Been on the phone to API Dave today regarding the options for my engine.

The Crank and bearings are shot so iv'e gone for a full re-build.

I had the option to buy a STI engine on the cheap but the bloke sounded
a bit dodgy and the milage on the engine changed every 2 seconds !!

Anyway, with the option iv'e gone for at least i'll get a decent warranty
and i'll know the engine has been taken care of properly.

Can't wait to get her back in a few weeks.

Rob

 

Are API able to save your crank?

 

Not sure bud, it's not something i asked Dave.

Why though ?

Rob

 

Because the crankshaft on an STI is made from forged steel rather than cast.

Simon

 

Simon - I don't know wether i made myself clear enough bud.

My car is a WRX not STI, but i had the option to buy the STI engine.

Like you say i liked the idea of stronger internals, but not knowing
the complete history of the engine put me off.

Iv'e shelled out enough money already without another problem.

Rob

 

Im with you now.

 

STI Crank going in?

 

How much is a re-build?
roughly?

 

Ok, take a deep breath.........£2000 + vat

That includes new crank with competition shells, new pistons, rings & bores
plus 4 weight matched rods, overhauled and reshimmed heads, uprated oil pump.

plus new cambelt, oil, gaskets etc.

Rob

 

Not So !

 

Rob,
That seems a very good price for the work and parts used I know it would be better if it were £200 but you only get what you pay for .

I have only heard of good reports from API and seems a trustworthy Company. IMHO

 

I was referring to Chris Rees' book David; page 44 purporting to quote Takeshi Ito: "Each engine was blueprinted.... and added a closed deck cylinder block finished in a red crackle finish, forged pistons, steel crankshaft, bigger valves, a better intercooler, a bigger radiator, a reset ECU and an uprated turbocharger"


Simon

 

Yes bud, when i spoke to David and asked what i'm getting for me lolly i must
admit i felt a little better about the cost.

The fact that some of the internals are stronger/uprated also gives a peice of mind.

Also having a full Samco coolant set fitted for extra security !!

David and his team did my head gaskets and re ringed my pistons last time
round, just a shame that we did'nt know that the bottom end was giving up
the ghost, could of saved some lolly bud.



Still, Can't wait to get her back !

Rob

 

Simon, Yeah, I know mate - but not everything you read is true.

Up till the nitrided Vers 8 Sti crank ALL cranks in ALL 2 litres are the same material. EVEN the non turbo ones. Maybe, just maybe, Subaru Technica etc etc selected the best ones for dimensions and so on, but apart from the change in position of the thrust bearings circa late 1998 there is no difference. They certainly aren't any sort of special steel.
AND anyone that has seen as many cranks as we have will tell you about the balancing drill holes that can be right on the edge of the webbing and be rough jagged finger tearing metal. So no hand selection there then !!

Good Luck, David APi Engines v/ APi Impreza
www.apiengines.com

 

The book is certainly full of errors, but I hadnt been aware of this one until now. Werent earlier crankshafts even tuftrided?

 

Not obviously, The tuftriding and nitriding processes colour the cranks a mid grey colour with obviously, the journals polished to get the roughness left by the chemical process off. Even that is counter-productive really, as the point of either process is to increase surface strength of the metal.

What happens when you polish the journals with even the finest carborundum papers?. It covers the surface in minute scratches........

ALL Subaru cranks other than Vers 8 are bright shiny almost chrome finish.

David APi Engines / APi Impreza
www.apiengines.com