can anybody confirm whether the type R or any Sti for that matter were produced WITHOUT the red manifold and rocker covers. If so what would identify it as an Sti engine preferably without ripping it. Fairly urgent so all replies appreciated.

 

ALL STI HAVE A RED ENGINE TOP,IF THEY DON"T THEY ARE NOT STI

 

thats what i thought for many years too but a few 'in the know' including a main dealer told me i was wrong and that the all alloy colour could still be an Sti. Seems a bit odd.

 

red top= sti=end of story

 

i thought the very first sti version 1 had no red top? maybe wrong. Type R should though for sure.

 

Two of my mates have WRX Type-R V-Limiteds that are NOT STis and have the silver engines.

My WRX Type-R STi has the red top engine.

Like what was said above, its ONLY STis that have the red top engine.

 

You can get a Type R without the red top engine as there was non-STI Type R's produced. Pretty rare though but they are defo out there.

 

i thought early sti 1 and 2 had non red!!

 

i was hoping there may be some markings on the heads and blocks that would positively identify the wrx from the Sti.

 

Version 1 and 2 had silver top engines as the norm with only a few painted red.

They were all red from the start of the Version 3 onwards

 

I second the above.

 

Yup original STi plus the V2, the Type R STi's should have red top engines, unless its a wrx type R.

Tony

 

cheers .the type R has been offered to me to repair and buy but as mentioned the engine had signs of being out at some stage and my concern was that a cheaper wrx lump had been fitted with the inlet man painted fire engine red. im not aware of any distinguishing marks on heads or block to be conclusive as to what engine is currently fitted. power delivery pre belt slip showed nothing untoward but engine longevity is in question if not the stronger Sti.

 

try and get a picture of it.

 

unfortunately car is some distance away. from my experience of these engines i havent noticed any external ways of identifying wrx from sti but was hoping someone thru the years may have noticed some little mark or casting difference. the 'if it has a red manifold its an sti' simply isnt enough to go on as these are bolt-on identities and bear no significance with regard to the block and heads to which the 'red top' is bolted to. all comments so far appreciated.

 

get the engine and chassis number, think you can match these up on the net.

 

ive checked chassis numbers in the past but i dont think engine numbers will work. a few years ago i spoke to subaru with an engine number i needed to identify but was told it was useless to them as their first point of ref was the chassis number with which they could then find the original engine id. i need to give seller an answer as their is another party interested in the car but i have first refusal. i had hoped to know before business opening on monday.
afaik its not poss to tell the two engines apart externally but can this be confirmed absolute by ANYONE ?? no guesswork please.
again..thanks

 

what year is the car and what turbo is it running?

 

99 type R VF28 but again being ancilliary its not necessarily from the engine its bolted onto.

 

is it a fair conclusion that wrx and sti heads and blocks are indistinguishable from each other 'externally' ??