Author Topic: Blown 04 Fxt Options/Questions (Read 4088 times)

SnowBreeze · « **on:** December 17, 2015, 08:02:44 pm »

I've got a blown 04 fxt and i'm looking for an engine to replace the blown one. From what i've been reading the 04/05's have an ej257 (same engine as an sti) but i can't find any for sale.

I was talking to jdm-source in Calgary, and they said that i could use a jdm ej20x long block and transfer over my manifold,down pipe,turbo etc from the 257 and it will work. He says i don't have to do any wiring or change the ecu which i'm having a hard time believing. Anyone know if i can actually do this or where i can buy a used ej257?

Canuckrz · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:04:58 pm »

Sounds like a load of ullbayitshay to me.

Iirc the 04 has the ej257 and 05 has the ej255 but I could be mistaken.

SnowBreeze · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:20:01 pm »

That's what i thought too. From what i read 06 and onward got the 255 but it could be wrong. My other question is If i buy an sti ej257 it'll be manual but my forester is auto. What parts would i need to transfer from the auto engine. Just the flex plate?

snackers · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:41:39 pm »

Quote from: SnowBreeze on December 17, 2015, 08:02:44 pm

From what i've been reading the 04/05's have an ej257 (same engine as an sti) but i can't find any for sale.

The 04 fxt uses the same ej257 as an 04 sti. If you include the vf39, you could also swap in an 04 sti ECU with no additional mods. (meaning yes, you could find the long block from an 04 sti and plop it in, unsure about 05-06 sti, 07+ sti would definitely be a no go without supporting mods and a tune)
Many MANY posts on subaruforester.org support this.

(The following information is irrelephant to your situation)
The 05 fxt only uses the shortblock (crank, block, rods, pistons) from the 04 sti. The heads are different, and as such has different compression.
The 06-08 fxt straight up uses the ej255 from the wrx.

ultimatt · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2015, 09:51:53 pm »

Quote from: SnowBreeze on December 17, 2015, 08:02:44 pm

I've got a blown 04 fxt and i'm looking for an engine to replace the blown one. From what i've been reading the 04/05's have an ej257 (same engine as an sti) but i can't find any for sale.

I was talking to jdm-source in Calgary, and they said that i could use a jdm ej20x long block and transfer over my manifold,down pipe,turbo etc from the 257 and it will work. He says i don't have to do any wiring or change the ecu which i'm having a hard time believing. Anyone know if i can actually do this or where i can buy a used ej257?

It sounds pretty bulltshitty to me, isn't the FXT Drive by wire? Most 207s are Cable throttle.
Since you're supposed to be swapping the manifold etc, that specific part won't matter, but it does lead me to question the compatibility of the engine harnesses.

I'd do (a lot) more research before commiting to a 207.

Might be worth asking this guy how certain he is about it just needing an HG http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=49546.0

SnowBreeze · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2015, 11:16:50 pm »

Thanks for the info Snackers

Ya the fxt is drive by wire but he didn't say the 207 specifically, he said the ej20x. I thought 20x was a general term for ej20's but apparently that engine came in the auto legacy's and forester's in Japan. I messaged the guy on the forum about the engine but he said he doesn't know if it runs or not. All he knows is that he thinks the head gasket is bad...

Also I called a few people/shops and they told me that used ej257 long block's are selling for over 4k which sounds ridiculous to me. A new short block from Subaru is 2500$

SpdDmn · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2015, 10:55:37 am »

So a 2.0L bottom end and your 2.5L heads? Auto tranny has a TCU as well as the ECU. I looked into a 4EAT to 6MT swap.

Quote

04-05 Fxt, 05-06 Lgt and the amazing Turbo Baja (all 255) use the 04-07 STi AB440 257 block with AB650 58cc heads. After that, pistons and heads changed.

big ol' discussion on Alberta Subaru Club post

There's a guy on Alberta Subaru Club asking $4500 for his 04 EJ257 longblock. He says OBO. By comparison, I had my complete EJ255 (with a little over half his km's) listed at $3000 before I sold it.

SnowBreeze · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2015, 11:58:20 am »

No, the guy was saying that i could just use the whole longblock from the 2L engine.

4500$ for an ej257 with 220,000kms, jeez that's high. I wish your longblock was still for sale.

ultimatt · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2015, 02:47:02 pm »

I had found a few ej257s in the low $3000s when I was considering one for my wrx, but that was a few years ago now.

Quote from: SnowBreeze on December 17, 2015, 11:16:50 pm

I thought 20x was a general term for ej20's but apparently that engine came in the auto legacy's and forester's in Japan.

Weird. Might be worth doing some research to see if it works as easily as described then? I'd rather have the 2.5L imo, but to get the car back up quicker it might be an option.

10secdream · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2015, 02:53:03 pm »

Why not go brand new long short block rather than a long block? Is this a car you plan on keeping personally or something just to fix and sell?

funk32 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2015, 03:18:47 pm »

Yay another mickey mouse project, do yourself a favor and do it right, either fix the block you have or buy a complete replacement.

Putting a ej20 in to this without tuning it is just another disaster waiting to happen. Also I am pretty sure the cam and crank pickup points are different so the timing wont match what the ecu is expecting.

ultimatt · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2015, 03:35:32 pm »

I entirely assumed there would be tuning needed, if not it seems crazy.

I know there is a 2.0L NA motor that some people have used as a replacement for the NA 2.5L. Maybe he's assuming it'll work the same way?

funk32 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2015, 04:03:35 pm »

Possibly but again why mickey mouse it.

