I just figured with the popularity of this swap I would go ahead and post my progress and pictures hoping they may lend assistance or help for future swaps. I know I have benifitted from many of the other threads out there. Thank you all very much for your info and time for posting.

Basically this swap was brought on from the ever popular cyl 3 rod bearing failure. I was not too surprised as this car has been through quite a bit. Lots of 1/4 mile passes, plenty of off road jumping and trail driving and almost 100k with no problems till a cam seal leak a couple months before this. That was fixed and then this happened. Not a big deal other than the fact it is adding up to be a pricey job.

After lots of searching I opted with the factory fresh EJ257 for reliability purposes and I am using the stock wrx heads w/ STI gaskets. This will give me the daily driving torque I want and a good amount of spooling power for the Greddy 18g going in. I am using the stock cams and valvetrain for cost issues. Otherwise I would have really liked to be installing some 264's or 272's. I can always do that later anyways. No biggie. I added a new Oil pump, water pump, timing tensioner, timing belt, sti oil pan, sti baffle, sti pickup, and sti dipstick. I am using a Utec to control the PE800cc injectors and a walbro 255L pump to fuel it. I also will be using a blitz front mount and a 3 inch catless exhaust. I am not exactly sure what numbers it will put down but I know it will be fine for my expectations and wants.

now for the snapshots of my solo build.

The start
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/351741143_43508b9bc0_o.jpg

Motor getting stripped
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/351739997_6cf6981500_o.jpg

A nice new block
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/351740852_91490ccb0f_o.jpg

One head down
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/351740570_7219e7b5c5_o.jpg

Storing the cams
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/351739826_0f97961797_o.jpg

My mess of parts... haha
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/351740429_610a7518c8_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/351740746_74969ec9c4_o.jpg

As of last night...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/351741007_ad452e3ff8_o.jpg

I will time it tonight and update you as I make some progress. Hopefully you will enjoy this post or at least the pics.

lookn good. good luck

what monsterous turbo is that?

and you should to a tgv delete while you're in there :) and use some hondata gaskets isntead of oem between the intake risers and heads.

keep us updated with your progress...

How comfortable are you with the compression ratio on the stock STI block?

Subaruski420 - thanks

Wrinkleboi - The turbo is a Holset from a Cummins deisel. I am probably going to modify the TGV's tonight if I have the time. otherwise maybe tomorrow. I just have to find a good bit for my dremmel. I am not sure that I have one that would be a good choice for this.

thejean - The compression ratio is fine with me. I know the stock rods on this block are pretty darn strong and with guys pushing 550 whp on stock blocks I don't think the block will have any problems with an 8.7 to 1 compression ratio running 20psi or so.

thejean - The compression ratio is fine with me. I know the stock rods on this block are pretty darn strong and with guys pushing 550 whp on stock blocks I don't think the block will have any problems with an 8.7 to 1 compression ratio running 20psi or so.

I have had a LOT of people tell me this and only one tell me that an 8.7:1 is going to be an issue. Thank you. I think I'll go with democracy. Stock STI block it is for me.

8.7:1 definitely will not be an 'issue' but in the end it all depends on your tuner. Your tune(r) is the absolute most important part of the equation, for both power and safety.
I am actually intentionally going to increase my CR to 9.0 because it will give me better power off-boost. I have been told this is only recommended for a daily if you have 93 octane, but I do so its all good. I am also going to be running alcohol injection daily.
So... don't be scared to run 8.7. I am going to be running higher comp than that and I plan to be boosting more than 20 psi as well.

Cool. More reassurance. Me feels gooood.

As stated already you should be fine with CR 8.7, it will all boil down to your tuner. AR Fab is building my engine for CR of 9.5 w/ my GT35R setup to run on 93 and Meth/Water injection and I trust their decision, as I will be boosting well over 20psi.

I am probably going to modify the TGV's tonight if I have the time. otherwise maybe tomorrow. I just have to find a good bit for my dremmel. I am not sure that I have one that would be a good choice for this.

DO NOT DO THIS WITH A DREMEL!! I did mine with a dremel and the metal cutting bits. I went through about 7 bits, 1 dremel and it took days to get done. Find someone with an air grinder.

DO NOT DO THIS WITH A DREMEL!! I did mine with a dremel and the metal cutting bits. I went through about 7 bits, 1 dremel and it took days to get done. Find someone with an air grinder.

Nah, i did this with a dremel last two nights...spend about an hour to an hour and a half on one per night. as long as you arent making the dremel work real hard youll be fine. i used sanding bits at 60 grit. they arent perfectly smooth but you dont want that anyhow. i probably went through about 12 bits all together, which is cheaper than buying an air dremel or buying a carbide bit. all in all i probably spent $4 on bits. not bad for a tgv delete...

-Yellow Submarine

Thanks for the info guys. I didn't get home till 11 last night so needless to say I did not make any more progress. Tonight should be different... i hope

-noah

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=886658&highlight=TGV+delete

I used this step by step and it was easy as pie. good luck!

I got the TGV's done but I am having an issue with the aligning the cam pulleys on the left cams.

The dual marks on the exhaust cam pulley do not align with the mark on the bottom of the LH intake pulley and the mark on the timing cover in the 90 degree pattern. The exhaust cam would have to be compressing the #4 cylinder exhaust valves for the pulley to align with the intake cam mark and the timing cover mark in the right hand facing 90 degree position.

I have read the manual thouroghly and the cam installation diagram matches the exact positioning I have for the lobes. The cam lobes for both cylinders face up on the intake and exhaust sides. The intake cam wants to line straight up and down but the dual marks are on the top side. And the exhaust cam wants to make a 90 degree angle to the bottom and right. I cannot post any pics right now but can any one lend any input. Have you seen this before?

These are stock cams and pulleys.

I guess I have it figured out. You just have to rotate the cam pulley while it compress' the lifters on the with the lobes until the timing marks line up. For some reason I thought all the valves would be closed when the motor is at TDC. If I am wrong correct me now please.