JDM Engines Worth the Hype? EJ205 review

[@IHCrusader7]

Haynes manual states cylinder compression check must be done at normal operating temperature with a fully charged battery and seven compression strokes.

[@tflo9543]

The reason your jdm engine doesn't have timing belt guide is b/c it's from an automatic.

[@mikesti8406]

Water in the pan is probably from them pressure washing it with intake off and water going into cylinders. Probably why the rings were sticking as well.

[@BJPr12]

Mike STi I was thinking the same

[@CHR...]

Yup

[@CHR...]

I would have kept the first one ,

[@CHR...]

It looked cleaner and had a great compression

[@SadamFlu]

You guys do realise that the intake doesn't lead to the oil pan right?

[@juanarroyo465]

I got my EJ205 from JDM engine pro, I decided to go to the warehouse personally because I wasnt comfortable with shipping. I got there and right away they walked me in showing me which ejs they had in stock & which had AVCS. I chose just the ej205 longblock without the AVCS. They said okay grabbed the engine and right away started to set up for a compression test on the spot. Called me over and compression on all cylinders was a go. Only issue I had was the timing belt cover was broken but I can easily swap it out with my old engine. And for $750 I cant complain much for an engine with 50k miles.

[@thor294]

JDM engines are hit and miss. You just have to inspect them when you get them. Also, AVCS is amazing and you should always run it if you can get an AVCS engine, as it changes cam timing and will help the turbo spool faster. I got a clean ass jdm ej205 with AVCS shipped to me for like $1000.

[@keithc8108]

How is your engine running now, after 7 months? Any issues?

[@dixierebelable]

@@thor294 me too

[@tmorrissey5112]

Where’d you get it??

[@juanarroyo465]

@@keithc8108 took forever to get back to you man, but my engine is running perfectly fine. Recently did a full tune up timing belt, water pump all that good stuff. And while doing that I did a leak down test and compression test all came back solid! Couldn't be happier with my jdm ej205 purchase.

[@jerimiebrown351]

The sticker is when the timing belt was replaced. Not when the engine was pulled. I have one on my all stock 1994 wrx.

[@marksimmons3801]

the first engine was residue from steamcleaner water

[@zackm6850]

The first motor was perfect. Just imagine how much water is ran threw the motor when headgaskets blow. most head jobs I do have a few quarts of water in the oil. That water was just sitting there from being cleaned.

[@jamesgravey]

Thanks for the video. I've lived in Philly for 10 years. When I started getting into cars, I ran into the same kind of issues with Philly mechanics, dealerships etc. Unfortunately a lot of the vendors in this city are bad at their jobs and really sketchy, you never know what you're going to get.

[@wickedgriptuning7623]

Sounds like Filthadelphia at its finest.

[@thomashingerjr8843]

I bought an ej253 from JDM out of New Jersey for around $2,700. It was supposed to have 45,000-60,000 miles. It came with oil in it and it was black sludge. We drained the oil and replaced it with Mobil 1. We turned the engine over to pump oil through the system. We plugged the coil pack in. We started the engine and it ran less than 30 seconds and thud! The engine was locked up tight. They refused to warranty the engine because we didn't change the timing belt and oil pump. I only found out about this requirement after going to their website to file a warranty claim. We sent them a video of the engine trying to be turned over with a breaker bar and it was locked up tight. The day before we finally took the engine apart trying to figure out what happened. The timing belt looked almost brand new in the engine, not even a speck of damage to it. The oil pan had about a quarter inch of sludge in the bottom of it. I have never seen an engine stop and get locked up with less than 30 seconds of runtime. In my opinion the guys working at the shops are nice to talk to on the phone, but they make you go to their website and file a warranty claim. That is where I learned about having to change the timing belt and oil pump. I even went back to the ad that I bought the engine from and did not see it at first until I went through all the drop down menus. They sent me no paperwork at all for the engine when I got it. But after looking at the timing belt and seeing that it was almost brand new and no damage at all. I have to say we just got a junk engine. Now I will try and recover my money going through PayPal. BUYER BEWARE!!!

