After spending a lot of time using the Search tool all the posts regarding engine rebuilds seem to either be negative points/problems after the rebuild or the car was sold a few thousand miles after the rebuild. (This may simply be because those who have been happy do not feel the need to post)

There must be some people who have had a rebuild and have had relatively trouble free miles since or who have not sold the car soon after?

Anybody??

 

Very happy engine rebuild apart from the hole in the pocket but you get what you pay for and subsequent to the first rebuild, Matt and Olly Clark became firm friends.
They have now done a second rebuild with a power target beyond the last engine achievement of 585 bhp and 464-499ft/lbss and still on 2.00litres.
As a result of my good experiences with Roger Clark Motorsport, quite a few friends and associates have had rebuilds or power engine builds and I have not heard one complaint about the quality of the build or any workmanship related issue.

Unfortunately, in the Scooby community, crap rebuilds from some recognised and recommended names are not uncommon. RCMS are probably at the top end of the market but there are capable, honest, reliable budget builders out there too for a quick engine change or semi-standard rebuild.

If you are planning a rebuild you have to consider how much you are prepared to spend. On a tight budget an engine replacement is often cheaper but you have to deal with someone reliable. If you are going for a rebuild sort out your spec and budget and stick to it. Do not get carried away. In performance terms there is not a lot of difference between a 300 bhp car and a 320 bhp car or say 450bhp and 500bhp. Trust me.
Should you be putting a fortune into a Subaru motor car that is a depreciating asset? I guess I could have bought a small house for what I have spent on two cars over the past three years.
My last build took longer than originally intended and that suited me as I was in no hurry. Builds taking longer is often the norm so decide at the beginning what timescale you are working to and agree this with your builder. If you have only one car then obviously you need a brief build programme. I have two Subarus and access to a deizle run around. It may make sense to have a cheap run around for the duration of the build that you can sell on for what you paid for it, if your build is for a more exotic spec. If you are prepared to let the builder take time and use your job as fill when he has no urgent work, he may agree preferential rates.
Finally, by choice I paid for bits as they were obtained. Rods, pistons, injectors, cams and so on. So when I was hit with the final bill, it was a pleasant surprise and no big blow. The biggest amount was a very reasonable labour charge.
Think it through in advance, make a plan and stick to it but remember the key is in the selection of a builder who is capable, reliable and honesst and someone you can work with.
www.geocities.com/harveysmith3000.

 

I took the oil filler cap off mine and replaced it 5 mins later. Its run fine and dandy ever since. That constitutes a full rebuild in my books

Gary

 

That'll be the end of that thread then

 

have had two engine rebuilds on imprezas, sti3 and sti4 type r, apart from the odd oil leak the engines hav ran faultless. i wud even go to the extent of saying they perform better then standard. the sti3 went bang in a big way with a hole in the block, so that had to have a short motor (bottom end) resulting in a bill of just short of £5500 but the car is mint now and well worth the cash. the type r had its own engine rebuilt, crank, rods, pistons, heads plained etc etc and it was just as good costing in total just over £4000 i am a big believer in you get what u pay for!!!

if my P1 which i hav now went bang i wud hav no hesitation in rebuilding it buy the same guy and it wud be a flying machine once again i am sure!!!

regards phil

p.s HAPPY STORY!!!!

 

Lads not to sound like a bit of a bore but how can spending £5,500 be a happy story. I just bought an sti ra straight from Japan and all these rebuild stories on Imprreza's is making me afraid to drive it. Ok I dont mean that literally but you see what I am getting at. I mean in my budget I have allowed for the odd thing to go wrong but nothing like that.
So I suppose to add to this, why have ye guys had to have rebuilds and would you do anything different now top avoid it happening.
Thanks..

 

125 : Do not mod it or tinker with it if you do not know what you are doing.
Get somebody that is competant to listen to it with det cans, running with the fuel you normally use to check for DET. If OK stick to that fuel. (re-set the ECU before listening for DET)
Do not rag it when cold and remember at this time of year it will take UP TO 15mls to be fully warmed through.
Drive it gently off boost for the last couple of miles before shutdown.
Only use quality oil of the viscosity recommended in your hand book.
O/E oilfilter and regular servicing and oil changes.
Have some mechanical sympathy, do not rag it needlessly and drive like a boy racer.
It should give you many years of reliable service.
www.geocities.com/harveysmith3000.

 

Thanks Harvey,

A good collection of advise there and much appreciated. I have had an Impreza turbo for the past two years and never a problem but my concern was towards stories of the import sti ra I bought and fueling issues etc. Thanks again.

 

wow just looking at your link, impressive stuff mate. Did I by any chance see you are your car on a magazine article a few months back??

 

About a year ago, last March from memory it was featured in Jap performance as Britains hottest Impreza and there was something in Banzai as the winner of Scooby Shoot Out 2003. Picked my new 2.0 litre engine up from Roger Clarks last week with some additional improvements and hope to make 600bhp/500ft.lbs and still be a daily driver, when fully developed, which could take some months.

 

Thanks guys, good to hear some positive stories for once


I guess a bill for £X thousands can never be a truely positive, but if you have no option but rebuild then its either that or sell at a very low price and I certainly don't want to sell I just want to enjoy the car again!

p.s. nice spec Harvey and thanks for the info

 

Yes Harvey that was it on Jap Performance mag. It was a very good article. Best of luck with it.

 

Any more happy rebuild stories??

 

www.geocities.com/harveysmith3000.


Who said wagon wernt fast! Nice one harvey


Wagons rule

Andy

 

I too done this in Nov 2003.

My website is down just now but everything was documented there. It was also featured in the SIDC mag "True Grip"

 

£5500 engine rebuild subaru dealers dont charge that (in 2002 anyway).

 

The sti3 had to have a short motor, they put a P1 one into it, i believe that was the reason behind the cost.

U say £5500 is ia lot of money but if it goes like it has neva gone b4 what the hell.

i was happy thats all that matters.

phil