Ads selling EJ257, EJ257/207 parts. Time for upgrade???

[natsirt]

Here are the local ads that have been catching my eye;

EJ25 short block
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-engine-engine-parts-Ej25-short-block-W0QQAdIdZ365356673

'04 STi short block (spun bearing)
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-engine-engine-parts-2004-Subaru-sti-short-block-W0QQAdIdZ363741237

EJ257/207 hybrid pieces
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-engine-engine-parts-Subaru-WRX-STI-EJ257-207-Hybrid-longblock-W0QQAdIdZ358120515

Now, I consider myself mechanically inclined, I do 90% of the work on my cars myself, and don't feel like going the JDM route (very easy to come by here in Canada, but I really enjoy the BD body style), but when it comes to aftermarket parts, or even the thought of a swap or retro fit, I'm completely in the dark. I don't have a whole lot of information on this sort of thing. What opinions do you fine ladies and gents have based on what you see contained in these ads? The value, quality, worth of the components listed above? Uses for a build? The rebuild of certain components (spun bearing for example) would not be a big deal at all either.

'98 Legacy 2.5GT 5 Spd.

[Garrison]

Possibly the most useful advice I've ever heard about building soob's:


no no no no... custom pistons not required for you build.
so for a 99 EJ22 you can find them for around 100 or less. i got mine for $30 in a junk yard.
now like i said, the 2.2 crank and rods has been proven at 400hp. the STI rods and crank have been proven to 600HP. its the pisons that are the weak point. sti and 2.2. the sti pistons break at stock levels on stock tunes quite regularly. infact here in utah the district service manager wont warratee a the #4 sti piston because of it.

also you dont need a 2.5 crank in a 2.2. infact i dont recomend it. i would even discourage it.
to re-machine the 2.5 to 4 bolt (center thrust) to accept a rear thrust would be more than just buying an used STi short block.
you dont need custom pistons. a bone stock 2.2 short block with 2.5 heads will take you to roughly the same amount of power as the sti before the pistons give.
stock pistons give out on the sti around 350hp
stock pistons on the EJ20/22 is also around 350hp.
(this comes down to tune)
the forged pistons are roughly the same price.

your over thinking all this.

EJ257 short block:
pros, good low end power, lots of aftermarket support, stock crank and rods are good for 500-600hp
(way more power than your stock gear box can handle)

the cons. expensive to buy, expensive to modify, expensive to replace if it breaks. weak pistons, due to the large bore, they have a greater chance of head gasket issues. pistons limit to around 350 hp.

EJ22
pros: cheap to buy, cheap to replace. uses a 2.0 turbo crank and rods, so there is a large aftermarket support, smaller bore than the 2.5 reduces the risk of head gaskets, the potential power is greater than the 2.0 wrx due to the .2 liters more displacement.

cons: oem crank, and rods limit to roughly 400 but more than enough power to break your gearbox)
stock pistons give limit is around 350 chp max.

your gear box is a big limiting factor. both motors will have no problem ripping it to pieces.
the MOST power i have ever heard anyone running thu it is 300 Crank hp. and he breaks them about ever 10,000 miles.

250, 275 crank hp is the most i would run on the gear box. and if you upgrade the trans you gotta upgrade the trannys then you gotta upgrade, clutch, axles, differentials.


here is what i really think you should do. get a 99 ej22, put your 2.5 heads on, a TD05 90 degree, 440CC injectors, get a good tune and push it to 275, 300 if your brave. call it good till you can afford a gearbox, after you upgrade the gearbox, trade up for some 650cc injectors, get A GOOD TUNE. and see if those pistons will last at 400HP

you will find motor builds get expensive quick. trust me on that.
the EJ22 is best bang for your buck. hands down.
if you do go with EJ25 do not use stock pistons. they are junk.
you want something forged.