im really considering buying a 2002 2.5rs and swapping in a built STi engine and transmission. i was wondering if anyone on here has done that succesfully and how well does it work? also what kind of problems would you run into? thanks -Andrew
if you're going to do an RS with STi swap, then do a GM6 body style (93-01) and 02 body might as well just be a WRX with STi motor....it'd be a LOT easier to do that.
i really want an 02 or body style though... and i figured that might be the case, but im not sure if i can afford a wrx
No offense, but if you cant afford an '02 wrx, you REALLY can't afford putting an STi motor and driveline in an RS. That's an expensive swap... To do it right is about $15k, just for the swap. Siegel
Yeah but you can get 02 RSs for ~8K, add 15K to that and you're up around STI territory. Figure if the stock motor/tranny are in good condition you could sell them off for defray more of the costs. If you're doing it yourself you can discount labor costs. The place I got my motor from sells motor/tranny combos for 9K I believe, then you'll just need a matching rear diff which they also supply.
Why buy a 02+ RS and swap to a STi? There's no weight saving at all. THe cost is the same as a used STi. I'm doing a STi swap in my WRX but I've been very patient and have gotten killer deals left and right. When it's all said and done I'll have a 500 hp WRX/STi for $37000-39000 and that includes the cost of my WRX new with the cheaper insurance to boot. A new STi at the time would have been $32000 at the cheapest.
good luck he oldbody style wl have modicaton problems ud be better off doin a st swap on a bug-eyed wrx
02's are the bug eye body style If u really wanna do it. Get that 95 impreza on craigs list for 999 and then do the swap in that
I've done it, and it's not bad if you're VERY familiar with subarus. Hardest part will be the wiring harness. If you can't source an uncut harness, I wouldn't even try.
I see what your saying here, but either way Im goin to build an engine for it (I work for Ball Engine by the way), I just figured Id buy a 2.5rs as apposed to the wrx to save money since Ill be putting the same engine into it, and I will save a lot of money by building the engine and putting it in myself.
Seriously....it would be more worth it to sell the RS on the open market and get a GM6/GC6 RS or a WRX or STi. Starting with a WRX or STi would be TONS easier. The only reason to swap a GM6/GC6 2.5 RS is for the uniqueness. They never sold the GC8/GF8 here. Same with the 2nd and 3rd gen Legacy. But to swap a GD chassi'd impreza to WRX or STi status...seems like a waste.
I don't know much about the technical side of this. It sounds scary for sure. If you're building the motor yourself, I bet you'll be saving a ton there. However, the car would be a serious sleeper for sure.
The main thing is the wiring harness. To run the STi engine, you need to run an STi ECU. The wiring harness splice to do that is 25 to 30 HOURS.... You will also want to swap rear diff, axles, hubs, suspension, Drive by Wire, etc. By the time it's done it will cost more than an STi... Siegel
Its much like converting an NA AUTO SUpra to a TT 6 Speed Supra, by the time you do it right, you could have just bought a TT supra lol. Baby Baller the 3rd, i undrestand what you want to do, but listen to a lot of the people on here. You know its all about HORSEPOWER/$. And a 02 RS converted to an STI is a shitty ratio. What is your budget and restrictions. If you got $20,000 to play with thats one thing, if you have $10,000, you are better off buying a WRX thats already turbo and working with that. How much power are you shooting for? if its 400whp+ then stay away from the WRX , your only option is an STI for reliability. Most guys will have around $10,000 in their 400-500whp STIs. An remember they already have the engine and transmission/electronics.
Yeah I trust the people on here, and this conversion is really soundin like a pain in the ass. I think im just goin to try to find a WRX and go from there. And yes budget is around $10,000