I'm sure this has been asked and discussed on here a million times but I can't find anything definitive.

I have a WRX motor with a melted piston but good heads.
I can get an STi shortblock for a decent price and maybe slap on these heads.

Can this be done?
Is it worth it?
Am I being really stupid? IByesyouare.

It is going into a GC rallycar, but I'm not ready to shell out a truckload of cash for a super built motor yet.

Thanks.
Nick.

Read:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1454557

Perfect.
This line...

"Honestly for how much it costs to buy a STi shortblock, 2.0 heads just kill it. Its still a reasonable upgrade from the 2.0, but eh I dunno, I still dont know if a "budget hybrid" is worth it if you dont go all the way with heads too...."

says it all for me.
I'm just thinking too hard todat.

Thanks Mike!

im looking at doing the same thing... but i am going to spend 1500 on my heads first...


cams, valves, springs &retainers, and then a built block on a stock 5 speed isnt good... disaster waiting to happen... upgrade the tranny too.. thats what im doing

Well I will say this. My hybrid with stock wrx heads is more fun to drive than the 2.0L ever was. There are a lot of folks running these. I felt that both motors ran out of steam past 6300 rpm. The 2.5L is just stronger up to that point.

I am not advocating that all hybrid owners over look getting their heads done. My point is that replacing a broken 2.0L with another one is not the best course of action to me. While the heads hold the full potential back you still end up with more. I only plan to run the car this way until fall. I will then pull the heads and pistons and replace them with better components.

While the heads hold the full potential back you still end up with more. I only plan to run the car this way until fall. I will then pull the heads and pistons and replace them with better components.

I would say that it's mainly the cams that are holding you back. If you can get the CR reasonable and put in a more suitable cam, the 2.0 WRX heads won't drop off as much in the top end, and then you can modify them further (porting, etc.)