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Old 05-02-2009, 02:14 PM   #1
Gigabelova
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Default WRX oil pan vs STi oil pan

I'm going through an EJ257 swap into my WRX and was wondering about the oil pan and baffle + pickup tube issue.

I have a couple of options here. I could use all WRX components or I could find STi parts, or even maybe do a hybrid. I'm looking for anyone with experience doing this and what is the best route to go with keeping in mind this will be a daily driver.
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Old 05-02-2009, 04:34 PM   #2
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Old 05-02-2009, 05:37 PM   #3
Gigabelova
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snwman View Post
Thanks for the info!
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Old 05-03-2009, 01:43 AM   #4
Gigabelova
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So it is still not known if the WRX oil pan+baffle is better than the STi's?
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Old 05-03-2009, 10:41 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gigabelova View Post
So it is still not known if the WRX oil pan+baffle is better than the STi's?
you can pull up pictures of both, the sti bad is about 1 inch deeper, but has to be because of the design, like i said it just depends of what exhaust setup you want, the 2.5l wrx's use the pan like on the sti i believe
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Old 05-02-2009, 05:14 PM   #6
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actually i have an sti oil pan ( i have the OEM sti twinscroll set up so i have to use the sti pan ) but i got the wrx pickup to go with it, its not a such a good fit and doesnt do down as far in the sti pan so you have to make sure you dont run low on oil

Last edited by seanathanq83; 05-02-2009 at 05:32 PM.
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Old 05-21-2009, 09:29 AM   #7
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From all the factory pans I've seen I'd go with a 06+ STI version pan. It will give you more header options and compared to the previous STi versions it's a better pan. The 06+ pan has the drain plug lower (so more oil drains out on oil changes), and if you want to get every drop out (with a hose and pump) or peek inside it doesn't have a shroud over the drain hole. I'd say the baffling is probably marginally better too. The only thing I don't like about the 06+ setup is the pickup sits a little too high for my taste. Since I run my own pickup I don't have this problem because it sits a little lower.

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Old 05-21-2009, 03:49 PM   #8
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When will 'YOUR' oil pan be ready?I will take one to match the pick-up.
Thankyou, Mike
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Old 05-22-2009, 11:07 PM   #9
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Design is 95% done. I'm hoping to have 5 made in a couple of weeks.
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Old 05-25-2009, 03:44 PM   #10
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You can always run the wrx pan which has a bigger lower area, with 1 qt more oil and it will then be at the level the sti uses. Then a wrx pan will be a 6qt pan. If you want to be tricky use the sti dip stick. The only good reason to use a sti equal length or twin skroll pan is to use that exhaust. It has the corner cut off, thats the reason the oil is run at a higher level, not for performance purposes.
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Old 05-25-2009, 04:11 PM   #11
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The STI pan is better for track use. It concentrates the oil closer to the pickup. That big wide area on the WRX pan just gives the oil more room to slosh away from the pickup while cornering hard. You don't notice till you spin a bearing.
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Old 05-25-2009, 08:15 PM   #12
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I looked in both Factory Service Manuals for the WRX (2.0) and STi 2.5 and according to the factory the capacities are the same (~4.2qt). That being said, and having personally spent a lot of time looking over the lubrication systems from both motors, I think the STi pan is a better pan especially for anyone considering track conditions. I've not heard of anyone running 6 quarts. The most I've heard of anyone running was ~5qt at the begining of a track session. Anything over that and I'd think you'd risk sloshing into the crank, under acceleration or deceleration, or backing up the return from the head, under lateral load. Let me just say that this is simply my "6 quart theory" not anything I've ever actually tried.

While the WRX pan is wider at the bottom it is also not as deep. The STi pan captures the oil around the pickup and gives it less room to slosh around and it's baffling gives a more direct (and directed) path from oil return (from the heads) to the bottom of the pan vs. the WRX pans double tier baffle where oil can cascade down 2 levels before reaching the bottom of the pan. I've not installed every header out there, but from what I've read on the forums the WRX pan is also a lot more restrictive for header choices than the STi version, not just limited to EL or twin scroll headers interference, but others as well.
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Old 05-26-2009, 07:23 PM   #13
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Just set the pans on the floor and shim them to approximate the angle of the motor with the car setting level. Pour in 6 qts of water and see where the top is. It's way below the gasket surface. Look at the dip stick to also get a idea of where the oil is with the pan off. I wouldn't reccommend any stock pan on a suby for racing. I think they need a larger pan with swinging gates in the wings and reinforced oil pickup about 7/16 off the pan and a accusump.
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Old 05-26-2009, 09:00 PM   #14
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I have a 2.0 and and 04-05 2.5 and 06+ 2.5 pan right here in front of me. When filled none of them should be to the top of the pan, that would be WAY full! I poured 6 quarts into the 2.0 pan and it's just below the flange. The 2.5 pans won't hold 6qts.

IMO the STi pan is a far superior design as far as oil control and keeping the pickup in the oil, where it should be. Not to mention you can use any header you want too.

