2008 WRX - New vs Rebuilding Engine
 

Morning all,

I have a reasonably modified 2008 WRX (described below) and the situation as of this week is my #4 cylinder has lost compression. Recommendation from my mechanic/tuner is to rebuild the engine with forged parts.

Some car details:
- Owned for about 5 yrs (stock when purchased)
- 120k km
- Major service has been done
- Mechanically the rest of the car appears in good shape
- 240kw atw (not chasing more power, but a little flexibility for the future would be good)

Mods (I'm pretty loyal and all have been done by same Sydney based mechanic/tuner across the years):
- Blouche 1.5XTR Dominator Turbo
- TurboSmart Adjustable Waste Gate Actuator
- PW Verticooler
- High flow fuel pump
- 1000cc injectors
- TBE
- CAI
- BOV
- Subaru 4-pot calipers, RDA slotted rotors + RDA performance pads
- GFB Short Shifter
- .....next would have been sway bars / suspension mods.....but alas....

I have called around seeking various options to move forward. In summary thus far:
- Rebuild existing engine with forged parts (~$10-$12k, including tune)
- New EJ257 shortblock with forged STI crank, forged Cosworth rods and pistons (plus oil pump, gasket kits etc) ($11-$12k, including install & tune)
- New stock STI EJ257 shortblock ($7k, including install & tune)

Frustrating situation so any experience, thoughts or feedback would be great. Ultimately I'm after the best bang-for-buck solution that will reliably handle the current power. I don't particularly wan't to be back here again facing another rebuild.

Many thanks,
Cheers.

Forge it, that's too much power for a oem 257 in my opinion.

If you can get the Cosworth parts at reasonable prices go for it, otherwise there are plenty of cheaper worthy alternatives.

Prices for the rebuild seem about right so far.

Good luck!

Speek to Neil Herbit at the engine shop in canning vale

I think the next Wrx club meet is there

[QUOTE=seagull;847125]Speek to Neil Herbit at the engine shop in canning vale

I think the next Wrx club meet is there[/QUOTE]

Might be a bit of a hike, as the OP appears to be in Sydney.

using the Perth-WRX mobile app

Neil sends motors there monthly

Thanks for the input fellas, appreciated. Will definitely give Neil a buzz to get his thoughts, and good to know re him servicing Sydney clients too.

I didn't think that a drop-in STI stock engine would be up to it, but was suggested as an option from one guy a called.

With the forged path, given that the price of rebuilding my existing engine is comparable with a new EJ257 with forged parts (assuming good pricing on parts), what is the better route you think? Could the rebuilding quote on existing engine be a tad high or overspec'd for what I need?

If i'm going to drop $12k on a rebuild I want to know I'm getting better value over a new engine. Else dropping approx the same amount on a newbie is making more sense.

Cheers.

Mine runs 240kw everyday. Loves it.....so far :D

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170601/44e5a23f3a3482956d2b9be22b4d6fc5.jpg[/IMG]

That's with a stock ej257 engine with only a tune and process west top mount intercooler


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Oh it's a 2007 Hawkeye sti


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While you're at this cross road you might as well spend the extra and rebuild the engine to surpass oem specifications. You might be fine with an oem shortblock for years to come, or you might find it suffers the same fate in months and you find yourself back at the beginning and reaching for your wallet again. Do it once, do it right.

Research builders carefully and have a chat to them about your options. The engine shop have done some very good work for people I know and would be an option I'd consider.