Which is the better WRX motor to mod: the EJ20T or EJ25T?
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Jose, CA
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Car Info: 08 WRX 5dr TBE, Perrin TMIC, VF52
Which is the better WRX motor to mod: the EJ20T or EJ25T?
I've loved these cars for a long time and I think I will probably buy one in the next month or two. I want a white WRX wagon 5sp.
The question is this... do I want the 04-05 EJ20T or the 06-07 EJ25T? Which is the better motor to mod, in terms of durability, parts availability, power potential, etc?
My last fast car was a '98 Z28 6sp with a 9 psi Vortech... 540 hp at the motor. Very nice, very fast. Sold it a few years ago because it got to the point that I couldn't go anywhere without being followed and harassed by cops, even though it was very clean/stock looking except for the wheels. It was fairly quiet too (Borla exhaust).
So anyway... what are the realistic power options without a complete rip-the-motor-out-and-redo-it fest and having to run race gas? Is 400 hp realistically possible? I did a little poking around and it looks like 280-300 is possible with minor engine management and exhaust mods. I'm guessing turbo/intercooler upgrades are next.
The idea here is to have a nice, fast car that's still practical as a daily driver. I'll put some nice 17 or 18" wheels on it and some high performance all-season tires. I'll do springs/shocks/swaybars too. I spent six years autocrossing so I like a car that can handle. I have no real plans to autox this car, though. I think those days are over.
Thanks!
Rob
The question is this... do I want the 04-05 EJ20T or the 06-07 EJ25T? Which is the better motor to mod, in terms of durability, parts availability, power potential, etc?
My last fast car was a '98 Z28 6sp with a 9 psi Vortech... 540 hp at the motor. Very nice, very fast. Sold it a few years ago because it got to the point that I couldn't go anywhere without being followed and harassed by cops, even though it was very clean/stock looking except for the wheels. It was fairly quiet too (Borla exhaust).
So anyway... what are the realistic power options without a complete rip-the-motor-out-and-redo-it fest and having to run race gas? Is 400 hp realistically possible? I did a little poking around and it looks like 280-300 is possible with minor engine management and exhaust mods. I'm guessing turbo/intercooler upgrades are next.
The idea here is to have a nice, fast car that's still practical as a daily driver. I'll put some nice 17 or 18" wheels on it and some high performance all-season tires. I'll do springs/shocks/swaybars too. I spent six years autocrossing so I like a car that can handle. I have no real plans to autox this car, though. I think those days are over.
Thanks!
Rob
#3
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Car Info: '02 WRX wagon
both engines are great, but ej25 has a greater displacement which means more torque. if you really prefer the my02-05 or the saab 92x, i wouldn't worry too much about the engine, especially since you're looking more for a DD and not a track monster. if it were me though, i'd go with the 06-07 models just because of the ej25, but thats just me.
#4
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Location: San Jose, CA
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Car Info: 08 WRX 5dr TBE, Perrin TMIC, VF52
Cool, two votes for the 2.5L...
I actually prefer the look of the 06-07... it' s just a matter of finding one at a reasonable price. Heck I have yet to find a white WRX wagon with a 5sp... it could be a long search.
Heck I've had far more luck finding white STi's, but I don't wanna deal with the insurance on one, and I really want the utiity (and slightly more stealthiness) of the wagon. Plus you never know how an STi will have been treated...
I really hate how they ruined the Impreza with the 2008's...
Rob
I actually prefer the look of the 06-07... it' s just a matter of finding one at a reasonable price. Heck I have yet to find a white WRX wagon with a 5sp... it could be a long search.
Heck I've had far more luck finding white STi's, but I don't wanna deal with the insurance on one, and I really want the utiity (and slightly more stealthiness) of the wagon. Plus you never know how an STi will have been treated...
I really hate how they ruined the Impreza with the 2008's...
Rob
#5
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yeah, you just gotta give the 08's some time and youll start to like it before you know it. and yeah its pretty hard to find white wagons, not too many of them. just be patient and you'll find one. plus with the 06-07's, the ej25 is very similar to the sti engine, so all you really need are the turbo,injectors,fuelpump, intercooler and engine management, and you'll basically have a slightly detuned sti in terms of horsepower and straightline performance.
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 45
Car Info: 08 WRX 5dr TBE, Perrin TMIC, VF52
The 08 Impreza sedan isn't bad looking... but the new wagon... EWWW.
If money was a little less of an object, I would probably go for an Outback Wagon instead (not the Sport -- the Legacy version), in an XT...
Rob
If money was a little less of an object, I would probably go for an Outback Wagon instead (not the Sport -- the Legacy version), in an XT...
Rob
#7
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Location: 831monterey ,CA ... the driver's seat!!!
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Car Info: murdered out 06 WRX, but now is gone
06-07 FTW !!! NO REplacement for displacment (wink wink) im pretty much stock an put down 210wtq... 2.5l's all the way ... way more torque then 2.0l
#9
2.0L higher rev better gas milage. I believe its the same crank as the jdm sti but without cross drilling for high rpm. Thicker cylinder walls. More coolant capacity. Better flowing heads. I think it is a more solid motor, but eveyone has their opinion.
(I'm comparing the ej205 and the ej255, ej257 and ej207 are a different playing field.)
(I'm comparing the ej205 and the ej255, ej257 and ej207 are a different playing field.)
#13
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Burlingame, CA
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Car Info: 95 RHD WRX
My ej20g revs to 7250 on my ecu but sti ecu on same motor will rev to 8k+