I like some aftermarket oil pans (especially mine, coming soon!), but I'm not a fan of the swinging gates. Wait until one fails or sticks and you will no longer like them too. Take a good look at the Moroso pan... it looks really nice, but the hingles were definitly done on the cheap. I wouldn't trust them with an expensive built motor.

I completely agree with your pickup/pan clearance, 7/16 is ideal.
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Old 05-27-2009, 12:39 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KillerBMotorsport View Post
I have a 2.0 and and 04-05 2.5 and 06+ 2.5 pan right here in front of me. When filled none of them should be to the top of the pan, that would be WAY full! I poured 6 quarts into the 2.0 pan and it's just below the flange. The 2.5 pans won't hold 6qts.

IMO the STi pan is a far superior design as far as oil control and keeping the pickup in the oil, where it should be. Not to mention you can use any header you want too.

I like some aftermarket oil pans (especially mine, coming soon!), but I'm not a fan of the swinging gates. Wait until one fails or sticks and you will no longer like them too. Take a good look at the Moroso pan... it looks really nice, but the hingles were definitly done on the cheap. I wouldn't trust them with an expensive built motor.

I completely agree with your pickup/pan clearance, 7/16 is ideal.
So with equal capacity (as specified at 4.2 US Qts) is the oil level of the STI pan higher relative to the flange you referred too? You had said it would not hold 6 quarts.
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Old 05-27-2009, 12:20 AM   #16
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I happened on this rereading the cross drilled crank thread read post 295 about the high hp high reving Nz and aussie subys and their pan and oiling tricks

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...956862&page=12
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Old 05-27-2009, 01:10 AM   #17
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checked the manual. is it 4.2 for the rs and 4.8 for the sti and wrx?
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Old 05-27-2009, 11:05 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nottofast View Post
checked the manual. is it 4.2 for the rs and 4.8 for the sti and wrx?
Correct

For the 02-05 wrx I know:

Maximum Capacity: 4.8 quarts
Minimum Capacity: 3.7 quarts (lower end of the dipstick)

I distinctly remember reading in the service manual that non turbo models are 4.2 and turbo models are 4.8

I am an anal prick about this kinda thing as I always keep the oil topped off in my engine
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Old 05-27-2009, 09:06 AM   #19
KillerBMotorsport
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Yes the STi pan would not hold 6 qts. Even with a WRX pan I think that's way too much. As I said before, a couple of my customers who track regularly say 5, to a touch over 5qts, is the max. Personally I trust thier word because if there were any way to get more in there without having a negative effect they'd be doing it!

nottofast, according to the factory service manual both WRX and STi require 4.2 US Quarts. I checked the owners manual for my 2005 STi and it concurs with that, 4.2 US quarts.

Something to consider here, and maybe this is splitting hairs, but the total capacity of the EJ motors is just under 5 US quarts. So when you do an oil change there is still ~3/4 US quarts of oil in the motor. 1/2 quarts worth on the heads and oil system passages and about 1/4 quart that doesn't come out of the oil pan because the drain is not at the bottom.
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Old 05-27-2009, 10:26 AM   #20
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I've always run 5 quarts in my WRX pan and have never had an issue with it.
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Old 05-27-2009, 11:07 AM   #21
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Okay my 2004 STI owners manual is printed differently. I would take a photo or something but NICK and Subie Gal get upset with me placing CLASSIFIED material on the site so I better not. I would ask them for permission but they do not recieve messgaes just send them. Like a one way valve. Anyway I like the design of the STI oil pan and agree with you that swinging trap doors is not a good idea for control.
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Old 05-27-2009, 11:20 AM   #22
BlackJavaPearl04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nottofast View Post
Okay my 2004 STI owners manual is printed differently. I would take a photo or something but NICK and Subie Gal get upset with me placing CLASSIFIED material on the site so I better not. I would ask them for permission but they do not recieve messgaes just send them. Like a one way valve. Anyway I like the design of the STI oil pan and agree with you that swinging trap doors is not a good idea for control.

Seriously? what is so classified about information that is readily available by searching the internet?

But anyhow I am most certainly interested in an improved oil pan, as I am pulling my motor to finish my build this summer. KillerBMotorsport I would like to get the specifics of your design improvements after its finalized, compared to the others on the market. thanks

Last edited by BlackJavaPearl04; 05-27-2009 at 11:31 AM.
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Old 05-27-2009, 11:18 AM   #23
BlackJavaPearl04
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http://ken-gilbert.com/wrx/STi_Manual/
scroll down to section 9 periodic maintenance services-> part .03 engine oil.
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Old 05-27-2009, 11:34 AM   #24
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That .pdf is interesting... Here's mine for the 2005 STi from the Factory Service Manual...

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Old 05-27-2009, 12:08 PM   #25
BlackJavaPearl04
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hmm...

I noticed at the very bottom of the document you provided where it says oil capacity (at replacement)

Perhaps there is a discrepancy between our numbers because one is at replacement and mine is total capacity? There's gotta be .6 qts that is still left in the engine/ oil pan when you change the oil? seems about right
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