An obituary - (10/17 - All is again right with the world)

[Alizarin]

She lasted 67403 miles, 2.5 years of auto-x/rally-x, and 4 years of mountain driving. But today, my engine has finally given up the ghost.

Rest in pieces. At least the clutch outlasted it.

[Agent]

the wrx motor?

[Mars or Germ]

it was bad to hear it knock, time for an EJ25

[Native]

My condolences.... Yellow_Colorz_PDT_32



and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

what's the plan?

[Alizarin]

Well, assuming its the block/pistons, a 2.5L STi short block. I'll get the heads ported (Jeff, I may need your spare set if mine are damaged) and possibly do a new turbo and front mount at the same time, depending on funds. It just sucks because it was pulling hard all day long. That and the prospect of not having a car.

My dad is convinced that its not the block, it might be the turbo. I do have a P0340 code that I need to investigate (Camshaft position sensor circuit malfunction)

Mr. Mike Kennedy has been kind enough to offer me a codrive for the next weekend's auto-x.

[Mars or Germ]

I could be wrong, but ive worked on a lot of cars and Im pretty sure that was a rod knock, that was loud, I hear it knocking right when it cut out. Good luck with out though. I really doubt you damaged your heads cept maybe some metal particles from the bearings

[Charles]

Sorry to hear about the carnage....... did you manage to find another set of wheels to get around with until the Suby is back together?

[Alizarin]

Sorry to hear about the carnage....... did you manage to find another set of wheels to get around with until the Suby is back together?

My parents are letting me drive their Envoy temporarily. I'm looking around to see what I can find for a beater, if it looks like it's going to take a while to get fixed.


Mars, metal particles aren't a big deal, because if I've gotta replace the short block, I'm going to have the heads ported, so they can get cleaned out and inspected then.

[Alizarin]

Well, how about an update?

I'm cutting the oil filter up tonight to see if there's any metal in it. I've also got the intercooler off, and most of the intake system to check the turbo. Intercooler piping looks fine - no excess oil or film in it, although there's the same oil blackness there was when I did the turbo swap a while back from all the breathers.

The downpipe comes off tonight to get a look at the exhaust turbine, though. Compressor wheel blades look fine from what I can see down the housing outlet, so I don't expect any shaft play. I'm thinking at this point that its not the turbo, unless the bearings are shot for whatever reason. The noise was way too loud for that, though, I'm sure.

I suppose another low-hanging fruit is to take off the passenger's side rim and check the O2 sensor and make sure that's still intact.

I'm mainly doing this because its somewhat easy and saves labor costs if the engine has to be pulled, which appears to be more and more likely. That, and I'm trying to prove my dad wrong.

[Native]

Trying to prove Dad wrong by hoping for something worse than a dead turbo.

That's determination!! 8)


Let us know...

[Mars or Germ]

maybe you had a rocker arm or something let go, and thats whats tossing cam code

[Alizarin]

Don't know what's causing the cam sensor code, but the oil filter was like a coppery glitter. Its definitely a bearing issue. So now its time to get down to business and get that engine out of there.

I won't be able to do everything I want to due to cost (reversed intake manifold w/ front mount and twin-scroll turbo) but I'll still end up with some nicer stuff, and a good starting point for future work.

Items to do include getting the turbo rebuilt, in case metal particles have infiltrated the bearings, and having the heads inspected/ported. Of course, if the heads were damaged, I'll have to get a new set.

Other fun items will include a new (read: larger) intercooler and radiator.

[Dave-ROR]

You pulling the motor yourself?

I haven't pulled a subaru motor before but don't mind coming by to help you out if you'll be doing it when I'll be in town.

[Alizarin]

It appears that I'll be doing it myself now. The mechanic I know is closing his shop, so he has declined the opportunity. He did, however, offer to lend me his engine hoist. What I'll be doing has been readily documented by the Subaru community, so I'm not really apprehensive about it. And, as a bonus, since I'll be doing it myself, I get to go at my own pace and make sure I get all the little things I'd like done.

I just need to shift my attentions temporarily to finding some reliable, inexpensive transportation in the mean-time.

[Agent]

Miata... (cough cough)

[Alizarin]

Time for an update!

I decided to go a slightly different route. I bought a complete JDM STi version 8 engine. Better heads, pistons, semi-closed deck block, twin-scroll turbo, better intercooler, better intake manifold. Comes with ECU and wiring harness too. Even comes with the downpipe since the turbo flange is different. It'll run 300hp all day long because that's what it was meant to do.

Also ordered a new clutch and a lighter flywheel (14lbs), stiffer engine/transmission mounts, and will be ordering a better radiator tomorrow.

The engine shipped on Friday via freight. Engine/trans mounts will arrive on Wednesday. I'm hoping to get everything ready, and do the whole thing over a weekend. Probably a very optimistic goal, but we'll see how it goes.

[Native]

[drool]That sounds really sweet, Kenny/[drool]

[Charles]

I like it, should be less downtime and reliable assuming the tranny continues to hold.

I'm sure your Cobb Tuner won't work for this new ECU so you can un-marry and sell that to recoup some cash. Old downpipe etc also useless....

[Dave-ROR]

Kenny, my offer to help still stands. I'll be around at least part of easter weekend to help out.

[Agent]

Kenny, I'd like to poke my head in and drink a few beers while I throw some help your way... Let me know!