51 replies to this topic

[cracka]

looks like the b4 has given up the ghost and the big end bearing has failed. need to decide which path to take ie, rebuild , 2lt or 2.5 short block, long block, single turbo etc etc. just wanting to hear from b4 owners who've been there done that . which way they went, are they happy , what would they do differently and what sort of cash they spent. my mechanic said ideally go for an 02 sti long block and convert to single turbo which is also maybe the most expensive. need to weigh up here which way i want to go. new bottom end and stay with twins then risk it happening again in 5 years or a long block which would mean going single....hhmm any takers

[B4TT]

I bored mine out, threw in some forged internals and stronger bearings Kept the twins, only cost a couple of grand all up. I did that only because it was cheap!

[Winkles]

That sucks, I would probably do what B4TT did, bored out, forgies and better bearings.

I think Evil_VZ-T might still have his rebuild B4 motor available for 3k, which sounds good

Clicky

[buddylove]

fatcat dropped an ej257 in his old b4. would not be cheap though.

[provar]

yeah EVIL VZ-T still has that rebuilt motor for sale. end of the day, rebuilding what you have and getting a retune will be the cheapest in the long run, also because you will sell it a hell of a lot easier! and if you get a tune done properly (i know ecutek do a great job with this) it removes the VOD and stops the knock problem as well as adds about 30kW atw to a factory B4...i think, check the website

[Hypnotic]

provar, i have a feeling cracka's b4 was tuned with the ecutek2 from HP-F in melbourne, and if that is true then anything is possible with these engines

[SUBARU]

Sorry to hear.... Hope it all gets sorted out soon mate.

[Soop]

looks like the b4 has given up the ghost and the big end bearing has failed.
need to decide which path to take
ie, rebuild , 2lt or 2.5 short block, long block, single turbo etc etc.
just wanting to hear from b4 owners who've been there done that . which way they went, are they happy , what would they do differently
and what sort of cash they spent.
my mechanic said ideally go for an 02 sti long block and convert to single turbo which is also maybe the most expensive.
need to weigh up here which way i want to go.
new bottom end and stay with twins then risk it happening again in 5 years
or a long block which would mean going single....hhmm any takers

New bearings, linish the crank. re-assemble. Go to a single turbo setup. win.

[cracka]

yeah it does have ecutek but bad fuel can do wonders to an engine at 220KMH i guess. going single would be nice but does add extra costs. am in contact with evil vz so we'll see wot happens, just weighing up all options ATM. thanx fellas

[Pete S]

If you do go for a ej257 you're better off building the bottom end stronger. Pistons as a minimum, i'd go for stronger rods and race bearings also. The crankshafts are fine standard. You can get a new 2L bottom end for around $2500 for a cheap and easy fix to get you out of trouble. You can always go single after wards.

[Soop]

Ej257 is what, a $20k proposition? after all the f*cking around.

[XXB4XX]

So sorry to hear Cracka, You know what, when I owned my B4, that is the one thing that I always had in the back of my mind from the moment I started the car every morning.. I can't believe Subaru would release an engine that has this as a common fault.. not something small like a fuel pump, but a Big End Bearing! Me personally.. I'd go to a wrecker, and get an EJ20T bottom end from a 99-onwards WRX, (block compete with internals), and just put the B4 heads on along with the Manifolds and turbo setup.. Cheap and it will work fine as it's the same setup. Or call up Lance and tell him you'll give him $1500 for his motor as he's been trying to sell that thing like a toothless hooker for months with no bites. Your call though..

[Billsy]

best budget fix would be an ej207 shortmotor swap. but for basically the same cost get an Ej257. stock one will do fine then spend a little more and port the turbos and ecv (send them my way), add ecutek tune and have a ballsy 200kw tt with NO VOD and boost from idle. ive done all that for a guy in adelaide, it made 203kw on 12 or 13psi and was farken nice to drive.

[XXB4XX]

Billsy.. you are the god of Subaru's.. Can you port the ECV on my euro? for the VOD that I get from 800rpm to 7200rpm?

[ams]

Billsy.. you are the god of Subaru's..

Can you port the ECV on my euro? for the VOD that I get from 800rpm to 7200rpm?

I'll push your car into a VOD for say, $100?

[buzzda]

best budget fix would be an ej207 shortmotor swap.

but for basically the same cost get an Ej257. stock one will do fine
then spend a little more and port the turbos and ecv (send them my way), add ecutek tune and have a ballsy 200kw tt with NO VOD and boost from idle.
ive done all that for a guy in adelaide, it made 203kw on 12 or 13psi and was farken nice to drive.

Ej257 shortmotor? Sounds awesome. Know what it cost him all up? Cheers

[XXB4XX]

I'll push your car into a VOD for say, $100?

HAHAHAH GOLD!

[cracka]

ecv has been ported and i have ecutek but no support left in victoria which makes it even worse.might need a new ecu as well. realistically looking at an 02 sti bottom end or even the ej257. with the 257's is there an STI version like with the 2.0lt. i'd like to go long block but the b4 ecu wont manage avcs, would be nice though.see what happens i guess

[fatcat67]

2.5 STI short motor from Subaru is around $2500 depending who gets it for you. Definately the way to go.

[cracka]

wot do you mean from subaru, do they source second hand short block as well. i have a couple of sources myself, wondering who supplies who. 2.5 eh, starting to lean this way a little more. some one else i'm in contact with is also going this direction. i take it then i should run a little less boost than normal with the 2.5 then.