so my wagon spit a bearing on the lower end and i have been looking at prices for another motor only to scare my wallet. most places i look say that 06 - 09 are a direct fit. but my question is this. can i buy an older motor and swap out the stuff from mine to make it work?

any help will be appriciated thanks.

No. 2006 is the farthest back you can go.

 

Subaru sells reman short blocks with 3 year / 36k warranty for about $2100. Best deal going hands down.

 

GD

Could use a 04-06 2.5 SOHC block/crank and install the 06-09 Pistons and heads.

 

Could maybe even use a 99-03 SOHC but PCV is different.