[@BJPr12]

Really appreciate the time you took to make this video and explain thoroughly for anyone like myself considering a JDM engine. I just rebuilt my ej251 and I’m considering in the future an ej205 non-AVCS for my ‘01 Forester. Hopefully I can get my hands in a good motor. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@Natedoc808]

They’re that clean because they are putting cleaning agent on them and pressure washing these things to pretty them up but they aren’t properly blocking off the intake ports on the heads as they wash them.

[@LifeFlatout]

I know that now hahah. Just sharing with my experience and hopefully helping others.

[@Ryan-sm6zd]

the timing belt guards are manual engines, no guards its an automatic motor. To prevent timing jump on a direct drive

[@jayomega29]

Every one loves buying a car that was owned by an “old lady” that “only drove it to church” check the compression on that car that never revved past 2500 rpm I purchased a 1jz with horrible compression on 3 cylinders (between 90 and 110) and they told me to run it. I ran it and it it is still running with beautiful compression across all cylinders. The Japanese are notorious for not changing oil because they don’t drive the cars often or even driving at highway speed. Run some good oil and free up those rings and valve buckets and it will tighten up the tolerances and the compression always bumps up.

[@CashedOutCars]

Were you running this engine with a USDM ECU, and is that why you changed out the cam and crank sensors? Were you able to get this car through emissions or is this just a track toy? Thanks!

[@LifeFlatout]

Yeah USDM 04 wrx ecu with iwire harness. It’s mostly a track car but where I live we didn’t have emissions so we can get away with a lot. I know you can pass with the factory wrx emission parts like cats and evap parts.

[@xXSteve1021Xx]

hi dad

[@AndrewB23]

Not jdm issues, supplier issues

[@omarhernandez-dm1qd]

I would been happy with the first engine and repaired it and then tell them to give you a major discount 👍🏾

[@goinbananas1054]

I just put an ej20x in my 2013 WRX , I haven’t driven it yet but it’s idling as of now. I’m concerned because the oil that came out was the blackest oil and like 3 quarts tops came out, and possibly had small metal flakes in it but I’m not 100% sure or not about that. But $1,300 it’s an insane deal, I’m hoping I can sell the extra stuff I’m not using like VF38 twin scroll turbo, TGV deleted runners, and tons of other stuff

[@Smalltownthrifts]

What made you choose the Older 205 over the newer AVCS 205? Along as your open source tuning, the WRX avcs 205 is far superior and doesn’t require you to switch sensors, crank trigger wheels, etc... Only thing you need is the IA/iWire AVCS wiring kit (easy, $150 kit) and you can even use the usdm Ecu to pass emissions Compression is 9:1 on the jdm EJ205 btw (sure you know this now) Wally @ JDMracingmotors & J-Spec auto would treat you well if you ever do another JDM engine.

[@LifeFlatout]

It was mainly because of the time crunch I was on and how simple it was just to drop this engine in and get a road tune quick. I had four weeks to get the car from a shell to a fully prepped car for an event. I’m definitely not done messing with the car and do think jdm engines are the easiest way to get your project done, there’s just a lot of miss conception on them.

[@Ryan-ix5nr]

Wish I could get that good of luck with JDM suby engines. I'll use that supplier because it's better than I've delt with in the past. Rings and valves are susceptible to corrosion and such and need to be 'pickled' from time to time- it did travel across an ocean...these are things that need to be understood if undertaking such mechanically indepth adventures

[@dougrodriguez4977]

How do you think the long block looks so clean, the importer power washed the crap out of it.

[@HOOD2358]

Greetings from a fellow ambassador! Glad the engine is good. What a pita.

[@terrytumultyjr]

Looks like the legacy ej206 I just got. The importers plug the extra turbo oil/coolant ports and sell them as ej205's. Kinda Sammy for guys doing untuned ej205 swaps cause 9.0:1 compression. That's a phase 1 crank pulley, probably a 98 motor. I asked for one with gray coil packs. Didn't need to change pulleys or sensors. Lack of belt guards is cause it's from an automatic Mines like the second motor you got

[@LifeFlatout]

Terry Tumulty exactly! Big misconception on these engines. It's a great option to get you "going" but it's not just a plug an play thing.

