18 replies to this topic

[surge]

I am thinking I will need a new block soon (long story).

Would this:
http://www.ebay.com....984.m1423.l2649

Fit inside a 2.5i liberty (2008, auto)?
Straight swap diy?
Or would there be a problem.

I would either use my original heads (machined) or ej22 heads for a HCF build.

Cheers

[JRod]

No. Its a turbo engine so the comp ratio is a lot lower than what your NA setup is like.

[Robert]

I doubt ej22 heads would bolt up to your manifold

Not to mention missing avcs and all that

[surge]

Thanks for the replies.

So the only worthwhile things to do would be maybe port and polish my heads?
Maybe get the cams reground?

I figure since I've got the heads off I may as well make the most of it.

Is there no better shortblock I could look at?

I am going to bolt up a td04 and notch the xmember. Already have a td04 and turbo-back.

[JRod]

Oh dear. One of these builds.

Buy a similar aged halfcut (WRX STI GTB) and swap everything over. It will save you so many headaches. Where are you located?

[surge]

I'm located in Canberra. I don't think a half cut is within my budget.

Im just looking for something DIY which can be done with a week off work. Just a bit of fun and to learn from. Nothing crazy or expensive.

[Reevesy]

Sell it and buy a GT, i wouldn't even bother with a wrx halfcut because of CANBUS(doubt it would be compatible with wrx ecu) and bolting a turbo onto your exisiting setup is just asking for trouble.

[allpaw4]

Custom subaru engine builds are not something I would put in the same sentence as diy, fun or not expensive. A half cut will literally be the cheapest way to make your current car turbo that you will get away with, and even then there will be additional costs. Loom splicing, correct crossmembers, exhaust modifications, the list goes on.

Having a workshop put in the appropriate replacement short motor will probably be one of your cheaper options. Then sell said car and use the money to buy a turbo model. Unless you really want to keep the car, but if that's the case, then keep saving and do it properly.

Nothing against DIYing but if you do, you're better off buy the same model cut you have now, and simply changing it all over. Anything custom is sort of out of range of the DIY person, unless you have the mechanical skills to do it.

[alexGT]

Nothing crazy or expensive.

 

it will be both

[nickknack]

can be done with a week off work

 

Nothing crazy or expensive.

 

If its a learning experience I would allow a lot more than a week, and if you can't afford a halfcut then I wouldn't bother.

[RX25SE]

Seems to be a pattern developing here......

[surge]

Guys I really appreciate the info.

Could I just ask. What about a my11 ej20 from an impreza.
http://www.ebay.com....=item259d883545

Can I just use my intake from my ej25 and use the long block from the impreza?

Straight swap?

[JRod]

Why are you replacing the engine? Has it failed?

You'd be changing the displacement to a smaller block.

We're here to help, listen, and learn.

What is making you want to change the motor.

[surge]

Well the radiator cracked when I was going 110km/h. I didn't notice the coolant temp rise and kept driving until the engine shut off.

Anyway I didn't think much of it and started the engine again. I drove a fair while with the engine cooking. Again I was really tired and it was Xmas day. I still didn't notice the coolant temp at this stage. By the time I noticed it was too late.

New radiator went in shortly after and I then could tell the head gaskets were finished.

Last weekend I took the heads off and performed a head gasket job (using sti mls gaskets). But its still bubbling in the overflow tank.

I figure I would be better off with a whole new engine.

Also I've been meaning to bolt on my td04,so why not do both jobs together.

Before the engine died it was tuned on e85. I was hoping for a little boost (8psi).

Budget is under $2K including all parts. And work would be all DIY.

A local guy is asking $1600 for an ej253 2010 with 88,000km.
The ej20 on eBay is 2011 with only 9,000km and is $770 (I have negotiated and believe they will throw in freight for free).

[Reevesy]

1. Did you get the heads machined before you put them back on?

2. Being Sti Head gaskets are they are different thickness to the stock ones

3. Just bolting a turbo to the engine isn't as simple as it sounds

 

I personally would buy the local motor(hopefully it has warranty) and drop it straight in.

If you want a gen 4 turbo sell your existing car and buy a GT

[alexGT]

this has dodgy written all over it. please just do it right and replace like for like, otherwise you are going to throw money down the drain.

[surge]

1. Did you get the heads machined before you put them back on?
2. Being Sti Head gaskets are they are different thickness to the stock ones

I know I will cop a lot of shit for this, but I thought I could sand the heads myself after watching a couple of YouTube vids. Bad idea I know.
I guess the thicker gaskets were a good thing since I would have taken quite a bit of material off while sanding the heads.

Anyway I think I'll keep waiting then for a cheaper ej253 or see if the seller would take less at a later date. I think $1600 for that engine (without warranty) is to much.

The car is currently OK to get me to work and back.

[Reevesy]

Yeah your not going to find a late model drop in motor for much less. Either replace like for like, or get the heads machined properly and new HG's put in.

[duncanm]

This gets dodgier and dodgier !