Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

99 outback to 98 forester ej25 engine swap issues


Recommended Posts

I put the engine from a wrecked 99 outback into a nice 98 forester that threw a rod.

 

Things were going mostly okay until I went to connect wire harnesses and I noticed that they didn't match.  I then looked the intake manifolds and they were slightly different so I wouldn't be able just swap the manifolds and wiring harness over.  I didn't check every connection, but it seemed that most of the connections from the two manifolds were the same, but the bolts on the manifold from the 98 forester were offset while the bolts on the manifold from the outback were all in a straight line.

 

forester engine intake

post-61972-0-85639000-1456461587_thumb.jpg

 

outback engine intake

post-61972-0-22975200-1456461635_thumb.jpg

 

 

Is it possible to get this outback engine to work with the forester?  If so what do I need to do?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's a 1999 Forester engine - not a 1998.  So it's Phase II and not compatible. 

 

Easiest solution is to bolt the Forester heads to the outback block, then you retain all the Phase II manifold/electronics. 

And you get to resurface the heads and install new headgaskets.

 

Installing a Phase I engine into a Phase II vehicle is not simple.The idle bypass controllers are significantly difference and not easily dealt with.

Prop the throttle open, work the gas pedal as needed and hope for no check engine lights or ignore them. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HI,

Look on the Forester's VIN plate by the driver's side strut tower. It'll indicate  the original engine....looks like the attached. And the Forester is a SOHC 2.5; OB is DOHC 2.5. Unfortunately, the'99 model year had some transitions that weren't applied to all models:

3746182342_e682ae43ba.jpg

Edited by wtdash
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think he needs the VIN plate - it's a SOHC EJ25 engine

counting cams or looking to see if the plugs insert straight in or at an angle are dead give aways.

 

Phase I DOHC EJ25: 1997-1999 Outback and 1998 Forester

Phase II SOHC EJ25: 1999 Forester and 2000+ Forester and Outback

Edited by grossgary
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep. you're trying to put a phase 1 engine in place of a phase 2. As mentioned, the blocks are the same so you can put the forester heads on the outback block and make a good motor.

 

Or shop for a different motor. 2000-2002 legacy and outback, 1999-02 Forester and Impreza (Imprezas will mostly be single port EJ22s but bolt in just fine other than getting the Y pipe from the impreza.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the information.  

 

I'll pull the heads off and have them checked.  The previous owner ran it out of oil so I'll cross my fingers.

 

So if the heads are are okay, is there anything else I will have to do?

 

The forester was made 7/98 and the outback was made 10/98

 

go figure they have two different ej25's

 

EJ253AXZVB in the forester and

EJ25DAWEYL in the outback

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Okay everything went together fine.

 

The engine runs when I start it, but it sounds like it's knocking.  The block never had knock or piston slap with the other heads on it.  That doesn't seem like something that would manifest itself with different heads on it, but if it is, I am sure someone here would know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It sounds to me like you used the ej25d shortblock, with the sohc ej25 heads and sohc ej25 head gaskets correct? If that is the case there is a very high likelihood that the noise you are hearing is piston and head contact. You cannot use phase 2 head gaskets on a block with phase 1 pistons in it because they protrude above the deck surface.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, the phase 1 gaskets are slightly thicker to accommodate for the piston height. 

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Its basically a light tap, and they're probably only touching on the exhaust stroke when there's no load on the piston or bearings. 

Valves are closed when the piston is at the top of the stroke so no worry there. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...