[@Supernova778]

I went through jdmracingmotors and they sent me a bad 206 w/o avcs like your first one and the pan was full of metal flakes and shavings, they at first told me it was normal and to run it and flush the oil. And after about a week of me telling them hell no I won’t do that give me my money or a new engine they finally honored their warranty and sent me another ej205 but with avcs the 2nd time. Ended up being out of an auto so had to switch timing guards and collant crossover also they dented the pan badly so hard to use my stock one which wasn’t a big deal. New motor seems to run fine and I’m happy that it does but I don’t think I’ll ever cheap out again. Just like yours it seems like they rip these things out fast and break things in the process. Better off doing a proper rebuild

[@ericlakota6512]

What i think is its basicaly a junk yard motor coming from place who has a good name for them selfs and mark the price up and basicaly do same is every one else who sells bone yard parts never know what u are geting its always a chance id buy one for my own car and doing labobor. every one seems to have good luck from what i hear .i would of ran the first one you bough .but id be scared doing costomers car .i think the sludge was watter got in shiping and they send them with small amount of oil that milkshaked.

[@ChickenJoe50]

That’s why you had higher compression. The ej206 is a higher compression motor. That oil cooler is also an add on. Jdm motors don’t have them

[@kylehobie16]

I've read USDM EJ205's have the oil cooler.

[@ChickenJoe50]

@@kylehobie16 yes

[@kyles4744]

I love hondas and subies ive had a few both , my 06 accord with the v6 was a beast , but i always seem to go back to JDM wrx, i just got my 2nd 08 jdm wrx and i gotta say with maintenance they do seem to last a while , but i get if you compare it to a honda lol i mean hondas are hard to beat reliabilty wise lol but subies are just sweet cars!

[@andrewlee88]

Wow man, I'm going thru a swap right now.. strapping on a vf48 and decapped modded injectors. Like you, I'm keeping stuff really budget concious. I picked up a v9 ej205 from a wrx wagon from.japan. ur video is great and its awesome to follow ur adventure of engine swapping time.

[@LifeFlatout]

Andrew Lee thanks man! I hope every one can learn something from what I'm doing. Be careful with those decaps though I know some people who have had issues. Get them flow tested at minimum.

[@leonsumrall524]

206 is 9:1 compression. I have one I'm rebuilding to drop into my blob

[@locally_hated_subie9529]

For the oil drain hose on the block what all did you do to make it work? Because I heard you can’t replace them and I no on the JDM motor there different from the US motor.

[@E36tyler]

Earned my subscription and like dude! I really appreciate you taking the time to make this. This has definitely encouraged me to go to the importer’s warehouse instead of getting an engine shipped straight to my door. Right on man 🤙🏼 thanks for the video!

[@tommyvercetti6035]

should always go to the ej207 if you can. theres a huge bump in price, but I assure you it is worth it.

[@jasonhoskin5278]

Tommy Vercetti dude your a innocent man

[@AuGold808]

Why is that? Genuinely curious.

[@MiraSubieGirl]

Ej207 ran in the manual 01-03 Liberty or for you american Legacy. It held 200-220kw stock on seqential turbos. Its the most reinforced generally speaking.

[@MiraSubieGirl]

@@AuGold808 ^ Better late than never.

[@MiraSubieGirl]

@@AuGold808 Wait nevermind im thinking ej206 and ej208. Ej207 is sti engine. Still around 200kw. But single tursbkie.

[@victorfred4079]

Wow good to no 😅 thanks good video you put out appreciate it

[@junma40]

Great info man!...im thinking on doing the same swap. Keep up the good work

[@delta-tuning]

I bought a Forester XT SG5 5 speed trans from jdm of philly and it ended up having a bad center diff. Luckily I still has my old diff and it swapa in easily. Still sucks though.

[@Barrenchats]

the higher Psi was due to it being full of water

[@DanTheManIOM]

I have a running engine WRX with 120K miles on it to put in a 1966 vw bus...saw the short block for 850 in NJ...Wonder if I should try it ? I'm thinking, just run the one I have, take care of it and if need be, then consider JDM...thanks for the post... how did things turn out ?

[@LifeFlatout]

I’d run what you have and if it goes then pick one up.

