Hey everyone,

I'm looking to buy a white wrx-sti type uk 2002, I took it for a test drive today and was told to look out for piston slap on start up when it's cold. The guy selling the car said that the pistons were noisy because he had upgraded them with forge ones. When I got out the car afert about a 20min test (normal driving) I could hear a tapping noise from the engine! Is this normal? My friend says its not.

 

What sort of spec was the car? Would of thought it wouldnt have forged parts if it was nearly standard. Any invoices for work carried out? Engine rebuilds aren't cheap! Could be just piston slap.

 

The car spec is a standard Wrx sti type uk p drive with 62,000 miles, on a 52 plate. that's all I know, if this helps? He said he replaced the original ones because the forged were stronger.

 

if it was piston slap mate the noise would go away when the engine gets upto temp if the engine is still noisey after twenty min drivin then theres a problem plus you wouldnt just drop forged pistons into a standard car imo

 

If it was me I would ask about invoices for the build, and who done it?
Sounds abit risky to me, both piston slap and forged parts are noisy from cold but I would expect the noise to have reduced after 20 mins driving or after engine is at running temp.
Iv never had a forged engine but loads of people here have, maybe they could give you more things to look for.
I would certainly ask more questions before you commit !!

 

Ask to see a reciept/invoice for the engine work done - if he has done the job himself,ask what piston to bore clearance and ring gaps he used on assembly.
Even if it has aftermarket forged pistons,they shouldnt be noisy after 20 mins of driving tbh

Mick

 

It's in a Subaru specialist, kemnay, Aberdeenshire and the work was done by them. It has a full Subaru history aswell.

 

I would just walk away, plenty of scoobs for sale, wht did it need pistons in the first place? I have a MY99 with 130000 on the clock and it runs silent.

 

Any link to the car?

Cheers

Shaun

PS the bug sti internals are pretty good to 400BHP, wonder why they were changed

 

http://m.briandowniecarsales.co.uk/a...01144426417052

 

It may well be the injectors you can hear tapping away. They can be quite noisy

 

Looks like a UK bug STi, special dealer order in white IIRC. Will have come with a low spoiler and not the STi copy currently attached to the bootlid.

A pillar pod added as well so might have been done to monitor re-map ? You need to get a bit for info for your £6k

Shaun

 

No mention of forged pistons in the ad, and I would have thought this would be a major selling point!

Could it be the seller has used the "Forged Piston" excuse to hide another problem? Might not be the case at all, just trying to offer an explanation.

 

plus surely if it has had a forge rebuild would you not list it in advert as a selling point?
i know i would, my opinion is he's talking sh#t

 

No mention of the pillar pod in the advertisement either :s

When I did a search about forged pistons on this site, dav api ( I think is his name ) said they were noisy hot and cold. The only reason He told me about the pistons is because I asked if was standard. Ok guys........Should I say away from the car?

 

Difficult...... I'd dig a bit deeper if the car is basically sound as it's in the best colour that the bug came in and there might be a good reason that the work was carried out. Don't see many white UK STi's about.

Miles are low too

As mentioned the injectors are a bit clicky....

 

Were not the pistons in this model year STi forged anyway?

JohnD

 

Yes, they ran HF forged pistons from the factory.

Mick