JDM Engines Worth the Hype? EJ205 Blown Up After 5,000 miles. Pro's & Con's

That sticker was for the timing belt, which are usually replaced around 100k but that one was done early. My personal opinion on the low mileage is that most are advertised as lower than what they are since there isn't a way to really prove it otherwise. Probably pressure washed as well to make them look cleaner which might explane the water inside.

I’ve done so many cyclones in my 05 sti I’ve lost count. And probably twice that in launches. Shit tons of track launches street races everything. Bone stock 257. Never had an issue. But I have a good tune and I make sure to keep up with maintenance and I make sure the oil is completely full before I drive it. It’s not a Honda, it won’t live on a quart of oil.

Prices change fast. Those motors go for $1,500+ now.

I blew my 205 so I did a jdm 207 with 205 heads its been sweet since

I had a complete different experience swapping to a jdm engine. My engine and trans was toast. I bought a jdm engine and trans together, turbo, intake and all for 1,500.00. I made sure to look at all the pics of the engines to get the one that looked the best and had the least amount of damage. Received the engine at work where they had a shipping dock to unload it with no damage except where the driveshaft and trans connect was dinged but didn’t harm it whatsoever (which was a surprise) because of jdm trans I had to buy new axles 150.00 and a rear diff 100.00. Everything went together perfect except a sensor on the throttle body needed changed and the AC compressor because the fittings were different. Had to buy a new top radiator hose which was the same as an Outback of the same year. Kept my stage 2 tune and it’s been good to me for almost 30k miles.

You did mention that there a various models that came with the 2.0 turbo and that's why you have so many pieces that you have to change over. I bought a AVCS 205 from a Impreza and I had to swap nothing over, when you're buying the $800 bare motor they cane come from a Forester or Legacy which have different line locations and even turbos. The 20x/y is another story entirely and for anyone with a GD/GC stick with the 205 with or without AVCS. 207s to some degree are similar but slightly different. Your cracked piston is probably from a mixture of fuel quality/ lack of oil, being modified with more boost and the crazy timing for launch control, all which cause some sort of stress to the pistons over time. Also get your motor tuned for everything even the smallest thing every time.

>Subaru engines aren't reliable >let me show you the absolute pure torture I put it through as justification for their inherent unreliable reputation

I’m planning on buying a jdm 205. Any suggestions on what I should change In order to make it a bit more reliable? The motor will be fully opened up anyways. (I will be replacing seals and gaskets as well).

My son is running 3” dual straight pipe turned out in front of the rear wheels on a 07’ wrx. Very loud. But it sounds 😎

Awesome, thanks for the info, this is why i went with a 205 swap, I will be doing JDM 205 in the future

Mine ran 2+ bar for 68000 miles only bolt-on parts - map it ! Yes, it did plenty of track time and got beaten once a month regardless... decent fuel and an octane booster always used.

I'm just saying this because you said "Subarus are not know for their reliability"... I've owned a bugeye WRX for 15 years and just now it's starting to have problems with 225k miles on it. So, even though my car has been moded it's been a super reliable daily driver... I'm not proving your wrong but just saying depends how far you push it.

hey im looking to do an ej20k short block with ej205 heads and ecu. Does this mean ill need ej205 cam, and crank sensors?

Subarus are an expensive drug! Anyone who owns/drives turbo subarus knows exactly what I mean. No other car quite hits the spot... haha

Take a look at the EJ20Y/X, I put one in my Legacy, Dual AVCS $700 motors and yes pull some logs and pull some timing out but they are great motors.

I just got and installed a 2.5 jdm, pulled it apart, and it was perfect. Perfect perfect. Perfect compression. Clean oil. Clean valves. Original timing belt. Original plugs. All clean. Sounds great. $1500 for complete engine. Had to use all USA sensors, crank timing gear, cam timing gear, intake, etc.

I laughed when you said reasons why were here lol and you're right..i just bought cheap 02 wrx all goodies done but with blown engine still runs but like hell, so I'm new and very first subaru ever so I'm learning what engine to put in and about jdm etc , i hope I'll figure it out. Thanks for the video.

I’ve had mine for a year fbo bro tuned and it hasn’t blown up yet thankgod

Next time take your AC compressor and flop it over into the battery tray without disconnecting the lines this way you don't have to recharge it or anything.

217,400+km on my Australian delivered ej205 in my 2003 wrx, runs smooth