I'm now commited to the EJ207 STI

I have had the EJ20T since 2005 as it has been sitting under the worki bench. I have been contemplating this now for a long time, and with the body of the car already being so nice, I was worried about cutting the apron off and opening up the firewall.

Well, I got the grinder out last weekend and started the project. This morning I finally after 3 years have the motor sitting in the car.

I am now going to have to figure out the all the misc. hoses on the motor and the wiring. I am thinking about just calling up OutFront (OutBack) Motorsports and going with thier wiring kits and ECU's.

My plan is to do everything I can to get the radiator to work in the back of the car, just infront of the engine above the trans. I have some Ideas and I think it will work.

Now I have to find a radiator that will fit in the area I have alloted, I am thinking about the Jeep Cherokee rad as it is short and wide.

The trans is currently stock, I have full intensions of replacing it shortly after I get the car up and running. I think I will remove the motor after its running to give it a good cleaning and at the same time, replace the tranny with beefed up Type 1.

I have some pics below of how the DOHC fits with a swingaxle in regards to the body, apron, and fenders.

More to come later, I am not in a big hurry, I as just enjoy tinkering in the garage.

Wish me luck!

and a few more

and the last of the pics for today

good luck 🙂 i'd consider IRS also but that's just me

plenty of help on this site...mine was done 3 years ago now...have changed plenty since first installed, so feel free to bounce any ideas you are unsure of our way.

good luck, looks like you are well on the way.

matt

badvw68 wrote:Now I have to find a radiator that will fit in the area I have alloted, I am thinking about the Jeep Cherokee rad as it is short and wide.

Yeah I got the jeep cherokee radiator for that very reason. Its also very thick so has plenty of cooling power. I got the hose connections modified so they were on the opposite end to what it came with.

move the o2 sensor to the dump pipe . This will save a rock flicking the wire off

thats a early legacy / liberty motor , These have issues with the lifters . You would be best prior to start to unplug the carck case timing sensor & the cam sensor , turn the motor over so it gets oil pressure prior to start up . run some oil flush through it as well .


I have one of these in my liberty , keep the oil changes up & they run for ever .

what turbo is on it ?? Vf10 or Vf12

might find some ideas for the rear mounted radiator here..........

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=66118

nice progress matey, Im thinking of a subaru lump for either the oval or the 57 at the moment. But by the time I have the money I think we will be using solar panels or space rocks! keep up the good work!

Thanks for all the positive replies guys!

Matt - I'm sure I will be having lots of questions. Where I live, there isnt a Subi dealer within 1-1.5hrs... so there are not too many Subarus simply running around.

I feel confident that I can get the radiator and intercooler mounted, the fuel lines and fuel pump installed, but I feel overwhelmed when it comes to all the vaccuum lines and electrics....🤪 That will be when I will start asking LOTS of questions..

seagull wrote:move the o2 sensor to the dump pipe . This will save a rock flicking the wire off

thats a early legacy / liberty motor , These have issues with the lifters . You would be best prior to start to unplug the carck case timing sensor & the cam sensor , turn the motor over so it gets oil pressure prior to start up . run some oil flush through it as well .


I have one of these in my liberty , keep the oil changes up & they run for ever .

what turbo is on it ?? Vf10 or Vf12

Seagull, Thanks for the tip on the O2 sensor, makes perfect sense. Yes, you are right, I belive it came out of a Legacy, it is a Jap spec motor - maybe thats your spec too, I dont know as I am in the States.

I will definately take note to what you are saying about getting oil pressue first. The issue with the lifters - is that something I can put in from a later EJ20 to solve the problem? I have read a bit on the Subi engines, would this be an open or closed deck? And what kind of hp would this motor be putting out? I went out and looked on the turbo, but didn't find any marking regarding a VF10 or VF12... Any help?

Those of you running the Subi's in VW's, anything you would do differently? How is the power?

As I continue work, I will be sure to update this thread.

Thanks Guys!

Alden in Illinois, USA

The motor will be ok , subaru did do a call back on these but in fitting wrx heads you need to change the pistions . This motor is a closed deck case .

should motor had come out of an auto legacy it would have a VF10 , manual Vf12 . The markings are on the front of the turbo in board , Get hold of a TD05H if you can 🙂 for good power

If you are going after market ecu , yellow top 440 cc injectors . Not sure if you got the water to air cooler for the turbo ?? did you get a pre intake ?? ( get the stuff & take a photo & post it up

power will be around 150 / 165 hp there abouts

Head work is the ingredience for these motors to work!Depending on your $$$$s😎

whats a "rough" figure for this motor into the baja? even just a cost of parts alone. just curious.

