NXG

Hi,

My modified 355bhp 03WRX with 65k miles is starting to make some ominous rattling noises on startup. I've checked the oil level and there's no problem there. Is the engine on the way out? If so is it worth repairing before it gets too bad or shall I keep running it and start saving for a replacement?

If it gets terminal, what would the forum recommend I have fitted?

Cheers

Tidgy

by rattle, what do you mean?

NXG

A rattle, like there's no oil in the engine. It's not a sound like a loose heatshield or similar. It's most noticeable in the first second or so when starting, hot or cold, though I have heard it at speed as well.

Tidgy

strange, get it to a specialist to get them to have look

Mother Theresa

I have an 03 WRX which on about 360bhp and 61k miles developed a rattle for the first minute when cold then it went away. During a remapping session it let go (with a big end coming loose) and needed a new short motor. I'm not sure how you can prevent it happening, if it's going to go it'll go.

On the bright side I now have a spangly new 2.5 litre bottom end for more or less the same cost to repair the other one.

NXG

Well what do you know (apparently everyone but me knew what this meant!), I have a bent crank and a big end bearing gone.

An engine repair or 2.5 rebuild is going to cost 000's either way, so guess which way I went?

Spoke to David at API over the phone and again when I dropped it off. Very impressed with the attitude, advice and knowledge (and I'm not easily impressed....) so went for it. Over the next three weeks the old 2.0 will be out and a spanking new 2.5 SCDB with WISCO alloy pistons, race bearings and API's own forged internals will be strapped in. This will also have the spanky ARP head studs to hold it together and a set of GT Spec Mk2 wrapped headers.

I now have a dilemma.... Because I have a WRX, it has a chocolate gearbox and rice paper clutch. If I want to make the most of the 2.5 I'll have to swap the AF18g with a bigger turbo (I'm thinking 321T ), but that'll kill the standard gearbox, so I'll need an STI 6 speed or 1-4 PPG rebuild, plus ceramic clutch. To do the job properly, David gave me a list of other supporting mods that'll be required, like NGK8 plugs, AVCR boost controller, SimTek ECU and Fuel Lab FPR). To give it enough cold air I'd also need a front mount intercooler.

So the plan at the moment is to keep the 18g and tune the boost down to save the gearbox.

Anyone who's ever been to API, or seen their work, will know they are at the top of their game (just read the threads on here), so I'm VERY tempted to sell an internal organ and go for the lot.... It'll almost double the cost, but would save on labour in the long run and give me an amazing vehicle to enjoy from day 1.

What does the panel think? Would the factor be worth it or am I ?

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

I've just had an email from a surgeon in Alaska, he asks if I can get hold of a spare arm for a quick private job he's doing at the weekend ?? ................Or failing that a kidney??



David APi

Agents for:
Simtek, the most exciting new Ecu for years
Buddy Club exhausts
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And of course; the well known APi Performance Exedy organic clutch

www.apiengines.com

01926 614333

NXG

Thanks David, you fill me with confidence... I have a feeling I'm in for a wallet reaming anyway as everytime I think about it, getting the gearbox, turbo etc etc done now rather than wait makes more sense... The devil on my shoulder is going to win I think.

I'll give you a call shortly so you can try and talk me out of it..

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

18G will be too small to get the best out of your set up in terms of peak bhp and torque, but it'll still produce decent enough figures to be getting on with and will spool like no-one's business!

If you can't really afford a gearbox replacement at the mo, I'd be inclined to stick with what you've got, let your wallet recover, then get a proper turbo and the 6 speed put in at a later date. Of course, there is no assurance that your gearbox will last with the smaller turbo spec!! No drag starts for you!

Ns04

NXG

I know, the sensible option David did advise me this would work fine as a stop-gap measure, just to get it running again. BUT. Can't help thinking how much better it would be if the new engine was allowed to play

BTW, the answer to your question is, yes and chicken. Same as Koala.

NXG

Well he didn't talk me out of it; I get the quote for the extras to do a full job tomorrow then it's decision time.

My driving style really doesn't suit the Miss Daisy approach to gearbox preservation..

Is there a club for skint owners of 400bhp+ scoobies or do we just have to sit in the corner on our own?

Mother Theresa

Well David did pretty much all the things mentioned in NXG's post to mine after it let go and the chocolate WRX gearbox is still going OK (albeit only 2w later) with the 18g. The pick up and take off of the 18g with the 2.5l is great - just like the PPP torque curve but 120+ bhp and 150ftlbs further up the scale. You'll grin like a moron the 1st time you floor it to pass something as it just picks up its skirts and goes.

NXG

Ahh, so it was you! David mentioned your car, as it has very similar mods to mine and said how well it had mapped, and that it was performing much better than they'd expect with an 18g on a 2.5 would.

I take that it's 2 weeks since you've had the post 1000mile running in?

Mother Theresa

PM me if you want a natter - or a test drive.