So I've got a 97 outback. I'm looking to pick Un an 03 forester xs with a locked up engine. Is it possible to swap my 97 ej25 into the forester? Or is this just a pipe dream?

If you swap the entire engine and body side wiring and ECU, of course. Bolts right in and to the trans.

 

If you mean an easy swap then not so much. you have a few options to cobble it together and plan on a few things not being obvious or immediately predictable and answerable.

^+1

Cobbled meaning EJ25 short block, then heads and intake from the SOHC.

Not sure what compression ratio you'll end up with

 

O.

It'll be 9.25:1 with sohc ej25 heads, 1.3mm ej25d head gaskets and shortblock. A little down on power, but definitely runable

So heads and intake from the sohc would run on the e25d short block. I could drop it in without other mods? Ive got a new set of six star head gaskets for the ej25d. I bought them while I wait for it to over heat lol

The other things you would need to swap between engines are the crankshaft timing gear and the coolant temperature sensor. The timing gear is most likely a different trigger pattern, and the coolant temperature sensor plug is also different.

 

There may be a difference in the pcv valve arrangement, some of the newer engines have the pcv valve screwed into the crankcase vent instead of the intake manifold. But that won't be too hard to deal with either.

Find a replacement engine.  It will be a whole lot easier INMHO.

But more expensive lol

 

It'll be 9.25:1 with sohc ej25 heads, 1.3mm ej25d head gaskets and shortblock.

Isn't there one combination of head/block where the headgasket holes aren't there or need modified?

You're probably thinking of the any ej25 with 18e/22e heads. The E heads have an oddball coolant port design. Cometic makes a gasket for that application though.

Copy that.

Well thx guys I appreciate it