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Old 11-12-2012, 09:21 PM   #1
yenny
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Default 2011,2012,2013 WRX, ringlands still an issue?

had an 06 sti and thinking about getting back into a subie. How's the stock tune on the MY11+ WRX's and rate of ringland failure? I've read about a few 2011 STi's blowing, but not seeing many wrx's having ringland issues. staying stock
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Old 11-13-2012, 02:16 AM   #2
Lindyn11
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I Wouldnt worry if staying stock.

stock tune does get pretty lean entering boost however.
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Old 11-13-2012, 02:53 AM   #3
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How about if applying a mod, for example, exhaust?
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Old 11-13-2012, 03:53 AM   #4
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If you staying stock, or just putting on a catback exhaust then don't worry at all about ringlands.

I would do a stage 1 tune though.
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Old 11-13-2012, 04:57 AM   #5
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the FIRST thing id do with any new fi subaru is get it tuned to get rid of the bad factory tune
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Old 11-13-2012, 06:58 AM   #6
HinshawWRX
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Search, there is an ENTIRE thread about this in 2.5L

The instance of ringland failures will always be there, how played out it is depends on how many members are actually saying anything and how many owners are members.
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Old 11-13-2012, 08:45 AM   #7
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IF you buy one don't do anything that Subaru can even remotely point to as a possible cause for the failure, because they will!
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Old 11-13-2012, 09:37 AM   #8
yenny
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindyn11 View Post
I Wouldnt worry if staying stock.

stock tune does get pretty lean entering boost however.
I see. the stock tune is still lean, Subaru hasn't changed that. bummer. Darn epa requirements

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty View Post
the FIRST thing id do with any new fi subaru is get it tuned to get rid of the bad factory tune
That's the catch 22 I'm facing. Run stock with a stock lean tune. if it blows, SOA should cover it. Unless they blame it on abuse. OR run OTS stg 1 tune for a safer tune, but if something then happens and SOA sees that it was reflashed back to stock tune, then the ringland may not be covered.

Quote:
Originally Posted by HinshawWRX View Post
Search, there is an ENTIRE thread about this in 2.5L

The instance of ringland failures will always be there, how played out it is depends on how many members are actually saying anything and how many owners are members.
yea I guess, the underlying problem, lean AFR's when hitting boost before going to a richer AFR is still ongoing. Just seems like I read less about actual cases on the 2011+ models. So maybe something in the stock tune did change a bit?

Quote:
Originally Posted by a2cpc View Post
IF you buy one don't do anything that Subaru can even remotely point to as a possible cause for the failure, because they will!
I have read this to be true. Not all cases, but some where warranty was denied on a stock vehicle if tire wear or something else indicated abuse
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Old 11-13-2012, 09:42 AM   #9
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Wait for whatever engine comes in the next WRX/STi. Chances are, they won't have to run a dangerously lean tune to comply with modern emissions requirements like they have to do with the EJ255/7.
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Old 11-13-2012, 09:57 AM   #10
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In my experience, I've seen noticeably more STIs experience ringland failure than WRXs. As far as the tune, you nailed it when you said it's a catch 22. I personally plan on keeping my WRX far past the weak-ass warranty period, so dropping a safer tune was a no-brainer for me. Knowing my luck, I'd run the stock tune for 3 year/ 36,000 miles, THEN have a ringland failure and lose my money anyways. No thanks. I have zero regrets I did my tune immediately.
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Old 11-13-2012, 10:01 AM   #11
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Just put a stage 1 on it and enjoy the car. Properly modded, and not driven like an asshat, these cars are very reliable. I have 100k on my 08, bought it new, but I junked the factory tune during breakin due to the lean issues with it. Yes the factory tune is horrible. Yes it is a 'catch 22' because you technically void the warranty. Then again, if you follow sentence number 2 above, you shouldn't grenade your motor with a safe tune unless you're completely retarded, so it's not like you will need it anyway.

I used my extended warranty for all 100k of my car. I had minor things here and there changed out UNDER warranty, with the dealership fully aware of my modifications. If the modification isn't responsible for the failure, the warranty is still good.

My .02 cents.
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Old 11-13-2012, 10:10 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Decipher View Post
In my experience, I've seen noticeably more STIs experience ringland failure than WRXs. As far as the tune, you nailed it when you said it's a catch 22. I personally plan on keeping my WRX far past the weak-ass warranty period, so dropping a safer tune was a no-brainer for me. Knowing my luck, I'd run the stock tune for 3 year/ 36,000 miles, THEN have a ringland failure and lose my money anyways. No thanks. I have zero regrets I did my tune immediately.
Why don't you just run stock til 3 years/36,000 miles close to running out then use a better aftermarket tune? It's kind of stupid how Subaru can blame you for abusing the car. The wrx/sti were built to be fast so it isn't really abusive if you're driving the car the way it's supposed to be driven.
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Old 11-13-2012, 10:15 AM   #13
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I've had full bolt on's and a protune since 3k miles on my 2011 STi. im at 17k miles and the car has seen almost 20 passes at the track and boost almost every time i drive it. runs strong as ever.
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:08 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luan87us View Post
It's kind of stupid how Subaru can blame you for abusing the car. The wrx/sti were built to be fast so it isn't really abusive if you're driving the car the way it's supposed to be driven.
Driving aggressively before the car is fully warmed up, using oil that doesn't belong in the car, doing modifications without researching, high-rpm clutch drops and banging gears at every stoplight are not what Subaru designed this car for. Many people have learned the hard way by doing those exact things, then trying to blame Subaru when they won't repair it for free.
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:11 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SWP n Gold View Post

Driving aggressively before the car is fully warmed up, using oil that doesn't belong in the car, doing modifications without researching, high-rpm clutch drops and banging gears at every stoplight are not what Subaru designed this car for. Many people have learned the hard way by doing those exact things, then trying to blame Subaru when they won't repair it for free.
I'd like to see the dealership or Subaru even try to deny a warranty on a broken ringland or spun bearing when using 5w30 Mobil 1 & a Subaru oil filter.

