First time post, long time reader - thank you to all who have unknowingly helped me so much in the past by this fantastic forum!!!
My 2005 Liberty GT Auto had a major spaz earlier this week and it looks like I've bent a rod
It's got a standard 2.0Ltr twin scroll turbo with a mild tune, the kid before me put a 3in stainless cat back on it, but no dump/ other modifications. 176,000kms on it
My question relates to my repair/replace options.
A new lib gt 2.0 short block is over $4000 in most places, yet I note I have a few options like using my ez20 heads on either a new ej207 or new ej257 short block for much less (yes, due to the forum I know I need to work the heads for the combustion chamber and compression if I go the ej257 and tunes would be needed. I'd also look to de-cat up pipe (if there is a cat) and replace std down pipe at the same time). I've got some prices including servicing the heads for the ej257 that are fair, but still up around $5-6K. So that means it's loan time as it wasn't an expected expense
I was hoping the guys on forum might have some advice for import options, full long motors that might be a better/ cheaper but reliable solution. I love my GT, but the one thing that has bugged me is the poor down low (off the line) performance. If I have to spend money on the engine I want to make the most of the opportunity and get some performance improvements, but let's try to keep it under $6K.
Having kids/sport/life commitments, this is only going to be a daily drive in the foreseeable future I'd love to get it on the track for a bit of fun one day, but it's not the focus here.
Very grateful for all suggestions.
If it helps I'm located Southside Brisbane.

