Author Topic: Swap or rebuild?  (Read 1446 times)

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Offline tomasf

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Swap or rebuild?
« on: September 25, 2018, 09:02:01 am »
Hi everyone,

I have a 2006 STI with 250K on it. I’ve been contemplating future engine work. My dilemma is should I rebuild or swap straight across fora an OEM?
I heard new EJ257 has some faults that decrease its longevity (im not sure what they might be). Does anyone have some kind of info from experience? Obviously I really love the car Lol. I want it to go to 500K once I get it done.

Offline Ambystom01

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2018, 02:16:27 pm »
What's your budget and intended use for the car?
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Offline Rathburn

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2018, 04:27:16 pm »
I want it to go to 500K once I get it done.

Get a Toyota.
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Offline SlowLGT

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2018, 04:34:58 pm »
How fast do you want to go for how long?

Offline Mason

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2018, 05:40:28 pm »
Buy a lotto ticket if you hit 250xxx on orignal block. I wouldn't mess around with it until it finally goes

Offline tomasf

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2018, 07:30:10 pm »
Yeah the car is stock. I bought it in 2011 with 90K. Obviously I love the car and I expect the rebuilt cost to be around 12K? I’m not gonna rebuilt till it goes tho.
Has aybody tried the new EJ257?

Offline Mason

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2018, 07:35:15 pm »
Yeah the car is stock. I bought it in 2011 with 90K. Obviously I love the car and I expect the rebuilt cost to be around 12K? I’m not gonna rebuilt till it goes tho.
Has aybody tried the new EJ257?

Pretty much the same itshay, just less reliable. With that budget you would be better off replacing with an IAG block.

Offline jellynuts

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2018, 08:36:45 pm »
New motor pretty much writes off the car :(
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Offline SlowLGT

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2018, 08:43:37 pm »
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Offline WAGOWN

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2018, 10:48:44 pm »
The best question asked in this thread is this, worded two different ways.

What's your budget and intended use for the car?

How fast do you want to go for how long?

Answer this and it’s much easier to guide you. Do you wanna go faster? Swap something better and get prepared to spend. Want it the same stock reliability? Rebuild or swap in a less used stock engine, it’s a bit of a gamble either way but more likely to provide the same experience you’re used to.

I’m curious, at 250k, how is the rest of the drivetrain as well as the body holding up?
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Offline tomasf

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2018, 08:31:47 am »
I am not gonna race or track this car. I would like about 380hp and the same torque. Since I got the car I’ve replaced the transmission at 130K and the clutch just now. Otherwise the car is in tip-top shape. I think that the previous owner dropped the clutch few too many times which ruined the centre diff and that was the reason I replaced with OEM tranny instead of rebuilding it.
Anyway I would like to have the same range of performance as when it was in its glory days. It will be a fast beater ;)  :haplo90:

I’ve found this website:

http://www.vinnytenracing.com/engines/vtr-performance-engines/subaru/ej257.html


Offline Mason

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2018, 08:47:34 am »
Another question that no one has asked yet is will you be doing the work yourself? You can save thousands if you diy, but it's not an easy task and can easily be messed up

You won't make it on a single engine to 500km running 380whp. 380bhp is no big deal. IAG does everything from OEM replacement short blocks to completly built blocks. Your heads should be okay But you should Send them in for inspections machining

With 250k I would also look into Replacing or rebuilding your turbo -turbopartsCanada does wonderful things to stock turbos. Also there is a powdercoated orange one kicking around for sale.
.
Timing belt should be done pending on km left on your old one


https://www.iagperformance.com/IAG-Performance-Staged-Subaru-Short-Blocks-s/15269.htm

Offline tomasf

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #12 on: September 26, 2018, 12:26:04 pm »
No. There is no way I can do this myself. I don’t have the know how lol.
My biggest concern is the balancing of the engine. I don’t want to just put parts in there that will destabilize it. That’s why I wanted to put OEM block and not worry about the minute details.
Am I thinking about this the right way?
And I will tune it down just to get more Kms

Offline Mason

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #13 on: September 26, 2018, 12:50:38 pm »
No. There is no way I can do this myself. I don’t have the know how lol.
My biggest concern is the balancing of the engine. I don’t want to just put parts in there that will destabilize it. That’s why I wanted to put OEM block and not worry about the minute details.
Am I thinking about this the right way?
And I will tune it down just to get more Kms

All IAG blocks are balanced and blue printed

Offline 10secdream

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #14 on: September 26, 2018, 01:00:30 pm »
It all comes down to use. If the car barely sees over 4000rpm it will likely last a long time as long as it is properly maintained. I mean it is a Subaru so anything can happen. A car that sees lots of abuse on a race track is going to be needing to rebuilt sooner (ask me how I know).

Since your STI has lasted this long already I have no reason to believe that an oem short block and getting the head cleaned and all the common parts replaced will last another 250,000 km. Have you done a compression and leakdown test on your current motor to assess the overall health?
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Offline SingallZ

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #15 on: September 27, 2018, 09:58:09 am »
Always swap unless your doing something special while you're in there rebuild'n (i.e. beefer internals for crazy boost).

New motor (or slightly used) you get:
  • Warranty (depending on who you buy it from)
  • This option is always way cheaper since new or used options are plentiful
  • Its way easier to install yourself. Rent an engine hoist, and drop it in, done.
  • If you're missing something, no problem take it off the old motor (i.e. swap over sensors, harnesses, pipes, etc.)
  • You want easy street, good for you pick this!

Rebuild (assuming you're doing something special):
  • Maybe a warranty, but if you're building something crazy you won't get a anything
  • The depending on what you're building the various aftermarket parts and machining altogether will be more expensive than a swapped motor
  • You'll pay for labour if you don't do it yourself and this can be expensive (i.e. depending on who you goto labour could be as much as a swapped motor)
  • If you build it yourself you will need expensive specialized tools
  • If you build it yourself expect it to take a ton of time (and tons of learning time)
  • You want a challenge, and want to run 10's in the quarter, good for you pick this!

Trust me, I've been through both of these scenarios.

Offline tomasf

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Re: Swap or rebuild?
« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2018, 11:40:10 am »
Thanks for that info. It was really helpful. Definitely gonna weigh my options.