98 RX Bilstein

[Neil64]

I was recently given this car from the original owner, it is in immaculate condition apart from a blown head gasket.
I'm impressed with the car's handling and braking but would prefer more power.
I was quoted about $5000 for a head gasket repair but I thought if I was spending that sort of money what other performance options are available?
Turbo exchange motor maybe?

Thanks in advance.

[Robbks]

The easiest way to go about a turbo conversion is to buy a full WRX halfcut
A gen 2 will take up to and including MY98 very easily but you're probably looking at an outlay of $5k for the cut, wiring, etc
then you can sell off some other bits left over to recoup some money.

Another good project that would be great in a gen2 would be to get a H6 put in there.
you could probably leave the stock gearbox, etc in place and just drop in the engine and wiring.

[Neil64]

Thanks for the reply but if I'm going to spend that sort of money I don't want a second hand motor, I'd rather spend it on a reco.

[Neil64]

I just spoke to a Subaru expert in Sydney who said a WRX half cut won't work because the computer isn't compatible. How hard/costly is it to change that as well?

Thanks again in advance!

[blademaster]

provided it isn't fly-by-wire (electronic throttle), shouldn't be too expensive (maybe 4-5K incl the computer)

also depends on the computer you are going to run