[dark]

I believe I read the BRZ engine (Subaru says it's totally new) is using a combination of DI and port injection that is a Toyota system. Seems costly to employ both especially when starting with a new engine.

 

[rasterman]

Yeah but if so, it's good insurance against carbon build-up on the intake valves. Possibly cheaper than re-doing the EGR & PCV systems.

 

[ben550]

I know this is an old thread, but was wondering if 2013 models were the first to get the new FB engine?

Did all 2013's get the new engine or just certain trim lines?

How can you tell from looking at the engine which one it is? Does one have the oil filter sitting on top and the other have the engine oil filter underneath?

I am assuming the FB is the one with the oil filter sitting on the top easily accessible with the hood up...

Thanks.

 

[rasterman]

All 2013 have the FB, and only all FBs have the filter on top.

 

[AWDFTW]

I know this is an old thread, but was wondering if 2013 models were the first to get the new FB engine?

Did all 2013's get the new engine or just certain trim lines?

How can you tell from looking at the engine which one it is? Does one have the oil filter sitting on top and the other have the engine oil filter underneath?

I am assuming the FB is the one with the oil filter sitting on the top easily accessible with the hood up...

Thanks.

This should help:
Subaru Outback research pages: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009... all years/models

 

[Tim90]

The real news with the FB engine is the reduced maintenance costs. I just did a bit of back-of-envelope math.

Depending on your definition of a "timing belt job," the FB will be between 0.5 and 1 cent per mile cheaper to operate as it uses a permanent chain instead.

If the FB has no head gasket issues over its life, that's another cent, maybe cent and a half cheaper.

Also a base-model 2013 (with FB engine) is about 40lbs lighter than a 2012 (EJ)

Maintenance cost on an fb25=just buy another car because that's what it costs to replace the engine. I swapped my 2012 forester x premium fb25 (after she splode) with a 2014 fb25 from an outback. It ended up costing thousands less and the oil guzzling does not seem as bad (yet). The 2009-2012 foresters in general have been garbage. They are easy to work on because they will require a new everything before 200k.