If you drive an Outback, Forester, Impreza or Legacy built anywhere from the late 1990s to about 2012, there is a good chance it has an EJ25 under the bonnet. It is a decent little boxer engine, but it has a reputation, mostly for head gaskets. When one finally gives up, a lot of owners would rather fit a good used engine than sell a car they actually like. That is where a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale from us comes in.
We sell tested, fairly used EJ25 engines and ship them to car owners, workshops and importers all over the world. Before you pay anything, you get photos of the real engine, a written quote, a warranty and a fit check against your VIN.
Want a price now? Send your VIN or engine code through our contact page or call +1 (209) 733-0882. You can also browse our used engines, or go straight to the Subaru EJ25 Engine for Sale product page to see the price.
Below we go through the specs, the different EJ25 codes, the cars it fits, what usually goes wrong, seven checks to make before you buy and how ordering works.
What Is the Subaru EJ25?
The EJ25 is the 2.5 litre member of the Subaru EJ engine family. Like every Subaru engine of that era it is a horizontally opposed flat-four, what most people call a boxer. The pistons move in and out in pairs on either side of the crank, so the engine sits low and flat in the car. That keeps the weight down near the road and gives these cars their slightly uneven, burbling sound.
Subaru brought the 2.5 out in the mid 1990s as a twin cam engine, then switched to a simpler single cam design around 1999. The turbo EJ255 and EJ257 came along later for the WRX, STI, Forester XT and Legacy GT. The non-turbo cars moved to the newer FB25 from about 2011, while the STI carried on with a turbo EJ25 right up to 2021.
Subaru built a huge number of them. That is good news when you need one, because a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale is not hard to find. Finding a good one is the hard part, and that is what most of this guide is about.
Subaru EJ25 Engine Specifications
Here are the main numbers. We always confirm the exact code before quoting a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale, because some details change from version to version.
| Layout | Horizontally opposed flat-four (boxer), petrol |
| Displacement | 2,457 cc (2.5 litre) |
| Bore x stroke | 99.5 mm x 79 mm |
| Block and heads | Aluminium |
| Valves | 16, four per cylinder |
| Camshafts | DOHC on the EJ25D and turbo engines, SOHC on the EJ251, EJ252 and EJ253 |
| Compression ratio | About 10:1 on non-turbo engines, about 8.2 to 8.4:1 on turbo engines |
| Fuel system | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Power (non-turbo) | About 155 to 175 hp |
| Torque (non-turbo) | About 220 to 235 Nm |
| Power (turbo) | EJ255 about 210 to 265 hp, EJ257 about 300 hp |
| Firing order | 1-3-2-4 |
| Timing drive | Toothed belt |
| Oil capacity | About 4.2 to 4.5 litres with filter |
If you want to understand why the boxer layout behaves the way it does, the flat-four engine article explains it well. The short version: it is smooth, compact and low, but the heads hang out to the sides, which is part of why head gaskets get so much attention on these engines.
EJ25 Engine Codes Explained
People say EJ25 as if it were one engine. It is really a family, and the code matters when you are matching parts and wiring.
EJ25D (DOHC, about 1996 to 1999)
The first 2.5. Twin cams, decent power, used in the Legacy, Outback and early Forester. This is the one with the worst head gasket record. They tend to fail internally, pushing combustion gas into the cooling system, and the first sign is often overheating on a long hill.
EJ251 (SOHC, about 1999 to 2004)
Subaru went to a single cam per head to cut cost and weight. Power stayed about the same in normal driving. Head gaskets on these usually weep externally at the lower edge rather than failing inside, which is slower and easier to catch.
EJ252
A close relative of the EJ251 with different intake and emissions parts, used in some Impreza and Forester models in the early 2000s. Mechanically very similar.
EJ253 (SOHC with i-AVLS, about 2006 to 2012)
The later engine, with variable valve lift on the intake side and better head gaskets. This is the Subaru EJ25 engine for sale we ship most often, and it is what the price on our product page is based on.
