Mid-90's JDM Subies?

[Rockraven]

Here in Canada there are several JDM importers with 15+ yr old WRXs and STis. These cars are typically really low mileage (sub 50k) and priced from $6-$10 k. I'm not a Subie expert, so can anyone confirm that these would make ideal donors? One in particular here in Ontario is a '95 STi with 295hp and around 75k miles for $7995.

[PhyrraM]

The earlier JDM WRXs ('93-'00) are the 'narrow' wagon width. If a WRX wagon turns out to be a suitable donor, then they should work.

The steering rack is not going to be compatable with a North American kit, but when the 'world' kit is released, it should be fine as RHD.

There will be small, but surmountable, differences in the steering column and other secondary items.

[prematureapex]

Also, sans the engine/trans/wiring harness, the other donor components I imagine are going to be pretty sourceable on the cheap. Uprights, driveshafts, OE steel lower arms, steering columns, etc. are all very very cheap buying privately on one of the many forums.

Personally, if I can't get my hands on a 2.5l WRX sedan donor, I'd look for a forester XT, wagon, etc. with the 2.5l and buy the necessary sedan-specific components. You'll likely break even when you sell off your non-useable donor pieces.

[Rockraven]

So, a rhd column can't be used in a lhd configuration? What if I get the JDM car and source a lhd rack/column? I'm really interested in this '95 STi, but non-compatability makes it a deal breaker.

[prematureapex]

So, a rhd column can't be used in a lhd configuration? What if I get the JDM car and source a lhd rack/column? I'm really interested in this '95 STi, but non-compatability makes it a deal breaker.

Well, someone else can chime in for more details, but the rack certianly won't work. I'm sure you could get the column to work though.

Further, I seriously doubt this will be wagon based, so the control arms, etc. won't work from the older JDM cars either.

I wouldn't sway you from using one as a powertrain donor though. For example, I have a LHD column in my basement, completely with ignition and key/fob that I'd sell for $40. Parts are cheap...

[Ks2]

we have a junkyard nearby that you pull that parts you need and pa nearly nothing for them, they have imprezas every now and then, if you have some place like that nearby that you can source pats from, getting a great motor and transmission then parting out the rest of the car and using the money for the used stuff you pull from a junkyard you would do pretty well

JDM STI stuff sells for quite a bit on ebay if it is in good shape

[Rockraven]

Oooooohhhh....

http://www.jdmsource.ca/products.php?jdm-subaru-ej25-dohc-outback-legacy-forester&cPath=10

[Rockraven]

This EJ20 includes everything plus 5 speed tranny...

http://www.jdmsource.ca/products.php?jdm-ej20-wrx-subaru-turbo=&cPath=10&currency=USD

[Ks2]

i don't know if it applies to canada but here in the states the octane rating is different then japan (91-93 octane vs 97RON) so they require some tuning, additionally COBB and some other tuning sources don't work with 2.0l motors with AVCS or for the OCV valves. but for the price the performance is worth it (someone like clark turner can tune your car via email, you will do the logging and uploading of maps etc)

[StatGSR]

Oooooohhhh....

http://www.jdmsource.ca/products.php?jdm-subaru-ej25-dohc-outback-legacy-forester&cPath=10


:confused: just an NA 2.5 with the funky RHD header.....

[Rockraven]

:confused: just an NA 2.5 with the funky RHD header.....

Is it not a good price?

[Rockraven]

Look guys, up here a high mileage WRX is still priced in the teens. If I'm going to commit $10k for an 818 kit, plus donor parts, it ain't going to have a 230,000 mile drivetrain in it. JDM parts are much, much cheaper here than in the US, and they are usually low mileage. I greatly appreciate any advice/knowledge that can be passed on from the Subie experts here, as this marque is not my area of expertise. Thanx.

[StatGSR]

why bother buying a donor car right now anyway? i just don't understand why everybody is in such a rush to get a donor car for a kit that is a year away from being sold.

please wait till we get some more details. once we know the details about what is needed, one could determine what can come from where to see if buying a donor is actually a better deal or not.

and no $850 plus shipping isn't a good deal on a NA DOHC 2.5 with no wiring/ecu. hell i wouldn't touch an NA DOHC 2.5 with a 10ft poll, but maybe that's just me.

not exactly sure where you are at in canada but have you ever used www.car-part.com ? it is a salvage yard search engine...

[Rockraven]

Because I want it now damnit! Actually, you're right of course... But nothing wrong with planning.

[TroyLynx]

Well lets see here...If I am correct I think this is a car type web site. I would think we are because of our love of cars. I would also believe most here might of heard of Factor Five Raceing. Most of us may have changed spark plugs befor, Heck we may even have 3 or 4 cars sitting in the driveway. When this 818 hits the market I do think the Subaru's for this car will become a hot item, Prices we go up and for a short time it may be hard to get parts for. Many of us are Ford people and GM people. So another car in the driveway is no big deal. Also gives use a chance to get to know a Subaru. And when the Kits start to ship and we have a donar parts list as we are waiting for our car to be shipped, we can start to work on getten the parts ready. Now when the kit arrives at our doorsteps we can assemble right away.

[prematureapex]

Because I want it now damnit! Actually, you're right of course... But nothing wrong with planning.

Can't you simply have your parts shipped from the U.S.?

I've shipped a USDM EJ20 to canada...

Hell, you're not registering the donor, so can't even that be imported in?

Man, a wrecked 02-05 WRX around here is going for a few thousand...

Teens? How could that be? Book value on a used 2.0l WRX in good shape is 7-12k depending on the year/mileage.

[Rockraven]

I'm interested in the feasability of JDM parts... If they will be compatable. Used NA market WRX's with acceptable mileage are still in the teens up here, and face it... a wrecked WRX with a good drivetrain isn't something that's easy to find.

[Ks2]

http://www.salvage-cars-for-sale.info/

it goes without saying you should go to see the car (whats left of it) personally before buying

no canada though...

[Scubynubie]

If you are going to go with an earlier JDM Subie, I'd say stick to a version 5 or 6 WRX or STI (1998 - 2001).

If you get a 5MT from a 1998 or older car, you are going to be much more limited for gear swaps, etc. The cases changed in 1999, and from that point on, you can not retro-fit gears. You can put in a set of RA gears, but if you don't get an RA transmission to begin with, it will cost about twice as much as the 1999+ variant.

Also keep in mind (especially here in the states) your tuning options are going to be much more limited, and you will most likely have to go with a stand along ECU if you want to tune the car properly.

The JDM 2.0 liter engines are pretty awesome though, so it may be worth the headache. Especially if you can find an EJ207. Just know that you are going to be dealing with a lot more headaches than if you would go with a USDM WRX...

[Rockraven]

Thanks Scuby... this is the kind of info I was asking for. I think I'll concentrate on finding a NA donor.

[Scubynubie]

Thanks Scuby... this is the kind of info I was asking for. I think I'll concentrate on finding a NA donor.

If you do, make sure that you don't have any plans to go FI with the engine. The NA engines are no where near as durable as the turbo engines, and the NA ECU's haven't really been cracked yet. So if you are going to put a turbo on the car, it will be cheaper, and far less of a headache to go with a turbo engine to begin with (and ECU, etc.).