Best Value Light Rebuilt Engine Formulae

[dr20t]

Ben, best value by far is a new factory 2.5 short motor fresh from the crate.

Do a few minor mods, keep it around 220atw and it'll last for ages.

Agree

Sorry if I sounded flippant or over the top earlier but I'm merely saying for big power then you need a full build or proper engine from factory

Mick

[Newbie GT]

I wouldn't put a 2l engine in a car fitted with a 2.5 if you plan on limiting who youre selling it too or going all out, I would want the engine that came out of the car tbh all numbers match ect

also the 2l bit too laggy for most people day to day from the ones ive driven.

better off selling and buying a v8 or get an evo

Agree why make a car something it's not and changing default factory engine capacity. .

Keep it genuine .. Keep it the real deal !

[Kekotic]

I wouldn't put a 2l engine in a car fitted with a 2.5 if you plan on limiting who youre selling it too or going all out, I would want the engine that came out of the car tbh all numbers match ect

also the 2l bit too laggy for most people day to day from the ones ive driven.

better off selling and buying a v8 or get an evo

Agree why make a car something it's not and changing default factory engine capacity. .

Keep it genuine .. Keep it the real deal !

Your tune is aftermarket Newbie, time to go to jail.

[dr20t]

Guys this is a great and informative thread - please do not let it turn to rubbish

Newbie that means please don't make sweeping statements like that without any idea of what you're saying

Mick

[bigBADbenny]

Ben, best value by far is a new factory 2.5 short motor fresh from the crate.

Do a few minor mods, keep it around 220atw and it'll last for ages.

What is that, where from, and how much?
Eg long or short, STi or vanilla etc

[Newbie GT]

Guys this is a great and informative thread - please do not let it turn to rubbish

Newbie that means please don't make sweeping statements like that without any idea of what you're saying

Mick

Was just saying. Peace Mick

[Boostaddict]

So with my recent POSSIBLE head gasket issue. This thread has come along at a handy time.

It i wanted to make 280-300 kw atw on a daily driven 2.5litre.

Whats the realistic build required- besides anchillaries like turbo- just the motor required?

Where from and price if possible ?

Also some options, pushing it in terms of longevity build, a medium build and im taking Mick posts as the all out full proof build.!

My thoughts, just my own 2c.

Keep my stock crank.
ACL bearings
Cp/weisco etc etc pistons
Billet rods or so
Cosworth head gasket
Arp head studs
And a great big turbo to make the 280-300kw atw.....

Or will the stock heads shit themselves with sooo much powaaar?!! Will the stock block keep up??

Dan

[jaydece]

Theres soooo many ways to approach this.....each car needs to be judged individually on the needs of the car and person...

my 2.5 cents of a quick thought list...

1/ Pick a budget and stick to it..and I mean farking stick to it.....you can really go down the wrong path and spend $$$$$ for really nothing...
2/ Think about what you'll use the car for and for how long? base this on your parts and cost list
3/ parts to buy for insurance purposes? e.g upgraded studs, oil pick up, upgrade pistons, etc etc....head work maybe? comes back to budget again
4/ quick and simple...choose a new or fairly new short block ( oem 2.0-2.5 or STI short block ) I wouldn't use the short block of your current....if I could do it again I would do it this way...
5/ don't compare your build to someone elses......make it your own and be proud of it....no one said you couldn't be different and try something else....but within
reason and perspective of course...

[Boostaddict]

Why not use your current block??

Not strong enough??

Or just convenience??

[jaydece]

Why not use your current block??

Not strong enough??

Or just convenience??

logistically would be more straight forward...there may be some cost savings in there too....its a newer block / new block Vs a used one....so to speak...

Just going by experience and with what I learned with my 2 engine phases.....people may have different opinions....

[bigBADbenny]

Great advice JDC!
Need more info on the logistics

chubbs got a quality Phil Lowe cossie head gasket replacement inc arp studs etc. at around 3K, I'd add drop in forged pistons and upgrade valve springs to that as a possible formula

More details soon and thanks everyone for the continued input!

[senator]

Ben, best value by far is a new factory 2.5 short motor fresh from the crate.

Do a few minor mods, keep it around 220atw and it'll last for ages.

+1

Has Serge developed his off the shelf solution for 220kw yet??

[coyote]

Ben, best value by far is a new factory 2.5 short motor fresh from the crate.

Do a few minor mods, keep it around 220atw and it'll last for ages.

+1

Has Serge developed his off the shelf solution for 220kw yet??

I think so, but that's a case of stooping to a commercial reality rather than the ideal way to go.

I'd never make a parts list. Have seen so many engines with the best parts let go because someone overlooked something. I'm not picking on GB, in fact I agree with what he's said in this thread, but his car when he bought it was a perfect example of how the result can be far less than the sum of the parts. A good builder can achieve the opposite result.

Choose your engine builder, give them a goal and a budget, then be prepared to compromise one or the other based on their advice.

I'm just lucky that a good mate is also one of the best builders of Subaru engines on the planet. We are working on an evil plan right now. Biggest problem is how to get my budget to match his goals! I'm happy being Captain Slow.

[bigBADbenny]

Thank you very much. ^

Remembering that this is a best choice of compromises thread.
Where are the most acceptable compromises to be made?
The $3K HG replacement was a big but acceptable compromise because of the labour. Great result.

I'd like to see some plausible outcomes at $2000-$5000 price range with as much DIY as possible to maximise budget.

As a n00b, I'd like to know just how much is DIY-able, if anything?
Assuming one has the time, space and inclination.

[coyote]

I can't see much DIY potential. Rods and pistons, sure ... but I wouldn't do them without bearings and although you can DIY bearings, the clearances won't be as consistent as a professional. It's a downward slope from there.

There's machine work and a whole range of things to consider if you are going bigger, but beyond bolting some heads onto a factory short motor, I see massive value in handing it to someone and relying on their expertise. At the very least, you know where to point the finger if things go wrong. DIY and everyone will be pointing at you (probably for good reason).

I don't like tuning engines that are built by someone other than Serge, but I do. A DIY engine is not something I'd want to touch unless I knew the owner very well.

If you have the time, space and inclination, then have a go. A bare block is about $900. I had dinner last night with a mate who is over $50k and 2 years into a "simple" project and about to put it up for sale for $15k. Happens all the time.