EJ255 and EJ257 (turbo)
Twin cam turbo engines from the WRX, STI, Forester XT, Legacy GT and Outback XT. They use different pistons, heads, oiling and engine computers. We quote these separately.
The easiest way to know which one you have is to send us your VIN. We decode it and tell you the code before we quote.
Which Cars Use the EJ25?
- Subaru Impreza 2.5RS and 2.5i, roughly 1998 to 2011
- Subaru Legacy 2.5, roughly 1996 to 2012
- Subaru Outback 2.5, roughly 1996 to 2012
- Subaru Forester 2.5, roughly 1998 to 2010
- Subaru Baja, 2003 to 2006
- Saab 9-2X
- Turbo cars: Impreza WRX and WRX STI, Forester XT, Legacy GT and Outback XT
If your car is a Forester from 2011 on, or an Outback or Legacy from about 2013 on, it most likely has an FB25 instead. The FB25 uses a timing chain and a different block, so it is not a swap for the EJ25. Tell us the year and model and we will make sure you are looking at the right Subaru EJ25 engine for sale, or quote the FB25 if that is what you need.
Sensors, intake manifolds and engine computers changed a few times over the years, so a 1999 engine and a 2009 engine are not always plug and play. Matching by VIN avoids that headache.
Why EJ25 Engines Fail
Most of the dead engines we see are not worn out. They were cooked. A head gasket starts to leak, the owner tops up the coolant for a few months, the engine overheats one too many times and the damage spreads to the bearings or the heads. Other common endings:
- Running low on oil. Boxers can use a little oil between changes, and some owners never check the dipstick.
- A timing belt left far past its change interval.
- Turbo engines driven hard on tired oil, which can crack ringlands or spin a bearing.
- Water ingestion from driving through deep floods.
The lesson is simple. If you fit a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale into a car with a bad radiator or a weak fan, you are setting the new engine up to fail the same way. Fix the cause first.
Known EJ25 Problems in Detail
Head gaskets
The famous one. EJ25D engines tend to fail inside, which shows up as overheating, bubbles in the coolant tank or a sweet smell. EJ251 and EJ252 engines usually leak on the outside first, leaving crusty coolant or oil along the bottom of the heads. The EJ253 is better, but not immune. A lot of owners fit new gaskets when they buy a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale anyway, because the engine is out and the job is easy at that point.
Oil leaks
Valve cover gaskets, cam seals, the oil separator plate and the rear main seal can all weep on older engines. None of these are serious, but they are cheap to fix while the engine is out, so do them before the Subaru EJ25 engine for sale goes in.
Piston slap
Some EJ25 engines make a light knocking sound when cold that fades as they warm. It is usually harmless and many engines run like that for years. A knock that stays when the engine is hot is a different story.
Timing belt
On any Subaru EJ25 engine for sale with an unknown history, change it straight away, then roughly every 105,000 miles or 7 years. A snapped belt can mean bent valves, and that turns a cheap job into an engine replacement.
Turbo engine troubles
On the EJ255 and EJ257, cracked ringlands and spun rod bearings are the big ones, usually after hard driving, poor tuning or low oil. We check every turbo Subaru EJ25 engine for sale more carefully for that reason.
None of this makes the EJ25 a bad engine. It just means you should buy a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale from someone who actually checks for these things.
7 Proven Checks Before You Buy a Subaru EJ25 Engine for Sale
1. Match the code to your car
EJ25D, EJ251, EJ253 and the turbo engines are not interchangeable without extra work. Give the seller your VIN and get the code confirmed in writing.
2. Ask for compression numbers
A healthy engine shows even readings across all four cylinders. One low cylinder can mean a burnt valve, a bad ring or a gasket problem. Any honest seller of a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale should give you the numbers.
