Subaru Impreza Used Engines

Impreza engines split cleanly into three families and the dividing lines matter more here than on most cars. Through 2011 the Impreza ran the EJ series: the naturally aspirated EJ25 in standard cars and the turbocharged EJ255 and EJ257 in the WRX and STI. From 2012 the standard car moved to the FB series, a different block with a chain instead of a belt. The WRX went to the FA20 direct-injected turbo for 2015. Impreza-based Outback Sport listings appear here too, since they share the engine with the standard car.

Subaru Impreza Used Engines — engine options by generation

How to pick the right one

The EJ to FB change at 2012 is absolute - different block, different mounts, different engine management, and a belt engine against a chain engine. Within the EJ family, tell us turbo or naturally aspirated, because the turbo EJ255 and EJ257 are different castings with different internals and a naturally aspirated EJ253 will not take boost. The STI EJ257 is a semi-closed-deck block and a dedicated part even against the WRX EJ255 of the same year. On the naturally aspirated cars, say single-cam or twin-cam for the nineties engines. Send the VIN and we confirm the engine code off the build data rather than guessing from the year.

What usually fails on these engines

The EJ25 head gasket is the single most common Subaru repair in the US and it is worth being precise about it: the 1996-1999 twin-cam EJ25D fails internally and loses coolant into the cylinder, while the later single-cam EJ253 fails externally and weeps oil or coolant down the side of the block. The external one can run for a long time before it matters. Buy a unit where the gaskets have already been done or plan the job as part of the install, because the heads come off either way. On the turbo cars, ringland failure from detonation is the thing to watch and it is why we record a compression and leak-down result on every one. The FB series fixed the gasket problem and brought oil consumption on the 2011-2014 build range instead, which Subaru addressed with a revised piston. Every engine is tested before it is listed.

What ships with every unit

• Compression and leak-down tested before it is listed, with the test sheet in the box.
• VIN matched fitment — send us your VIN and we confirm the engine code against your vehicle before the order ships.
• Written warranty on every engine, with labour coverage available.
• Free freight anywhere in the lower 48, shipped on a pallet to a commercial address or a terminal.

Related reading: Subaru 2.5L Boxer engine guide, all engine guides.

Subaru Impreza used engines - frequently asked questions

Which engines did the Subaru Impreza use?

Across 1993 to today the Subaru Impreza was built with EJ18 / EJ22 / EJ25D, EJ251 / EJ253 2.5L, EJ205 2.0L turbo, EJ257 2.5L turbo, EJ255 2.5L turbo, EJ253 2.5L, FB20 2.0L, FA20DIT 2.0L turbo and FB20 2.0L direct injection. The table above lists which one belongs to each generation, with the engine family and VIN character that identifies it.

How do I know which engine is in my Subaru Impreza?

The eighth character of the VIN encodes the engine on almost every US vehicle, and that is the only reliable way to settle it - two cars of the same year and trim can carry different engines. Send us the VIN and we check the engine code against your vehicle before anything ships.

Will an engine from a different year fit my Subaru Impreza?

The EJ to FB change at 2012 is absolute - different block, different mounts, different engine management, and a belt engine against a chain engine. Within the EJ family, tell us turbo or naturally aspirated, because the turbo EJ255 and EJ257 are different castings with different internals and a naturally aspirated EJ253 will not take boost.

What usually fails on these engines?

The EJ25 head gasket is the single most common Subaru repair in the US and it is worth being precise about it: the 1996-1999 twin-cam EJ25D fails internally and loses coolant into the cylinder, while the later single-cam EJ253 fails externally and weeps oil or coolant down the side of the block. The external one can run for a long time before it matters.

What comes with a used Subaru Impreza engine?

Every engine is compression and leak-down tested before it is listed and the test sheet ships in the box. Fitment is VIN matched before the order goes out, every engine carries a written warranty with labour coverage available, and freight is free anywhere in the lower 48.