New Car Choice
11 January 2015, 11:39 AM
#421
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Not necessarily, I chose to get mine rebuilt and that's my choice.
The current engine has around 80,000 miles on it and to my knowledge is the original engine - like most modern engines they all have weaknesses and can fail but lots don't.
The 2.5 engine has a poor reputation but I bought the car knowing what I wanted to do with it, try one as they are a much better car than you'd believe if you read all the doom and gloom posts on Scoobynet.
The current engine has around 80,000 miles on it and to my knowledge is the original engine - like most modern engines they all have weaknesses and can fail but lots don't.
The 2.5 engine has a poor reputation but I bought the car knowing what I wanted to do with it, try one as they are a much better car than you'd believe if you read all the doom and gloom posts on Scoobynet.
12 January 2015, 07:44 AM
#423
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Iv owned a few 2.5's now ,, brought them with the idea at they needed a rebuild but in all honesty they we just fine the whole time I owned them so it doesn't bother me buying one now you just have to know what COULD happen and be prepared for the worst that may not ever happen lol
Last edited by domino46; 12 January 2015 at 07:58 AM.
12 January 2015, 10:48 AM
#424
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There are plenty of horror stories out there that's for sure, even the renowned 6 speed gearbox has it's weaknesses in the earlier cars that used it. 
Same here but I did buy mine with the intention of giving it a rebuild, and a few other things have just crept in to the build along the way. 
Iv owned a few 2.5's now ,, brought them with the idea at they needed a rebuild but in all honesty they we just fine the whole time I owned them so it doesn't bother me buying one now you just have to know what COULD happen and be prepared for the worst that may not ever happen lol
12 January 2015, 07:41 PM
#425
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There are plenty of horror stories out there that's for sure, even the renowned 6 speed gearbox has it's weaknesses in the earlier cars that used it.
Same here but I did buy mine with the intention of giving it a rebuild, and a few other things have just crept in to the build along the way.
Same here but I did buy mine with the intention of giving it a rebuild, and a few other things have just crept in to the build along the way.
13 January 2015, 01:49 PM
#426
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I've just trying to source replacement front bumper splitter and a Zunsport lower grille now, I do have them already but only for the MY08 bumper which means that they now won't fit.
14 January 2015, 08:17 PM
#427
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Well That's The Problem...
The engine is now stripped down and the reason for the engine using oil is now obvious, it's not been leaking it so it could only have been blown out of the exhaust.
The exhaust smoke was not anything other than normal to the eye but the amounts being used must have been so minute not as to raise suspicion.
The oil has been going past the worn piston rings and then being burnt off in the combustion cycle, you can see carbon build up on top of the piston crowns, the 'wet' oil evident was there due to the engine being rotated during disassembly and oil running down the bores.
The bores are all fine with no scoring or marks so they will just require a rebore to 99.5mm from the standard 99.0mm.
What was evident as well was the corrosion in the coolant channels around the liners, this seems to be down to the coolant being left in the system for too long and then going past it's 'best' and losing it's anti corrosion properties.
The exhaust smoke was not anything other than normal to the eye but the amounts being used must have been so minute not as to raise suspicion.
The oil has been going past the worn piston rings and then being burnt off in the combustion cycle, you can see carbon build up on top of the piston crowns, the 'wet' oil evident was there due to the engine being rotated during disassembly and oil running down the bores.
The bores are all fine with no scoring or marks so they will just require a rebore to 99.5mm from the standard 99.0mm.
What was evident as well was the corrosion in the coolant channels around the liners, this seems to be down to the coolant being left in the system for too long and then going past it's 'best' and losing it's anti corrosion properties.
14 January 2015, 08:21 PM
#429
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The one good thing is the by carrying out the engine rebuild now rather than later that there is no damage to the crankcase halves, cylinder heads or crankshaft.
