2004 Forester XT donor.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

My son Michael got his donor.
Got ahold of a 2004 Forester XT with a 2.5 turbo engine and an automatic transmission.
First question, I have an extra 5MT from a NA 06 Impreza. Will it work without issues?
Second question: Will the forester turbo (auto) ECU or the Impreza NA (MT) ECU work?
Third Question: What kind of potential does this EJ255 engine have?
Bob and Mike

[Wayne Presley]

The NA ECU will not work with the turbo motor

[Bob_n_Cincy]

The NA ECU will not work with the turbo motor
Thanks Wayne
Will the o4 Forester xt Automatic turbo ECU work with a turbo 5mt?
Or should I just get on of your TEC-GT and be done with it?
Bob

[Wayne Presley]

A TEC-S is the easiest way to go

[longislandwrx]

Yes you can use that transmission, and the forester ecu, as long as you don't plan on running ABS.

you'll need to jump out some wires so you don't get key lockout, you may need to adapt your speed sensor wires, clutch switch etc but its not difficult

read these to get started:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/end-all-auto-manual-swap-thread-5-6-speed-thread-77444/

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1863125

and the beginning of this

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/5mt-swap-help-104127/

[Wayne Presley]

Yes you can use that transmission, and the forester ecu, as long as you don't plan on running ABS.

you'll need to jump out some wires so you don't get key lockout, you may need to adapt your speed sensor wires, clutch switch etc but its not difficult

read these to get started:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/end-all-auto-manual-swap-thread-5-6-speed-thread-77444/

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1863125

and the beginning of this

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/5mt-swap-help-104127/


And we have confirmation, "A TEC-S is the easiest way to go" :cool:

[theburner9]

And we have confirmation, "A TEC-S is the easiest way to go" :cool:

It's really too bad that its so much money though. I'm sold on the idea, just not the price.

[BrandonDrums]

You could just re-flash the Forester's ECU with the Manual version of the ROM on the same physical ECU box. Just get a tatrix cable, download ECU Flash, RomRaider and get the manual version of the tune and re-flash the ECU. The actual computers are the same and you just have to swap some pins on the ECU for the speed sensors, neutral switch etc.

The only parts you'll need considering you already have the trans is the clutch petal, clutch master and slave cylinders (and lines) and the clutch petal itself. You can skip the OEM electrical connections for the speed sensors and neutral switch and just hard-wire them or use a generic crimp or screw connector if you need to have them removable. I'm not 100% on what else would need to change but IMO reading a couple pinout charts and swapping some wires is far more easy and much cheaper than going with a full standalone unit. The only downside being the lack of real-time tuning on the free software. There's several similar swap threads on the topic on the net too.

Here's about everything you need.
Links to 04 Forester XT pinout charts
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/ecu-pinout-13890/#post1178805

Free flashing/tuning software:
http://www.romraider.com/ (allows you to fully tune ECU ROM files and datalog realtime ECU data etc. but no flash capability)
http://www.tactrix.com/ (here you can buy the tatrix cable and download ECU flash which allows you to modify ROMs and flash the ECU but no logging capability)

Resources for flashing, tuning and ECU compatibility
http://www.osecuroms.org/ , http://forums.openecu.org/ , or http://www.enginuity.org

OEM Rom files for Subaru models (here you can download the MT version of your ECU's ROM software to re-flash using the tatrix cable and free software above)
http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/Knowledge/ECUVersionCompatibilityList

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Thanks Wayne, Longislandwrx, and BrandonDrums.
Now that I know there are ways to make it work, I just have to decide which ECU method is best.

Bob

[Mechie3]

Third Question: What kind of potential does this EJ255 engine have?
Bob and Mike

It's essentially the same motor I have from my 06 WRX. I made 243whp 351wtq on the stock turbo. Plenty potent!

[Bob_n_Cincy]

It's essentially the same motor I have from my 06 WRX. I made 243whp 351wtq on the stock turbo. Plenty potent!
Hi Craig,
On my next trip through indy I will have to stop and discuss everything I need to do to this motor.

Any chance you are going to PRI2013 this year?
http://www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow/
Bob

[Wayne Presley]

I'm going to PRI and have an extra badge or two