Cheapest turbo for a 97 BD?

SubieCRos · Post by **SubieCRos** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:17 pm

What would be the cheapest (but still worth getting) turbo for my 1997 2.5 GT sedan (EJ25 engine)?

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:29 pm

The cheapest still seems to be the EJ22T from the Legacy. But I would get them before people wake up and it's no longer the case. Some importers may have equal price EJ20's, but they may be more difficult to install (not sure about wiring with OBDII either JDM or demestic) and get parts for. In order to get an EJ20 with equal strength you'd have to get one pre-'96 or, I think, one from a WRX-RA which may have carried the closed-deck block for a little longer.

Steve

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:55 pm

you looking for a turbo kit to add onto your car, or looking to replace the whole motor? The ej20t motor is a pretty reasonably cost solution and can be tweaked for some good power.

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:21 pm

I think a WRX swap would be the easiest most reliable swap. Plus you would be smog legal

There are plenty of WRX engine swaps for your legacy, so it wouldnt be too hard to get help. Plus you would get tons of aftermarket support

SubieCRos · Post by **SubieCRos** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 9:14 pm

ciper - How much would I expect to pay for the engine swap? What engine model should I look for? Do I need to buy a turbo seperately from the engine? Would I have to upgrade my OEM 4EAT?

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 11:44 pm

What model? I mean USDM WRX complete swap, everything from the flex plate forward.

You wouldnt have to upgrade your 4eat but a tranny cooler and high stall TC would be a good idea.

To get a good installation expect to pay about 8k, that includes about 35 hours of labor

Matt Monson · Post by **Matt Monson** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 8:56 pm

If you are talking about a turbo kit for the EJ25, the only kit still in production is made by AVO, and you can get one here:
http://www.spomotorsports.com/

It will run you about $4k and can be installed by yourself. Be aware that with the power this kit will produce you will blow the head gasket on your phase I EJ25 if you haven't already been through replacing it with the newer one that is stronger than stock. The kit will have you right around 240-250hp at the crank.

If you can do the EJ20 swap yourself, expect to pay roughly $5k in parts, and maybe more. If you have to pay labor figure the swap will run you $8K or so. And that puts you at USDM 227 hp and needing to spend more to get upgraded exhaust and an ECU reflash to get into the 250-280hp range.

I guess the questions you need to ask yourself are how much power do you want and how much are you willing to spend...

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 10:45 pm

I think the WRX swap is the best option. For one its realiable and easy to get replacement parts. What do you do 5 years from now when you have an issue with your AVO turbo kit and they are no longer in production? The WRX parts will be easily obtainable 15+ years from now. Besides there is infinitly more experience with tuning a "WRX" than a 2.5 turbo.

Post by **Legacy777** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 11:49 pm

www.forcedairtech.com

Matt Monson · Post by **Matt Monson** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 5:15 am

Ciper,
AVO is not a JC Sports or a Minnam. They are a major Japanese tuning company with over 30 years of experience that is not going to dissapear in the next few years. And neither is SPO a fly by night operation. They have been around for a good while and know their stuff. Or you could get the kit from our freinds at Rallitek. Here's their FAQ on the kit:

http://www.rallitek.com/technical_faq.asp

And for engine management, the AVO kit uses a LINK ECU. Again this is not some shabby thrown together kit.

And five years from now that tired old EJ25 will be due for retirement anyways, but most of the parts from the AVO kit could be transfered to whatever engine he decides to replace it with...

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 9:13 pm

Okay, so the company will be around in 10 years but will replacement parts for the kit? Subaru has been around for X number of years yet I cant order floor mats or sun visors for a 10 year old legacy....

Matt Monson · Post by **Matt Monson** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:44 am

Do you seriously intend on running the exact same turbo kit for the next ten years?

Even if you do, many of the parts of a turbo kit' like hoses and piping, can be fabricated to replace it. Just use the original as a templte. Something like the turbo itself can be rebuilt by any quality turbo builder; it does not need to be sent back to AVO in Japan for replacement of the bearings or whatever else might be needed. I don't see what the concern here is, but then that's just me. I don't expect anyone else to have the same confort level I do with something like that...

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:51 pm

"Do you seriously intend on running the exact same turbo kit for the next ten years?"

I do. What reason do I have for my vehicle to ever stop running? I plan to build the car the right way the first time then finish. Im not into continiously tinkering with the car. I get my enjoyment from DRIVING not working on it.

With a WRX swap any experienced technician can work on it without detailed instructions. The vehicle could even be sold to a non enthusiast without worries.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:26 am

True. It would also be 50 state legal (providing OEM emissions was intact) as you'd be putting in an engine of a newer production date than the chassis.

Steve

Matt Monson · Post by **Matt Monson** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:27 am

I guess I have just had a enough cars that I have run into the ground to know that having any car for ten years jsut isn't a feasible route for me personally. I average 20-25K mi a year on my cars, so I figure any turbo build I do have about 5 years until I get rid of the car. I too would rather spend my time driving than wrenching. My moto is do it right, once.

When I give advice on something like this, I do genuinely try and get outside of myself and my needs. One thing I usualy do, that I failed to do here, is ask the poster if they are wrenching themselves or paying for labor as it makes a big difference. Somewhere along the line, I assumed this guy was going to pay for the engine swap, which is about 50% labor. But I also assumed that maybe he could do the turbo kit install himself since it is not so extensive an operation and doesn't require pulling the engine. In conclusion, I don't know if I have given this guy any good advice since I didn't bother finding out enough about his needs and desires...in the end what I did was make an ASS of U and ME...

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:35 am

Its cool, we benefit him by showing opposing sides of the argument and he can choose the best route. It does depend on what you plan to do. The WRX swap wont have as much torque as the 2.5 turbo, but the reliability will be higher. The 2.5 will all be custom while the WRX can be modified with off the shelf parts and well know mods.
The 2.5 turbo will become considerably more popular now with the introduction of the "Turbo Forester blocks" available for sale.

SubieCRos: If you are really serious about this I think the cheapest turbo kit in the long run would be to buy a 2.5 turbo engine. A full set of components can be had BRAND NEW for very little. Then just add your turbo of choice and reliability isnt as much of a problem and your power levels will be far higher (easy to get 250+hptq).

BTW aren't we seriously off topic here? This site is for BC AND BF Legacy only.

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Cheapest turbo for a 97 BD?

Cheapest turbo for a 97 BD?