3. Look along the head gasket line
Ask for close photos of the bottom edge of both heads. Old dried coolant or wet oil there tells you a lot about how the engine lived.
4. Check the oil and coolant
Milky oil, or oil in the coolant, is a red flag on any Subaru EJ25 engine for sale. So is thick black sludge under the oil filler cap.
5. Ask about mileage and the donor car
You will not always get a full history on a used engine, but you should know roughly how far it has gone and what it came out of. Mileage also has a big effect on the price of a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale.
6. Insist on real photos
Stock photos tell you nothing. You want pictures of the actual Subaru EJ25 engine for sale you are paying for, from every side.
7. Get the warranty and paperwork in writing
Know what the warranty covers, how long it lasts and what you need to do to keep it valid before money changes hands.
How We Test Every Subaru EJ25 Engine for Sale
- We record the engine code, mileage and donor car where known
- Compression test on all four cylinders
- Check oil and coolant for mixing and sludge
- Inspect the head gasket line on both sides
- Turn the engine over by hand and listen for knocks or binding
- Check the timing belt, idlers and tensioner
- Photograph the engine from every side
- Drain, cap and pack it for shipping
You can read more about our process in our guide to tested used engines. Anything we find goes into your notes, so there are no surprises when the crate arrives.
What Comes With the Engine
A complete engine usually includes the block and heads, intake manifold, injectors, fuel rail, throttle body where fitted, oil pan, oil pump and covers. It is the quickest to fit because most of the bolt-on parts are already there. Alternators, AC compressors and wiring vary from car to car, and your quote lists exactly what is included.
A long block is the core only: block, crank, pistons, heads and cams. It costs less and suits you if the intake and sensors on your old engine are in good shape. Either way, the Subaru EJ25 engine for sale you get is the one in the photos.
Subaru EJ25 Engine Price: What Affects It
You can see the current price on our Subaru EJ25 product page. That price is for a complete, fairly used non-turbo EJ253. The final number moves with:
- The engine code, with turbo engines costing more
- Mileage
- Complete engine or long block
- Any extra parts you want included
- Shipping method and destination
Do not forget the labour, fluids, gaskets and a timing belt kit when you budget for a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale. Our guide to replacement engine cost walks through the whole bill.
Used Engine, Rebuild or Head Gasket Repair?
If your engine only has a leaking head gasket and the bottom end is healthy, a head gasket job may be all you need. A good shop will tell you that honestly. But if the engine has overheated hard, knocked, lost compression or spun a bearing, the repair bill climbs fast.
At that point you have three choices: rebuild your engine, buy a remanufactured one or fit a tested used engine. A rebuild can be great if it is done well, but quality varies a lot and it takes time. A remanufactured engine is the most expensive. Our guide to remanufactured vs rebuilt engines explains the difference. For most daily drivers, a tested Subaru EJ25 engine for sale is the quickest and cheapest way back on the road.
Fitting Tips From the Workshop
- Find out why the old engine died and fix that first. Usually it is the cooling system.
- Replace the radiator if it is original or the tanks are cracked. Check both fans actually run.
- Fit a timing belt kit and water pump unless you know they were done recently.
- Fit new cam seals, valve cover gaskets and a rear main seal while you have easy access.
- On manual cars, look at the clutch and flywheel. It is the cheapest time to replace them.
- Move sensors over carefully and check every plug for oil or corrosion.
- Use Subaru coolant or a proper equivalent and bleed the system slowly. Air pockets cause overheating.
- Use the right oil grade and fill to the correct level before the first start.
Any workshop used to Subarus can fit a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale in a day or two. If you are doing it at home, take photos of every hose and plug before you pull the old engine.
First Start and Break-In
Once the Subaru EJ25 engine for sale is in, crank it with the fuel pump fuse out for a few seconds to get oil moving, then put the fuse back and start it. Let it idle and watch for leaks. Bring it up to temperature and keep an eye on the gauge while you top up and bleed the coolant.
