Motor build question.?

[bmwpride]

So im at 175k and was going to do some maintenance . Such as valve adjustment, head gaskets, intake mani gaskets, with grimmspeed spacer ,extended egr tube, new seals,valve cover gaskets, and spark plug gaskets, with new tensioners, idlers, oil pump, water pump and belts. I have already done an oil pan gaskets. Now my question is about these parts, what radiator can i use that's an aftermarket performance one, what water pump and oil pump, and what belts to get. I also would like to get a little bit more out of my N/A engine, so what could i do while i was in there to get things a little peppier.

[mike-tracy]

Remind us what year and engine again? (or you could put that in your signature, lol)

[Reason]

That all sounds great, I did pretty much the same thing but made one mistake, I was going to replace my piston rings and didn't. Now I'm pretty sure I have oil blow by.. unless my cometic headgaskets are leaking but doubt it.

[TGX4776]

while it's out just do all the engine gaskets. I plan on giving mine a full rebuild when i do the eg33 swap.

[Huffer]

CAMS. CAMS. CAMS. CAMS.

Do it while you're doing everything else. I didn't (ran out of $$$ due to family emergency), and I regret it (but the family emergency was necessary). Now I have to "wait" another 30-45k to do the timing belt belt again (and do the cams).

[Reason]

Yes cams were well worth it on my 2.2, it made the car so much more fun to drive. Cams will be one of my first engine Mods on my GT.

Ken from Delta cam is on here, shoot him a pm.

[bmwpride]

i have a 97 Legacy Gt. Now with the cams do i need to do valve, springs and such or no. Cause im looking at maybe not spending to much on my car, and i was planning on doing rings, and studs, and bearings not sure on what to do with the pistons, rods, and or valve stuff. Also looking at getting a new radiator, and hoses, which ones fit our cars. As well as what best performance timing belt can i get, causei found one for a 2.5rs but not sure if it will work

[Huffer]

You don't need pistons, or a new radiator unless anything is broken. Just check over your existing hoses and get new clamps. You can replace a radiator down the line with a slimmer version if you choose, but it's not necessary now and you can use that money to put toward some nice street cams.

If you are doing cams, you should think about replacing valves springs and shims also - DeltaCam make a kit you can buy, or you can even reuse STi valve springs for the same effect. If you're worried, buy new.

For studs, you can just go OEM. People will tell you go go ARP but unless you're pushing big numbers it's not worth it.

OEM timing belt is fine too, and stick with the OEM thermostat.

The key here is working out what you absolutely need to buy and what you don't, unless you WANT to put that sticker on your car "hey I've got ARP studs and a Perrin crank but I'm still making 165hp". I'd much rather make 175 or 180hp and have all OEM gear.

[bmwpride]

understood, i was just saying radiator because my stock one is leaking.

[rougeben83]

Not sure if the 2nd gen's have a specific radiator out there in aluminum, but the GC impreza one *might* fit. Make sure the outlet/inlet entry points are the same. I know for sure something from the 02+ wrx/sti's won't fit...

98 2.5RS
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/03/25RS7-1.jpg

97 Legacy
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

[Huffer]

understood, i was just saying radiator because my stock one is leaking.

Well you didn't say that earlier!

I think Reason has a GC-specific Koyo radiator

[Reason]

I just have a oem koyo rad for a Legacy in my car. Im playing with the idea of using the koyo racing rad from an early turbo Legacy. I think it looks just like the early radiators used on the early second gens.

[bmwpride]

ok so know one knows forsure, but i guess i can try and see what i can do.

[Reason]

Budget in piston rings man. Buy a oem koyo rad and call it a day. For the money you spend on a racing rad that money can go towards go fast bits. Unless you are boosting and running some high temps don't bother.

[bmwpride]

well what other things for my build should i get to get a little more pep, im looking at at different cam like said before but, never ever even researched any thing.

[Reason]

Spend the money to change the.gaskets and belts etc. All the go fast bits can be added later like a crank pulley and what not.

[Huffer]

Cams can't be added later!

[bmwpride]

yea does any one know of a good mild street cam, that would be good for dd,track use?

[Huffer]

PM Qman here or look for posts by Deltacam. Best in the business.

[Baddog]

Cams can't be added later!

Why's that?

[02_Legacy]

Why's that?
Its just more work, you might as well do it while the engine is already out instead of pulling the motor again at a later time.

[Reason]

Subject: Motor build question.? (http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?p=242203#p242203)


Cams can't be added later!

Was this for me? Im saying any bolts on intake, pullys exhaust IM spacers whatever. Cams aren't considered a bolt on mod....

When I did my refresh I did cams. The whole reason for the refresh was for the cams. And again I am kicking myself in the ass for not replacing the piston rings...

[Baddog]

Subject: Motor build question.? (http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?p=242203#p242203)


Cams can't be added later!

