Okay guys I'm going crazy over here. Don't flame me! I can't decide!

I just bought a 93 LS with a blown auto tranny.

I found some JDM front clips for sale. 95 JDM WRX ($2000) or 97 JDM STI ($2500). And I know on the surface it seems like an easy decision, but some friends have told me that the 97s were lemons. Also that the 95 STi and WRX engines were the same so if I were to swap a STi ECU in it I would have an STi. Both front clips have about 45k KM on them so pretty low miles.

Would I be better off swapping a USDM WRX 02 ($1400)? It would be cheaper, but I don't like WRX gearing. Plus WAY higher mileage.

 

If you can get a USDM WRX swap for $1400, Id say do that. Its MUCH newer and theoretically more reliable.

 

Yea, that is really where I'm leaning right now. Although the JDM Dream keeps biting me on the ***.

 

Hmmmm. 118k in the WRX parts. Looking a little less doable. Changing the timing belt and water pump alone costs 400 in parts. GAHHHHH!!!!

 

i say try looking for a newer salvaged wrx

 

Hey are you the new owner of the "JDM Plum"-colored (that's what I call it) Impreza L sedan that one dude was trying to sell for like 2 months? I was hoping someone on here would pick her up and get her running.

 

Dunno about him, but a friend did just buy a dark red 95 L 4 door. Swap is pending

 

That's me, renamed BARNEY BEAN. HAHAHAA! Anyway, yea. I'm looking into getting a front clip from Venus Auto. They seem a little shady, anyone know about them?

 

yeah back in the day when I had a 240sx, I heard mixed review about Venus auto. though Im not sure how much really aplays any more, cause that was at least 4 years ago.

 

I see. Just a little on edge about a ej20k swap. Although I'm going to use that 20g block I have sitting in my garage.

 

I've owned the following:

- 98RS w/02 wrx swap from LIC - absolute perfect reliability and overall awesome car
- 95 WRX w/ej20G & TD05
- 95 WRX STi Type RA (current car) w/ej20g & TD05.

Alot of ej20k owners eventually get rod knock due to oil starvation and beating the crap out of their car near/at redline so be aware of that. Ej20g motors are bit more reliable as my last 95 wrx is currently at 110,000km and my current 95 sti is at 98,000km and still going fine. If I was back in the states and doing a swap I would not choose a jdm swap for these reasons:

- Tuning options. I don't like powerFC really and just prefer accessports since more accessport tuners are available than powerFC. For the jdm stuff you'd need a powerFC, HKS Fpcon, Greddy E-manage, etc.

- Parts. A good deal of stuff is interchangeable, but can be a pain in the *** to get at times comming from overseas depending on what you need/want.

- Age. Easier to get a USDM setup for about the same cost if not a few bucks more. Oh and the USDM stuff since you're in the states will have more support available. Plus if you go with an EJ257 (which is what I'd prefer) you'll get more TQ...there's no replacement for displacement

For more info definently hitup the swap/conversion forum over on www.rs25.com

 

A couple swaps I found on craigslist...there are some nice ones on Ebay as well:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/pts/1570470296.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/pts/1570484089.html

 

Accutech, once a sister shop of EDO Performance in LA..

 

Go for a full JDM swap with the 12th car down on this list.. The car is in LA...

http://perezwholesaledistributor.com/id31.html

 

Only 2 cars I'd consider buying on that site....the 02 STi and the Evo 4...but with that Evo4 comes a good possibility you'll have crank walk & the AYC pump take a crap on you. Other than that...I wouldn't touch those skyrines with a 10ft pole even the R33 GTR. Oh and I wonder how many of those cars are ACTUALLY legally imported to the states...oh wait 0 of them since the drivetrains can't even be uninstalled even in the same container as the shell Just make sure you dismantle it with the quickness.