15 January 2015, 07:32 PM
#430
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Well the crankcase halves have been split to reveal the crankshaft plus the mains and big end bearings, it's obvious from seeing the state of the big end bearings that this engine has been allowed to run low on oil repeatedly during it's life. 
If you have a look at the big end bearings you will see that marks on the bearings and in places the alloy is it at the point of failure.
I know that big end bearings are designed to wear out / fail in order to prolong the life of the crankshaft but it's still not nice to see when it's your engine in question.
So there is some very slight scoring on the crankshaft which now might mean that it needs replacing, I know that some might be tempted to get it ground out and use repair size bearings but that is a route I definitely wouldn't be tempted to go down.
So now I might well be faced with the added unexpected expense of a new crankshaft but better that than leave any doubt over the engine build, I will leave that decision to Alyn @ AS Performance to make.
If you have a look at the big end bearings you will see that marks on the bearings and in places the alloy is it at the point of failure.
I know that big end bearings are designed to wear out / fail in order to prolong the life of the crankshaft but it's still not nice to see when it's your engine in question.
So there is some very slight scoring on the crankshaft which now might mean that it needs replacing, I know that some might be tempted to get it ground out and use repair size bearings but that is a route I definitely wouldn't be tempted to go down.
So now I might well be faced with the added unexpected expense of a new crankshaft but better that than leave any doubt over the engine build, I will leave that decision to Alyn @ AS Performance to make.
Last edited by Cannon Fodder; 16 January 2015 at 12:01 AM.
15 January 2015, 07:41 PM
#431
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Out of curiosity how much is the tmic setting you back?
Steve
Steve
A 'few' other parts have been sourced this week as well - namely the parts required to carry out the 'facelift' of the bumper etc to the MY11 cars.
I just prefer the front end of the later cars, my thought process is that as the front bumper is being painted anyway then why not just bite the bullet now rather than regret it later?
So I ordered the parts with Keith Price Garages and picked them up yesterday, I did manage to screw them down on the pricing. As the trims and inserts are colour coded Justin @ KPG mixed and matched the part numbers to get the lowest possible prices.
The MY11 onwards cars are not available in WR blue in the UK so as I have to get the items repainted the current colour does not matter to me.
The MY08 Hatchback Front End
The MY11 Saloon Front End
Thanks to Rob84 - Rob Ostle for the part number list and for answering my questions as well, much appreciated.
So very shortly I will have an STi front bumper, fog lamp conversion kit, inner wheel arch liners and Zunsoport lower grille for sale.
Oh and my replacement top mount intercooler is under way with AH Fabrications, the core has been ordered and it will see the engine way past 500bhp which is pretty impressive as I didn't want to go down the front mount route.
I just prefer the front end of the later cars, my thought process is that as the front bumper is being painted anyway then why not just bite the bullet now rather than regret it later?
So I ordered the parts with Keith Price Garages and picked them up yesterday, I did manage to screw them down on the pricing. As the trims and inserts are colour coded Justin @ KPG mixed and matched the part numbers to get the lowest possible prices.
The MY11 onwards cars are not available in WR blue in the UK so as I have to get the items repainted the current colour does not matter to me.
The MY08 Hatchback Front End
The MY11 Saloon Front End
Thanks to Rob84 - Rob Ostle for the part number list and for answering my questions as well, much appreciated.
So very shortly I will have an STi front bumper, fog lamp conversion kit, inner wheel arch liners and Zunsoport lower grille for sale.
Oh and my replacement top mount intercooler is under way with AH Fabrications, the core has been ordered and it will see the engine way past 500bhp which is pretty impressive as I didn't want to go down the front mount route.
15 January 2015, 07:59 PM
#432
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Great in depth write up and pics Ty , brings back memories of my engine strip down and then re build , doing a great job keep up the good work guys
16 January 2015, 12:00 AM
#433
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Not cheap I'll say that, comparable to the units sold by Chevron perhaps even better, but without the massive price in relative terms. 
