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Old 11-09-2015, 08:41 PM   #1
LittleBlueGT
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Member#: 96204
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: W. Canada
Location: Winnipeg
Vehicle:
2013 STI GR
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Default Lachute Performance - Helped out HUGE!!!

This is a bit of a read, but bear with me.

As some of you know, I cracked a piston on my stock block 380-400whp 2013 STI in the summer. Knew it was a matter of time. This is actually my 3rd block that I have paid for for Subies I have owned. So I have a little bit of experience. I chose their AK2 block for the Cossworth Pistons (better for winter operation IMO) and quite a few other things that aren't really needed for this thread.

They had my block built and shipped within a few days. I also got a copy of the tolerances they used (for my specific block), that have worked well for them on EJs in the past. I think their knowledge is pretty good in this area, as they do have two dedicated (not street legal) race cars.

My dealer put in my last built block in my old LGT (TopSpeed block) and I had no issues. So I choose to use them again. Mistake #1.

After taking forever to finally get my car back together (6+ weeks) I was there for the initial start-up. Built oil pressure first, check, then fuel pressure, check, then started up. Worked great, block was quieter then stock! Great, I am feeling pretty good. After it was warmed up (revving it at 2000 rpm) I asked the tech to rev it a bit. Sounded good, no exhaust leaks, etc.....

Revved it once more, then knock knock knock. My stomach sunk. Sounded like rod knock. We did everything we could think of to try and diagnose the issue, but it was getting late.

Next day the tech says there was a tensioner that seemed bad (even though they already replaced it). So they put another one on. Problem still there. Took an oil sample to send for analysis.

Tech pulled the pan, and said he was pretty sure he could see gold fleck in the pan (this is unconfirmed).

The whole time I was in discussions with Julien (at Lachute). He said there was no way that on a blueprinted motor there would be rod knock, said they have never seen that. The consensus at the dealership was that it was rod-knock (it did sound like it).

Julien said he would pay to get it shipped back to Quebec ($200) and then go from there.

Block ships out on Fri, Wed am he e-mails and says they have it, wed pm he texts me, can you get pics on your phone?

This ends well for Lachute, but stay tuned.
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Old 11-09-2015, 08:43 PM   #2
LittleBlueGT
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Member Sales Rating: (0)
 
Member#: 96204
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: W. Canada
Location: Winnipeg
Vehicle:
2013 STI GR
White

Default

Here are the pics I get:








What happened? Well, that little piece of steel, is piston ring! Where on earth would that have come from? The only logical explanation is that when my piston cracked, that piece of piston ring (from the old block) went up into the intake manifold. Then when the motor started up, all was fine........... Until it got revved a bit and upped the airflow, then it got sucked in.

I asked the tech that put my car back together, and no, he did not take my intake manifold off the TGV deletes, he just blow it out.:tdown:

Want further proof of where that piston ring came from? Here is a pic that someone at the dealership texted me, you can clearly see the cracked piston from the old block, but also a piece of missing piston ring!!!



In further talks with Julien, he said they have actually seen this twice before where parts of the piston end up in the intake manifold. He said if I were to have asked him 7 or so yrs ago, he would have said they just take the manfold off and put it back on after blowing it out. Now they always completely clean every part.


So now he takes apart my barely used motor, inspects everything (finds a couple other small mistakes - cam pulley hole ovalized on install, what looked like improper thread-locker on the ARP studs) and rebuilds it all.

Now of course the dealership doesn't want to take responsibility. Long story short, they wouldn't pay. I took my car home w/o paying my bill to them, paid the bill to Lachute (Julien did test-fit a KillerB sump, pick-up and tray, cleared my FR headers by about 4mm, so he gave me a great deal on them) and stuck the motor in myself. What I should have done all along.

In the end, I am out my car for 3+ months, and out a few grand. (although I did put 4800 kms on the dealerships courtesy car)

I would do business again in a heartbeat with Lachute. He was willing to ship the block back to his province (over 2000 kms away) and completely right the wrong, if the fault had been theirs. In the end, it wasn't Lachute's fault, but I really appreciate they they stepped up. He also did his best to help me out with pricing (cost on many parts, and other discounts) to lessen the pain for me.
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Old 11-09-2015, 08:44 PM   #3
LittleBlueGT
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Member Sales Rating: (0)
 
Member#: 96204
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: W. Canada
Location: Winnipeg
Vehicle:
2013 STI GR
White

Default

Reserved for more info on their AK2 short-block.
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Old 11-16-2015, 10:34 AM   #4
mtl_sti
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Member Sales Rating: (1)
 
Member#: 351705
Join Date: Mar 2013
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: Montreal
Vehicle:
2012 STI Sedan
Obsidian Black Pearl

Default

Yea Lachute does great work. Have been going there for years, and Julien I'd always honest and a pleasure to deal with.

Quite the tragedy with that little piece getting left in there. Hope your new build goes well.
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