Hey guys, a New Zealander here with a 1997 JDM Subaru Forester trying to put another engine in it.  It currently has a manual conversion going on in it too. 

 

Here is the items I have/access to:

 

1997 JDM Forester

1997 JDM Forester ECU 22611 AD422

1997 JDM Forester Automatic Body Loom

 

EJ205DXZKE with engine loom from a 1998-2001 Forester

 

2002 JDM WRX EJ205 ECU 22611AF471

2002 JDM WRX EJ205 Manual Body loom

 

My question is, can I put this engine into my Forester and replace the body loom and ecu with a wrx loom and ecu?

 

I've heard a lot of contradicting conversation about running forester engines of wrx ecus.  Some say you can and some say you can't.  The main reason being that the compression ratios are different.  But then I have heard that you can run the engine on that ecu as long as they are both jdm, and that the wrx ecu is not sti. 

 

I would really like to hurry up and kick start this project.  I'm not one to sit around and having this dilemma has made me think about selling the lot and starting with a different project altogether.  

 

This is the Forester

 

Another pic

 

The ecu thats in it

 

The engine I want to put in it

 

Another pic

 

The engine serial number

 

The ecu I want to run the engine

Some of the plugs may be different on the body harness, but it's nothing that can't be handled by repinning the connectors. Your greatest tool for this task will be copies of the factory service manuals for both vehicles.