Is the '09 Forester engine still an EJ253?

YoGeorge · 05-12-2008, 08:31 PM

Just getting familiar with my new toy, and as usual, getting into the useless details. I've always been into "kinky" motors, and have had stuff like a SAAB Sonett with the Euro Ford V4; my last longterm driver was a 5-cyl Acura 2.5TL. Never had an opposed motor before...

Wikipedia shows the EJ253 as being the standard 2.5X motor from 2005/06 onward--I believe this is when they went to variable intake valve timing-- but I know that in 2008 (and for my '09) they tweaked the intake tuning to flatten the torque curve a bit (getting the 170/170 HP/torque figures). Did they change the designation or is it still an EJ253?

Notes: I'm surprised at how oversquare the bore/stroke ratio is in this engine--most everything else is undersquare these days (in large part, I suspect, to keep inline engines short for transverse placement--although I understand that undersquare is better for emissions as well). I'm guessing oversquare works better for Subaru to keep the engine narrower...

And the bonus question is when Subaru did Subaru go to fly-by-wire throttle?

Any other fun trivia that anyone wants to share with me? In the end, I will know more details about the thing that is good for me...

George

pleiad7 · 05-12-2008, 09:00 PM

I'm pretty sure the engine has been carried over, aside from some minor tweaks. Fly-by-wire throttle was first introduced with the 04 model year 2.5 liter turbo engines.

BAC5.2 · 05-12-2008, 10:47 PM

I would suggest checking out the VIN plate. It should list engine code. That might solve a few things.

What kind of trivia do you want to know? I think between the whole lot of us we can piece together all of Subaru's history.

YoGeorge · 05-13-2008, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAC5.2

I would suggest checking out the VIN plate. It should list engine code. That might solve a few things.

What kind of trivia do you want to know? I think between the whole lot of us we can piece together all of Subaru's history.

In terms of trivia, I don't want to bother folks here to type what's already available in terms of info. Is there any Internet site that has more detail than Wikipedia, for instance, on the evolution of Subaru's flat four? I managed to find a cool site last night:

The End Wrench - Information for the Independent Subaru Service Professional

that has some nice photos of engine guts and service procedures for things like timing belts...

Any other sites that have lovely photos of engine teardowns (not necessarily mods), drivetrain info, etc...

One other non-engine questions--is the drivetrain in my 2.5X (clutch, trans, diffs) the same as that used in turbo cars (I know there is no manual trans in the '09 Forester XT) in terms of strength and torque capacity?

Is there anywhere online where you can download a full car service manual? (I was able to find one for my old Protege5...)

I'm sure I'll have some more Q's along the way, but searching thru the Internet is getting me where I want to be in terms of knowledge...

Thanks,
George

YoGeorge · 05-13-2008, 04:54 PM

While staring in amazement at the weird engine that powers my Forester, I noted that the top of one of the block halves (weird in itself) has "EJ25" cast into it, although that doesn't tell me that it's officially an "EJ253"...but I'm assuming the 3 suffix was the major change where Subaru went to VVT on the intake valves.

As a gearhead, I'm enjoying the novelty of the flat engine.

George

BAC5.2 · 05-13-2008, 05:21 PM

The flat engines are cool. IIRC the engine code on the strut tower shows the full model number of the engine. At least my 94 Legacy Turbo did (EJ22T).

As for the drivetrain, yea it's all basically all the same stuff.

pleiad7 · 05-13-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoGeorge

Is there anywhere online where you can download a full car service manual? (I was able to find one for my old Protege5...)

You can download a service manual here: Subaru Technical Information System - Home

Rob · 05-14-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAC5.2

The flat engines are cool. IIRC the engine code on the strut tower shows the full model number of the engine. At least my 94 Legacy Turbo did (EJ22T).

As for the drivetrain, yea it's all basically all the same stuff.

Yes, they are all listed on the fender tag. Take a look on the driver side fender and it will say it on there.

ferret · 05-14-2008, 05:58 AM

George, if you want to send me a pm ( private message ) with a valid email that can take attachments, I have a .pdf that shows the evolution of the EJ engine from 1990 to 2004. So it's dated, doesn't cover variable valve timing, but does cover quite a bit of information.

