New Engine - Big end has gone

[alexeiwoody]

There have been some 2.5 motors that were faulty from factory (i.e prematurely fail, big ends). http://www.mrtperformance.com.au/about- ... turbo-cars . Production issues do arise from time to time and it effects all manufacturers. Subaru could confirm by way of VIN if his model was potentially effected??

My wife had a VW Golf that had a "known" gearbox issue where 2nd gear would break. Problem was she used to baby that car so it only gave out long after the warranty VW didn't step up unfortunately

Sounds like a good place to start. "A statement released last night by Subaru Australia said the problem had been identified as "abnormal wear on conrod big end bearings" and could affect up to 1233 vehicles in Australia built this year between Tuesday, 8 January and Saturday, 5 April. " Just check your build date on the car Jack, simples.

Another question is - would Sti Australia have picked a liberty from the 1233 cars that were "potentially affected", to modify and tune for more power, if it was a known issue?

[mynameisdaniel]

Touching on the STi replacement bottom end in case you go that way. It might be worth checking how well that'll work without a tune - the altered compression ratio might be enough to cause problems and swapping pistons will add to the cost.

It might work out buying a replacement EJ255 bottom end - although a later revision.

[Jackson1]

UPDATE!

I'm planning to get a ej257 shortblock installed with arp 2000 studs, a killer bee oil pickup, timing belt kit and new water pump, new crank, rods, bearings and machining. Then also a tune with MSR afterwards. Another option is to get a turbo back exhaust done at the same time so that I will save money on getting another tune later on but not sure if the budget will stretch that far. The exhaust would keep the standard muffler aswell!

I'm tossing up between Ichiban and MSR for getting the engine put in but i'm leaning towards MSR if they can do the same price as ichiban, or atleast a close price, that way they can do the whole lot at once.

I'm looking at around 6k without the exhaust and tune.

Then $1000 more for exhaust and another 800 for tune.

Oh and ill also have to pay $200 to get the car transported to sydney seeing as im in canberra

How does this sound guys?? Am I missing anything?

If I decide to do the turbo back exhaust at the same time, what exhaust should I get?

[THE SpecB]

Is this the car crusin just sold ?

[THE SpecB]

UPDATE!

I'm planning to get a ej257 shortblock installed with arp 2000 studs, a killer bee oil pickup, timing belt kit and new water pump, new crank, rods, bearings and machining. Then also a tune with MSR afterwards. Another option is to get a turbo back exhaust done at the same time so that I will save money on getting another tune later on but not sure if the budget will stretch that far. The exhaust would keep the standard muffler aswell!

I'm tossing up between Ichiban and MSR for getting the engine put in but i'm leaning towards MSR if they can do the same price as ichiban, or atleast a close price, that way they can do the whole lot at once.

I'm looking at around 6k without the exhaust and tune.

Then $1000 more for exhaust and another 800 for tune.

Oh and ill also have to pay $200 to get the car transported to sydney seeing as im in canberra

How does this sound guys?? Am I missing anything?

If I decide to do the turbo back exhaust at the same time, what exhaust should I get?

If you want to save $ but still have your car tuned right call upon Matt @ Kiddo knows his stuff but in your case will need a dyno run in so why not let garage88 take care from start to finish then Scott at insight can tune it.

[Jackson1]

Thanks for the advice!

I'll give them both a call tomorrow and see what kind of prices they are after.

I did speak with Kido today and was quoted $400 for Matt to do the tune. But yeah as you said a tune on a dyno would be better so I will probably go for that option.

[Jackson1]

Is this the car crusin just sold ?

Yeah this is the one

[AJ RS]

The EJ257 is a semi-closed block. A stronger platform. And a good upgrade for longevity and will support running more power. To a limit.
If your stuck and strapped for cash you can have my old 255 bottom end. It's just sitting in a box in the shed. Nothing wrong with it.
But your better off doing it once, and doing it properly. I've done the 257, head studs etc and confident it will last now.

[ferret89]

There have been some 2.5 motors that were faulty from factory (i.e prematurely fail, big ends). http://www.mrtperformance.com.au/about- ... turbo-cars . Production issues do arise from time to time and it effects all manufacturers. Subaru could confirm by way of VIN if his model was potentially effected??

My wife had a VW Golf that had a "known" gearbox issue where 2nd gear would break. Problem was she used to baby that car so it only gave out long after the warranty VW didn't step up unfortunately

Sounds like a good place to start. "A statement released last night by Subaru Australia said the problem had been identified as "abnormal wear on conrod big end bearings" and could affect up to 1233 vehicles in Australia built this year between Tuesday, 8 January and Saturday, 5 April. " Just check your build date on the car Jack, simples.

Another question is - would Sti Australia have picked a liberty from the 1233 cars that were "potentially affected", to modify and tune for more power, if it was a known issue?

A little bit late to this thread but this is what I was referring to with the '08 problem year', mine was built Feb 08 so would have been in the affected batch. Could it have contributed at least a little as to why my engine died at 97,000kms? Possibly but I incorrectly assumed that because it was 6 years old and had done 97k with apparently no problems that it was either fine or had been fixed already under warranty.

Personally if I could do it all again I wouldn't have bought this car... my 04 GT was perfectly fine and had no issues at 180k. Spending $7k on a new engine was something I was unprepared for.

Also AJ, pretty sure the EJ255 is also semi-closed but you are right.. I am much more confident in my new engine now it has upgraded studs and headgasket.