Well......it runs!! I have now driven it around the neighborhood a number of times, but am yet to take it out and really romp on it.. I ended up calling www.outbackmotorsports.com and getting an ECU of theirs, it has worked great and was easy to hook up. I was able to mount the inetercooleer above the intake, yet still under the hood. Pictures to follow.

Thanks guys, Alden

Great news! Can't wait to see some videos and pictures of this!

videos yes - i cant wait to take mine round the blocks!!!

Congrats mate.

Here are some misc recent pics....

more....

more...

please dont make fun of the sheetmetal intake I made, it will be updated later with a nice alumunim round intake when I have access to a tig welder again...................🙂

Last one.. Hopefully we will have some video's in the future!!!

Just FYI, I love the way this thing sounds with the Magnaflow exhaust... Deep, but not too loud!

I'm stoked!!!! Can t wait to get everything buttoned up so I drive it all the time!

More to come in the future......

Very similar radiator set-up to my Baja.

Baja Wes wrote:Very similar radiator set-up to my Baja.

Really?? Any issues in keeping it cool? I have not had it out long enough or on the highway to see how the cooling is..... Any suggestions? I was thinking of making some "air damns" from below the car and try to direct the air up to the radiator if need be.... Any information would be great!!

Thanks, Alden

Read this thread, it has heaps of good info

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=44693

Alright Guys, time for a few videos. Please excuse the poor cell phone video quality..

68 Bug with:
EJ20T Intercooled
Ebay Magnaflow muffler
4.0 Jeep Cherokee Radiator behind the rear seat
Small 205/50/15 Tires, not lowered in the rear, stock subaru oil pan with only about 3" clearance from the ground.
OutFront.com Stinger ECU - Starts great and idles without a problem, but the map that they sent me is wayyyy too rich. I need to go and get a cable so that I can hook the laptop up to in and lean it out...

Today was the first "real" test drive. I took it out for about 30mins. both in town and on the highway. It never even came close to overheating. Keep in mind, I didn't have the decklid or apron on, nor did I have the radiator enclosed.




While I was driving down the road, I reached back and was amazed at the amount of cool air that was coming up from underneath the car just infront of the radiator.





I am so suprised that you cant hardly hear the BOV, as it is pretty loud.

Alden

Keep an eye on those cam pulleys, I reckon they might touch the body when you gas it and the engine rocks around. The sump is bound to hit the ground too, but I guess you know that 🙂

So do you like the dark side, did it give you a smile when you gave it a squirt? 🙂

Its looking good mate

Baja Wes wrote:Keep an eye on those cam pulleys, I reckon they might touch the body when you gas it and the engine rocks around.

I've found that a staggering amount of dust and moisture can get in there with even a little crack. If you can cover those pulleys back again in again, I reckon you'll be a lot better off. The timing belts on these motors are not very forgiving and the DOHC motors eat valves if you break the belt.

Well, its out with the old and in with the new........

The story goes like this, before I knew anything about the Subaru motors, I had came across my current Subaru motor I have and bought it. Come to find out with the recent research, it came from an early Legacy and is putting out ~150-165hp as what Seagul mentioned above. Now the I have the car up and running, it didn't hold a stick to a buggy that I got to ride in with an EJ-20T and I have been on the look out for a newer EJ20T that is packing a punch!! (The tail tail sign of a lower HP Legacy motor is the plug on coil design that takes 2 bolts. See pictures above)

Well, I came across a 01-02 JDM EJ2O7-T STI Version 7 motor that came out of a WRX STI. For what I've read, it comes from the factory with Forged internals, an 8,250-8,500rpm red line and 280hp in stock form!!!! Needless to say, I bought it, yet I cant complain about the price, it was pretty reasonable!!

The motor is currently on its way and I should have it mid next week. I hope to have it running within the next few months, we just sold our house and am in the middle of relocating which means our schedules are pretty hetic!! Oh ya, I am planning on swaping the motors and having it running without the wife knowing what Im up to as I haven't told her that I bought another motor.....

So, whats this mean..... I have a nice Legacy EJ20-T motor for sale - lower hp but still respectable (Videos of the motor running are linked above via youtube) and I also have a nice 1835cc with dual Weber Carbs, all chromed engine tin, alternator all for sale... Please let me know if anyone is interested!

Attached are a few pictures of the new motor.

Thanks, Alden in Illinois

whats the specs on the 1835 ie 40's, 44's stock valve heads , cam? thanks oh and $$$

Klaus, he's in the US. Shipping will be a killer.

