Katana

Whats so special about the type RA (MY95)? I know its lightened and everything and that it has a fifth injector, but in terms of pistons and everything, are there any difference when compared to say a JDM WRX? I've got a mate down the pub who thinks that the internals in an RA (not STI RA) are already hardened and that I don't have to change my pistons to an uprated one.

Nothing life threatening or anything, I'm just curious thats all.

Katana

Paulos? What about you? You have a WRX RA too right?

deanmachine

My 94 RA has a closed deck block which yours should have too, unsure about the internals though I have been wondering that myself? Have you found out anything about the fifth injector,ie when it fires? some say WOT enrichment others have said cold start enrichment which seems unlikely for a car designed as a base for rallying.

Scott

Katana

I have no idea too mate. But I'm pretty certain that it operates in WOT if not, whats the point in having it as a cold start enrichment. There must be a way to check it out without splicing into the wires to see if theres any current flowing through it.

Even if its not working, I'm sure we can use a microswitch on the throttle to activate it.

ustolemyname??stevieturbo

iTrader: (1)

From info I have read, the bottom end is the same as any early impreza, pistons included. SOme say the have forged, others say not.

Katana

This is very confusing isn't it Steve? I want to uprate it with STI stuff but I also don't want to waste money if its already in it and is more than capable of handling it. Oh well..

UkLegacyT

seen a few in bits, closed deck block like the legacy, and just cast pistons etc. same as early wrx.

ian

Katana

Cheers mate. Ooh got to say that cheque is in the post for you know what.

R19KET

I have a WRX RA engine here, open deck, and cast pistons !!

I'm afraid there's only one sure way to know, and that's to pull a head off

Mark.

Katana

Please tell me that your car is a post 97 RA R19KET.

Adam M

I thought the heads were different in the ra.

katana, I remember you saying in the past you had a closed deck block and knew it for a fact.
why the doubt know?


dont bother with sti internals, only difference in the short block is the pistons.

If you are going to do it, speak with R19KET personally and get yourself some rods and pistons. Rods are the crucial bit. In the process of opening your engine you can find out once and for all if it is closed or not.

Katana

Because I've just got myself an MY95 RA a couple of weeks back.

The 92 WRX definately had a closed deck block. I wasn't too certain with the 95 ones.

DO'B

API Engines 01926 614522 have a supply of closed deck blocks from Japan, I know I own the place.

As for checking whether you have one or not, you can find out by taking the inlet manifold off, then the crossover water pipe below the manifold and sticking your finger in and feeling up towards the head. If you've got fat fingers then use a small devtist type mirror and looksee yourself. Taking the head off is a bit drastic and unnecessary in my opinion. Call to discuss if you want more info.

An RA early car should have a solid block, if you haven't, you never know if you have the original engine in the car. You might try checking the engine numbers in the log book, but of course the engine may have been changed before it left Japan.

Good luck

S55DRJ

Type RA had a std WRX engine, whereas an STI-RA has the forged pistons. The thinking behind this apparently is that RA`s are bought for rallying/racing, therefore the engine internals would be replaced in any case. this is what a jap guy at prodrive once told me anyway.

R19KET

Lifting the head, was to confirm the piston type. Closed deck blocks can be identified externally, without the use of "finger insersion" I will refrain from making any other comments

Mark.

SMG

My Type RA had cast pistons, open deck block.
Steve.

ustolemyname??stevieturbo

iTrader: (1)

I also replaced an engine from a wrx ra. It was open deck, with cast pistons, but I also suspect it was not the original engine.

The reason they had cast pistons, or so I read somewhere, was that since the car was sort of a homologation special, and woild mainly be purchased by those wanting to build a rally car, cast pistons were used for cost reasons as most rally people wuld be uprating these anyway during the rally build.
I would think all early cars should be closed deck as per wrx, as per UK, as per Legacy.
All crank/rods are the same anyway regardless of model AFAIK.

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

Mark..... how do you identify a closed deck block externally?

Tony.

Adam M

trade secret

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

What trade tho Adam . Wipser it to me then..... promise i won't tell .

Tony.

Gez

If you wisper that trade secret in telling if its a closed deck i promise i wont tell either. There will be a beer in that as well.

Cheers

Gez

Katana

Definately.

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

Hmmmmmmmm...... reading an article form Mike Shield's Legacy website it says that all pre 10-94 WRXs (i.e MY92, 93 and 94) should have closed deck blocks. I know that one MY93 WRX definately had one... featured in Banzai mag with mods by Scoobysport etc... he is on this board. But i have heard that the WRXs shouldn't have closed deck so it would be good to find out...... hint hint Mark . Im not really bothered if it hasn't 'cos up until now i was sure it hadn't.... be nice if it did tho .

Tony.

rich uk300

up to 1996 all RAs had closed blocks

Katana

Thanks rich. And why not add that a type RA is better than a P1 too.

Ooh, check out my thread in carsurfer.

[Edited by Katana - 11/22/2002 1:10:37 PM]

rich uk300

ermmmmm no

rich uk300

We both know if you and i left our cars standard.....i'm gonna beat ya

Katana

Hmm a UK car v a jap import. I don't think so mate.

rich uk300

your very confused m8.....what ya got 240bhp

Katana

Try again rich. You know what I'm like with my cars.