So, I have started investigating doing a turbo engine swap into my 98 Outback. I want to go 2.5L but haven't made a final decision between an 05+STI or 06+WRX setup. I will be looking at buying a complete wrecked car to perform the swap. My biggest concern is ECU options and cost. From my understanding, I need to use the ECU for the engine set I am using but this would require a merging of the wiring harness currently in my OB. Looks like the going rate for this job is about $400? So my thoughts are, if I buy an AP and get the harness merged, I am looking at around $1000 before any tuning. In a situation like this, would it make sense to go straight to a standalone like the AEM? I don't plan to leave the motor stock so I know it will need a tune at some point, if not right off the bat. Can I pass emissions with the AEM? Thoughts from those that have done this or know?
If you buy a whole car and swap in the entire harness and dash then you wont need to merge harnesses.
When you say dash, are you referring to the entire dash or just the HVAC and guages? What about doorlocks, lights and all that?
just the wiring and gauges, but in order to get the gauges to fit, you'd need the dash. and then at that point if you wanted to keep the hvac you'd have to have the same year/model components and dash
the entire dash. the lights and doors depend on what year you are swapping from. most likely with a usdm swap you will have to rewire thr doors. if it is a usdm swap you can use the ecu that with it,and it will allow you to use romraider for a cheaper ecu solution. you can use that $1000 for tuning and toys.