Hi all , have just bought this block , was sold to me as a sti v3 engine , but pistons look the same as my 95 wrx ones, should they look the same? can any one tell from the pics if it is actually is a v3 sti block /pistons, thanks

 

The picture shows you have early 'dog bone' pistons not STi V3~4 pistons.
The dog bones came in several flavour's - cast WRX (cross hatching on under-side of the crown) and forged STi long skirt and RA short skirt ( smooth underside with HF/1/2/3 marked on them ).

Fuzzy picture below shows Version 3~4 pistons with cast WRX on the left and STi forged on the right.




Picture below shows STi V2 RA short skirt forged dog bone pistons





Mick

 

thanks for that , so is this not a v3 sti block then or its had the pistons changed at some point? , cheers

 

i'd say not as the block is open deck,should be semi-closed i think mate

 

blocks were both open deck (some RA's had CDB), the pistons were different depending on WRX/STi etc.
Do you have pics of the cylinder heads from the engine you bought or can you read the number on the white sticker on the center front timing cover ?

Mick