight-forward swap or if I am going to hate myself while sitting in the shop in a puddle of oil surrounded by parts that won't work. Thanks, and if somebody wants to clue me in on how to search old posts I start there next time.

The '00-'04 don't suffer from the ghostwalking phenomenon that seems to be showing up in the '05 and later models.

 

The '00 should be a great donor car for the '01, any differences in the trans swap should be simple. I believe the flywheels are different, otherewise most all else is just plug and play.

no on the ghostwalking.

 

as long as both have EGR then the swap will be straight forward and simple, they are the same engines.