Anyone done an EJ swap into an older gen automatic?

 

I want to do it in an xt6 so it’s a 4EAT

Edited November 21, 20178 yr by idosubaru

Grab a fwd ej 4eat front diff section. They're 3.70 final drive like the xt6 4eat and it will bolt in place of the existing piece. The wiring will be a little more involved than a manual trans ej swap because you'll have to connect the tcu signals along with the rest of the normal wiring.

Nice hit.

 

Would the EJ ECU run with the xt6 TCU or would it need the EJ TCU?

 

Someone years ago on the xt forum said they got an XT6 to run an EJ trans but don’t know exactly what they meant.

I think it was powerlabs on here that got an EA82t 4EAT to run on his modified EJ TCU, and it required some reprogramming to get it to work right. So I think it would have to be the XT6 TCU (or a reprogrammed TCU, but that's above most of us mortals).

 

However, you'll have some challenges to get the EJ ECU and XT6 TCU to communicate. You'll need a tach signal modulator at the very least (the TCU is looking for an RPM signal, and the 4-cyl signal is calibrated differently than a 6).

Edited November 21, 20178 yr by Numbchux

Ah right.

 

Would swapping an EJ engine and EJ automatic be simpler?

 

Driveshaft length difference, maybe different speedo calibration but those are easy.

Anyone done an EJ swap into an older gen automatic?

 

I want to do it in an xt6 so it’s a 4EAT

Not clear what you are wanting to do here.  You have an XT6 and want to swap the engine?  The XT6 already has the 4EAT?  

 

Not clear what you are wanting to do here. You have an XT6 and want to swap the engine? The XT6 already has the 4EAT?

Install an EJ engine into an automatic XT6.

Ok.  Thinking you can retain the original transmission by swapping the "bell housing".  A non XT6 4EAT will have a different rear mount.  Guess you could swap the rear extension and end up with a newer 4EAT.  Going from 6 injectors to 4 imo will be a wiring nightmare.  Does your XT6 need an engine? Asking because I have an ER27. 

Ah right.

 

Would swapping an EJ engine and EJ automatic be simpler?

 

Driveshaft length difference, maybe different speedo calibration but those are easy.

 

Yes

 

If it's a '90s donor, the speedo cable should thread right in. It might have a different gear in the transmission, but probably a small difference. Shift cable, driveshaft, may be different. But very good chance the XT6 would all work.

 

Probably will require crossmember modification.

 

Shifter will have to be modified to allow manual selection of 1st gear (XT6 has a 1 hold button).

 

All that sounds easier than swapping bellhousing/front diff housings to me.

 

 

 

Either way, you're in for a monster of a wiring project, especially since the XT6 ECU is mounted in the trunk, and TCU in the LH quarter panel. But without reprogramming, I'm not sure you'll ever get mis-matched ECU-TCU-Trans to communicate properly. Spend some time with the XT service manual and see exactly what communication happens between the ECU and TCU, though. It might not be too bad. You'll need a tach signal divider either way to get the cluster to work correctly, that's the only signal between the 2 that I know is wrong, but the fix is relatively easy.

Yes

 

If it's a '90s donor, the speedo cable should thread right in. It might have a different gear in the transmission, but probably a small difference. Shift cable, driveshaft, may be different. But very good chance the XT6 would all work.

 

Probably will require crossmember modification.

 

Shifter will have to be modified to allow manual selection of 1st gear (XT6 has a 1 hold button).

 

All that sounds easier than swapping bellhousing/front diff housings to me.

 

 

 

Either way, you're in for a monster of a wiring project, especially since the XT6 ECU is mounted in the trunk, and TCU in the LH quarter panel. But without reprogramming, I'm not sure you'll ever get mis-matched ECU-TCU-Trans to communicate properly. Spend some time with the XT service manual and see exactly what communication happens between the ECU and TCU, though. It might not be too bad. You'll need a tach signal divider either way to get the cluster to work correctly, that's the only signal between the 2 that I know is wrong, but the fix is relatively easy.

 

TPS is the only shared signal.  However, the EJ tps is way dfferent range than the ER......IDK if it will really work well.

 

I am in the process of doing an EJ swap to an Auto XT6

 

However, I'm using a 2.5 SOHC and a 4.44 4eat and all the wiring harness from the same 2001 Outback.  I'm gonna pull all the OE TCU and ECU wiring out.

Double post

Edited November 22, 20178 yr by idosubaru

Does your XT6 need an engine? Asking because I have an ER27.

runs great, but has a significant intermittent oil leak from rear main or oil pan. If the engine has to come out, newer and easier to find parts sounded nice - sensors, timing idlers etc.

 

For all the work, auto complication, and all the spare XT6 parts I have maybe it makes more sense to keep it stock.

 

Someone years ago on the XT6 forum said they installed an EJ trans in an XT6 and was going to tell me how he did it but I never heard from him again. If that was true I’ve got some EJ/Ez stuff laying around.

Got it thanks guys! Very good stuff.

I am in the process of doing an EJ swap to an Auto XT6

 

However, I'm using a 2.5 SOHC and a 4.44 4eat and all the wiring harness from the same 2001 Outback. I'm gonna pull all the OE TCU and ECU wiring out.

Did you decide to do both engine and trans from the beginning or end up there after assessing the issues?

 

I’ve got a 2003 EZ parts car but all that wiring is probably beyond my time availability, I would be slow at that.

presslab used an early legacy tcu to run an ea82t 4eat. There is no reason you couldn't do the same for this swap.

presslab used an early legacy tcu to run an ea82t 4eat. There is no reason you couldn't do the same for this swap.

you mean when he built paddle shifters and changed all the coding?  that was a fantastic project, but that learning curve is beyond my time constraints!

Did you decide to do both engine and trans from the beginning or end up there after assessing the issues?

 

I’ve got a 2003 EZ parts car but all that wiring is probably beyond my time availability, I would be slow at that.

 

 

Decided to go this route from the start, so when I thinned the harness, I left the ECU, TCU, and Cruise wiring all in the loom.

 

 If I had an EZ car as a donor I would do that.  Got the 4cy car for the right price s went that route, but the EZ30 with 4.11 in an XT6 would be incredibly awesome combo.

Did you decide to do both engine and trans from the beginning or end up there after assessing the issues?

 

I’ve got a 2003 EZ parts car but all that wiring is probably beyond my time availability, I would be slow at that.

 

EZ wiring would be negligibly more difficult than EJ. Either is a huge project. EZ is a much better end result....

 

 

 

Honestly, though. It sounds like leave it stock is the much better option for your goals. You're bound to have teething pains with an engine swap, fixing/chasing an oil leak sounds so much better.

Got it. Thanks again.

Staying ER27 probably does make sense.