Another rebuild question (ej257)Ok
 

OK after being in denial for so long i have now come to terms that my head gasket is on its way out.:brickwall

Here is my dilemma...

Do i Have standard internals replaced? or go FORGED!

On one hand i have standard internals replaced as the car is bone stock at the mo, barring coilovers. Or i use this as an excuse to enter the downward spiral that is modding.:p

My plan is to, in time, sit safely on 400bhp. Probably in a year or so.

As money is a real downer on this at present, im not gona drive it until i can afford to have it done. Looking like a few months :cry:

Obviously theres a substantial diffrence in price for having standard vs forged. After having a quick read there are mixed opinions of whether standard internals can handle 400hp or not.

What are your opinions?

2006 hawk sti uk

cheers

to be honest with that engine at that power forged pistons would probably be the bare minimum mate, if your doing them then you might aswell go the whole hog with rods and bearings and head studs

Give Andy Willams a ring/pm (WMS on here) and bite the bullet and go forged!

Minimum forged pistons, before you suffer ringland failure, even at std hp, Arp or Cosworth studs & gaskets, with the block pegged & firefaces on block & head skimmed.
Unless your going over 400 the rods are ok, with decent bearings fitted.

Not sure you need it pegged at the 400 Mark, Most people seem to agree that the 2.5 will take 450/480 without pegging - theres a few running reliably over 500 as well but I wouldn't risk it.