Stroking WRX

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

so in the next couple months i think im going to be stroking my motor in my 02 wrx....Does anyone know of any nice kits out there?

[CHAOS]

only stroking kits i know of are for the 2.5

[S4toSTI]

I beleive there are kits for the 2.0.

[sesolcSTI]

There are definately stroker kits for the 2.0. Cobb makes one i know for sure. Then there is the balla ones......Jun, Toda, etc. (the price might make you pass out though)

[TROLL]

what are you looking to accomplish? the sti EJ257 shortblock is probably a good bit less expensive than what you're looking to do and will provide reliable power and 2.5 liters of fury...

[HuffRex]

or swap it for the ej207 hehe 2.0l, 8000rpms of fun!!!

[D Money]

um. Strokin your motor but you don't have an idea who makes the kits? I think they make a nasty 2.35L which rev's to almost 9,500rpms or something wild like that. What turbo you goin with?

[RayArroyo]

i radther buy an sti shortblock , its cheaper and 2.5l of fun

[turboteg]

i radther buy an sti shortblock , its cheaper and 2.5l of fun

the short block would be your best bet

taking that engine apart and doing the machine work plus the price off the kit and the down time. wouldn't be as easy as buying a short block and swapping out the old one

[Renegade_]

v7 shortblock - do it, you know you want to. Everything builds off of there

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

Can I still use the stock ecu with that? or do i have the change out electronics

[Renegade_]

you can keep the ECU if you swap out the shortblock

Although honestly, if you are going to be using a v7 shortblock which stock revs to 8k, you want heads that can support it, WRX heads float valves at like 7700 i think. If I were you I would do a v7 shortblock and save up for like RA or Type R heads after you get it running again. RA/R because their cams are aggressive already or else you will have to do alot of headwork to support the revs

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

well i knew cobb made a stroker kit but i was wondering if there was anything else. and what would the pricetag on a v7 shortblock be vs a EJ257 shortblock

[Renegade_]

a complete block, as in heads, manifold, wiring, ECU, etc

http://www.gruppe-s.com/Subaru/UsedEngines.htm

Check there

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

well, it looks like almost double cobbs price for a stroker kit to do any worthwhile swap

[Renegade_]

if you want just the shortblock it will be a lot less, let me find it

That is the entire block

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/4206_4250/products_id/7115?osCsid=4140d7acbaa66498fee22befd1293c62

There is a good price estimate

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

Now thats somehing i might need to do

[Ender81]

I was talking to the guys at Area1320 about doing a V7 shortblock in my 02. Seems like a much more reliable, and affordable way to go. Plus you can use the money you save over the machining and kit to do something with the transmission.

[ej20wrx123]

Now thats somehing i might need to do

Dont forget that jdm motors are USED motors! You can get a brand new 2.5 sb for 1500 from the dealer and that bottom end can hold 500whp.....so unless your trying to be different and spend lots of money i would go with the 2.5 block.

[C'DALERIDER]

IMO, find a used 2.5 usdm STi short block in good cd, consider changing pistons to forged (machining cost + cost of pistons = cost of a new short block without forged pistons, about $1600), get cams and some new springs for youre stock WRX heads and some porting done (maybe $1200 for the helix kit and install). Thats all there is to it.
The jdm short blocks are nice, but imo, ^ is the way to go. probably same price and more potential.

Could also buy a new sti usdm shortblock, sti cams into wrx heads = great combo and relatively cheap with no machine shop service required. Drop in and go...i mean fly.

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

my friend was telling me my car wouldnt run right with a jdm block with the stock ecu because japanese motors have variable valve timing. is that right?

[TROLL]

The EJ257 will definitely make more torque and spool your turbo sooner, making it more driveable around town. I would not say it is good for 500whp though with stock internals. Just because its been done doesnt mean its probably going to happen often. Should be good for < / = 400 whp but if you have the shortblock apart already adding forged pistons isnt a bad idea at all.

The JDM v7 EJ207 has forged pistons already and will rev to 8250 at least, a good amount of people rev it to 8500. (The JDM v8 EJ207 has cast pistons, just a fyi). These would be useless with 205 heads unless they have had work done to them and cams because they will restrict flow immensely at those higher RPMs, but if you get some 207 heads to go along with the 207 shortblock then you'll be in good shape. the normal v7 heads are very good... the v7 Spec C heads are even better, and the v8 heads are the same as the v7 Spec C. Any of those will be very good though.

Time after time I have read that the EJ207 is an incredibly smooth revving motor, and that the EJ257 feels more like a truck in comparison. At the same time you cant argue that more displacement is a good thing. Its really a total tossup... just gotta decide if you want a bit more low down torque and quicker spool or if you dont mind waiting a bit longer and having an incredible rev range. I'm sure you'll be all smiles with either setup though...