[@ScarToon-Network]

I generally dont trust ebay, i would recomend going to the distribution to pick it up instead of shipping

[@bluelambo31]

The first engine you got was better than the last one that one have at least more than 100k the other one was I very well condition You will find litle water because they steam wash them

[@LifeFlatout]

Steam washing is something no one talks about though and is misleading. People talk about how clean the JDM engines are and that's because they super clean them.

[@fozfan5203]

Hard to tell for sure, but the first engine looked like it had the big port heads.

[@atypical_blk_guy]

I have an ej20y in my 08 wrx and it's running rough and not building boost. Is it just the cam position sensors that would be changed or the sensors and camshafts?

[@LifeFlatout]

Could be not really sure what that year needs to have swapped over for that engine.

[@alechodkiewicz]

Is the unequal headers causing the difference in compression on either side of motor?

[@LifeFlatout]

No exhaust only affects back pressure while running.

[@bladimir.5515]

Can and ej205 non AVCS long block work in my AVCS Impreza wrx ? I got the wrong engine just want to know if it work

[@LifeFlatout]

I don’t believe it will work at least without having to delete codes and tune around it.

[@tmorrissey5112]

How long did this engine last? Did it run for a while at least? My car has been sitting at work for almost 8 months and I’m looking into a JDM swap. I am on a budget of 4500 but if I can just swap something in for 1000 I might do it.

[@LifeFlatout]

I ended up cracking a piston. Ill have a new video out soon on it. My spark cut launch control kind of did it in. Good news is the engine is still in my car running fine after i threw a set of USDM pistons in it.

[@viewchico]

They hot stem wash the engine before shipping. I bring in engine from Japan. Water in the bottom of an empty oil pan- to me it’s normal. I haven’t had issues with engine performance Stop crying. I would’ve kept the 1st one. And run it. You or anybody don’t know the performance until it’s at its operation temperature, and then you run your test of compression, etc. (what do you expect it’s a used engine regardless on the hours, mileage etc. let alone Lol 900$) If you have an OCD on things then, you should’ve got an Brand new Ginuwine Subaru 0miles EJ205 (EJ20). Bottom line is YOU get what you pay for. ALOHA!

[@LifeFlatout]

not crying just spreading knowledge. People learn by seeing and if I'm wrong that's why people can comment and drop more facts down here in the comments.

[@senpaisobe8497]

What’s a safe build to run on a ej205 with a Td05? On a motor with about 100k miles ? Does 20g td05 blow up the motor ?

[@LifeFlatout]

GottaLotta Lz 350whp is usually where I call it quits. That’s if everything else is set up to make it last. Proper heat shielding, reduced timing, etc.

[@saccusgalifinaccus3184]

I bought a ej205 swapped 2009 wrx it seems fine for the most part It’s rocking my tgv went out so that was lame but i know it’s a 9:5:1 v 8:5:1 compression wise which I think it sounds nastier

[@adrianosorio6447]

Just stumbled across this video and saw your comment which is great because I’m actually looking to buy a 2009 wrx from someone who did a ej205 engine swap. So just wanted to ask how your car has been the past year and how the engine is running

[@doubleggames5606]

So do I have to change just the crank sensor and cam sensor or do I need to change the actual crank sprocket and cam gear

[@LifeFlatout]

Anthony Baker sensors and gears should be changed

[@Sebastian-xq6ix]

why do you need to change the sensors to U.S. sensors?

[@LifeFlatout]

US ecu can’t control it

[@jordanandmelissasalinas1438]

How are you cross-referencing those engine numbers like that

[@marieporter8346]

I can't find anybody to get my Subaru running. The guy who put it doesn't know what do do besides put the motor in my 2003 Subaru impreza. So it sits in the yard doing nothing. Help!

[@Ghostintheshell3551]

what spark plugs do you use for the jdm engine i got an ej20 turbo and i need to change the spark plugs im not sure which ones i need

[@LifeFlatout]

I believe I did NGK 4793 oem spec plugs for an 04 wrx.

[@enduroelite]

@@LifeFlatout go to the Subaru dealership and get the sparkplugs that the engineers built the car around. probably less expensive than anything you can buy at the store too. Please, please, please, gap your plugs.