SnowBreeze · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2015, 04:49:40 pm »

I'm fixing it for myself, it's gonna be my dd. I want to put another 257 in there, i was just asking in case none come up in the next few weeks.

Getting a new short block is the other thing i've been considering. I'm pretty sure my heads would need a rebuild too so it's just easier if i find a used long block. I'll have to pull the motor and see if the heads are still good.

Speed Stick · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2016, 07:56:03 am »

What did you end up doing? I've got a 04 Fxt as well with a blown motor(251k). Zero compression cylinder 4 and the rest were like 70psi. Heads were good, pistons must be bad. I'm throwing in a much lower mileage EJ255 from a 07 wrx in it. Should only have to swap the intake manifold and TGV's over if anything. No difference really between the EJ257 and EJ255 to make it worth while. I'm also gonna etune it right after getting the new motor to ensure its not gonna kill itself on the pathetic oem tune again.

SnowBreeze · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2016, 11:49:31 am »

Quote from: Speed Stick on January 02, 2016, 07:56:03 am

What did you end up doing? I've got a 04 Fxt as well with a blown motor(251k). Zero compression cylinder 4 and the rest were like 70psi. Heads were good, pistons must be bad. I'm throwing in a much lower mileage EJ255 from a 07 wrx in it. Should only have to swap the intake manifold and TGV's over if anything. No difference really between the EJ257 and EJ255 to make it worth while. I'm also gonna etune it right after getting the new motor to ensure its not gonna kill itself on the pathetic oem tune again.

I still haven't found a motor, there's a guy in Kamloops who has one and i'm just waiting on compression numbers and leakdown. Let me know how that goes for you, might be something to consider!

Speed Stick · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2016, 04:54:11 pm »

Should have it in and running Wednesday. I'll let you know.

Have you been using car-part.com as well? I see specialized parts in Calgary has rebuilt long block listed. Doesn't list a price. Maybe Spanky in Red Deer has something, he's usually got lots of stuff.

Canuckrz · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2016, 05:17:46 pm »

Quote from: Speed Stick on January 02, 2016, 07:56:03 am

What did you end up doing? I've got a 04 Fxt as well with a blown motor(251k). Zero compression cylinder 4 and the rest were like 70psi. Heads were good, pistons must be bad. I'm throwing in a much lower mileage EJ255 from a 07 wrx in it. Should only have to swap the intake manifold and TGV's over if anything. No difference really between the EJ257 and EJ255 to make it worth while. I'm also gonna etune it right after getting the new motor to ensure its not gonna kill itself on the pathetic oem tune again.

It says your from Halifax, did you by any chance pick up that champagne/beige forester from down near yarmouth that was listed as having an overheating problem?

Speed Stick · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2016, 01:20:27 am »

No I bought a black fxt from a guy in Sackville December 2014. Ran ittshay when I bought it but it was cheap and manual with clean underside. Thought it was coil related issues.

veloz · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2016, 09:32:58 am »

Quote from: funk32 on December 18, 2015, 03:18:47 pm

Yay another mickey mouse project, do yourself a favor and do it right, either fix the block you have or buy a complete replacement.

Putting a ej20 in to this without tuning it is just another disaster waiting to happen. Also I am pretty sure the cam and crank pickup points are different so the timing wont match what the ecu is expecting.

FUNK has a point.

ej255 and ej257 are almost identical except that ej255 have better flowing heads, a diffrent oil filter housing (which can also be changed) and slight diffrences in the IM.

I usually stock a few BNIB OEM shortblocks.
Used shortblocks can be such a gong show. Totally hit/Miss. I personally don't think they are worth the "savings".

SnowBreeze · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:14:50 pm »

Quote from: Speed Stick on January 02, 2016, 04:54:11 pm

Should have it in and running Wednesday. I'll let you know.

Have you been using car-part.com as well? I see specialized parts in Calgary has rebuilt long block listed. Doesn't list a price. Maybe Spanky in Red Deer has something, he's usually got lots of stuff.

I looked on carpart.com and it's overpriced + i'll have to ship it. I'm talking to a guy from Bc who has an ej257 and will be travelling to Edmonton in two or three weeks so he can bring it over for free. I'm waiting on the compression and leak-down test but i'm kinda worried since it has 136,000miles (220k kms).

How did the ej255 swap go? jdmtunners has some japanese ej255 (which i'm guessing are the same as usdm 255's?) so if all else fails i might do that.

LilDrunkenSmurf · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:15:56 pm »

There was no Japanese 255 or 257. At least not in terms of the WRX or STi. The JDM cars have the 205 and 207, as they're all 2L.

SnowBreeze · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:34:29 pm »

Quote from: LilDrunkenSmurf on January 05, 2016, 01:15:56 pm

There was no Japanese 255 or 257. At least not in terms of the WRX or STi. The JDM cars have the 205 and 207, as they're all 2L.

Ya i think the jdm Forester xt has the 255

SpdDmn · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2016, 06:41:30 pm »

Quote from: SnowBreeze on January 05, 2016, 01:34:29 pm

Ya i think the jdm Forester xt has the 255

Yup, the oddball 2.5L!

How much are JDMtuners asking for the 255? I find their prices ...fair, at least. What the market will bear.

SnowBreeze · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2016, 08:03:43 pm »

Quote from: SpdDmn on January 05, 2016, 06:41:30 pm

Yup, the oddball 2.5L!

How much are JDMtuners asking for the 255? I find their prices ...fair, at least. What the market will bear.

They are sold out right now so i'm not sure on the price. They have an engine and 6 speed tranny combo for 7600$ but they aren't willing to separate them.