i have a chance of getting a set of vers3 sti heads complete the only thing that is holding me back is there is a small hair line crack next to the spark plug holes does anyone know if this will affect the performance of the head also will they fit on to a 2.5 block with standard pistons it be going into my 1997 wrx thanks

 

Best person I know to ask is David at Welcome to the API website
He checked for the same cracking when he did my head gaskets, so the prob is not new.
The heads will bolt onto your 2.5
Ask David about the right gaskets to use though.
Graham.

 

If you can get them cheap due to the crack - you can then source some 97-8 wrx/uk heads and swap the casings.

 

MY 99 on Vers 5 & 6 heads crack all the time around the plug holes. Never seen one yet that caused a problem.

Fussy engine builder types will tell you to scrap them, but in the real world we re-use them and have never had a problem.

Unusual on an earlier head, but not unknown. Just get on and build it, it'll be fine.

David APi

 

i am mechanical minded is this easy to do

 

I am mechanical minded, but I'd give them to an engine builder to do!

 

So would I. I've done my 911 heads etc but shimming the valves after a head strip refurb I'll leave to API on the Sti.
Mind you, that is some way off yet!

 

If they were the ones on ebay then I would want them checked first the hairline crack was more of a Grand canyon, Far bigger than any of the cracked ones I've seen.

My heads have Hairline cracks and they work fine

 

yea that was em am going to leave em look for other ones