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If I was you, i'd speak to all the reputable Impreza tuners, which are well discussed on here.
Personally, I spoke to and have used a few for servicing.
I chose to go with Paul Finch, finchmotorsport.
He was spot on, both on his advice & the time he took to re-build my ej257 RB320.
I also had pinned liners which he did & this is his work, performing faultlessly some 2 years on!
It looks like I may have to have a rebuild by a specialist as I don't even like changing brakes, so no chance I could do it myself.
I did have in mind who I was going to use, but have seen a couple of comments recently that has put me off.
I'd only like to hear from people that have actually had an engine built by whoever they are recommending please.
I've used the search button on here and a few other forums and all I seem to get is "you only hear good things about such and such..." Are they speaking from experience, or just seeing what everyone else has said they are good and the sheeps just follow
I want to get it right as I've never had an engine let go, and it would just have to happen on the one that cost me the most Looking to keep it near standard as don't want the gearbox in my Type R to let go, plus it's my daily so 350bhp tops will be fine.
If anyone has anything bad to say about a certain company could you PM me rather than post it on here.
Many thanks
Tfs racing built my 2.3 made 495ftlb and 473bhp will clear 500 of each but they stopped due to using standard 5 speed. Im fully aware your not going for figures. He also built the late jgm race car. But it's down to you there are a lot of reputable builders out there your choice
Depends how far you're willing and/or able to travel. Recently had the same nightmare myself and luckily managed to find someone local to do it (oil change on Tuesday and second run in). Use the search, double check google... don't be put off by a few horror stories - if you look hard enough you can find fault with any place. Make sure they've got prior experience and are using quality parts!
I personally chose Len Carlyon at Subaru 4 You in Newbury. Really down to earth realistic friendly guy. Do some searches, you'll see he has a very good reputation.
I'm still running my 2.5 in at the moment, but seems a cracking engine so far.
My engine spec :
ACL race bearings
Manley steel con rods
Mahle pistons
Cosworth head gaskets
ARP head studs
ACT 515 ft.lb rated organic clutch (fierce!) but sort of getting used to it
Machine skimmed flywheel
Valves re-lapped / seated
Secondary air pump delete
Machine skimmed blocks / heads and a rebore to rid the bores of classic 2.5 ovality - only slight after 50k miles.
Subaru oil pump
Subaru oil cooler / modines
Cambelt, tensioners etc
Nuts, bolts, various gaskets, seals, bits and pieces.
I also needed 5 new valve buckets
After the 1,000 mile run in I will see an oil and filter change (currently running in on a mineral oil) followed by a Bob Rawle re-map.
I'm very confident and have no doubts whatsoever that my engine built by Len is an absolute peach.
A few videos from YouTube which inspired me to use Len. I remember thinking "If ever I want anyone to rebuild my engine, it would be this guy"
I didn't really take on board at the time who Len was or where he was from, but planned to find out as I was very impressed with his quality of work and how methodical he came across. He clearly knows exactly what he's doing, and has been building engines for many years.
Months later, I went to Subaru4You for Whiteline anti roll bars......boom!! I'd found him as a complete fluke.
Engine Tuner - 20,000 + miles on my 2.1 fully built CDB engine, 420+ daily runner. No issues at all with the engine and Alan and Martyn are always there for any questions.
Last edited by sprigeteer; 30 August 2015 at 12:00 PM.
That's good to hear as I will be going to have a chat with Andy re my 2.5 rebuild
It was a great service. Andy built the engine and group b Motorsport (a few miles down the road from Andy) fitted and mapped it. My biggest regret in my car history is selling that car! I'm still in touch with the new owner though so know it's still going strong.
I personally chose Len Carlyon at Subaru 4 You in Newbury. Really down to earth realistic friendly guy. Do some searches, you'll see he has a very good reputation.
I'm still running my 2.5 in at the moment, but seems a cracking engine so far.
My engine spec :
ACL race bearings
Manley steel con rods
Mahle pistons
Cosworth head gaskets
ARP head studs
ACT 515 ft.lb rated organic clutch (fierce!) but sort of getting used to it
Machine skimmed flywheel
Valves re-lapped / seated
Secondary air pump delete
Machine skimmed blocks / heads and a rebore to rid the bores of classic 2.5 ovality - only slight after 50k miles.
Subaru oil pump
Subaru oil cooler / modines
Cambelt, tensioners etc
Nuts, bolts, various gaskets, seals, bits and pieces.
I also needed 5 new valve buckets
After the 1,000 mile run in I will see an oil and filter change (currently running in on a mineral oil) followed by a Bob Rawle re-map.
I'm very confident and have no doubts whatsoever that my engine built by Len is an absolute peach.
A few videos from YouTube which inspired me to use Len. I remember thinking "If ever I want anyone to rebuild my engine, it would be this guy"
I didn't really take on board at the time who Len was or where he was from, but planned to find out as I was very impressed with his quality of work and how methodical he came across. He clearly knows exactly what he's doing, and has been building engines for many years.
Months later, I went to Subaru4You for Whiteline anti roll bars......boom!! I'd found him as a complete fluke.
+1 for Len at S4U in Newbury. He built my forged engine, well over 400bhp, and despite my best efforts during 30k miles of hard driving it is still going strong. There are plenty of other Len-built Subaru engines out there doing their stuff too!
Engine tuner built my engine, and are now building me another one....
I had a 2.1 on an open deck block running 550+hp for 30k+ miles, which considering the general "rule" on here is they are not any good for over 400hp shows how good they are
I am now converting to a 2.1 CDB with AVCS etc etc etc as I couldnt push the ODB any further! The new engine is almost finished and looks absolutely amazing
The 2.5 in mine was built and mapped by zen performance back in late 2008, it's covered around 25k @440bhp and has seen track action.
It runs and sounds fine and uses no oil between changes and doesn't smoke either.its only a scdb which puts me off going for the magical 500bhp but then I hear of tims (above) running over 500bhp on a scdb..............decisions decisions
If I was you, i'd speak to all the reputable Impreza tuners, which are well discussed on here.
Personally, I spoke to and have used a few for servicing.
I chose to go with Paul Finch, finchmotorsport.
He was spot on, both on his advice & the time he took to re-build my ej257 RB320.
I also had pinned liners which he did & this is his work, performing faultlessly some 2 years on!
Iggy
i'll see your pinned block and raise you fully CD converted
29 August 2015, 10:43 PM
Looking to keep it near standard as don't want the gearbox in my Type R to let go, plus it's my daily so 350bhp tops will be fine. 