[@AngelBoyVlogs]

hey man i got a jdm engine and was wondering what i should do regarding to mods or to it just being stock it’s in my car runs good just looking for tips thanks

[@LifeFlatout]

Since you’ll need a time for any mod you do I like to do Tgv delete, catless up pipe and down pipe, walbro 255, bigger injectors, e85 and a tune.

[@billychi6961]

There are no JDM EJ 205. The 205 is USDM WRX motor. The JDM one is EJ207 . The 7 is the engine code denoting STI. The EJ 255 is the 2.5 turbo engine in legacy’s and Foresters the EJ 257 is the STI engine

[@LifeFlatout]

These are not 205’s but that’s just what everyone calls them. They are actually ej206’s. The 207 is from an sti and is a bit different internally.

[@russ4401]

Billy chi that is incorrect, there is a jdm avcs ej205 out of a Wrx only available in Japan. Ej207 is only for Sti models in all countries.

[@marksimmons3801]

low compression from sitting around and engine is cold not accurate

[@chesterm1306]

not sure why anyone would buy ANY motor..jdm or domestic with no videos of a comp test/engine running from the supplier prior buying..you made the SAME mistake TWICE. cmon dude lol. Moving forward pay the extra premium from a better supplier or a place that gives you warranty on the engine, at least thats how it works in Australia anyway.

[@subarutime5089]

Do feel to bad I got scammed bro they told me they would get a ej25 which are more expensive so I gave them 3000😂 then they told me they couldn't get the ej 25 and sent a ej20 😢 but my oil pan was a lot more clean than yours 🤞 because the company ghosted me .

[@kozs360s]

Next time get your JDM engine from jdmenginepro.com there cost was $300 more but there inventory is better.

[@juanarroyo465]

Yup got my non AVCS EJ205 longblock from their warehouse. They did a compression test in front of me and one of the employees even offered to install the engine.

[@louolivari7799]

So... what were the longer term results with this engine?

[@LifeFlatout]

Still in the car, have put about 2,000 miles of hard use on it. Will be getting another 100whp added to it soon.

[@Laserwurks]

PRESSURE WASHER CLEANS UP MOST

[@khanthetrucker5213]

I need this engine for my xt

[@jrnycg3589]

Can you put and ej205 avcs engine onto a none avcs car ?

[@LifeFlatout]

Yes just need ecu and avcs harness from iWire

[@LifeFlatout]

Yes just need ecu and avcs harness from iWire

[@jrnycg3589]

Flatline Detonation jdm ecu or usdm

[@LifeFlatout]

JrNYC G35 jdm ecu

[@illmaticTKD]

How did this motor work out for you bro

[@LifeFlatout]

Danny Garcia check out the latest upload. It’s still in the car but it had some issues because of weak pistons and aggressive launch control.

[@muhammadwali723]

Its the water because they all wash the engines

[@khanthetrucker5213]

This is for Subaru Forester xt

[@ratfab2080]

how much,?

[@warriorpatriot9891]

Bummer. I'm receiving one tomorrow.

[@tmorrissey5112]

What happened with your build? I’ve got to figure out if I want to order a JDM engine or not..

[@JoseGonzalez-re7ct]

How's it holding up? Also is it avcs?

[@LifeFlatout]

Running good. Non avcs has about 2k miles of track use and 1k of street driving.

[@JoseGonzalez-re7ct]

@@LifeFlatout that's good to hear I'm glad it all worked out. Do you know if it makes a difference if the donor car was an auto? I've been doing a bit of searching but can't find anything on the subject.

[@LifeFlatout]

I believe autos didn't have timing belt guides other than that I don't thing anything

[@JoseGonzalez-re7ct]

@@LifeFlatout awesome thanks for all the info.

[@Obsidian1231]

Flatline Detonation quick question. Wondering if the usdm engine that came out of this car was also a 9.1 compression ratio engine? I’m currently finishing my swap in my 02 wrx with an ej205 v5. (This jdm engine has no avcs and wasted spark) swapped all of this to usdm and now my last hurdle is the 8.1->9.1 compression ratio. Trying to decide wether or not a tune is necessary with this difference to avoid detonation. Haven’t found much online wondering if you had any input?

