EJ20 swap into 97 OBS
 

Okay, I have about a million questions right now, however I really would love to have my WRX back, and since that isnt going to happen any time soon, I was thinking of picking up either an OBS or an older Impreza L and dropping an EJ20 backed by an STI 6-speed... or if that gets way too expensive, a regular WRX tranny... I know its feasable, I want to know your opinions on the swap... and what parts from a WRX will transfer over, whether its interior, exterior or performance.....

Guess what the New Sport Compact Car has an entire article that details the swap of an EJ20 into an older Impreza. It will pretty much answer all your questions. I mean it shows how to do the freakin swap.

Well damn do I have timing :)

If I got one, first mod would have to be WRX seats...

Man, I have to say!! I love your new name/RANK !!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Its scarily fitting.

I was talking to Adam (I think that was his name) at i-speed about 9 months ago (they are the guys that helped write the article in the current SCC) and he had a red/gray OBS with an EJ20 swap done. I honestly can't remember if he swapped the tranny or not, but I'm thinking they didn't. He was looking to sell the thing, and he quoted me $14k for the whole car. If I had anywhere close to that much, I would have bought it then and there (I was still driving a '93 Corolla wagon at the time). He also had these beautiful sparco seat in it, which he said he was taking out when he sold the thing :(

I've also heard they do EJ20 swaps for ~$8k into almost any Subaru (major exception being the Justy because it was the only Subaru with an inline motor). I've also heard that S-Squared is trying to work on doing EJ20 swaps, and trying to get a lower price point, if possible.

I wouldnt mind being a guinea pig, im just so short on cash, even $8k is a whole WHOLE lot of money :(

I just realized I didn't really answer your original question :lol:

Anyways, from what I understand a lot of the physical parts mount up just fine. An EJ20 swap into the GC/GM/GF chasis is fairly simple, mechanically. Takes a few hours or so to do with the right tools and knowledge. The difficult part is the wiring. That supposedly takes ~3/4 of the time.

I think it'd be a totally cool project car. I've thought about it many times myself. The route I was thinking of taking was L wagon, 2.5RS or OBS hood and front bumper (and an EJ20 swap as well). I'd say go for it.

Thats very good to know... What about interior? think it would be worth it to take WRX seats/steering wheel/shifter or should I go aftermarket

I really don't know if they would match up easily or not. Trim probably wouldn't, due to the fact that its super molded, but seats might fit. Sybir recently put '02 WRX seats into his '97 OB which makes me think the Subaru bolt pattern has stayed the same through a few generations and models.

I think they'd fit, but I'm not 100% sure. What else from a WRX did you want to throw in?

http://www.subydude.com/gallery/_det...5cb4926e842bd1

The swap cost him 14k or so IIRC. Car is fucking fast though. I know a guy out east selling an L wagon w/ a USDM EJ20 for $10k if you are interested.

JC

I wish I had that kind of money :( I'd jump on it!! I just really want the feel of my WRX back.

Would lowering springs from an 03 WRX fit? if not, im gonna sell the Perrins I've been holding onto in hopes I'd get a new car to put them on.

HHHmmmmm.....let me know if you do plan on getting rid of them if no one else has dibs.

*EDIT - Nevermind. I don't think that they are meant for the wagon. :(

Springs are interchangeable Art, it's struts that are a little different. AFAIK there are adapters for putting GC springs on WRXs, but not for the other way around. There are still plenty of spring choices for them though.

But the Wagon and Sedan have different height issues. Thats why TEIN offers S-Tech's for both Wagon and Sedan. The Perrin springs say for 2002-2004 WRX Sedan's.

I don't think it's a "height" issue. The difference is in the spring rates, since the wagon's heavier than the sedan in the rear. The unsprung length of the springs are probable identicle, but sedan springs will let the wagon sag a little too much in the rear, and with the narrower fenders, it might rub (no to mention the handling issues of too little rear spring for the weight).

True, the wagon is slightly heavier in the rear, but the springs you'd be adding are much stiffer than the stock wagons, which in turn are softer than stock sedan rears anyway. The height issue comes from the struts having a different length from the hub carrier bolts to the lower spring perch. Tein is correct that optimal spring rates in wagons are slightly different than sedans, but since lower the car and raising spring rates is arbitrary for street cars anyway, no big deal.

What's teh SECCS record for most quotes in a reply anyway?

Hmm.. well anyone let me know if they want them... they are brand new, never even been out of their plastic sleeves.... anyways, on my next 2 day weekend, im going car shopping :)

But TEIN has figured this out with their springs.

Height Specifications

02+ WRX Sedan: (Front: -2.0 in; Rear: -0.7 in)
02+ WRX Wagon: (Front: -1.6 in; Rear: -1.0 in)

Spring rates:

02+ WRX Sedan: (Front: 218 lbs/in; Rear: 157 lbs/in)
02+ WRX Wagon: (Front: 241 lbs/in; Rear: 162 lbs/in)

So it would make me nervous to go with a universal spring for the WRX.

Art is right the wagons sit a inch lower in the front stock so to put the Sedan springs on wont do much at all. That is why they make two dirfront springs. I give props to any company that is going to make a dirfront spring for the wagon cause they know there is a hight issue. Unlike company's like Eibach that just pumps srings out with out doing the proper research. :D :lol: :P

I would only do it the other way around put the wagon springs on the sedan bens car was no that low this would make it lower.