Lost my 2004 WRX 205 a few weeks back and have been throwing rebuild ideas back and forth. After deciding to check out the viability of a 207 swap i found this thread. And it has set my mind on the direction to head. Thank you for this wealth of information. 

no_trunk wrote:

Lost my 2004 WRX 205 a few weeks back and have been throwing rebuild ideas back and forth. After deciding to check out the viability of a 207 swap i found this thread. And it has set my mind on the direction to head. Thank you for this wealth of information. 

I've got one for sale right now...you could jump right into a V9 207:

https://saab92x.com/viewtopic.php?id=63586

Curses.  Let me know if you change your mind.

The only downfall to this plan, my wife has a 02 RS swapped STi. (So this kills the "Well honey that engine was only $800" ) And while i can understand the ease of buying a car with a successful running swap, the hearts just not in it for me. I like to stand back at the end of the day and admire what i have created. While this does get me in trouble some times (My RS was bought as auto, swapped manual, on 3rd trans. Read thick headed) most of the times it works out OK.

Even if i bought a 207 swapped car, i would still be left needing a engine in the WRX and would lean towards a 207 to replace it... Had all 3 of these cars for the better part of a decade and dont plan on selling ever. (And not a single one has seen a shop under my ownership)

So as i will heed your words of wisdom. In the end im bull headed and like to learn from my own mistakes, or accomplishments.

I'm still loving this swap.  Really not loving my new body mods.







EDIT 03/28/2016: A number of questions have come up A LOT since posting the car for sale and it is this post that is provoking them, so I will put the details here for relevance.  No, the car was not considered a total loss by the insurance company -- the car still has a clean title (i.e. not salvage) in my name.  The quarter panel did not need to be replaced because the rocker panel and door striker were not damaged -- this likely saved the car from total loss.  Instead, a body puller was used to pull the quarter panel back into shape.  A series of small holes were drilled in the quarter panel; dowels with eyelets were fed in through these holes eyelet first; a wire was threaded through the eyelets; then the dowels were pulled on from the outside via a fixtured mount which in turn pulled the body panel back out; the holes were filled and the area was repainted.  Yes, some body filler was used to smooth the sheet metal.  No, the quarter panel is not full of body filler.  The paint and clear coat was blended into the front driver's door and up to the roof line; the rear bumper, rocker panel, and new rear door were repainted.  OEM glass was used and the tint was matched.  The passenger rear door was replaced.

Last edited by Nicholast (2016-03-28 13:22:28)

I was driving home in heavy traffic in the slow lane.  My lane was creeping along and the middle lane was stopped.  A driver in the middle lane decided the moving lane was more appealing and changed lanes from a stop just as I was rolling past.  In the game of 92x versus Expedition, Expedition wins.  Seriously; she got a mildly dented bumper... and a ticket for no insurance.

kornfeld wrote:

Any suspension damage?

No, not that I can tell.  The large SUV took a pot shot right to the 92x's tender bits, but missed anything of structure; only the body was affected.  Unfortunately, quarter panels are tough to repair.  If it were just the door, I would not be concerned.

What he said.  The door is no biggie, I just replaced mine from a member on here for $100.  Be prepared for your insurance company to try and bend you over.  Do not accept their first offer unless it 100% meets your expectations.  I had progressive covering my motorcycle.  They wanted to give me 800 for it.  I refused, told them about the work I did to rehab the bike, argued with a couple people and magically they offered me triple that.

If they hassle you too much, you can always tell them you will file a complaint with the Department of Insurance ( I think CO calls it the Division of Insurance).  If an auto insurer gets too many valid complaints, they are no longer allowed to sell insurance in that state.  This will get their attention, and they wont jerk you around.

I hope it all works out for you and I'm glad you're alright. 

This was a great build, I hate to see the car mauled like that.

Filed several claims with USAA, pretty easy to work with.

I want to share some input.  Nicholast was kind enough to respond to my cries for help via NASIOC regarding code P0350 IGNITION COIL PRIMARY/ SECONDARY CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION.

I had swapped 4 coils only to realize it wasn't the problem.  Just when I felt lost and defeated, I checked the wiring leading up to the coil packs and discovered that my EJ207 had a loose terminal leading to one of the coil packs!  It was the wire in the middle of the 3 wires leading to the connector.  I unlocked the connector and popped the terminal back inside.  Turned on the car, voila!  Smooth as butter!

Anyone getting this code should check the coil pack connectors to make sure it hasn't backed out AND ALL wires leading to the connectors!