I bet they would pull the "Abuse" card before that would happen.
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:24 AM   #16
yenny
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good discussion guys

I guess it comes down to...a very small % sees these failures. But these failures can and still do occur with current models. It does suck if you happen to be one the few with a bad one. I'm sure if subaru had some way remedied the issue more, sales would be better. They have a good product i.e. AWD, boxer rumble, great aggressive exterior looks, fast, fun to drive, under $30k (WRX)

Buy it stay stock, no tracking, no autoX and if something happens, it should be covered. OR buy it mod it stg1 or 2, safe tune, most likely nothing will happen and probably runs better than stock, but if it something were to fail, be ready to pay

Last edited by yenny; 11-13-2012 at 11:33 AM.
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:26 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SWP n Gold View Post
Driving aggressively before the car is fully warmed up, using oil that doesn't belong in the car, doing modifications without researching, high-rpm clutch drops and banging gears at every stoplight are not what Subaru designed this car for. Many people have learned the hard way by doing those exact things, then trying to blame Subaru when they won't repair it for free.
I agree, for those specific failures, subaru is right to not cover
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:34 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SWP n Gold View Post
Driving aggressively before the car is fully warmed up, using oil that doesn't belong in the car, doing modifications without researching, high-rpm clutch drops and banging gears at every stoplight are not what Subaru designed this car for. Many people have learned the hard way by doing those exact things, then trying to blame Subaru when they won't repair it for free.
Oh yeah I agree if those kind of things you metioned are the driver's fault and subaru shouldn't take the blame for that. I'm talking about people that drove the car with common sense but got a manufacture design problem should not be denied warranty.
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Old 11-13-2012, 12:12 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WRXLTD View Post
I'd like to see the dealership or Subaru even try to deny a warranty on a broken ringland or spun bearing when using 5w30 Mobil 1 & a Subaru oil filter.

I bet they would pull the "Abuse" card before that would happen.
If:

1) the oil used meets the standards as outlined in the owner's manual
2) you changed it according to the recommended intervals from Subaru
3) can provide receipts for every service performed

then you'll be fine. If you don't, you run the risk of getting denied.
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Old 11-13-2012, 12:45 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luan87us
Why don't you just run stock til 3 years/36,000 miles close to running out then use a better aftermarket tune? It's kind of stupid how Subaru can blame you for abusing the car. The wrx/sti were built to be fast so it isn't really abusive if you're driving the car the way it's supposed to be driven.
I considered that, but that would mean for the first and most crucial 36,000 miles of the motor's life, I am running a notoriously lean map causing possible damage to my car. It may not matter later that I put a safe map on it. The damage will likely already have been done. If I was only keeping it for 3 years, fine. Since I'm not, I'll gladly take my chances.
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Old 11-13-2012, 01:04 PM   #21
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45k miles:

-Oil change (rotella) every 3k miles
-Stage 2 since 15k miles (+PW TMIC since ~24k miles)
-Boost every day
-Drive up to the mountains (8000ft)

Pretty happy with my reliability so far. Knock on wood

Last edited by kabob.master; 11-18-2012 at 09:00 PM.
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Old 11-13-2012, 01:09 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Decipher View Post
I considered that, but that would mean for the first and most crucial 36,000 miles of the motor's life, I am running a notoriously lean map causing possible damage to my car. It may not matter later that I put a safe map on it. The damage will likely already have been done. If I was only keeping it for 3 years, fine. Since I'm not, I'll gladly take my chances.
I guess that could be true. But I've read on this and usually ringland issue will happen within the first 6000 miles of the car. I'm staying stock anyway for awhile and hope I don't really have to deal with this issue. Lets just hope subaru stepped it up in 2013 haha.
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Old 11-13-2012, 01:28 PM   #23
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They didn't...

I haven't seen enough data to build a trend on the failures with regards to miles. That may very well be true. I've read plenty of failures at low miles. Tough call. Anyone has to just weigh out the risks and benefits and make the right choice for them. It sucks that it's even a question. Oh well. Still have mad Subaru love.

Last edited by Decipher; 11-13-2012 at 02:08 PM.
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Old 11-13-2012, 01:54 PM   #24
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To answer your question, yes the pistons are still crap.
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Old 11-14-2012, 01:31 AM   #25
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I love how everyone blames this initial lean condition at the on-set of boost yet no one has been able to confirm that it truely is the culprit.

It also has nothing to do with emissions. Ford manages to get their Focus ST (turbo) to run a 13:1 or less AFR at 3500rpms.

When I've logged my 2012 WRX with the Torque App, it shows an AFR at ~13.5:1 at the on-set of boost and the richening up into the 12s shorterly thereafter (~4200rpms).
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