[mrbradboyer95]

Jawajunk, what do you know about putting a 2012 Impreza engine into a 2013 Crosstrek? Coming across different coils and was told the cam gears and the flywheel reluctor wheel and stuff would need to be changed to get it to work, do you have any information on this?

 

[mrbradboyer95]

I also posted some stuff about this swap on Subaru XV forum website

I am just wondering if you've come across it and have any information to help? I am basically looking to sell this motor I just got but it only has 120k on the updated shortblock. I assume I could swap coil packs and the wiring harness but I'm not sure and the information just isn't out there.

 

[mrbradboyer95]

The 12 Impreza FB20 is the same as the 13-14 Crosstrek motor. Crosstrek was introduced in 2013 and used basically 12 Impreza engine and drivetrain. Coils, cams, cam gears, and flywheel reluctor wheel should all be the same between those two engines.

That what I assumed as well, I posted to a Subaru mechanic group and said I had to change a bunch of stuff, so I've been nervous to try and install it. I can't find any discernable difference at all besides the coil packs. Even with the different style, do you think I could drop the engine in plug and play or should I swap harnesses. Sorry for the random insert here, I just am absolutely stumped and have spent over 30 hours just researching with absolutely 0 answers. Only answer I got was telling me I had to basically swap timing covers, all 4 cams, flywheel and reluctor wheel, harness, Intake etc..

 

[mrbradboyer95]

So, you have a complete FB20 donor motor from a 12 Impreza and are wanting to put it into a 2013 Crosstrek?
I assume the current motor in the XV is also present and complete?
I misspoke in my last message about the coils being the same on 12 Impreza and 13 XV. There was a change made to the coils for Impreza in 13.
So you are correct, the coils would need to be swapped.
I would also move the intake manifold from the XV and use it on the Impreza motor. The engine wiring harness is literally right there and a simple swap with the intake removed.
Reuse your XV intake, and harness.
Because the valve covers are shaped differently for the two different coils you will need to either need to cut the XV harness and splice the coil connectors from the Impreza motor harness or, swap the valve covers from the old XV motor to make the correct coils fit the Impreza motor.
Other than that, the internals of the engine are the same. No cam swaps, timing cover swaps, etc needed.

From examining the harness I've only seen one difference and that's the plug connector to the coils, obviously lol. If that's the only difference couldn't it possibly just stay on the engine? I just feel I'd get confused on the wire colors seeming they're different between both engines but yes, I have a complete engine to place in, my current engine has only 40 psi in cylinder 4.

 

[mrbradboyer95]

So, you have a complete FB20 donor motor from a 12 Impreza and are wanting to put it into a 2013 Crosstrek?
I assume the current motor in the XV is also present and complete?
I misspoke in my last message about the coils being the same on 12 Impreza and 13 XV. There was a change made to the coils for Impreza in 13.
So you are correct, the coils would need to be swapped.
I would also move the intake manifold from the XV and use it on the Impreza motor. The engine wiring harness is literally right there and a simple swap with the intake removed.
Reuse your XV intake, and harness.
Because the valve covers are shaped differently for the two different coils you will need to either need to cut the XV harness and splice the coil connectors from the Impreza motor harness or, swap the valve covers from the old XV motor to make the correct coils fit the Impreza motor.
Other than that, the internals of the engine are the same. No cam swaps, timing cover swaps, etc needed.

I appreciate all this information! I was gonna take the engine to the scrap yard as an expensive mistake!

 

[mrbradboyer95]

Unfortunately I can't answer the wiring harness question. I have never closely examined or traced the wires on the actual harness itself. I realize the large main connector looks the same but I don't know about the pinouts between those two car matching inside the connector. I have always reused the harness from the existing vehicle so that's always going to be my recommendation. At least you know that one worked before. If you do decide to use the Impreza harness I'm curious to know if it does work.

I will likely be moving ahead on the swap this weekend coming possibly, so if I end up leaving the harness alone after double checking everything is identical including wire colors and it work fine I will absolutely report back here what I find. Even if I see a slight difference at all I will swap the whole harness, and who knows maybe the xv coil will just work? Looking at the valve covers in pictures, they look just about identical. Either way, I will report back what I figure out. My wife is gonna be happy as we had to save for quite a while to purchase the engine just to be told it wouldn't work. You're a life saver!

