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Old 01-11-2006, 12:27 PM   #1
kheff46
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Default V4 sti reliability

what kind of power level can it hold without losing suby reliability? i'd like 300whp, and i'm not 100% sure what is attainable with basic bolt ons, and staying as stock as possible. never had a turbo(from factory) suby, just an OBS that i turbo'd myself(it was great, and reliable), and know very little about their lifespan. TIA guys! -keith
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Old 01-11-2006, 02:07 PM   #2
dentsport
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If the motor is in good shape now and you keep the stock turbo you will likely have good reliability out of the motor. You can push 270whp-300whp out of the stock turbo depending on your modifications, EM used, and willingness to push it. Heck there are some members running high 11's on a stock IHI turbo in a V6 STi motor.

Nobody can say for sure how long it will last, unexpected problems always occur. But the chances are good that with proper maintenance and some care you can have a very fast, modded V4 STi motor that will last you quite a while.

Good luck with the car.

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Old 01-11-2006, 02:35 PM   #3
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also need to consider the tranny a regualr 5 speed isn't gonna do 300 whp
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Old 01-11-2006, 03:46 PM   #4
kheff46
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is the v4 sti tranny any beefier than a "normal" 5 spd.?
so 300whp is actually achieveable with minimal mods. cool, that's what i wanna know! good to hear for sure. are there any good reliability mods that aren't crazy expensive(oil cooler,trans cooler, etc.)?
and does anyone have a good info site about specifics on V4 sti's? like stock plug size/heat range, stock intercooler sprayer?, other engine related stuff. basically i need to know which oem wrx/sti parts will fit my engine. like h20 pump, oil pump, blah,blah! i want to be able to rebuild without having to buy japan direct. any info is good info guys! -keith
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Old 01-12-2006, 11:38 AM   #5
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The RA box is quite a bit stronger than a regular USDM 5spd, but not as beefy as a 6spd.
My motor and tranny have about 60k miles on them. Runs great. I am using the stock turbo and ECU. If you up the boost it can blow up just like any other EJ motor. I saw a block with a nice big hole from using 22psi with poor EM.

I would say that 300whp will need more than minimal mods because a Apexi Power FC would be a really good idea. They run about $800-$1000 plus dyno time, plus a gauge set. May need a turbo upgrade depending on the turbo that you get with the engine.
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Old 01-12-2006, 12:17 PM   #6
kheff46
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im not sure what turbo is stock(someone said it before, don't remember tho). i can't seem to find a good link with jdm sti specs from year to year. but shouldn't the stock ecu be able to run it fine with intake, exhaust, and little mods like that tho? i'm gonna get power FC as soon as i start to upgrade stuff. any reputable tuners in ohio? i've heard buschur and some others i can't remember off hand.
is my trans the RA? it's a reguler sti not ra from the trans code i ran. but is your tranny ra or reg. sti? how many miles did it have when you got it?
6 spd is in the future along with 2.5 block maybe. but thanks for all the help! and sorry for all the random questions! -keith
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Old 01-13-2006, 11:58 AM   #7
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Mine was a Type R with a VF23 and RA gear ratios with 4:44 had about 50k miles when purchased.
The RAs had a VF22. Some regular WRXs had the VF22 as well. I think you could order your turbo of choice.
I wouldn't bother with a 6spd if you already have a good 5spd. Wait until in breaks.
I think your stock ECU would work fine with mild mods, but 300whp would take something custom. Also the stock ECU runs very rich and expects 95 octane.
Here is a good link http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/wrx.html
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Old 01-13-2006, 12:00 PM   #8
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Oh, and modding the intake is not doing much for you, stock is fine.
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Old 01-13-2006, 02:08 PM   #9
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what can i do as far as gas? is that 95 octane or RON? how can i run crappy gas? like 90-92 octane. -keith
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Old 01-13-2006, 02:34 PM   #10
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my dyno charts on my RA are on 91 octane. seems to do just fine
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Old 01-13-2006, 02:47 PM   #11
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From what I have read the stock ECU will add timing with higher octane and make more power. Just using 100 octane will give more hp with no other mods. I would think you are missing out on some hp with lower octane 91. It should run OK, probably won't even miss the lost hp.
I have run with 91 and noticed pretty much no difference. It would likely only be seen on the dyno or the 1/4 mile ET.
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Old 01-13-2006, 03:05 PM   #12
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Not so much that the ECU will add timing with higher octane, but it will not pull timing. If you run JDM ECU's on US premium they pull timing to save the engine. If you put in high octane and clear the ECU it will return to the original settings that were expecting more octane...
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Old 01-13-2006, 03:09 PM   #13
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yeah. me no can afford 100 octane at 16mpg here. :P

