1998 JDM WRX STI Heads
 

Dear all,

I wondered if you could help me please.

I have a JDM 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

The Engine has a leaking Head Gasket so I thought I would replace the Bearings etc while I have the engine out and in bits.

As far as I am aware the Engine is completely standard and previously unopened since built at the factory, i have owned the car for the last 12 years since imported.


I was reading the differences between WRX and STI heads, just out of interest to find a number of posts on forums relating to this and it got me wondering what I actually have as not all seems to add up with some of the posts i have read in relation to this.


My heads have under bucket shims and the following markings, observations:-

Head Codes are LH-B + RH-B
Valves are EH + IH
Inner Shim Buckets
L4 + R4 Cams

The only thing I am unsure about is the markings on the Camshafts in term of grooves, the Cam’s only have one groove in the very centre of the two most inner lobes as per the attached images as opposed to the two grooves illustrated within the forum posts for STI Camshafts.

The Engine has Forged Pistons also if this helps.

Are these OEM STI Heads? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.


Regards,


Oliver.

It used to be said that V3/V4 heads had 2 grooves in the cam but that isn't the case. I've had several sets of STI heads pass through my hands with only one groove, they all came from V4 cars.......There are a couple of threads on this if you carry out a search, I think I've commented on a couple of them over the years.

Here is the last set I had, from a Version 4 Type R.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...3-21174725.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...3-21174632.jpg

So don't worry, all is as it should be :thumb:

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated!

I thought this might have been the case although I just wanted to confirm this with other peoples experiences and knowledge.

You have put my doubts at rest, once again many thanks! :thumb: