Non turbo donor with turbo engine

[D sattler]

New to Subaru’s and looking to build a 818. I have access to a 02 non turbo Impreza with a bad motor for $700. Is it possible to use it as a donor and go with a JDM turbo engine? Would I just need a JDM ECU and a new wire harness? Would it be better to look for a different donor, I definitely want to go turbo.

[lance corsi]

I would keep looking for a turbo donor car if I were you. Normally aspirated cars will have a different ecu & wiring harness as well as some different engine internals. Some ppl have built their car using the jdm route, then buying their miscellaneous parts from a salvage yard.

[D sattler]

I’m just a little hesitant because all of the wrx cars around me have a ton of miles and they still want 10k for. I feel a little more comfortable with a lower mileage engine which is why I was looking to go with a JDM. I was just unsure what else I would need for it to work.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I went with a 04 Forester XT from Coparts. Same engine as o4 STI but with a WRX size turbo and intercooler. You can get them for about 1k.
Here is a sample on Coparts today.

105501

[Todd00000]

Great info, thanks.