Without getting into a lot of depth on this subject just wondering if anyone sees a problem with a Subie conversion using a 2005 Subaru Outback XT Turbo 2.5L H4 engine combined with a 901 Transmission. (250hp/359 lbs). Vs other Subie conversion. Also isn’t it usually better to buy a donor car instead of piecing it together (engine/ECM/electronics etc)?

@Chi-town

Thanks I will contact him. Have a great weekend

PM replied

Chi-town PM never came through

Don't use the 901. You'll spend just as much for the adapter plate setup as you will making the suby work. You will be much happier in the long run with the suby trans. It does require more work in the long run but is so worth it. You need custom gauges but realistically you'd be doing most of them anyway. If I was doing it over again. I would just do the suby ez30 instead. You can get more power out of a turbo setup but there is more to mess with.

Oops, hit save instead of send. Sent now.

There is a way to run a speedo cable on a suby trans

I went with GPS speedo. So much simpler!

It's not hard you simply use the early speedo drive that attaches to a cable. It screws in where the VSS goes.

I'd recommend giving I-Wire (https://www.iwireservices.com/) a call... my understanding is that any 2005+ Subaru ECU has CAN-BUS communications that cannot be programmed out. In other words, unless a 2005+ ECU sees the ABS and other CAN-BUS equipment, it won't work. You can use 2005+ EJ255/EJ257 engine, but you'll need to use 2004 FXT or STI ECU, as well as same year chassis harness and engine wiring harness. My engine is out of a 2005 Legacy GT, but I am using a 2004 FXT ECU and modified harnesses.

You can also use a CANbus emulator and still use the later stuff, but you need quite a few items from the donor car.

You don't want to attempt the factory ECU. Link or MS3Pro will give you everything you need and none of the OBD2 or Anti theft headaches. Pretty sure both have Subaru base maps so it's almost plug-n-play.

Factory harness is nice. It will need a little work to run stand alone but that is easier than wiring from scratch.

I love the low end torque from my V6 so don't discount the Suby -6 based on peak power numbers. Also fewer parts and easier to tune.

ECU does not care about other modules on the can bus untill 08'+ and then it needs the speed signal from the ABS and that's about it. Now if it's an auto ECU then it's a different scenario.

I-Wire is the place when it comes to the harness.