Hi

So your new motor has variable inlet valve timing and I think it would be 2.5?

Steve

yeah . I know someone bringing a container back in the next few months .

Klaus wrote:whats the specs on the 1835 ie 40's, 44's stock valve heads , cam? thanks oh and $$$

Hey buddy,

The specs..... Its been a long time since I had the motor built and I'm not home to look at the build sheet.

Only has about 12,000 miles
Built in 1996
1835cc with dual 40IDF Weber carbs
Stock heads, hydraulic lifters (I didnt want to have to adjust the valves all the time) Hydraulic cam, alternator, degreed pulley, all chrome engine tin, jet coated header and hide away exhaust. I am not sure what I want for the motor yet, if you are interested, please let me know.

Thanks,
Alden

Hey Seagul,

What can you tell me about the my new motor? 😊

I hope to go for the test ride within the next few weeks, still have a few things to work out..

Thanks,

Alden

update?? those headers are pretty low!

Cars looking great Alden !!! I'm in Illinois and wanted to ask you a few questions about your swap. Can you email me at radmachergb@comcast.net ???
Thanks

Updates ??

crimson ghost wrote:Updates ??

Actuallly yes..... I finally had some time yesterday and got it running, and took it down the road. I must say, I am extremely impressed on how good it ran! It is going to eat up the stock tranny in no time!! Its pretty much rediculous!! One of the faster street cars I have been in! I'm super stoked!!

All - This engine is idling fast, I have backed out the idle screw, yet still idling around 2000rpm.... Does anyone have any ideas as to why? I looked for a vac. leak, but I dont know.... More pics and videos to come in the future...

if the engines been sitting around a while check the idle control valve isnt stuck and rotates freely

Well, after one heck long of a day, I was able to drive the bad boy 2hrs south to our new home. I had a few hic cups along the way, but I will get into that later!

Here is a pic as we were getting ready to roll out..... It now has 225-65-15 rear tires which looks alot better than what I thought it was going to look like.. These were needed to gain additional clearance of the exhaust-pavement. The stance ended pretty decent. Second, I ran the full ride with the laptop next to me to monitor the vitals of the engine! More to come later!

Thanks for the replys!

updates BAD???

Long overdue for an update....

I drove the car 2hrs north on Sat evening after work. About an hour on the interstate, I had to pull over as I noticed that the car was slowly getting hotter. This told me alot about what is needed in the future regarding the cooling. I pulled over at a rest area and started playing with the Stinger on the laptop. For some reason, the fans weren't triggered to come on, so I changed the values and we were up and going again. I think the ambient temp was pushing 100°F that day.... None the less, I had previously installed some tempory "scoops" to direct the air flow from beneath the car up to the radiator. Considering that I was needing the fans to run down the interstate tells me that I am in need of possibly better ducting, larger radiator, or something I haven't thought of yet.

I continued up the road in time to meet up the Jay H and a bunch of other guys at a resturant. After talking vw's, subi swaps, our two cars specifically, I continued an additional 20miles north to stay the night with my friend at his house. Well, during this little trip, I sprung a leak in the radiator,. Unfortunately, one of the radiator fans rubbed/vibrated a hole in the cooling passage of the radiator, and was leaking tremendusly by the time I got to his house. Pic below, antifreeze leaking onto the hot exhaust...

I called around to all the parts stores trying to find a radiator out of a 6cy Jeep Cherokee (this is the rad. I am using) and ended up finding one. I swapped them out and and made it all the way home that evening.

That very next day, the 2010 Hot Rod Power Tour came thru my area, only 20mins away in DuQuoin Ill, they said there were over 3000 cars on display. I headed up there that afternoon in the VW, showed the car, noticed from the distance spectators pointing to the engine compartment in disbeleaf

