OK, so its looking like the ring land(s) are on the way out in my baby.

Potential/probable damage to the bore.

Option 1) New pistons, rings, what can be done with the bore? What are the chances of this happening again in another cylinder. This is probably the cheapest solution, however I dont want to be opening up the engine again sometime soon. est 2000-3500$ installed.

Option 2) Source a Sti V7/V8 AVCS engine. More expensive but probably better in the longer term. What are the differences in price for these between one with say under 20,000km and one with around 50,000km? est 4000-6000$ installed.

Option 3, my favourite) Start with an EJ22 block and go from there. (Can, or would you want AVCS with this??) Have had a quick look at the Axis motors website and their EJ22 with CP pistons and the valve train for 8500-9000rpm looks nice and isnt toooo expensive. est 6000-9000$ installed.

so this area is very new to me....as for the usual questions, In the long run I would like to run 1.5bar day in day out. for now.

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K.E.R.S!!!1

I would also like to see what people think on this topic as i will be in the same postition soon

Personally if you had the $, go the axis direction.

The V7 complete engine (only) can set you back around $3k for one that's done around 50,000-70,000ks from japan. Less k's, like 5000ks will be rare and expensive, around $5-6k

See if you can source a complete frontcut, with the gearbox and all. You might be tempted to do the 6 speed conversion (with or without DCCD) as well if the price is right. I was offered a V8 JDM STi front cut for $17k, apparently only done under 10,000ks (with cluster), complete with the engine (twin scroll i was told), 6MT, DCCD, ECU and loom.

Best of luck with the choice - but remember, do it right the first time and its all sweet

If I had my time over again I'd go an EJ27 crate with CP's & Eagle rods. Source some v3 cams & try to flog off everything you can out of your old engine.

When the Aussie was going hard the crates were 4.5k (but that might not have included shipping ) either way I can't see that costing more than 9k.

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Ho's gotta eat too

What model / mods, ecu and future use for the car do you currently have?

The light oil grade needed for AVCS has been discussed with concerns for big end bearing longevity. Anyone confirm this?

Well…. what’s your budget..?

Mods (engine)

3in exhaust, Extractors, VF30 (1.3Bar), PWR TMIC, SAMCO everywhere, AVO inlet pipe, Sti 550cc injectors, M800 ecu.

Budget: well it needs to handle 1.5bar reliably.

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K.E.R.S!!!1

get a new 2.5 ej257 with rods and pistons installed for around 6-7k. and that should be more than wht you need

Ok still don't know what year never mind, you have Motec...it can handle AVCS.

Options to consider:
Thought about insurance with a 2.5? EJ257 is clearly stamped on the block. Keyboard whores, before you bother to take the pi$$, insurance is an important issue to many people. That aside 2.5 Short block + CP pistons, your heads, maybe a set of Ivan Tighe Cams, ARP head studs, turbo fuel pump and injectors to match your expectations, Motec M800...yum!

Otherwise the Aus spec 02 Sti bottom end is good value. Not to worry if you don't get it right the first time...theres always the second or third time

my opinion:

Version 7+ EJ207, with AVCS.

Without doubt the best value for money and reliability.

it will handle 1.5bar of boost no problems. dont get shy till you start knockin it up around 1.8 bar.

for the cost of one of these puppies, you can burn up and kill 3x of them for the cost of a single puss bucket EJ257 build.

considering the stock EJ207 can deliver an easy 350hp+ without lifting the heads, you'd be hard pressed to spend big dollars on a minimal gain over that.

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Long live the WRC