I have an early '93 WRX Jap Import (XJ20 engine) which would you believe has gone bang! (Big-end shells / little end shells / crank goosed etc..) and could either fit another XJ20 (for £750 actually re-conned unit so not too extortionate I suppose) OR - managed to find a '96 STi Jap Import off a rear-accident damaged STi for £1100 - now the chap selling it says it should be a stright swap over.. - for the extra £350 I'd be happy with that since I'll prob only blow another XJ20 anyway!!

So.. has anyone ever attempted this.. - is it a stright swap over and do all the bits off my WRX just bang straight onto the STi short engine? - (I'm hoping in theory they do - I think it's just the same spec engine but obviously steel rather than alum. alloy so slightly heavier but obviously can withstand a lot more power.. - yes if the ECU is still the same and turbo still boosting at WRX level then ofc ourse not as quick as the STI - there's time to tune it later - but what do you thinkg guys?! - Worth risking the STi engine?!?!?!

ANY info whatsoever would be VERY much appreaciated!

Cheers,
Leigh

 

You might want to have a word with David from APi.

Regards,

Ns04

 

I personally would always go with the recon (assuming bills exist for the work that was carried out, and also that it was done by a specialist) buying a 2nd hand engine is always a risk in my opinion as you dont know the history. Like Ns04 says speak to an expert for advice like David @ API (probably wont thanks us for yet another phone call!!)

 

Just e-mailed David actually (he's out of the office) mentioned the referal was from here oops..! BUT also if he could give any advice of course any parts I need and certainly gaskets (cyl head gask. / exhaust / inlets / timing belts etc..) if he stocks them then of course buy from him!) - so he shouldn't be quite as annoyed!

It'll actually only be doing WRX power but on an STi short engine - if it works! - So in theory would be like only ever revving your STi to say 5K RPM rather than 7K so hopefully on that block and bottom end should last much, much longer! - Course after a few months I'll probably be getting itchy feet since I know the block will do it and start thinking about an ECU or high-lift cams knowing me! So still take your point!

Thanks for your help though much appreciated - I'm sure there must be someone on this site that's actually done it though?!!

 

If you bought the short block, I would certainly recon it and then you do have a good base for future mods

 

From what ive seen/read, STI`s have differnt ratio gearbox`s and diffeent diffs etc, so wouldnt an sti engine into a wrx gearbox/diff setup cause problems ?

something to look into also....

 

no problems at all swapping an EJ20 from sti into WRX.
Depending if you keep the original ECU then it will only rev and run like the WRX engine before it.
I swapped an sti engine into a uk car without any issues at all.

Unfortunately, you cannot assume that an sti engine will last longer than a wrx, it would be nice to think so but there are too many factors to sweep generally like that.
good luck, David@API will see you right