The Highlight - On my way home from the show, I was sitting at a stoplight on the outskirts of town (immediately turns to 55mph and not another stoplight, entrance or exit for 2miles) and up next to me rolls a 69 Camaro. Now let me tell you, this was one badass car! Silky smooth paint, lowered with larger rims and low profile tires, and I dont know for sure, but possibly a big block! It sounded everybit as good as it looked! Now my heart is racing, my palms are a bit sweaty, and I look over and rev the VW waiting for the green light. He looked back with a smile - probably thinkin what a joke! The funny thing was the joke was on him!!!! The light turned green, I let the clutch out aggressively but not side stepping it ( I still have the factory orginal 1968 VW Tranny) he had a bit better reaction time was just a bit ahead. I then immediately put the pedal to the floor, shifted to second and all of a sudden I am looking at his headlights out the passenger rear window, threw it into third and I couldn't believe it, I am now seeing his headlights decending in the rear view mirror, into fourth for a bit and decided that was it!!!! I am now in disbelief but yet also have the biggest smile on my face... It wasn't even close, I must have been every bit of 50ft ahead of him, yet right off the line, he was 3ft or so ahead of me... As I slow down, now cruising at 60ish mph he pulls up beside me, shakes his no and gives me a thumbs up. He then pulled off at the next light and went to the hotel as I continued on. I couldn't help but think, did he just get back to the hotel (parking lot was full of old cars) and tell his buddys what had just happened, or not say a word? Either way, its pretty funny! Who would ever think while driving a old hopped up Camero, that an old VW Bug would spank them.

That following week, My Father came to visit, and was anxious to go for a ride as I had told him this story and how well the car was running. We go for a small little ride, to get the engine up to temp, I pull out of my subdivision and romp on it, shift from 1st to 2nd and BANG!! there went the trans! It now has no forward or reverse gears. Due to how busy I have been, I pushed it into the garage where it has sat ever since. I am planning on getting a Rancho Trans this winter and replacing the tranny.. Its a never ending project!

Pics:

First i'm at a rest area trying to figure out why the cooling fans arent' kicking on

Second, Pulling into my buddies house, antifreeze leaking onto the exhaust.

Third, at the Hot Rod Power Tour 2010

Lastly, my father and I pullng out, a few minutes later, the trans blew.. 🙁

Dad and I

It took me an interstate run with mine to find out my rad opening wasnt big enough either, had been fine with just around town running.


Good thing you have such good roads in the US, around here your header hanging down like that would last about as long as a AU falcon parked in South Lismore with the keys in it

Well, I have had the car running for a while now. The gearing of the new tranny is so much more streetable! Now that I have a tranny that withstand the hp, I couldn't resist the temptation to up the boost and get some real power out of the new JDM V7 STI, so I took it from 9psi to 19psi!! It sure does run well now - not that it didnt before. From what I have read, they say that 1psi is equal to 10hp. If this is true, that means its putting out another 100hp, and it feels as if it just might be!

So, I took it to the dragstrip a couple weeks ago.... On a last minute of "what do you want to do tonight" my wife asked, I said lets take the VW to the races.. She said, lets go! I had to go and install the seatbelts in the back seat so that I could get our 3yr olds car seat in, and after that we were off. On the way, I romped on it a couple times, and I look back and my son has a smile from ear to ear while the wife was white knuckled!! Ha!

I get to the track, everyone was looking like who's the idiot bringing a VW to the dragraces! I only made two passes, the first was against an early 90's 5.0 Mustang. It sounded good (what 5.0 mustang doesn't) and had some aftermarket wheels, tires, and big cowl duct hood. Im thinking there was some performance parts under the hood. We get into the staging lane, he's doing a big old smoking burnout, while I just drove around the water and went up to the line and waited. I hadn't had an adreneline rush like this in a long time! He pull up and the lights go green, I bogged it off the line and passed him right up. When the boost came on in 1st, it spun the tires all the way to 8000rpm, shifted to second and it continued to spin all the way thru 2nd, into 3rd with a chirp and crossed the line. I look back, and it looks like the Mustang is between 1/2 and 3/4 track. He just got smoked by what he thought was a VW!!! HA!

The second run was against an 03ish Mustang Cobra! It thinking, now we are going to have some competition! We get up to the line, still no burn out for me, and I went a bit faster, but he went the same et and mph as the previous mustang. That means the 1st mustang had a bunch of work done to it!!

Below is a pic of the time slips and a poor quality video of the 2nd race against the Cobra.

Is most had said early on, to put the radiator up front, I have now made the decision to do so. I am very confident that I could make it work in the back, but I would be alot of trial and error until I felt 100% confident in the set up. I just dont have the time or patients! I have ordered a radiator which will be installed in the spare tire location with some ducting from below.

More to follow

HAHA wish you had pics of the faces of those Mustang owners after having been smoked. They would have been priceless.

😂😂

Very cool, they didn't know what was going to hit them.

Good choice on moving the radiator from the back to the front. I did the same thing 3 years ago, and I never looked back!

The 207 is good for a safe 300hp. There is a few guys getting 350 but there going pop around this.

It has forged pistons & a modified crank with 4 holes in it not like the common 205 or early wrx motors. This was done to stop the con rod failures due to lack of oil.