Big end bearing questions

[KWICKS]

Hi All,

I may have been a member here a few years back but have "rejoined" today after browsing for the past few years. I am in the position of waiting to hear if I've done my 2nd big end bearing. The deja vu is strong. My car has always used oil rapidly and without a pattern and it may have been a starvation issue (but it only took 1L to mid dipstick mark) or I may just be jinxed. It was 7000kms since last service, total 147000kms on the ODO. Car has had a new engine at 19000kms, so this one is 128000kms old. Servicing is as per the book, and I've had nothing but support from Subaru via local dealer in the past. But I'm not holding my breath this time.

The clicking is BAD.

I think a new short motor from FHI is $7000 before labour and gasket kits, etc, or so I was told in 2006.

I want to know if anyone has links to an EZ30R for sale, or if anyone has had experience in swapping a 2.5T into these. I think the 2.5T is more robust (my experience says so) and performance is similar stock. I also expect there is more of these available, but I doubt they would bolt straight in.

Any help appreciated. I shall know more Monday.

[matt_3.0rb]

One i saw on ebay a few days ago:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Subaru-EZ30R-6-six-engine-EZ30-H6-VW-Kombi-180kw-/220793100344?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item33684b5838

Or a whole car available for parts
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/subaru-liberty-3lt-spec-b-2005-damage-ring-4-parts-/280685165130?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item415a23ba4a

This was mentioned in another thread
http://au.alibaba.com/product/356717305-SUBARU-EZ30-R-JDM-ENGINE.html apparently around $1500USD complete or $1000 for the short block

Or you could get an ez36r from the genV libs.

[KWICKS]

Thanks, I saw those on Ebay. I'm Sydney based so not ideal, but might be a option.

[Dropz]

My 2005 2.5i N/A short block quote from work was $3,600.

[teK--]

... remember to get the 3.0 h6 filter (outback/liberty/tribecca) as its significantly larger than the 4cyl subaru filters. Forget the number.

Good tip I'll remember this for next time thanks.

Just looked up in the workshop manual, H6 filter has about 60% more filter media surface area compared to H4 and the filter body is a larger diameter (65 versus 80mm). It'll be a tight fit. As it is I can hardly get my hand in there to tighten up the H4 filter without getting my hands cut up by the header heat shields .

Isn't it now going to be even closer to the exhaust and absorb more heat?

The H6 bypass valve doesn't open up until about 0.5psi higher than the H4 which I gather would be insignificant?

Edit: Subaru reduced the size because of heatsoak from the exhaust headers. So in other words, don't fit the H6 filter into your H4 unless you like cooking your oil at idle.

[teK--]

Looks like the 2009+ Mazda RX8 filter is pretty much identical thread, face, diameter, relieve valve setting as our H4 filters, but much longer so more filter media area:

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... l?t=147113

I'm going to have to check the vertical clearance first since I'm running a filter sandwich plate which might then bring the filter close to the undertray...

[Dropz]

Cut the undertray Or use a H6 filter like I do.

[KWICKS]

Update, a second hand EZ30R was $2950 from a wrecker. It required transfer of some plumbing from existing engine. It had 53000kms on it from a car that was immaculate ("even the carpets were spotless mate") before it was destroyed...

Looking over the former engine which has come out we see several wear problems. The big end bearing is stuffed (disintegrating) obviously, and the hydraulic lifters were also damaged. And I was surprised to find out the coil packs are ALL arcing. Plus the bearing in the clutch assembly was also noisy.

EDIT: In case that is not clear this is from the dead engine,not the one I bought. The bought one will have flushed injectors and that is all it neded.

I'm thinking this product is not "all that", Mr Subaru.