Alp123

Hi everyone, probably been asked before but I can’t find it so here goes.

on ICP there are two head gasket sets listed, one for 92-96 the other for 96-97. The engine that’s fitted in my car isn’t from it originally but I don’t know who did it or what it is. My block is stamped EJ20 and that’s it.

my question is, what’s the difference between the two gasket kits? If any? I’m getting the engine out next week so want to order them ready!

thanks
alex

stockcar

we tend to supply the actual components required for your specific engine.............

really depends on which head style, pistons, etc. you have actually fitted??

Alp123

thats my issue, I have no idea which engine it is as I don’t have enough knowledge on the engines to tell.

its got 16 valve written on both cam covers and individual coils. It has ej20 stamped on the top of the block below the alternator. Power steering reservoir is cylindrical. If any of that helps?
thanks!

stockcar

so what exact age / chassis is it fitted to ??

Alp123

the car is a 1996 Uk turbo, but that was the same as my last one and this engine is way different.

NOSSY_89

What do you mean by its way different. How it looks or how it pulls.

Do you have a stand alone ecu. The 92-96 will be phase 1 (if using version number 1 & 2) and 96-97 will be phase 1.5 (v3) if I remember correctly. Could be wrong on this.

The whole 1-6 version thing is for JDM STIs but lets be honest we all use it for model/year and working out what parts will fit lol

Send your vin to @Don Clark I'm sure he will be able to pull your build date

stockcar

sounds correct for an MY96 (phase1 car)........
the MY97 / MY98 (phase 1.5) cars used smooth cam covers but a centrally mounted coilpack on the inlet manifold

as my original post we would supply the correct individual gaskets / seals as its more cost effective we find in general

Gambit

iTrader: (6)

read his original post

"The engine that’s fitted in my car isn’t from it originally but I don’t know who did it or what it is. My block is stamped EJ20 and that’s it."

a vin number aint gonna do anything for telling you what engine is now in it

NOSSY_89

I did mate, but think you misunderstood my line of thought

Fitting a newage long block or a phase 2 long block is possible but involves more work and often than not a stand a lone ecu. Hence why I asked what ecu. Also the vin number will tell us the exact car especially if build date and registration are near the cut off dates. Once we have that we know what engine should be in there and if pictures show a newage manifold then a 96 gasket isn't going to work. Alyn has already mentioned about the coil pack so we should have a response soon and be able to go from there.

MrRtm

The timing cover might still have its label tho
(I highly doubt it like)

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

That's a headache: If you have no engine swap history you have to be aware the engine could be a "Bitsa" (bits of this and bits of that). Where you may have heads off one engine, block off something else, and cam cover, manifold and ancillaries off the original.

Quite common if the original threw a rod and was repaired/rebuilt with secondhand parts (block, crank etc ), where other parts are sourced separately or originals reused. Rather than swapping a complete turn-key or long-engine.

I've built a few frankensteins in my youth like that (not Subarus, admittedly), So well aware on what looks normal may well be a total oddball when stripping it down! (how many times have we seen someone buy a pre-98 Sti and then find it has a wrx lump in there!).

IIRC there are mainly two different thickness multi-layer steel gaskets for standard engines of that era, I doubt you are going to know what's in there until you pull off the heads (assuming it has the right gaskets in the first place ).

So if I were you I'd be either order both types from someone with a good returns policy (DO NOT open sealed packaging or you'll lose your SoG act refund rights), or wait until the heads are off before ordering.

stockcar

that age engine would NOT have had MLS gaskets but should still be on the early composite style If original.............

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Sorry, brain fart . MLS is later

Alp123

Thanks for all your help guys, much appreciated! A friend of mine has popped down and he reckons the engine is from the same year but from a jap car (no idea what the difference is)
mine was registered as an early gt turbo with 155 bhp. The engine and ecu pairing in the car is that of the early 1996 jap sti (so I’ve been told) so he said to order the 1.6mm gaskets and associated parts to fit. Does that measurement sound right being a 1.6mm head gasket?

thanks again!

stockcar

there is no turbo that made 155?? even early UK Legacy Turbo's were circa 200bhp......early UK Turbo's were in the 215bhp area from memory
JDM car would be circa 250 dependant on exact ECU

yes factory cars of that age used 1.5/1.6mm head gaskets

Alp123

ive not got a clue then sorry 😂it’s running a Z4 ecu with a HKS SLD box, which I think is to remove the 112 (180kmh) speed limiter?

The Reg check says ‘Impreza turbo 4x4, 155bhp sport’

Would it have been registered wrong?

thanks!

Smithys STI

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like it started life as a non turbo sport and has had a turbo lump fitted at some point then

stockcar

maybe simply that DVLA fecked up as usual or someone registered it as NA to avoid high insurance?

Alp123

That was my original thought that it used to be an NA, however logbook literally says ‘turbo’ on it!

I’ve not got a clue what’s going on with it really

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Many early imports were incorrectly listed on the DVLA. Usually as a Impreza 2.0 GL

That said, could be a re-shell. As said earlier these cars are now at a age where all sorts get swapped about to keep them running.

Don Clark

If you really want the VIN or applied model code should give you an idea of it's origin.