Was this for me? Im saying any bolts on intake, pullys exhaust IM spacers whatever. Cams aren't considered a bolt on mod....

When I did my refresh I did cams. The whole reason for the refresh was for the cams. And again I am kicking myself in the ass for not replacing the piston rings...

Do you have to split the block to change out the piston rings? They don't seem like they cost much. Seems like cams is an expensive mod to do everything right.

[Grafton]

yes you need to hone the cylinders for new rings

[Reason]

To do just cams yes its exspensive. But it gives you an excuse to rebuild the block and make.some upgrades that you normally wouldn't do and the clutch at the.same time. In the end it is worth it. If you want to do JUST cams, go for it if you can do the.work yourself. To pay for someone to do just cams isn't worth the hit to the wallet.

[chuckthefuk]

If you want a aluminum rad you will have to go with impreza rads that will need the mounting points re-worked. Also you will need the hoses from the rad style you choose.

Don't neglect the little things like:
-REAR MAIN SEAL
-PLATE OF DOOM (oil block off plate next to the rear main seal)
-Multilayer head gasket
-ARP head studs. (for less then $100 its a great item for peace of mind..)

If you want to beat on your car you WILL NEED the arp studs and head gasket.

You can also:
-Delete the EGR and make back 1/2 horse
-Delete your A/C and make back 2 horses

But who cares about that stuff anyways.
-chuck

[bmwpride]

Ok here is what im going to ask. i have read and read and still have no idea what im wanting to do, or what parts to use. So here is the question. What would be a good dd/track use motor build that is fairly inexpensive to build. List parts ( not worried about prices, if you would put them that would be sweet), machine work. ETC... any help would be appreciated, the reason i ask this is because im trying to work as much as i can, and with that cant really do the search on the parts..

[Huffer]

Inexpensive dd/track engine is relative... Figure out what you want to do first then we can help you. Until then its just navel gazing.

[bmwpride]

Ok so Lets stick with DD/TRack able on the weekends... No worries on price, since i could look for the best price around..

[Huffer]

You're missing the point...

[bmwpride]

how am i missing the point. I would like a car, that i can DAILY DRIVE, as well as have enough pep in the motor, to be able to TRACK it. So maybe oem belts and such, with maybe i higher compression piston. Not sure. Is that not possible to build

[chuckthefuk]

You are missing the point.. You have no real goal besides weekend warrior..

If you want a high-compression motor PM Grafton and shoot the shit with him.

if you want a reliable motor with 165 BHP of pep just rebuild your motor with arp studs new metal head gasket, oem gasket/seal kit and all the little bits you can bolt on.

The next step is cams and port and polish. <-- That right there is a huge chunk of coin.

Are you willing to drop over $3000 on a motor that may not be worth it?

-Chuck

[Grafton]

^ ditto if you want to track engine power is honestly the last part, a awesome track car has: suspension, suspension, suspension, and an awesome driver (ie go to driving school)

on rs25.com there was someone with a 2.2L OBS who did a complete suspension, ie if there was a part out there that properly worked with his setup he had it installed. If i remember correctly he was putting down times close to stock porshe's because he could out brake and out handle them ( on the summit point track in martinsburg wv) I believe he even had a few people in very expensive cars go off because they tried to out brake him.

I've seemingly become the Hi-comp guy if your after power and have money to spend i have a set of recommendations:

get some junk dohc head's
buy a die grinder and port/polish kit
practice porting on the junk heads, imho porting is one of those 20/70 things (ie 20% of the work gets about 70% of the effect)

then aquire and rebuild a ej251 engine block: new bearings, upgraded rods, pistons ("A" bore, have block honed to fit the pistons), sti oil pump, 04+ sti oil pan and killerb oil pick up

sti headgaskets

do a home port and polish on the 25D heads (watch the valve seats...) then new valves, upgraded springs, and cams (ej20k might work according to rs25)

manifold spacers, swap in a better flowing manifold (a turbo manifold comes to mind)

injectors and upgraded fuel pump

TWE 4:2:1 HO headers ( or the new moore preformance headers they look very promising and are uel )

stand alone engine management (tuning, raised redline, control the injectors...)



what you'd end up with is a mostly OEM sourced 10.7:1 high compression/high revving 2.5L ie able to make some awesome NA power
for a good chunk of change admittedly. I'd be willing to bet this is doable with ~3K in cash

[Huffer]

Alternatively you could buy a crate motor from TWE and save a lot of time....but not money.

See what I meant about missing the point... Anyone can take their stock engine out on the track.

[bmwpride]

That is more of the answer. I apologize for not understanding what you were trying to say. I understand now,but im looking for a HC motor, with mostly OEM parts.

[jewbaru]

oh my, this thread was very useful! thank you grafton