Pretty sure I spun a rod and the turbo sounds shot too.. Im not sure what all else has to be done until I pull it out though.. My tow truck driver actually used to work for Forged Performance here in ATL and he suggested going hybrid. So looking for advice anyone can give me. Since this is going to be my first true engine build.. well pull for that matter..... im wanting to just go all out. Just got rid of the high maintenance fiancé so looking to spend some time and money on myself for once.. When it comes to my mechanical knowledge and experience, id say im more of a bolt on guy. My WRX is just stage 2 bolt ons and tuned with an Aces port. I also used to have an '03 Lancer OZ that I welded up a custom mani for an EVO 16g, supporting mods, and some other basic bolt ons. But as far as cracking open an engine the most Ive done is replace a head gasket on a '97 civic .. But Ive got all the tools and room I can ask for so with all the info I can find online and help from my pops and a few mechanic buddies I'm willing to try and tackle it. Ive herd the 5 speed is really only good for about 320-350whp. And im honestly more then happy with that. Im at 227whp right now. Thinking about going 16g or 18g with fmic and sti pinks or other injectors.. I know it is possible to get over 300whp with just those ^^.. So with the STI short block, all new internals, my oem heads bored just slightly etc.. whats going to be the real advantage of running a higher compression? Ive herd its best to go low boost with high compression or high boost with low compression?.. Some of you are prly reading that and are saying this kids getting in way over his head.. but im wanting and willing to learn. Best way always seems to me hands on for me.. Ive got tons more reading to do... Just started looking at some other hybrid builds but just wanted to make this thread to get some over all advice.
For those power levels just pick up a stock 2.5 short block and throw your heads on it. If you spun a rod ditch the oil cooler and make sure to get the heads an oil pan cleaned professionally. Any time I need work done on a short block I go to Ball Engine. I can assemble anything but when it comes to machine work I turn to the pros.
it's like surgery, you can't scrub enough even with new parts. make a habit of checking the oil daily, most failures are due to simple neglect
agree with the previous two posts, and yes your power goals are totally achievable with that turbo combo. my old hybrid made 300/350 on a VF39 and modded stock wrx injectors. so a 16g would be close to that and an 18g would be 350/370ish and 20g would be just shy of the 400/400 mark fully maxed out with proper injectors and intercooler setup. as far as the transmission, you could destroy it with the power you have now, or it could hold the 400/400 of the 20g power, its all in how you drive it....
If you're sticking with a stock turbo, I suggest a vf48 with ewg. I found that set up to be really fun to drive.
It's not the hp that breaks the 5 speed. Many are quick to slap a hp number on there when they should be looking at the torque. Torque breaks stuff. Oh if you want a rock solid engine setup contact slowwrx on here. I've yet to see a failed BRED engine (slowwrx owns BRED).
I think it is just how you drive the car. I have seen stock motors shatter the 5 speed and then one like mine hold 580 whp. The key to not launch it hard or do any full throttle shifts.
well thanks for all the info guys. been posting on nasioc too and i swear ive got more help here already.. everyone on there is telling me to fine a 207... i found a full 257 with spun bearing on nasioc for $600 shipped.. waiting to get some more info back from the guy. and yeah id love to have 400whp or close to it. i just konw how i drive at times... might be better being safe than sorry. unless i can find a junked STI for about 3grand id jump on it in a heart beat. and i was planing on going fmic. but ive been told to just stick with a bigger tmic to reduce lag?
257 with heads? I'd be nervous to buy a dead motor online, to many bad things may be wrong and not caught till a complete teardown and inspection. Distorted cylinder walls, scored cylinder wall from piston scuff and/or debris, cracks in the sleeve from detonation, spun main bearing F'ing up the machined seat they cradle on the case, pulled threads for case and or head bolts plus whatever else I may have forgot and that's not even considering the heads. just buy a new shortblock as stated in post #2, he might drive a Merc now but he know's a little about these motors
Do NOT buy a dead motor, you'll be right back where you are now. Find a new shortblock, clean your heads, be done. Unless you can afford to flush money down the toilet and this isn't your daily driver, do it right the first time. Don't feel like you need to get all your power goals right now. You could find a cheap td04 or vf39 and be road ready faster if $$$ is an issue.
Very true guys.. The one i was looking at getting he claimed he had opened it up and had a shop look at it when he got it and thats all that was wrong.. but i have yet to see a sigle picture or get back any other info anyway.. HA whens money not an issue? But if im going to take the time to pull it and rebuild it why not do it stonger so its safer for more power later down the road? Pluss i want to spend some real money on myself for once after just dropping the ex.. Havnt done that in much too long.. Id like to get as much power WITHOUT hurting the rest of the drive train right now. But later on when i can afford a 6 speed and other things that need to be beefed up it will be nice to already have the block built up to handle it. I say this because from the reading ive been doing our stock pisons suck? You know how everyone on all these fourms has there own opinion, but ive herd that more than once. Pretty much in a nut shel i want to go about all the the right way. Not looking to cut any corners BUT if big money can be saved and still done correct thats the rought ill go. Like finding a used block that never had any problems, one someone already started to build and didnt have the money to finish ect... vs buying a brand new one.. Just like id look for a used turbo and other parts before id dish out the cash for a brand new one. But being said a major component like the block may be best just getting a new one just to be safe?
Everything comes with a price...and I am not just talking about money. Why not just buy a new stock block and drop in some aftermarket forged pistons? That combo seems to have great success with lots of tuners.
^^^ This. If I keep my car and my motor goes, that's what I'm doing. A fresh block with drop ins would be a given for me- it's the heads that I would be debating over. Refresh what you have, or find some that aren't cracked and send them off to Equilibrium Tuning out in Cali to have the chambers re-milled to 2.5 spec, or get some 2.5 heads and block off the AVCS? If you're on a budget and want something that will still last, I'd go with a fresh block, possibly drop in pistons (although that may not be necessary for 350 whp or under), refreshed 2.0 heads, and an ECU map from someone who knows how to properly tune a hybrid setup.