Thanks Lee, I'm hoping for good things given the company undertaking the build - not going to be cheap but fingers crossed it'll be a one time expense.
I've deliberately over specified the engine for my needs in order to give me plenty of safety margin.
I've deliberately over specified the engine for my needs in order to give me plenty of safety margin.
24 January 2015, 07:45 PM
#436
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Good And Bad News Rolled Into One
So Alyn @ AS Perfomance has now inspected the crankshaft and has recommended that it's changed, he did say that the crankshaft 'may' be ok but he cannot guarantee it, so that's good enough reason for me to order in a new crankshaft.
So that has then left the option of going for a 2.35 destroked engine, this is achieved by the use of a 2.0 STi nitrided crankshaft along with custom connecting rods and pistons.
This will give a more free 'revving' engine as is found in the 2.0 engine whilst still retaining nearly all of the torque that the 2.5 engine produces.
The price of the 2.35 build against the 2.5 build is very close so that is the route that the engine is now going down.
I have also ordered this week a replacement clutch - a Competition Clutch Stage 2 Kit which will easily handle the power as it's rated for applications up to 600bhp.
All the online reviews I have read all seem to say good things about this clutch and I got it for a cracking price from Scoobyworx, they were a lot cheaper than anyone else and also have a discount code for another 10% off as well.
So that has then left the option of going for a 2.35 destroked engine, this is achieved by the use of a 2.0 STi nitrided crankshaft along with custom connecting rods and pistons.
This will give a more free 'revving' engine as is found in the 2.0 engine whilst still retaining nearly all of the torque that the 2.5 engine produces.
The price of the 2.35 build against the 2.5 build is very close so that is the route that the engine is now going down.
I have also ordered this week a replacement clutch - a Competition Clutch Stage 2 Kit which will easily handle the power as it's rated for applications up to 600bhp.
All the online reviews I have read all seem to say good things about this clutch and I got it for a cracking price from Scoobyworx, they were a lot cheaper than anyone else and also have a discount code for another 10% off as well.
25 January 2015, 09:30 PM
#440
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Hopefully Glenn, along with reliable as well.
Thanks Jay, the only things left to source are the air inlet hard pipe, oil catch can, phenolic manifold spacers and a Harvey up pipe.
I hope that's it anyway.
I hope that's it anyway.
26 January 2015, 07:35 AM
#442
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This air intake set up works very well for over 500bhp mate and is very cost affective as I was advised a lot of the other on the market arnt great around the 500 mark ,,,80mm maf housing is from the states and was cheap as chips , the only expensive bit is the 80mm RCM trumpet and K&N ,,
27 January 2015, 11:01 AM
#444
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This air intake set up works very well for over 500bhp mate and is very cost affective as I was advised a lot of the other on the market arnt great around the 500 mark ,,,80mm maf housing is from the states and was cheap as chips , the only expensive bit is the 80mm RCM trumpet and K&N ,,
My aim is Spring Performance Car Day to have it back and fully mapped - although this may slip a little.
27 January 2015, 01:41 PM
#446
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Although I will put around 200 miles on the car just taking it down to Enginetuner in Plymouth for it's mapping session, it will have it's final oil change there before they map it on the rollers and road.
27 January 2015, 08:34 PM
#450
lol
- Back in c.2005, when I owned a FTO GPX MIVEC, I heard that someone local with the same model had just got it back after an expensive bottom end rebuild... He got cajoled into a duel that very morning and - yep, you guessed it - another big end failure! What, ahem, a crank.
Epic fail. In every respect.
- Back in c.2005, when I owned a FTO GPX MIVEC, I heard that someone local with the same model had just got it back after an expensive bottom end rebuild... He got cajoled into a duel that very morning and - yep, you guessed it - another big end failure! What, ahem, a crank.
Epic fail. In every respect.
Last edited by joz8968; 27 January 2015 at 10:25 PM.