I just comapred it to the Bmw engines Im used to such as m3 mate I know its not even a good comaprison but I would sy that the M3 single vanos is pretty much bombproof!

suabrus seem to have weak cranks even in std cars it seems!

 

Weak Cranks ................ that's funny!!!!

 

Hmmm, shell bearing failures seem to be quite common with the EJ20 lumps.. I don't really get the "if they're well maintained/ not modified they're bulletproof" argument, as any highly stressed unit has a finite lifespan. We can't all be blessed with your luck, SunnySideUp! :-)
Anyway to the OP, if it were me, I would look for a good recon unit. Find someone you trust (an individual or company) and get them to guarantee their product. Hopefully you'll be back on the road soon.

 

n00b!

 

Subaru Imprteza WRX Recon Engine 99-04 Petrol 2.0L Turb on eBay (end time 10-Jul-09 13:59:57 BST)

just one of a few on there and if all them parts are new as it says then thats not a bad price

or have a word with David@API and he will advise on an engine with forged internals which will handle alot more power.

personally i wouldnt get a second hand lump as it can happen again.

Good luck though mate and let us know how you get on

 

Yeah, I know what you mean. I was lucky enough to get a recon at a bargain price around 3 years back. I know that there's been a few instances of people being ripped off with reconditioned units, that's why I think it's important to chat to the supplier and get solid terms before you part with your money. If they are genuine, they won't mind doing that.
If I was in the situation where I could have paid 3.5k for a pukka spec'd build, I would have gone that route instead, which is why I can't deny your logic. Having said that, bottom end failure can happen on new units too... Either way, there's lots of options for the TS.

 

Obviously didn't include social skills though, never mind

 

Heehe, you jest but you're probably right Mr Choc-o-B, all the teachers at my school were eccentric in their own individual ways, whether it was driving very odd cars or having strange ways of telling off the class. Also, I found out from a work colleague, who was born the year after I left school but went to the same place, that some of the same teachers were still there when she attended. And they had already taught my uncle before me. They must have started straight from college and stayed on until they died.

Anyway, I digress. Broken engines and how to fix them, anyone?