My MY93 WRX developed a bottom end knock last week , but rather than rebuild it I decided just to swap it. I phoned MDKL motors to order a replacement and he gave me a deal on a STi motor and garantted it would be a straight swap (no mods req'd) and that it would be fine with std WRX U8 ECU.
Will the car run standard WRX power with WRX sensors etc or closer to standard STi levels? I might need to replace my MAF sensor anyway (cars badly overfuelling and I'm guessing the MAFs the most likely culprit) but does an early STi run the same green label MAF or something different?

 

as long as it is from the same phase car it will fit without any probs. It wont give you any more power than what you have as the ecu controls the fuelling and timing. I suppose it could actually cost you power as the cam profiles will probably be different so the fuelling and ignition could be way out (im sure someone else can confirm/deny this)

You need to chack though that it is a sti engine as there are many unscrupulous dealers out there.

The overfuelling could be caused by a failing pressure regulator. If yours is original then it is 15yrs old so quite likely it is being over pressurised and causing poor economy. The U8 ecu is quite poor anyway I think for the economy.

 

thanks 4 the advice jay. ill prob try 1 thing at a time 2 rule out wats causing the over fueling and maybe buy a fuel/air meter.
how can I tell if its a genuine sti engine?

 

may be able to tell by the engine number but not quite sure really. A lot of STI engines have a red inlet however the plain ones are easily painted. Maybe speak with the likes of API Engines

 

If MDKL rebuild their engines with new bearings, head gaskets, head skimming and pressure testing etc, why do they reuse the same cambelt, something doesn't sound right imo.

 

I've got to give them the benefit of the doubt at this stage that they do everything they say they do. I'll keep everyone posted, expect to recieve the engine either today or tommorrow.

 

Engine arrived last night, seems fairly clean. numbers I can see on the engine are 219730218429 and 016411, Is there a way of finding out if it deffo is a sti unit?

 

speask with API they can probably help

 

just looked on their website, the engines seem too cheap for them to carry out the work they say and to make a profit.

Wrx engine £895 imported from japan ( i imagine a container) your talking a few hundred quid min for the container. If they import loads of engines at anyone time then the container works out at a few quid per engine.
Then to strip down the engines (labour intensive) replace bearings etc, reassemble and sell for that price when they probably pay a few hundred per engine as well

I would check the warranty conditions very closely, hope it does work out ok for you

 

https://www.scoobynet.com/drivetrain...ml#post7826172

https://www.scoobynet.com/drivetrain...ml#post7828861

a search brings up mdkl but the posts seem to have disappeared

 

I feel a bit of a user asking API for info when I didn't buy it from them, you think they'd be ok with that?

it does seem cheap I must admit but I don't know how much they pay for engines in the 1st place.

 

what did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

 

I cant see where it says they are rebuilding the engine?
It seems to me they are doing a straight swap.
The advantages of the sti over the wrx would be forged pistons, and not a lot else.

 

their website says they use new big ends and mains on the engines along with new head gaskets

 

I paid £950 delivered.
they say the engine is reconditioned not rebuilt (if theres any difference). they say they check most parts but dont replace all parts if they aren't badly worn or broken.

 

that in itself sounds dodgy imo. reconditioned to me means new parts. Also in one of those links I posted, they tried to sell an sti engine but turns out it wass probably a wrx engine.

Their website says they replace the bearings on the subaru engines, now if they strip the engine down to get to the bearings it doesnt make sense not to renew them whilst they are there if you see what I mean, false economy.

Anyway, lets hope it works as it should, if you are happy with it and it does what it should, and you like the price etc then its a good deal

 

engine should be getting fitted the weekend starting Saturday 13th Sept

 

Before you do anything of the sort, ring Trading Standards and ask for advice or history. They will not tell you specific things about MDKL. BUT they will give you their rating.

I am very dubious of the engine they have sent you being what it is supposed to be and whether or not it has actually been apart. Take a look and see if it has steel or composite head gaskets. If they are composite then it almost certainly isn't an STi motor.

In any case if they have had it to bits, the head gaskets should be new.

Remember, 1 bolt for the coil pack = Impreza ;- 2 bolts = Legacy. Generally; smooth rocker covers are Impreza, ones with ribs above the plug hole line are early Impreza, ribs above and below the plug hole line is Legacy.

There have been a number of very dubious engine importers in the Barking / Barkingside area for a number of years. They seem to resurface every so often called a different name.

I am sure that there was a thread about MDKL a while back and one of the Essex Scooby guys was going to pass by and tell us his opinion. Do a trawl through the S'Net search function you might find it.

Good Luck I have a feeling you're going to need it.

David APi

 

trading standards say they dont have anything on record about MDKL. Thanks for the advise David

 

I don't live in the UK but the price while low is not absurdly low if you consider the following:

1. In the landlocked country I live in, I can buy an EJ20 engine at exactly £500, this comes with turbo and all ancillaries, intercooler, alternator, A/C compressor etc.
2. MDKL remove the ancillaries, I'm sure these are worth quite a bit. They probably make up the cost of replacing the bearings and headgaskets.
3. MDKL require a replacement unit from you (I imagine your old blown engine) in order for your warranty to be honoured. I'm sure this is also worth some money.

 

Keep up David, posted a few above this

 

wonder how many of the exchange units they receive back get resold as "less than 22000 miles freshly imported from Japan" units

 

they dont want/require my engine as an exchange.

 

With regards to the overfuelling problem what is the most likely culprit and how can I check whats causing it?
The MAF sensor, fuel pressure regulator (not been replaced or upgraded) and the chipped ECU are all being pointed to for likely suspects.
Would I be better with or need a different MAF sensor for the sti unit?

 

Don't even think about these MDKL crooks. From that link to the other thread, I was one of those SNers conned by this same firm from Barking working out of the same yard. They've just changed their name to evade trading standards. The deal is, or was, the yard (Nippon Spares) import scrap from Japan. They then allow other individuals traders or quasi-companies to advertise and sell the gear as if it were their own. It is often misdescribed. The main company dispatches the stuff on pallets (which is how you find out what their actual trading address is) yet when there's a problem they deny all knowledge, because of course, some other company who you paid in the first place are responsible, not them. It is a total mess and I warn you to stay well away from any Jap spares firms in the Barking area. As someone else mentioned, it's impossible to have a build done for that sort of money.

In the end it was a combination of months of calling and wrangling with these crooks, calls to Trading Standards, and finally a threat of a personal visit to take posession of my goods or my refund by whatever means necessary, that finally got me a refund.

 

rite it deffo only has 1 coil pack bolt. engine no is 219730218429 but dont know what engine that relates to, does anyone?

 

There is nowhere AFAIK that will tell you the engine age and type from the engine number.

 

is there anywhere on the block itself that would?

 

No, not as such. THere are physical characteristics that will tell you what version you have but apart from that, no.

 

Ive been conned by these over a gearbox, it was shagged and they wouldnt accept the gearbox back off the courier so I never got a refund,the courier tried 4 times which cost me almost half the price of the gearbox so stay well away from Kal and the rip off gang, I have there mobile numbers but they hang up as soon as you explain who you are etc.
hth
Brett