Hi all.

Fairly new here (lurking) but have had a hawkeye wrx wagon for a little while now.

Long story short, scaremongering about the chocolate pistons in this engine and the fact it needs a new clutch has me thinking about getting forged pistons fitted in the new year (i have an exhaust system, suspension and a few other bits in the garage and would like 320-350bhp to go with it too - so would like it to be reliable)

I would deal with engine removal etc (can do the clutch while it is out) and remove ancilliaries etc so just drop the long engine in for work.

Anybody had this kind of work done, or any traders on here care to give an estimate on this work? - it may be of benefit to other hawk / hatchback owners too (unless this has been covered before otherwise i apologise for not looking properly)

So price for: pistons, installation, new gaskets, belt etc, ready to drop back into the car.

Thanks, in advance.
Rick

 

if you going to forged the engine you might as well fit arp studs and cosworth head gasket...as i dont think the pistons is the weak point on the 2.5

 

An uprated head gasket is not a massive cost (£150?) so i assume most tuners would do this?

I am thinking studs are overkill for less than 350 bhp? and i wont ever want more, i bought the wagon specifically to use daily and for work etc so it wont become a weekend only toy.

Thanks,

 

lol ..they all "say" they wont want more !, i was the same as you with my P1 10 years ago 320bhp is more than enough, well guess what i still in search for more power ...my p1 is at the tuners now when it finish should be running 500+ bhp

Also i think the arp studs are a "must" on the 2,5 as they always seem to blow the head gasket ( I know I've been there had a forged 2.5 in my P1 which blew the head gasket even with arp studs running 460 bhp ).

 

Pistons in the 2.5 wrx were never really an issue to be honest. Just the STi

 

There is a lot of talk and hear-say floating around so it would be good to hear informed info about the 2.5 wrx piston issue (or not as the case may be) - I expect some owners are paranoid about driving their cars.....

If i can 'safely' run a vf series turbo on the engine to 340ish bhp power levels with no internal work i would go down that route - I just dont want the hassle of a shagged engine if the piston cracks, which i assume can take the block with it.... i would rather do some preventitive work while the clutch is getting done.

Thanks.

 

Don't forget to buy yourself some brakes as well.

 

Pistons, up-rated gaskets, new bearings (worth doing if stripping anyway) front and rear crank oil seals, cam belt £1500 ish. Other options- arp headstud kit £200, water pump £70, steel H beam rods (Williams) £250.
If the block needs a re-bore +£150
Hope that helps
Andy

 

Same Pistons in both bud,

running 350bhp on a 5 speed will kill the box too.

But running 350 on the 2.5s the only issues are pistons, head gasket,
But the head gasket might only be an issue with the head bolts stretching, So ARP bolts would be good as said.

at least then when you want 400 you can do that without splitting the motor again.

I know you said it won't go above,

But we have all been there,

My name for instance. Bez300, the 300 part was what I wanted.
now well beyond that.

Good look bud.

Bez

 

don't think so mate, they both run different compression ratios due to piston design if i recall

wrx 8.4:1 EJ255 block.... sti 8.2:1 EJ257 Block.. wrx runs a higher CR due to the piston design

 

Thanks for the replies.

£1500 seems reasonable for the work, especially considering the cost to repair / replace the engine if a piston did let-go for instance.

Aware of gearbox issues over 350bhp so happy to keep it under this with a conservative map - not heard of many failures below this unless driven with no mechanical sympathy.

As i say, its a daily driver and i dont kick the crap out of it, it wont ever go near the track or 1/4 mile, its driven like miss daisy 90% of the time, it needs a bit more for that other 10% of the time though

The clutch will last until after christmas so will make my mind up then - i just have to put up with the worlds heaviest pedal for now! (does not slip and done 8k on it but it really is stiff)

Thanks, Rick

 

Is that just labor ot just parts, or both?

 

Combustion chambers vol's differ between the WRX and STi too


Mick

 

Thats the total price inc vat if the engine is delivered to me, it's extra for removal and re-fitting. PM me if you want more info.
Andy

 

box will be fine at that, i ran mine over 400 ftlb for 14 months no probs

 

Slightly off topic, but not sure why WRX would run higher compression "due" to piston design.

Surely, the higher compression ratio has been designed due to running a lower boost on the turbo.