Drive it gently for the first few hundred miles, with no long runs at one speed and no full-throttle pulls. Change the oil and filter early, at around 500 to 1,000 miles, to flush out anything left from storage and fitting. After that, normal service intervals apply.
Keeping Your EJ25 Healthy
- Check the oil every couple of fill-ups. Boxers can use a little.
- Keep the coolant fresh and the radiator clean.
- Watch the temperature gauge. If it climbs, stop and find out why.
- Change the timing belt on time.
- Fix small leaks before they become big ones.
Look after a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale from us like this and it can easily give you another 100,000 miles or more.
EJ25 Engine Swaps
The EJ25 is a favourite swap engine for Volkswagen Vanagon and T3 vans, kit cars, older Subarus and off-road builds. It is light, short and has good torque low down. If you are building a swap, tell us what it is going into. When we have them, we can include the donor car’s wiring harness and engine computer, which saves a lot of time. A complete Subaru EJ25 engine for sale with its harness is the easiest starting point for a swap.
Worldwide Shipping
We ship to North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the Pacific. Engines go by sea for most orders or by air when time matters. Every Subaru EJ25 engine for sale is drained, capped, strapped down and packed on a pallet or in a crate, then shipped with tracking and export papers. Our shipping policy has the details.
How to Order
- Send your VIN and engine code through the contact page or call +1 (209) 733-0882.
- We confirm the right Subaru EJ25 engine for sale and send photos.
- You get a written quote with the engine, parts and shipping listed separately.
- You pay by bank transfer, which is the only payment method we accept. See our billing terms.
- We ship with tracking and send the documents.
If this is your first time buying an engine online, read our guide on how to buy a used engine online.
Warranty and Returns
Every Subaru EJ25 engine for sale we ship comes with a written warranty, and the terms are on your quote before you pay. Read our used engine warranty page and our refund and returns policy so you know exactly where you stand.
Why Buy From NJ Global Auto Parts
We are not a marketplace. We check every Subaru EJ25 engine for sale ourselves, match them to your car, send photos of the real thing and tell you about any faults we find. We ship worldwide every week and deal with private owners and trade buyers alike. You can learn more about us.
Other Engines We Sell
For a wider look at Subaru options, read our guide to used Subaru engines for sale. We also stock the Honda J35A, the Honda B18C, the Mazda 13B rotary and the Mitsubishi 4G64, plus popular engines like the Toyota 2JZ and the Honda K20A.
Quick Summary
The EJ25 is a good engine with a few well known weak spots. Match the code to your car, fix the cooling system, fit a new timing belt and gaskets during the swap and check the oil often. Do that with a tested Subaru EJ25 engine for sale and your Subaru can keep going for many more years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a Subaru EJ25 engine for sale with a warranty?
Right here. Every engine we ship comes with a written warranty, with the terms on your quote.
How do I know which Subaru EJ25 engine for sale fits my car?
Send us your VIN. We decode it, confirm the engine code and only quote an engine that matches.
Is the EJ25 a reliable engine?
Yes, if the cooling system is looked after. Head gaskets are the main weak point, and many engines run well past 200,000 miles.
Can I put an EJ253 in an older car with an EJ251?
It can be done, but intake parts, sensors and wiring differ. Replacing like with like is much simpler.
Do you sell turbo EJ255 and EJ257 engines?
Yes, when we have them. Ask and we will check stock.
Should I replace the head gaskets before fitting?
On an EJ25D or EJ251 it is a smart move while the engine is out. On an EJ253 it depends on the condition, and we will tell you what we see.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, by sea or air with tracking.
How do I pay?
Bank transfer only. Details come with your quote.
Get Your Subaru Back on the Road
A Subaru that has been looked after is worth keeping. If yours needs a new heart, send us your VIN and we will confirm the match, send photos and give you a clear price on a tested Subaru EJ25 engine for sale, delivered wherever you are.