wish i could...
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Old 01-13-2006, 04:47 PM   #14
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dont we all. protest for 95??

and all V4 STi's have VF24's, even RA, believe me, i know

V4's are good, but im kinda against them at this point, personal experience dictating it, but they really do great.

Last edited by Hurley 2.5 WRS; 01-20-2006 at 12:21 AM.
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Old 01-13-2006, 05:57 PM   #15
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I was wondering when we would hear from you. I was not going to speak on your behalf.

OT, PM me a list of RS parts you still have left from the swap. Got a '95 last night that needs some upgrades...
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Old 01-14-2006, 12:07 AM   #16
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what is your biggest gripe/problems with the v4? Looking forward to any issues that may arise with mine.
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Old 01-14-2006, 11:53 AM   #17
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v3-4 WRXs have vf22, i know this is STI thread but thought id tos this in too
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Old 01-14-2006, 07:18 PM   #18
Hurley 2.5 WRS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnkaldar
what is your biggest gripe/problems with the v4? Looking forward to any issues that may arise with mine.
more likley to spin a bearing due to thrust bearing design. that is what the motors went to phase 2 after V4. its not extremely common, but it happens more on Phase I engines

Matt: PM sent, i also need a question answered too.
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Old 01-14-2006, 08:50 PM   #19
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yuppers. its an unlucky event when that happens, obviously STi campaigned these things in rally attack worldwide and won enough to prove its durability through motorsports. i think its freak incident that you would spin a bearing (although i have myself on a former motor), but the newer design is just a built EJ257 shorty away :P
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Old 01-15-2006, 11:10 AM   #20
kheff46
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ej257 is in the future for sure(hate to rev swapstar!). but i want to be able to daily drive the beast for a while with zero issues(till i get $$ for mods). i think i'm gonna run a fmic, instead of sourcing a hood, vents, diverter, etc. end up spending the same $$ anyway, and keep the sleeper effect! anyone know how it'll run with fmic vs. tmic with everything stock? v4, open deck? i think so, but forget! -keith
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Old 01-15-2006, 12:00 PM   #21
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"semi closed", but yeah, just has extra support at the top
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Old 01-15-2006, 12:55 PM   #22
kheff46
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i'm going to do fmic right off the bat. but who sells piping by itself? how do i or estimate the length, # of bends, elbow angles, etc to convert the system from stock v4 sti tmic? i'll use free ss exhaust pipe if i gotta(don't want to tho). let me kno if you guys got any ideas! -keith
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Old 01-15-2006, 01:01 PM   #23
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I thought EJ20K's were open deck?
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Old 01-15-2006, 03:31 PM   #24
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I don't think Any turbo subarus were open deck they were eather semi closed or closed....
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Old 01-15-2006, 03:50 PM   #25
kheff46
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think, thought, etc. etc. Dosen't really matter much, just wondered for a bottom rebuild about using a 2.5 l crank or some type of franken build instead of ej257 bottom for future rebuilds. keepin options open is always good! i've seen the sti blocks on ebay for $1500 buy it now plus like $80 shipping. isn't bad, my stealership quoted me $1675 without tax. but i can rebuild cheaper possibly! -keith
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