Jackson that sounds like a perfect plan with your new engine, once properly tuned should last for a long time. I should have gone the Killer B ultimate oil pickup when mine was done for peace of mind its an extra $300 well spent imo

[alexeiwoody]

There have been some 2.5 motors that were faulty from factory (i.e prematurely fail, big ends). http://www.mrtperformance.com.au/about- ... turbo-cars . Production issues do arise from time to time and it effects all manufacturers. Subaru could confirm by way of VIN if his model was potentially effected??

My wife had a VW Golf that had a "known" gearbox issue where 2nd gear would break. Problem was she used to baby that car so it only gave out long after the warranty VW didn't step up unfortunately

Sounds like a good place to start. "A statement released last night by Subaru Australia said the problem had been identified as "abnormal wear on conrod big end bearings" and could affect up to 1233 vehicles in Australia built this year between Tuesday, 8 January and Saturday, 5 April. " Just check your build date on the car Jack, simples.

Another question is - would Sti Australia have picked a liberty from the 1233 cars that were "potentially affected", to modify and tune for more power, if it was a known issue?

A little bit late to this thread but this is what I was referring to with the '08 problem year', mine was built Feb 08 so would have been in the affected batch. Could it have contributed at least a little as to why my engine died at 97,000kms? Possibly but I incorrectly assumed that because it was 6 years old and had done 97k with apparently no problems that it was either fine or had been fixed already under warranty.

Personally if I could do it all again I wouldn't have bought this car... my 04 GT was perfectly fine and had no issues at 180k. Spending $7k on a new engine was something I was unprepared for.

Also AJ, pretty sure the EJ255 is also semi-closed but you are right.. I am much more confident in my new engine now it has upgraded studs and headgasket.

Jackson that sounds like a perfect plan with your new engine, once properly tuned should last for a long time. I should have gone the Killer B ultimate oil pickup when mine was done for peace of mind its an extra $300 well spent imo

Yep, oil pick up, water pump and ideally oil pump all need to be upgraded in these. Quite a few horror stories on the net about cracked pick ups! I've messaged jackson ages ago about them and other bits that need doing, so at least he knows

[cynner]

I'm in the same boat I think... my phantom knock which I thought was coming from the wastegate actuator appears to be coming from the block (as far as my mechanic and I can tell, spend an hour with the sound scope and it seems loudest off the block).

Sounds like a grumbling sound deep within the engine when I rev it or hold the revs at around 2500-3000rpm. It's not 'fatal' yet so I can persist with it for a while.

I have the opportunity to be a pre-built engine from my mechanic, which will be pulled apart and re-assembled to ensure it is all running fine. Specs are:

MY06 WRX engine (assume this is just an EJ255?)
Bottom end rebuild was: Manley Rods, Mahle pistons, ACL race bearings, Cosworth oil pump
Head rebuild was Cosworth valve springs, Overhauled heads, Cosworth Head gaskets, ARP Headstuds, ARP Case bolts.

I'd need to use my existing intake manifold, and possibly replace the injectors as the ones used are bigger and probably won't fit under the intake manifold. Or maybe de-cap the stock 550's.

I should be able to get this for $4k (plus labor)

Thoughts? I'm guessing this is cheaper than building something from the ground up...

[ferret89]

I'm in the same boat I think... my phantom knock which I thought was coming from the wastegate actuator appears to be coming from the block (as far as my mechanic and I can tell, spend an hour with the sound scope and it seems loudest off the block).

Sounds like a grumbling sound deep within the engine when I rev it or hold the revs at around 2500-3000rpm. It's not 'fatal' yet so I can persist with it for a while.

I have the opportunity to be a pre-built engine from my mechanic, which will be pulled apart and re-assembled to ensure it is all running fine. Specs are:

MY06 WRX engine (assume this is just an EJ255?)
Bottom end rebuild was: Manley Rods, Mahle pistons, ACL race bearings, Cosworth oil pump
Head rebuild was Cosworth valve springs, Overhauled heads, Cosworth Head gaskets, ARP Headstuds, ARP Case bolts.

I'd need to use my existing intake manifold, and possibly replace the injectors as the ones used are bigger and probably won't fit under the intake manifold. Or maybe de-cap the stock 550's.

I should be able to get this for $4k (plus labor)

Thoughts? I'm guessing this is cheaper than building something from the ground up...

Sorry to hear that mate.... out of curiousity when was it built?

That built engine sounds like a great deal! Super cheap I'd add a Killer B oil pickup though to complete it. I'd definitely go for that if I were you (assuming it has all been built properly).

[Jackson1]

Sorry to hear! I know the feeling :'(

If it was me tbh I would probs go for a brand new short block as it wont cost loads more, but if you know the history of the previous engine and it all seems solid then that sounds like a great option too!

[cynner]

It did 20,000kms before the car was smashed (engine was fine) – worked very well apparently. It had been on the drags, etc. The mechanic who built it has bought the engine and will strip it down to check it is all fine and then put it back together (with new bearings to be safe).

Mine was a 2007 MY08... i'll check what month it was built and will check the chassis number to see if it is part of that Subaru notice...

[cynner]

I can get a brand new EJ257 bottom end and reco'd heads, fitted for $6500 drive away. The $4000 engine doesn't include labour, so by the time i'm done with that it's probably going to be $5500 or so...