 

[mrbradboyer95]

The XV coils will definitely work if you reuse the XV harness and valve covers. I realize the valve covers look similar but, I think you'll find they are going to be different between the two engines. The coil connector, mounting bolt boss and the cutout depth of the valve cover around the coils are different between 12 Impreza and 13 XV. Sounds like you intend on trying to use the complete Impreza motor including Impreza valve covers, intake, harness and coils. The only way that will work is if you are lucky enough that the harnesses are identical between the two motors.
Again, my recommendation in this instance would be to use the original XV intake, harness, valve covers and coils.
These components are really simple to change with the engine out of the car.
If you try it without swapping those things and the harness doesn't work, you'll be faced with a much more complex and time consuming set of decisions on how to proceed.
Also, I would suggest considering this: What if the 12 Impreza harness plugs in and the vehicle runs but you end up with some other erroneous codes or check engine light? Then you find yourself chasing some problem or replacing electrical parts trying to diagnose issue that may or may not be caused by the harness.
Although I am curious if the Impreza harness will actually work or not, I'd hate to see you waste a bunch of time and energy on a guess when doing it the other way will work with certianty.
Just my 2 cents.

I don't intend on making more work for myself than nessessary. I just don't see myself being able to properly seal the valve covers. Was hoping I could just make the coils work in the current valve cover. I guess I just am unsure if I trust my abilities.

 

[mrbradboyer95]

The XV coils will definitely work if you reuse the XV harness and valve covers. I realize the valve covers look similar but, I think you'll find they are going to be different between the two engines. The coil connector, mounting bolt boss and the cutout depth of the valve cover around the coils are different between 12 Impreza and 13 XV. Sounds like you intend on trying to use the complete Impreza motor including Impreza valve covers, intake, harness and coils. The only way that will work is if you are lucky enough that the harnesses are identical between the two motors.
Again, my recommendation in this instance would be to use the original XV intake, harness, valve covers and coils.
These components are really simple to change with the engine out of the car.
If you try it without swapping those things and the harness doesn't work, you'll be faced with a much more complex and time consuming set of decisions on how to proceed.
Also, I would suggest considering this: What if the 12 Impreza harness plugs in and the vehicle runs but you end up with some other erroneous codes or check engine light? Then you find yourself chasing some problem or replacing electrical parts trying to diagnose issue that may or may not be caused by the harness.
Although I am curious if the Impreza harness will actually work or not, I'd hate to see you waste a bunch of time and energy on a guess when doing it the other way will work with certianty.
Just my 2 cents.

Gonna be installing the engine this week, will let you know how I make out! Appreciate the information you've given me. I'm confident going into this. I have all valve cover gaskets, plug seals, intake gasket and exhaust gaskets ready to replace the engine. Including intake, wiring harness, coils and valve covers! Wish me luck.

 

[mrbradboyer95]

The XV coils will definitely work if you reuse the XV harness and valve covers. I realize the valve covers look similar but, I think you'll find they are going to be different between the two engines. The coil connector, mounting bolt boss and the cutout depth of the valve cover around the coils are different between 12 Impreza and 13 XV. Sounds like you intend on trying to use the complete Impreza motor including Impreza valve covers, intake, harness and coils. The only way that will work is if you are lucky enough that the harnesses are identical between the two motors.
Again, my recommendation in this instance would be to use the original XV intake, harness, valve covers and coils.
These components are really simple to change with the engine out of the car.
If you try it without swapping those things and the harness doesn't work, you'll be faced with a much more complex and time consuming set of decisions on how to proceed.
Also, I would suggest considering this: What if the 12 Impreza harness plugs in and the vehicle runs but you end up with some other erroneous codes or check engine light? Then you find yourself chasing some problem or replacing electrical parts trying to diagnose issue that may or may not be caused by the harness.
Although I am curious if the Impreza harness will actually work or not, I'd hate to see you waste a bunch of time and energy on a guess when doing it the other way will work with certianty.
Just my 2 cents.

So just wanted to return with my findings.
Motor is in, running smooth as silk. Differences between the 2 motors is minimal. Intake is 110 percent identical, but I removed mine and replaced it with the xv one anyway.
Replacing the valve covers worked well for putting xv coils on, the wiring harness is basically identical besides the coil connectors, and 2 sensors, one in the coolant crossover other on front of engine, both i believe are temp sensors. They bolt right into the Impreza engine so all is good there. Other than that it was a straight swap.

I want to sincerely thank you for your help on this, as I thought it was a lost cause. This was also my first ever motor swap, motor was out and everything swapped over, installed in 10 hours total with smoke breaks and eating and stuff. My wife is happy so I'm happy. Thank you again sir, can't explain how much I appreciate it.