Impreza Engine upgrade - what engine?

[JKat]

Hi peoples,

I've come to you for help, as this seemed to be the place I might get some answers

I have a 1996 Impreza and as I have to replace the engine, would like to upgrade it - as I would like a little more grunt to tow with. Can anyone tell me what engine I can put into it without having to do major modifications?

And then, where I can get said engine....

Thanks,
Jarrah

[AndrewT]

Hi,

What engine do you currently have? Ej16, EJ18?

I guess if you want towing grunt then you need to increase capacity. If you can get a low kms early Liberty motor then you have an EJ22. Or you could get a later model EJ25 from an Outback or Forester.

This isnt really a major modification, mechanically everything should pretty much just bolt up. The most difficult thing would be getting somebody who knows that they are doing to sort out the wiring. You would need the engine harness spliced in to the rest of the car harness most likely. Or you could swap the entire dashboard from the donor car. There may even be a way to get the new motor to run from your existing harness and just swap ECUs.....but yes, somebody else will have better advice on this.

[AlpineRaven]

I would put EJ25 if you can find one in good price then it'll be great! If not there is plenty of EJ22s around.
What is wrong with the engine you have at the moment?
Cheers
AP

[JKat]

Thanks AP and Andrew.

I don't know which engine is in it at the moment - it's a "Gravel X" Impreza, with the dual range.

The problem with the current engine is that it spat the dummy in a major way and needs a full rebuild. I figured for the time and cost I would prefer to get something newer and stronger than just a reco'd old engine. Make all the effort a benefit, rather than just a frustration.

So what I really need to find now is someone who is a wizz with the wiring!