Unfortunately, Subaru never made a document like this for the older EA engines from the 70's thru the early 90s, nor did I ever see an update for it. But for a mechanical, inquisitive person, it contains a world of information.

Fly-by-wire, as Silke already stated was intoduced on the 04 turbo, then on ALL 05 and on Foresters.

05-12-2008, 08:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
YoGeorge Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI Posts: 410 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Is the '09 Forester engine still an EJ253? Just getting familiar with my new toy, and as usual, getting into the useless details. I've always been into "kinky" motors, and have had stuff like a SAAB Sonett with the Euro Ford V4; my last longterm driver was a 5-cyl Acura 2.5TL. Never had an opposed motor before... Wikipedia shows the EJ253 as being the standard 2.5X motor from 2005/06 onward--I believe this is when they went to variable intake valve timing-- but I know that in 2008 (and for my '09) they tweaked the intake tuning to flatten the torque curve a bit (getting the 170/170 HP/torque figures). Did they change the designation or is it still an EJ253? Notes: I'm surprised at how oversquare the bore/stroke ratio is in this engine--most everything else is undersquare these days (in large part, I suspect, to keep inline engines short for transverse placement--although I understand that undersquare is better for emissions as well). I'm guessing oversquare works better for Subaru to keep the engine narrower... And the bonus question is when Subaru did Subaru go to fly-by-wire throttle? Any other fun trivia that anyone wants to share with me? In the end, I will know more details about the thing that is good for me... George

05-12-2008, 09:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
pleiad7 The Seventh Sister Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Redneck yard of the week, near Forest(er)ville, CA Posts: 12,670 Gallery: 8 iTrader: 16 / 100%	I'm pretty sure the engine has been carried over, aside from some minor tweaks. Fly-by-wire throttle was first introduced with the 04 model year 2.5 liter turbo engines. __________________ -Silke 04 FXT PP PSM ~ "Subed" 98 Forester S ~ "Slynki" 92 SVX LS-L ~ x2

05-12-2008, 10:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
BAC5.2 iMod Contributing Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 7,274 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	I would suggest checking out the VIN plate. It should list engine code. That might solve a few things. What kind of trivia do you want to know? I think between the whole lot of us we can piece together all of Subaru's history. __________________ The Aggressive™ -- You don't know about it. 1998 Forester S - Big brakes, Big Tires, 5-gears.

05-13-2008, 04:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
YoGeorge Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI Posts: 410 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	EJ25 it is.... While staring in amazement at the weird engine that powers my Forester, I noted that the top of one of the block halves (weird in itself) has "EJ25" cast into it, although that doesn't tell me that it's officially an "EJ253"...but I'm assuming the 3 suffix was the major change where Subaru went to VVT on the intake valves. As a gearhead, I'm enjoying the novelty of the flat engine. George

05-13-2008, 05:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
BAC5.2 iMod Contributing Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 7,274 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	The flat engines are cool. IIRC the engine code on the strut tower shows the full model number of the engine. At least my 94 Legacy Turbo did (EJ22T). As for the drivetrain, yea it's all basically all the same stuff. __________________ The Aggressive™ -- You don't know about it. 1998 Forester S - Big brakes, Big Tires, 5-gears.

05-14-2008, 05:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
ferret Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 1,569 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	George, if you want to send me a pm ( private message ) with a valid email that can take attachments, I have a .pdf that shows the evolution of the EJ engine from 1990 to 2004. So it's dated, doesn't cover variable valve timing, but does cover quite a bit of information. Unfortunately, Subaru never made a document like this for the older EA engines from the 70's thru the early 90s, nor did I ever see an update for it. But for a mechanical, inquisitive person, it contains a world of information. Fly-by-wire, as Silke already stated was intoduced on the 04 turbo, then on ALL 05 and on Foresters. __________________ 04XSPP(7 Subaru's since 1978 All 5 sp)ILuvSubaru's

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