Oh and about JDM motors on the stock WRX ecu... its totally fine but of course you'll need a tune and you wont be able to take advantage of the AVCS (this pertains to JDM and USDM STi head only, not shortblock). Ideally you'll find a JDM ECU and have that tuned and be able to use the AVCS if you get STi heads and want to use them to the fullest.

[C'DALERIDER]

my friend was telling me my car wouldnt run right with a jdm block with the stock ecu because japanese motors have variable valve timing. is that right?
^beat me
If you get the longblock, you cant run avcs with the non-jdm ecu.

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

so this is a real noob question because im just starting to get into this and everything. But whats the difference between a shortblock, longblock, v7,8, spec c

im confused

[C'DALERIDER]

No problem.
shortblock is just the bottom end: block + pistons+rods and bearings.
long block is shortblock + the heads (complete engine, kindof).

The jdm STi engines came in afew versions. Troll mentiond some differences in those. BTW, the jdm STi engins are 2.0. Only the usdm is 2.5L.

[TROLL]

The v7 and v8 EJ207 were from different model years... I think the v7 was 01-02 and the v8 is 03+ but dont hold me to that.

The v7 came with forged pistons while the v8 did not.
The Spec C is a limited edition of the STi outside of the US and the v7 Spec C heads flow better than the normal v7 heads. The v8 heads are actually the same as the v7 Spec C heads though, so they are also the improved breed. Dont be fooled, the normal v7 heads are still better than anything the US has every seen, they are very good.

One other thing you may not thought of is that a longblock doesnt necessary come complete ready to drop in unless it is labeled as 'turn key' or something similar which would indicate it includes accessories like intake and exhaust manifold, all sensors, oil pan, turbo, intercooler, etc etc so check on all of those things if you are going to purchase.

And one thing I didnt clarify before... the US EJ257 (2.5L STi block) is certainly capable of over 400 whp and should be able to hold it well with the addition of forged pistons... you could add rods as well for an extra measure of safety but it really depends on your goals.

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

well, heres the situation, my engine is eating oil, its either valve guides or seals. so im going to have to tear it out either way. So lets say i have 2-2500 bucks to spend. Paint me a picture

[TROLL]

The v7 and v8 are both 2.0L, but they have semi closed decks which are stronger and also have stronger internals (v7 has forged pistons as well, v8 does not). Basically every element of the motor is stronger than a stock WRX motor and it is set up to rev to 8250 for either version. So yes to answer your question, it is a killer motor.
There are a lot of guys making 375-450 whp on these with the addition of a big turbo and 25-28 lbs. of boost.

[C'DALERIDER]

Find out why and if you are eating oil (these cars do go thru oil). If its the heads (valves...etc). Id just fix it, maybe upgrade alittle there with sti cams and some springs.
Id depends on what you are looking for power wise and the type of motorsports you are interested in , if any. For fun drag racing from time to time , the 2.0 with some Sti cams and an fp green and race gas with get you going well (Andy tuned a stock 2.0 with a green + race gas to OVER 400awhp!!). Thats a fun car capable of 11 second 1/4's, and save money for the gear upgrade!
The 2.5 with give you more tourque for track or AutoX days.
$2500 will go down pretty quickly. Upgrad eth egears and clutch and get the oil issue fixed along with a bigger turbo and tune (xotic...haha), and enjoy the car.

[DaveTheWhiteAsian]

looking at my money situation a little bit more, im gonna do an sti transmission and im gonna fix my engine, its either valve guides or seals but internal engine wise im not sure what im gonna do. Ive still got some time before i start tearing everything apart and doing it all thanks for the help though

[alachua]

What do you want to do with the car?

If you want to drag race it, then your budget is too small. A full v7 long block will be a great choice, allowing you to rev to the moon, have a number of available cam shaft options, and give you great street performance to boot.

If you are looking for a great daily driver, power to pull while at highway speeds, and perhaps hitting the strip every now and then, then I would really reccomend going with a used 2.5l sti block, and adding a set of forged pistons and possibly new rod bearings. Again, you will be straining your budget, and your heads will be a flow restriciton, but for day to day driving, adding 25% more displacement will be a difference you feel every time you step on the gas. This setup will make a great amount of torque, and allow you to run a larger turbo without having to wait as long for it to come on boost. And, if you decide to go for large HP numbers, you will be more than durable enough.

If you want to just fix your problem, then just have the heads serviced.

You mention Cobb's stroker kit costing less than a full jdm motor...you are wrong.

For just the crank alone you will be spending $1500, this doesn't included the necessary rods and pistons you will need to complete it, nor does it include labor. Gruppe-s lists full JDM longblocks for 2-3k, including heads, which you will either need to replace or repair.

Since you live in PA, I would do a bit of research in the Tri-state forum on Nasioc to see what people have done to make their swapped vehicles pass PA emissions inspections, and determine if you are comfortable with that. If not, then start looking for a 2.5l block.

-Cliff