James H

Hi all,

Total newbie to this forum (well any forums) but a friend of mine mentioned asking on here to see if there are any helpful peeps and answers

I have a bugeye WRX and its been fine (ish) for the 2 years i have has it. I tried looking after the car best i can (regular oil\filters etc) but i think it might be time for an engine rebuild

After 6 months of having the car, i started to get a tiny bit of piston slap but once warm it was fine. Have always warmed and cooled the car properly

In the last month its now becoming a noticeable like knock under 2000rpm (over 200rpm doesnt do it) so i think its time to get it done.

Problem i have is i cant find anyone at all where i live that not necessarily specialise in Subaru's, but know more that your local garage

From what i have seen around the net, im looking at around 2-3k for a standard build and 4+ for something else (which sounds much more fun)

Does anyone know any places around the Chichester PO10 area or surrounding areas that do this type of work and that you would recommend?

Any help and advise would be welcome

Cheers All

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Chichester isnt too far from plymouth and Engine Tuner..... Built my scooby and it is a monster, and many other very high powered inprezas too!

James H

Thanks JGlanzaV and i will sure keep that in mind. Was hoping for something slightly closer than 4hrs drive away but looking around on the net, its up north 3 hours or down that way 3 hours........think i need to move......whats more important....my house or my car...

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

You cant drive a house but you can sleep in your car....

James H

Very true!!! How long do engine rebuilds take? 1 week? 2 weeks??

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

You would have to talk to ET for that kind of info, all depends on how busy they are etc.

James H

Will do. I have given myself a week to find as many as possible so i will start contacting them soon. Kinda found 2 other (up north) but dont know what they are like but will email them anyway. One does a collection at a charge and as im lazy and only have 1 car (hate the train) that might be a good thing for me

TimH

iTrader: (11)

Newbury's only about an hour away - so Subaru4You are an option? Or Brent at SMD Garage in Newhaven may be worth talking to?

If it's piston slap - usually only when cold - rather than big ends, then I wouldn't necessarily worry about it unless you want to rebuild anyway (to allow it to take more power, for example).

James H

Thanks TimH. I think its moved on a wee bit from the piston slap although it still feels and pulls the same. Its got 116000 on the clock so im thinking of sorting it all out and getting it perfect again.

Really appreciate your 2 options as they are both real close to me. I will add them to my list of people to contact

Knotty_

iTrader: (5)

You should consider that the 5 speed box isn't that great above 350bhp especially with that mileage. Along with all the other th er parts that will be wearing. Have you considered buying an STi instead of building the bug?

James H

I have been looking around at other scoobies as i was going to make mine a project car but i cant find a decent spec with low mileage for under 7 or 8k so i thought i would go down the spending 3-4k route for the moment.

dj219957

IMO youd be better selling the car and using that 3k to upgrade to a newer sti

James H

Yea i have thought about it but with the engine problem, a slight air leak on boost and some other niggles, i wouldnt get a lot for it and as i cant see a decent one with low mileage anywhere (unless you know of some?) i figured this the best route for the time being without shelling out a huge sum

Its a hard choice as there is nothing wrong with the rest of the car. No rust or anything like it. Just needs some more time and attention which i try my best on

96sti

My build taken 5-6 months. 1-2 weeks funny

James H

5-6 months........jeez....thats a long long time. My mate just had a GT-R nismo build and that only took just under 4 weeks

mez68

My build only took 3 weeks?
What are you having done while your pants are being pulled down!!!!! lol

James H

I thought it was a bit long too. Has 2 people get back to me this week and both said 3-6 weeks but that depends what your having done. Basic rebuild is quick but if you want something different then could be up to 6 weeks

Glad its not just me who thinks that is too long

smiffywhu

My "full" rebuild is only taking 10-15 working days.

Good luck with anything you choose to do, I thought long and hard throwing 4k at a 7k car, so I hope you don't regret it. I'm guessing you have already upgraded brakes and suspension?

jonnyricer2

iTrader: (9)

Used wms for a friend's standard build and cost 2k for the build took 2 weeks and I think wms sorted collection and delivery.

gaborpapp

I used Paul Finch to rebuild my engine, and I can't praise him enough. Apart from taking the job in Saturday, and receiving my engine back by Friday Morning, He managed to suit my budget and the engine runs better and smoother then my new C-class which has 16kmiles. He replaced so many things + all the old parts were given back to me in a box (con rods, gaskets, and lots of other bits). As a bonus he even painted my oil pan back in black. And put back missing bits + couple of bolts I broke and never put back. Top guy!

Paul is a bit far from you (Northampton), but AA will take you there anytime if you "break down" on the way there for example. Also his prices stars from around £1800 and he will take apart the whole engine for this money, making sure only good parts remain so that car keeps running.

his web-page

http://www.finchmotorsport.co.uk/page.php?a=1&s=64&p=64

James H

Hi smiffywhu and thanks. I have only done a few bits to the car over the 2 years of having it but it has std sus and brakes at the mo. Was hoping it lasted another year or so before i made my mind up on what car to have next but now this has happened its thrown a spanner in the works (although my car sounds like that at the moment lol)

Thanks jonnyricer2 and gaborpapp for your comments too. Its is a bit far from me yea but worth keeping in mind.

Quick question to all tho......Would you touch a Cat D Scooby?? Seen a few that look like new so the repairs must have been good. What do you think??

Anyone know if the insurance company will up their price on a quote buy a $hite load??