[@Michael-bg9de]

Same supplier same experience - failed. Very disappointing. Rod knock after a few weeks.

[@elvisayala676]

your engine says ej 20 does that still mean its a ej205 ?? please help!!!!!!

[@Jared-ou9ik]

Elvis Ayala yes

[@LifeFlatout]

Yes they only mark the engines with two numbers for the displacement

[@AndrewB23]

It doesn't mean it's a ej205, it means it's an ej engine with 2.0 liter, it's marked the same for all 2.0 ej engines.

[@kylel2918]

Try a different supplier if you want. Seems like they actually took pretty good care of you. No used engine will be perfect the “carbon” marks on valve covers are totally normal of an engine with that mileage. Let us know how it runs and drives. I have a engine still on the pallet I just got yesterday from jdmracingmotors.com based out of Canada Nick & I believe his name is Wally are great! Good luck.

[@LifeFlatout]

So far it’s been good. 300 miles of track use. My issue with that supplier was accuracy. Miles not matching, compression specs for wrong engine, and engine was clearly pressure washed and left uncovered.

[@itzzztoodah8203]

Flatline Detonation how is it now running Im getting a jdm 205 as well? Is it the non avcs?

[@itzzztoodah8203]

Flatline Detonation also what are usual compression numbers on these things man.

[@thantosnordberg3208]

Is it non avcs

[@Smalltownthrifts]

Jspec & jdmracingmotors are awesome, Wally was my go to guy for both my 6 speed and 205 avcs. When UPS smashed my oil pan he made things right for more quickly to get on track. They also do things a lot differently then the importer used here, they left all wires, sensors, etc in tact.

[@doubleggames5606]

Are these avcs engines or not?

[@LifeFlatout]

The two I got are not but they do have avcs options.

[@doubleggames5606]

Flatline Detonation ok I was just wondering if that’s all you needed to do to make a non avcs jdm 205 work in a usdm car

[@tkh1845]

Should just got the jdm ecu too bruh

[@LifeFlatout]

There’s no benefit to run a non avcs jdm ecu. Jdm ecu’s are not Cobb supported either.

[@levitaylor3890]

The EJ205 was not AJDM spec engine. They used the 207 and everybody knows that

[@LifeFlatout]

Correct it’s a ej206 from a jdm legacy or forester but most Americans think it’s a drop in replacement for our ej205 cars. Ej207 is jdm sti engine.

[@singthao5888]

dose usdm ecu work for jdm motor

[@LifeFlatout]

sing thao yes that’s what I’m running. In some cases you need to use the crank and cam sensors from your usdm engine on jdm engine.

[@singthao5888]

@@LifeFlatout ok thx. I have a 06 Subaru impreza wagon 2.5i and I was wondering if I should order a EJ25 avcs sohc jdm engine and would the usdm ecu read it

[@LifeFlatout]

I think you would have to use a ej20x. I know that’s what a lot of people run in forester xt’s with 2.5’s.

[@singthao5888]

@@LifeFlatout mines a non turbo

[@LifeFlatout]

Ah jdm isn’t the right choice then. Get a new oem short block or source a low mileage US one.

[@dangda-ww7de]

U might just want to rebuild ur own engine instead of gamble on a jdm, sometime u win with jdm sometime u lose.

[@knurri]

60,000 miles you said at first, then you said 160,000 miles on it. SO what is it? You should have done a leak down test instead of a compression test. Where did you learn to read numbers on a calculator? That is 66 thousand, not 6 thousand. You're easily duped if you think a filter from Taiwan isn't as good as one made in Japan. They are probably exactly the same on the inside. You're a fool if you think that the numbers on the covers reflect the actual mileage.

[@LifeFlatout]

Not sure what your saying, but the numbers on the engine are kilometers. I converted them to Miles. Hope this clears up any confusion.

[@ericlakota6512]

Throw marvel mistery in each cyl and run it with out plugs. their worst thing is drain oil for who knows how long of corse that realy need to shiping happen them all over the world .i dont think your foolish but i can see how condesation gets in their expeshaly no oil and that is lot of sluge its power washed .you know it would have marks from the peoples hands all over it of corse they polish it up before a 1000$ used motor