ej20t to 3gen outback conversion

tmh983 · Post by **tmh983** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:39 pm

Hi everyone,

I intend to perform an ej20t or tt conversion to a 3rd gen outback.
The car is an auto and I will be looking for an auto halfcut, I don't want to convert it to manual.
I have done a few subaru conversions before, including a couple of different ej20t into gen1 and gen2 liberty's. So I am not completely clueless as to what I am getting myself into, I just have a couple of questions specific to the outback conversion:

1) Will a bonnet from a B4 liberty fit straight onto the outback? I want to keep the standard tmic.

2) Is there any external difference between a turbo and non-turbo auto box? ie. will the standard auto tailshaft work with the turbo auto box?

3) Is the outback crossmember any different to a liberty one? I know that a turbo crossmemeber is a straight swap in on a liberty. Will I be able to bolt a turbo x-member into the outback?

4) Does anyone know where to get a FSM for a 3gen outback? I've searched and searched and can't find one.

Post by **Alex** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:51 pm

tmh983 wrote:Hi everyone,

I intend to perform an ej20t or tt conversion to a 3rd gen outback.
The car is an auto and I will be looking for an auto halfcut, I don't want to convert it to manual.
I have done a few subaru conversions before, including a couple of different ej20t into gen1 and gen2 liberty's. So I am not completely clueless as to what I am getting myself into, I just have a couple of questions specific to the outback conversion:

1) Will a bonnet from a B4 liberty fit straight onto the outback? I want to keep the standard tmic.

2) Is there any external difference between a turbo and non-turbo auto box? ie. will the standard auto tailshaft work with the turbo auto box?

3) Is the outback crossmember any different to a liberty one? I know that a turbo crossmemeber is a straight swap in on a liberty. Will I be able to bolt a turbo x-member into the outback?

4) Does anyone know where to get a FSM for a 3gen outback? I've searched and searched and can't find one.

1) There are two different series of both outbacks and libertys. A series1 bonnet wont fit a series2. Ie a series1 b4 bonnet will fit a series1 outback. The difference is slight, but enough for them not to fit from series to series.

2) dunno

3) no, theyre the same im 95% sure. Should bolt up.

4) pretty sure we have one on these forums. Toonga may know.

D3V1L · Post by **D3V1L** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 2:08 pm

the crosswmember shouldnt need to be changed, as the 2.5 exhaust is odd and has a scallop in the xmember already

tmh983 · Post by **tmh983** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 2:45 pm

thanks for that, one more question, may be a long shot but ill see if anyone knows:

would a factory exhaust from a B4 bolt up? assuming i did the tt conversion...

D3V1L · Post by **D3V1L** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:43 pm

not terribly sure, caus the outback has longer struts and a small factory lift kit, im sure it bolts up, but unsure about how well it will sit under teh body

davo

bobbyjimmy · Post by **bobbyjimmy** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:38 am

If the B4 is a wagon (so an import GT) the exhaust will fit, if it's a sedan the tip will sit 2" or so closer to the front - i.e too short.

Crossmember's are different between N/A and turbo's, but like you said they bolt in anyways.

Don't get a twin turbo, too many hassles in the long run.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:00 am

tmh983 wrote:1) Will a bonnet from a B4 liberty fit straight onto the outback? I want to keep the standard tmic.

Yep.. like Alex mentioned, there is an early (99-01) and a late model (02-04) and if you want to swap over you'll need to change bonnet, headlights and front bar. The fenders are the only thing that are the same.

tmh983 wrote:2) Is there any external difference between a turbo and non-turbo auto box? ie. will the standard auto tailshaft work with the turbo auto box?

Nope.. both are the same fro the outside and everything from your auto (tailshaft, crossmember & shifter linkages) will all swap over.

tmh983 wrote:3) Is the outback crossmember any different to a liberty one? I know that a turbo crossmemeber is a straight swap in on a liberty. Will I be able to bolt a turbo x-member into the outback?

Yep.. use the crossmember from the 1/2 cut.. it's easier to use all the stuff from the 1/2 cut that way all the stuff bolts back in and hopefully (if all plugs are joined

) that everything works

tmh983 wrote:4) Does anyone know where to get a FSM for a 3gen outback? I've searched and searched and can't find one.

Yep.. PM TOONGA (Jules) as he knows all the dodgy places to get FSM or WSM from

tmh983 wrote:would a factory exhaust from a B4 bolt up? assuming i did the tt conversion...

If it's off a wagon then yes but if it's from a sedan then no, as the sedan doesn't have the overhang that the wagon has.

tmh983 · Post by **tmh983** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 5:42 pm

thanks guys, I'm kinda leaning towards the tt conversion, just cos everyone puts them down over a single t motor. It sounds like a fun challenge to try and get the tt screaming. I have done a lot of research into the tt system and I can see a couple of places I can make improvements.
Although maybe I should just save the hassle and go single straight up? Oh i cant decide...
I'll put some pics up as it happens

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:06 pm

I have a 2003 B4 with a factory auto and she runs like a dream.. she has a b tune ECUtek and you hardly notice the so called "VOD". I'd do it and keep us posted with pics

tmh983 · Post by **tmh983** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:51 pm

yeah I think the tt would suit a slushbox better than a manual. Can you tell me more about the ecutek tune, how much difference in performance did it make, how about driveability and fuel economy? What other mods do you have?

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:49 pm

The difference was huge and fuel figures are now higher but she drives so much nicer.

If you want to read about the ECUtek see here... http://www.ecutek.com.au/

The only other mod that has been done is a full JVC ICE system