Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

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rsuazopm
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Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by rsuazopm »

I just bought a 05 Baja manual with a bad engine. I have a donor outback xt automatic as a donor vehicle. Has anyone ever done a engine swap of this sort? Any advice?

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Last edited by rsuazopm on Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
tomato_88
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by tomato_88 »

Is your Baja the turbo version already or do you plan to go from NA to turbo?


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rsuazopm
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by rsuazopm »

tomato_88 wrote:Is your Baja the turbo version already or do you plan to go from NA to turbo?


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It's already a turbo.... I know they both have ej255 engines. Also there is differences in the intake manifold and intercooler. my concerns are with the fact that one car is a manual and the other is in automatic. I do not know if that would be an issue when I swept the engines. I'm also a little concerned about connectivity to the ECU. Any information would be a great help!

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mike-tracy
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by mike-tracy »

The long blocks are the same, so if you have any doubts/concerns about interchangeability, just swap complete intake manifolds and sensors, crank sprocket and driver side top cam gear.

I do remember in the 3rd gen legacys, the autos got different timing markers. Well, some early ones did. Later 3rd gens became more standardized. So as a rule, I would swap the complete intake, timing sprockets, and all sensors. Never had any issues or codes.

In your case, I'd just throw the auto engine in there complete and see if any codes come up, then swap the pieces I mentioned as necessary.
1992 Legacy SS, 5mt and heavily modified
2000 Impreza RSTi Coupe
2003 Baja, H6 and Dual Range 5mt swap
rsuazopm
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by rsuazopm »

mike-tracy wrote:The long blocks are the same, so if you have any doubts/concerns about interchangeability, just swap complete intake manifolds and sensors, crank sprocket and driver side top cam gear.

I do remember in the 3rd gen legacys, the autos got different timing markers. Well, some early ones did. Later 3rd gens became more standardized. So as a rule, I would swap the complete intake, timing sprockets, and all sensors. Never had any issues or codes.

In your case, I'd just throw the auto engine in there complete and see if any codes come up, then swap the pieces I mentioned as necessary.
Would it make sense to swap the ECU as well if I leave everything on the automatic the same?

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rsuazopm
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by rsuazopm »


rsuazopm wrote:I just bought a 05 turbo Baja manual with a bad engine. I have a donor outback xt (turbo) automatic as a donor vehicle. Has anyone ever done a engine swap of this sort? Any advice?

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rsuazopm
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by rsuazopm »




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mike-tracy
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by mike-tracy »

No, the auto ecu will freak out if it doesn't detect the auto's TCU. Just run the manual ecu.
1992 Legacy SS, 5mt and heavily modified
2000 Impreza RSTi Coupe
2003 Baja, H6 and Dual Range 5mt swap
rsuazopm
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by rsuazopm »

Makes sense....TY.


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mike-tracy
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by mike-tracy »

I didn't catch that the donor was an outback XT. That's a different generation of electronics, the 4th gens had Canbus.

I'm positive you'll need to swap intake manifolds and all sensors, and the turbo. Unsure about the timing, I suspect that's the same.
1992 Legacy SS, 5mt and heavily modified
2000 Impreza RSTi Coupe
2003 Baja, H6 and Dual Range 5mt swap
tomato_88
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by tomato_88 »

I agree. Swap the intake and timing gears with your original engine. Should be straightforward and run without issues.


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rsuazopm
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by rsuazopm »

Car arrived today....can't wait to start working on it.Image

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tomato_88
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by tomato_88 »

That is beautiful. I am excited for you. Can you take a picture of the engine bay for us? What intake is on it?
rsuazopm
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by rsuazopm »

The first picture is the engine bay with everything labeled prior to taking it apart. The second picture is with everything mostly disconnected. I'm hoping to have the engine out by this weekend.ImageImage

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tomato_88
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Re: Automatic Outback Engine Swap.

Post by tomato_88 »

Thanks for the pictures. It looks like it is all stock except for the coolant overflow tank, and intake/cold air. Any ideas what happened to the engine?
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