I posted this on the TSC boards, but figured I'd share it with all the GC fans over here for your interest and entertainment-

(cut directly out of the original post on the toronto subaru club)

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Hello all.

I'd like to share with you the little project that has been in the works over at Speedbump Racing Service for the past week or so. We've documented for your entertainment and information, a motor installation of an EJ20 STI version 7, with big STI intercooler, AVCS and all that good stuff into a 1998 Impreza RS.

This swap uses the stock 5 speed transmission, and an uprated clutch. Those looking for detailed tech info, I'm afraid we'll be dissapointing you as we didn't meticulously document the entire swap.

this swap began on Saturday Night, 6:00pm, March 22nd and the car was driveable on Friday morning, March 28th. 6 Days after beginning.

These photos were taken throughout the week and the video was taken yesterday, when I "took it out" for a wee bit of a run.


Our swap begins with the car being delivered to the shop earlier that week. The motor wouldn't arrive until friday the 21st.


The motor is quickly pulled to make room for the transplant.


The original 1998 Phase II DOHC EJ25 sits dead on the rack, having seized many months before.


The new STI Version 7 engine being prepped for installation. Personal Note - this thing is a beautiful.


Our Speedbump expert, former Subaru Canada Rally Team Mechanic, Arthur Chiang, emerges from the emptied engine bay like Goldblum coming out of the chamber in "The Fly" with - wait for it - a bunch of wires.




"What the heck am I going to do with all this??!!"


No Arthur, that's not what the wires are for.

 

Everything looks so clean right now. That's about to change!


Look at that mess! The mechanical work involved in swapping a motor is the easy part, as everything sorta just "drops in" without much fanfare. But the wiring is the challenge, and the reason why you don't see that many motor swapped GC8s around, as only a few scoobie experts are truly experienced enough to complete the wiring in a decent timeframe. (i.e., less than 4 months )


Our Speedbump RS super-dude admires his handy work


And there it is. One JDM ECU ready to roll, now all we need is the motor to be in the car and we're set!

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Hey, what's that peaking out from under there!!??


Oh, that!
The mechanical work is carried out in a matter of a few hours. The clutch is installed, the motor bolted in and attached to the tranny. Little snags, like the alarm and fueling system create a few minor bumps in the road that delay the firing up of the new motor.


Arthur and I admire yet more of his handiwork. At this point, the car is running. Strong. SVT cobra eating to merge onto the highway strong. (road tested, ofcourse).


All the magic happens in this quaint little shop folks And on a side note, don't my rims look awesome?

And what would a photo essay be without a little video?

First Recorded Run of the 2.0 RS-TI Version 7

Let me just add. I've driven some pretty powerful subarus before. But never one with AVCS. This car has some pretty intense top end.

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If any of you are within driving distance to toronto and are looking for a motor swap done cheaply and quickly, just shoot speedbump an email or give them a call. They are just starting out and could really use the business, after investing in all the equipment to perform conversions.

www.speedbump.info for location and number or sales@speedbump.info

 

Now that is my kind of garage.

 

Speedy 15, it's not my car! I just happen to be associated with the garage and took the pics for the photo essay. my car is the slow non-turbo RS in the hoist in the last pic.

As to cost, speedbump is probably the cheapest conversion experts around at the moment. With labour so far coming in around $2000-$3000USD (all depends on what is needed to be done. If the motor needs prep, etc.) And it may differ depending on what year the motor is from. (the version 7, while a swappable motor, has a few things involved that take more time than lets say, a version 6 from a GC8, which is more of a direct swap.)

Your best bet, if you're serious about the swap is to call or email SB and ask.

As to how much this car was done for, I'd have to say a bargain. Not including the clutch, and exhaust, this swap was performed for about $7500 USD (mind you, that's because of the amazing deal that was had on the STI motor, which was really, really cheap by comparison, especially for one that was in such good shape.)

 

Hey James if they do my swap you gonna let me shack up at your place while they do the swap? You could run the swap motel. I sent them an e-mail to talk about pricing and such. Thanks for the lead.

 

haha, I would if I could!

 

JaiMak,
where are you located?

 

I'm in Toronto, Speedbump is in Mississauga which is a suburb of toronto, just outside of it.

 

It would be nicer with a 6 spd tho

 

just let me touch it........