Just another hybrid...

[04grocerygetter]

SUMMARY:
So i've had my wagon for about a year now, and have put close to 20,000 hard miles on it (thats what she said?)

This is my wagon stock, the way I should have left it


This is how I drove it, well you get the idea. This was only fun until I bent a strut and had to limp home with the spare tire on so the tire didn't contact the spring...


Shortly after that I got:
-ghetto 3" ebay exhaust with a bellmouth downpipe, and folgers can muffler
-gutted my stock up pipe
-tactrix 1.3 and flashed an xpt base map for my setup
-Innovate LC-1
-GM bcs


After about 15,000 miles of this /\ and due to abuse (driven hard but always maintained), conditions, and mild tuning negligence...

This is what my oil looked like after I realized I had teh rod knock...



Ok, this is where it sits now now, In my parents driveway. I just pulled the motor today, and everything went pretty smooth.





My goal is to have a fun, reliable daily driver. I was pretty happy with the power I had before but there is definitely room for improvement.

I'm not going to say I want 300whp and 328wtq and I want spool before XXXXrpm. I just want some good improvements over the 2.0 and maybe have some torque below 3000rpms, without grenading my transmission.

I plan on running a used vf39 I already have with modified stock injectors that will be sent out to be tested. I am going to have the heads set up by Tucson Machine Works with shimless buckets and sti cams, and I may do some mild porting before I give them my heads. The guy that runs the place seems to know his stuff.

Parts I have so far: (source)
-An OEM ej257 short block w/ 42k and new oem pistons installed (NASIOC)
-A complete oem gasket set (NASIOC)
-2.5 chamber matched heads (NASIOC)
-Used sti cams (NASIOC)
-New 11mm oil pump (NASIOC)
-Walbro 255 (fred beans)
-Grimmspeed 3mm phenolic spacers (fred beans)

Parts on the way:
-DEI heat wrap kit
-Complete timing kit w/ water pump and tensioner

Things I will need :
-OEM oil heater/cooler (or delete w/ aftermarket?)
-New fuel filter

Things I plan on being cheap on:
-I plan on running the stock oil pan and pickup, as long as it is in good shape
-Reusing the ebay exedy oem clutch I put in 10,000 miles ago

I think I'm pretty on track with this, but if anybody has any educated comments I'm very open to suggestions.

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[Dentt42]

It really looks like you've done your research. There aren't many suggestions to be given at this point, because you've got it laid out pretty well. Tearing ass through the desert does look like fun, though. I'd like to see the other parts you have under the 'so far' list, especially the heads.

[AWDWRXLOVER]

maybe a hard pipe ti

[Spenk]

Originally Posted by 04grocerygetter

Things I plan on being cheap on:
-I plan on running the stock oil pan and pickup, as long as it is in good shape

When it comes to oiling, NEVER go cheap.

Aftermarket pickup and '06+ STi oilpan & baffles or .

[04grocerygetter]

For the heads I plan on using stock components besides the sti cams, which is still somewhat stock in my opinion. That means stock springs/ valves as well, assuming they are in spec still.
I have two complete sets of valves and two sets of springs that I will be giving to the machine shop so hopefully I'll have a complete set I can use.

As for the hard intake, this is kind of a budget item. If I have the money for it after machine work/ important parts I will be gettin a pretty red aps inlet.

I still cant justify in my head why I need to spend $300+ on an oil pan/ pickup if mine are still good. As long as my oil is full and I'm not pulling 2g's on a skid pad why is my stock oil pan not good enough?
I have read threads on this and understand the differences/ benefits of the sti pan/ baffle, but c'mon this is a daily driver, not a pike's peak racer.

Oh and I may be on the td04 for a little while because this vf39 i have has enough shaft play for the cold side impeller to scrape the housing...

[Spenk]

The stock oiling system on the WRX is borderline insufficient from the get-go.

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. If you don't think $300 for the additional insurance is worth it, hey -- it's your (engine's) funeral.

*shrug*

[04grocerygetter]

Thanks for the input I appreciate it. I will be looking for a used sti pan/ baffle while I finish the rest of this mess... I started stripping down my 205 yesterday, a little overwhelming but not too bad.

I would also like anybodys comments on whether a stock replacement clutch will be able to hold the torque of this setup... or should I just get a stronger clutch and kiss my tranny goodbye?

[Spenk]

Originally Posted by 04grocerygetter

I would also like anybodys comments on whether a stock replacement clutch will be able to hold the torque of this setup... or should I just get a stronger clutch and kiss my tranny goodbye?

Keeping a "soft" clutch in there will be important for your 5MT's survival, as is your shifting technique.

I run a Exedy Stage 1 organic clutch / ACT streetlite FW on my GT30 hybrid (stock 5MT) and it's holding just fine....for now.

[Dentt42]

Originally Posted by Spenk

Keeping a "soft" clutch in there will be important for your 5MT's survival, as is your shifting technique.

I run a Exedy Stage 1 organic clutch / ACT streetlite FW on my GT30 hybrid (stock 5MT) and it's holding just fine....for now.

I agree 100%, driving like a sane person will keep that transmission happy for a long time and a good quality OEM clutch will cushion the shock to the driveline. I have an Exedy Stage 1 also, and although it's a decent piece, miss the stock one.

[maxpowr]

i'm gonna try this pick up. i have heard of stock pick ups breaking...game over.

http://www.importimageracing.com/p/C...i-LGT-FXT.html

dont know if the killer b is superior or not.