I recently ordered a new EJ257 short block. From a "engine builder" perspective, I'm really disappointed in the lack of cleanliness by SOA.

-*The cylinders were filthy.

-*The rings were filthy

-Too much silicone was used assembling the block halves

*This really hurts the break-in process. I'm glad I decided not to drop it straight in. While I have it apart, I'm using Total Seal's product, "Quik-Seat" to help seat the factory chrome-faced rings.

It looks like someone was eating a freaking brownie while assembling the pistons of this engine. You get what you pay for. I'd bet Quirt, Ron, Marco, or Trey would freak if they saw this....or maybe they're used to seeing this from the factory.

S.

pics?

Sure...if someone would giude me through the posting/hosting process.

Pm me.

imageshack lets see soeme dirty new pics

Heh, heh. We just went through the same thing. From what my mechanic told me it's pretty much typical for a subie shortblock. We had to split the case and hone the cylinders for the new Mahle piston set anyway so it was no big deal. (Just an FYI for folks out there: we had to knock one of the pistons out - there was no clearance on the jug! :eek: )

We're using Quik-Seat too. Frankly, the thing I like the most about the product is how it immediately shows any slight contamination as pink. It's really good stuff, and we hope by using it along with a slightly rougher cylinder finish than the factory mirror-job 'sheen', we'll get a better ring seat.

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=150330664&ran=31715

my user is n2xlr8n, my album is titled WRX pics

Have fun. :)

S.

It looks like someone was eating a freaking brownie while assembling the pistons of this engine.
Sorry, that was me.

and me too!!

You aren't honing are you. Nice looking gold coat.

You aren't honing are you. Nice looking gold coat.


Why would I do that? The rings are stock, the bore is honed for stock rings, and the piston-wall clearance is .003". Perfect for what I want to do. ;)

S.

P.S.
you should see the heads (Crawford specials), intake manifold + 75 mm TB, (Magnus, of course) and ports (Swaintech) ;)

Looking forward to your progress Steve. I used the Quick-seat stuff too, it was worth a try and it's cheap. Still working on my water injection and your v-pump before the dyno.

And so it begins....watching closely.:)

What happened to the other engine you were building? Why the switch?

What happened to the other engine you were building? Why the switch?


I needed my WRX as a daily driver all of a sudden, and this was the best option. Race engines are not intended to be driven 135 miles/day. :)

S.

You aren't honing are you. Nice looking gold coat.

Let me be clear for those that don't understand:

-The block is brand new

-The finish on the cylinder walls is correct for the stock rings used

-The bores mic'd perfectly (no surprise, it's a new block)

-The bores have no taper (ditto)

-The pistons mic'd perfectly to provide .003" clearance

No need to hone. It would be a waste of time and money.


Situations which would require a hone in the above example:

-Used block

-Pistons are not suited for .003" p-w clearance (oversized)

-More than .003 -.0035" p-w needed

-Different stlye rings used (moly vs. Chrome, although one could probably get away with the stock bore finish if they knew how to properly break an engine in)

-Taper in cylinders (found with dial bore gauge)

HTH

S.

And so it begins....watching closely.:)


I'm afraid I may disappoint you, Pat. :lol:

One thing you can count on, though: After being down for the last 18 months, I'm going to beat this bitch like a red-headed stepchild when I get the Phil tune put on it.

S.

Sorry, that was me.


I did not say tofu. I said brownie.

Hhmpf!

































:lol:

-The bores mic'd perfectly (no surprise, it's a new block).
You were luckier than I was - there was almost a .0015" difference between the tightest and loosest hole in my brand new block. I had 2 "A" bores and 2 "B" bores and the tightest was under minimums. Did I mention we had to tap the factory piston out of that jug? :lol:

I've heard of a few other new blocks that have this issue, whereas others don't. It seems kind of hit or miss.

I'm afraid I may disappoint you, Pat. :lol:

One thing you can count on, though: After being down for the last 18 months, I'm going to beat this bitch like a red-headed stepchild when I get the Phil tune put on it.

S.
eh, I think I'll still learn something.

it doesnt surprise me it was ditry like that. should be sweet when its up and running.

what kind of dog is Abel? Bull Mastiff?

you should see the heads (Crawford specials), intake manifold + 75 mm TB, (Magnus, of course) and ports (Swaintech) ;)Well, I think most of us are still waiting for you to post pics of these as well! :D

it doesnt surprise me it was ditry like that. should be sweet when its up and running.

what kind of dog is Abel? Bull Mastiff?

:furious: ENGLISH Mastiff. j/k

Everyone gets them confused.

He's 35" at the shoulder now, 218 lbs. Still has ~9 months of "filling out" left :eek: Daddy's sweet boy. :lol: The real perspective is when I place his chew toy 6" from the ceiling, and he takes it out of my hand....without jumping.

My female is named Maddie. 6 months, 109 lbs. A terror.

I have hijacked my own thread, talking about my children. :lol:

Pics of the heads coming soon. ;)

S.

Pics of the heads coming soon. ;)
S.

Here you go:

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=150330664&ran=22081
================================================== =====

To answer inevitable Qs:

-I coated the ports to keep cool things cool, and hot things hot :lol:

-I coated the valves (ditto)

-I coated the pistons to keep the combustion in the chamber, hence more efficient combustion

- Ditto the chambers

Will I see different EGTs / AFRs from like combinations? Probably. Will it make more power? Probably not a substantial amount; My efforts were based on previous experience with coatings (Swaintech specifically) used for additional protection against detonation and heat related failures...but hey, I'm a domestic guy ;)

Cost of all coatings: <$600 throughout. Cheap insurance.

HTH

S.

Magnus Motorsports (rev 260009) TGV-less, 75mm TB, N2O boss, intake manifold coming soon....we're waiting on the TB.

S.

Hope you have better luck with Magnus than I did. I sent my old one back because it cracked and I waited for over 6 MONTHS to get a new one back. Every time we called to find out what the deal was, he said "Its being made right now." So I called after waiting 6 months, I got cussed out by Marco the owner and finally a week later the new manifold showed up. The only reason I finally got it was because I pushed his buttons enough that he decided he didnt want to deal with me any more.

Those heads definitely look good. Good luck with your build.

-Matt

Hope you have better luck with Magnus than I did. I sent my old one back because it cracked and I waited for over 6 MONTHS to get a new one back. Every time we called to find out what the deal was, he said "Its being made right now." So I called after waiting 6 months, I got cussed out by Marco the owner and finally a week later the new manifold showed up. The only reason I finally got it was because I pushed his buttons enough that he decided he didnt want to deal with me any more.

Those heads definitely look good. Good luck with your build.

-Matt

As for dealing with fabricators: been there, of course. If they tell you 4 weeks, it's going to be 4 months. Makes you question your choice of careers. I think it will be okay, but we'll see.

Thanks, I've done my best, put the things I could not do into people that I trust's hands, so that's all I can do.

S.

Bump for move to "built engine forum" :)

S.

I wondered why suddenly the whole forum was threads you started :lol:

Sorry :o

Just trying to share the knowledge. :lol:

S.

I'm experiencing deja vu.

I'm experiencing deja vu.

Do tell. :devil: