Can anyone tell me the crack with Version 2 /3 heads I know they can be spotted the way the spark plug hole is, which I can see the differance. But am seeing them on Ebay for peanuts £30 BIN and others at 300+ how do I tell if am getting the right ones instead of the wrong, which the pricing tells me theres a differance
Ive had cams in my hand next to WRX cams and theres no differance in profile, is it down to getting the version 2/3 heads with STI cams and would I be able to spot the differance, or can anyone put me on the right path.

 

The £30 ones will be "phase 1" engine (MY93-96) WRX hydraulic type - only good for around 380bhp. The corresponding MY93-96 STi v.1/2 heads are a bit better, but by how much, don't know(?).

The £300+ ones will be "phase 1.5" engine (MY97/98) under-bucket shim STi v.3/4 jobs - good for around 500bhp (give or take).

The MY93-96 and MY97/98 naked heads are all interchangeable - and you can keep your original 1995 inlet manifold/ancillaries if you want to.


Bottom line is if you want to upgrade your 1995's heads, then fit the £300+ STi v.3/4 ones. Totally straightforward "substitute" mod and future-proofed to around 500bhp. Will require a remap though (even if you don't add any additional supporting mods at the same time)...

 

the cames are the best way to tell, as i took a set of wrx head off a car, and had these under bucket shims

the lines on the cames are the give away
line in the middle - uk
line around the end digit - wrx
line around the first and middle, sti cam.
each having a differnt profile

the valves have different numbers too, and have something injected in them for heat.
then as said, they have the under bucket shims.

 

ive got a set of v3 STI heads , manifold and bits of other stuff for that v3/4 that im selling cheap ( clearing space, my garage is full of bits), pm me if you are interested.

cheers az