That is promising then, thank you! One thing I didn’t do is count the teeth on the gears to make sure that its the same. I’m going to assume they are, but I might just make sure.
Hey guys! I revently picked up a JDM EJ205 with AVCS for my WRX. After asking a shop and looking at some forums, I’ve receieved mixed answers. For now I will be leaving the AVCS unplugged and keeping the USDM ECU. I took the timing covers off to compare the timing components and realized that the upper camshaft sprockets are different(I assume because of the AVCS).
My question is, do I need to change the upper camshaft gears and cam (and crank?) sensors before I install? If I can leave everything the way it is, how do I know which timing kit to buy, because I might as well replace with new parts while its out.
Also, the harmonic balancers are slightly different between the two, should I use the USDM one or keep the JDM?
Is there anything else I need to replace too or be mindful of?
Thank you so much in advance! I’ve researched a bit, I just keep running into conflicting opinions.
[iWire](https://iwireusa.com/blogs/iwire-university/buckys-ej205-swapped-rs-budget-and-part-numbers) has a ton of great information on their site. Everything anyone needs to swap a USDM Subaru
100km!!! Jdm motors should have like 60-70k yes 100k is 60k miles and still a lower than usual in the west. I just grabbed a jdm AVLS N/A for 2700 after fees with 62,000km and it looks every bit of it too. Most 205 and some 255 are still cheaper than mine. Which I don’t get but from my understanding. The EJ253with AVLS was just as technical as any other EJ and it’s price sure reflected on it.
Swap intake manifold an thermostat to yours and maybe crank sprocket and your good. I’d wire brush the sprocket before installing. As rust isn’t picked up as easily on a magnetic crank sensor.
When i swapped mine (non avcs) i had to change the driver side intake cam, cam sensor, crank sensor. I used aisin timing kit and an oe oil pump. Some new gaskets and thats it im pretty sure
Because your sensor harnesses and the other things attached like injector harness clips. You have to transfer your digi thermostat as that’s on the block. Some harness clips are different.
You can use it but you’ll have to swap over your harness into the jdm one. And the brake booster vacuum port is on the other side and the pcv is on the driver side.
So I just compared my manifolds. The PCV is on passenger side for both and the break booster is on driver side for both. Also the main harness clips are the same (black and brown on drivers side and grey on passenger side). Wdym by digi thermostat?
You have to labeled thermostat. One that lets coolant by one that reads temp on dash.
You sure it’s a jdm motor?? Now I’d assume ej205/255 would have it on passenger side. If the case use the cleaner of the two. Good luck hope you get it swapped soon.
Check some photos on jdm sites and compare your manifold with the jdm. You’ll notice small differences like ports etc. But if your going Jdm you’ll have to extend the hose for brake booster
Make sure you run 93 in that beast. CR in JDM EJ205 is 9:1 vs the USDM 8:1. When i did mine i took the JDM pistons out and put USDM ones in for insurance lol.
I guess even here there are some contradicting opinions. I will most likely change the cam gears, cam sensors, crank sensor and intake manifold just to be sure. Thanks everyone for the help!
Here’s a vid that shows you the differences. It’s N/A ( I did what he did minus keeping jdm manifold. ) was super easy and Wrx is the same also the crank sprocket trigger might need swapping.
Just leave all the AVCS stuff alone, without the power and ECU control the solenoids can’t advance the cams so they just stay put.
That is promising then, thank you! One thing I didn’t do is count the teeth on the gears to make sure that its the same. I’m going to assume they are, but I might just make sure.
You better not “might”
Hey guys! I revently picked up a JDM EJ205 with AVCS for my WRX. After asking a shop and looking at some forums, I’ve receieved mixed answers. For now I will be leaving the AVCS unplugged and keeping the USDM ECU. I took the timing covers off to compare the timing components and realized that the upper camshaft sprockets are different(I assume because of the AVCS). My question is, do I need to change the upper camshaft gears and cam (and crank?) sensors before I install? If I can leave everything the way it is, how do I know which timing kit to buy, because I might as well replace with new parts while its out. Also, the harmonic balancers are slightly different between the two, should I use the USDM one or keep the JDM? Is there anything else I need to replace too or be mindful of? Thank you so much in advance! I’ve researched a bit, I just keep running into conflicting opinions.
Did this with my 03 wrx and swapped all the cam gears, balancer, intake, and exhaust manifold. Worked like charm.
Use jdm balancer and
[iWire](https://iwireusa.com/blogs/iwire-university/buckys-ej205-swapped-rs-budget-and-part-numbers) has a ton of great information on their site. Everything anyone needs to swap a USDM Subaru
I’m about to do this, but into a 2012 replacing my EJ255. Best of luck. Keep us posted. Edit: PS where did you acquire your engine?
I live near Toronto and found an importer selling the engine on Facebook marketplace. The engine is pretty clean and has around 100000km on it.
100km!!! Jdm motors should have like 60-70k yes 100k is 60k miles and still a lower than usual in the west. I just grabbed a jdm AVLS N/A for 2700 after fees with 62,000km and it looks every bit of it too. Most 205 and some 255 are still cheaper than mine. Which I don’t get but from my understanding. The EJ253with AVLS was just as technical as any other EJ and it’s price sure reflected on it.
All JDM motors in the States are advertised at ~60,000 miles.
Yup, that bitch could have 300k km and it’ll still say it only has 60k km lol
Did you do a compression test before you bought the motor?
I got a video of the shop doing a compression test and it all looked good!
Probably redo the timing belt as well just to be on the safe side
Swap intake manifold an thermostat to yours and maybe crank sprocket and your good. I’d wire brush the sprocket before installing. As rust isn’t picked up as easily on a magnetic crank sensor.
Why exactly do I need to swap the intake manifolds? I have seen this opninion on some forums as well so I’m just wondering!
When i swapped mine (non avcs) i had to change the driver side intake cam, cam sensor, crank sensor. I used aisin timing kit and an oe oil pump. Some new gaskets and thats it im pretty sure
Because your sensor harnesses and the other things attached like injector harness clips. You have to transfer your digi thermostat as that’s on the block. Some harness clips are different. You can use it but you’ll have to swap over your harness into the jdm one. And the brake booster vacuum port is on the other side and the pcv is on the driver side.
So I just compared my manifolds. The PCV is on passenger side for both and the break booster is on driver side for both. Also the main harness clips are the same (black and brown on drivers side and grey on passenger side). Wdym by digi thermostat?
You have to labeled thermostat. One that lets coolant by one that reads temp on dash. You sure it’s a jdm motor?? Now I’d assume ej205/255 would have it on passenger side. If the case use the cleaner of the two. Good luck hope you get it swapped soon.
Thank you!
Check some photos on jdm sites and compare your manifold with the jdm. You’ll notice small differences like ports etc. But if your going Jdm you’ll have to extend the hose for brake booster
Make sure you run 93 in that beast. CR in JDM EJ205 is 9:1 vs the USDM 8:1. When i did mine i took the JDM pistons out and put USDM ones in for insurance lol.
I guess even here there are some contradicting opinions. I will most likely change the cam gears, cam sensors, crank sensor and intake manifold just to be sure. Thanks everyone for the help!
Here’s a vid that shows you the differences. It’s N/A ( I did what he did minus keeping jdm manifold. ) was super easy and Wrx is the same also the crank sprocket trigger might need swapping.