I don't have the fortune of owning a newer gen subaru, but would dearly love too at some point and time. I have 2 89 wagons and love them dearly.

 

What I am in search of is for a friend of mine, who owns a 2000 forester with the 2.5. They replaced the engine with a wrecking yard engine that had only 113k on it, the engine that went bad in the 1st place only had 110k on it to start with. So they couged up the 1650 for an engine, only to have it crap out after 8100 miles.

 

We have located an engine with only 80,000 miles on it however its out of a 2002, we've been told that the interchange is for 2000 only. I find this hard to believe, knowing what I know about the older gens of subs and how interchangeable their parts were.

 

Could someone be so kind as to confirm whether it is indeed just 2000 only or would a 2002 fit and mods needed to be done, what would those mods be.

 

Thanks in advance

If noone responds to this by next week PM me.

 

I can share similar experiences with a Forester 99 SOHC being replaced by a 2000 then I believe a 2002 2.5 SPHC from Legacy's.

Ok, I will do that. Thank you

It's not cut and dry.

 

If noone else chimes in PM me.

 

Need to swap intakes, perhaps different timing belt, etc.

the 02 should work, but you will have to use the cam sprockets off of the 00 engine and swap them onto the 02.

why are they going through so many engines?

headgaskets?

broken timing belts?

running low on oil?

overheating?

 

if the headgaskets are failing - have it properly repaired.

if it's valve damage also have it properly repaired.

Yea - do the HG's with OEM while the engine is out!

 

Just a matter of time otherwise and you'll be yanking it again.

Well I never heard the whole story on what happened to the original (when they took it into the shop it only had slight over 1.5 quarts of oil in it and had seized, so not a whole lot of story to have been told).

 

The replacement engine that she had put in by an actual local shop here, is now knocking, still runs fine, but has a very pronounced knock. He (the repair shop) did do the headgaskets prior to installation---I don't know whether he used OEM or not, I'm assuming he did, he does do alot of work on subarus.

 

The mechanic is doing everything he can to help her out, he's agreed to install the replacement at no cost, and sell an engine to her at cost, even though the replacement he installed 7 months or so is past warranty.

 

So if a different year will work, all I am going to do is pass along any special instructions and so forth needed to do this swap.

bump

These are the 5 things that absolutely MUST match up. You can use any year from 2000-2004 2.5 SOHC North American engine as long as these things match the original engine (don't even think JDM-the "plumbing" is all different):

 

Left cam sprocket

Crank sprocket

EGR? (or not)

breather tube on block (there are 3 styles)

oil pump for automatic or manual

 

Once you get into 2005, changes took place involving exhaust ports, PZEV, and more.

 

And people wonder why we custom build every engine.