First start after recovered from theft

[Serjin]

My 04 Wagon was stolen recently and recovered. Im just planning on getting another motor, this doesnt sound good at all! Anyone know exactly what im hearing here?

First start after theft video

First start after theft video

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[BlueSTI4Me]

So one would have to take a listening device to the engine. I use a 3 foot long 3/8" drive extension and listen on various parts of the engine. Sounds almost like rod knock.

[Samurai Jack]

Originally Posted by BlueSTI4Me

Sounds almost like rod knock.

That was my first impression.

Hard to believe that a car like this would be stolen and not have the piss beat out of it.

[TwistedAxles101]

Definitely sounds like rod knock. Glad you got your car back. Looks like it's swap or build time!

[Serjin]

Haha yeah i thought it might be a pretty bad knock. Ive got a jdm ej205 with 55-65k on it lined up. Hoping to get it put in this week. Anyone know just how bad the AVCS runs with no AVCS ecu? Im having a hard time findind a nonAVCS. I hear mixed things about how they run on a USDM ECU.

[Serjin]

Originally Posted by Samurai Jack

That was my first impression.

Hard to believe that a car like this would be stolen and not have the piss beat out of it.

When i got the call from the CHP, i asked "how bad is it" and of course they have no information. It was out of gas and had a dead battery so i had to make that happen before i could even get around to starting it.
I knew it was going to either not start, or sound something like this

[snow_bound26]

Originally Posted by Serjin

Haha yeah i thought it might be a pretty bad knock. Ive got a jdm ej205 with 55-65k on it lined up. Hoping to get it put in this week. Anyone know just how bad the AVCS runs with no AVCS ecu? Im having a hard time findind a nonAVCS. I hear mixed things about how they run on a USDM ECU.

They can be tuned on the USDM ECU. It's not that it runs poorly, it's just that you're not taking advantage of its full potential. I'd try to find a single AVCS ECU. Once you get that functioning you'll really appreciate the difference.

To make it run properly on the USDM ECU then you have to swap cams, cam gears, sensors, etc so that the cams sit in proper timing. Otherwise the AVCS cams will always be fully retarded without functioning AVCS. But once you do this then there's no sense in ever thinking about getting the AVCS working. My advice, if you don't have the money for the JDM ECU, then get a basic tune until you can get the ECU. Then have it properly tuned for your setup.

[Serjin]

Originally Posted by snow_bound26

They can be tuned on the USDM ECU. It's not that it runs poorly, it's just that you're not taking advantage of its full potential. I'd try to find a single AVCS ECU. Once you get that functioning you'll really appreciate the difference.

To make it run properly on the USDM ECU then you have to swap cams, cam gears, sensors, etc so that the cams sit in proper timing. Otherwise the AVCS cams will always be fully retarded without functioning AVCS. But once you do this then there's no sense in ever thinking about getting the AVCS working. My advice, if you don't have the money for the JDM ECU, then get a basic tune until you can get the ECU. Then have it properly tuned for your setup.

That reminds me, my car is stuck on a Cobb OTS Stage 1 tune until i get another Cobb AP. Luckily Cobb said they'll sell me one for half price with the police report.
The guy that is doing my swap suggested most of what you said, even mentioned swapping the oil cooler and o-ring and doing the oil pan gasket while we are in there.
I'm looking at getting a small block now, since i have to swap the manifold over anyway and other parts im sure

[snow_bound26]

If you want to use AVCS then there's nothing to swap out other than the ECU. And you don't have to worry about getting another AP for the JDM ECU. You'd get it tuned with OpenSource software. I think Cobb can do something to unlock your USDM ECU if you need for inspection m/emissions stuff.

Some of the JDM 205s had the OEM oil cooler. Some didn't. It's an easy swap if yours didn't come with one. But as long as you got the correct 205 then you don't need to swap manifolds as they were DBC like yours.

Definitely recommend the killer b pick up, baffle and getting an 06 STi oil pan.

[Serjin]

Originally Posted by snow_bound26

If you want to use AVCS then there's nothing to swap out other than the ECU. And you don't have to worry about getting another AP for the JDM ECU. You'd get it tuned with OpenSource software. I think Cobb can do something to unlock your USDM ECU if you need for inspection m/emissions stuff.

Some of the JDM 205s had the OEM oil cooler. Some didn't. It's an easy swap if yours didn't come with one. But as long as you got the correct 205 then you don't need to swap manifolds as they were DBC like yours.

Definitely recommend the killer b pick up, baffle and getting an 06 STi oil pan.

Aha! I'll see about getting the ECU if thats all it takes. I also just found out my motor supply shop has the NON AVCS for $600 cheaper. If i got that one, id still have to swap cam, cam gears etc?
Thanks for helping me out here, its appreciated

[snow_bound26]

Non-AVCS JDM 205s are older and would require changing to coil packs to work with your ignition system. I haven't read anything about needing to change anything else. Since they don't have AVCS cams I doubt you'd need to change them or the cam gears. Not sure about cam position sensor or crank position sensor though. Didn't research those engines much since I wanted something with AVCS.

[Serjin]

Originally Posted by snow_bound26

Non-AVCS JDM 205s are older and would require changing to coil packs to work with your ignition system. I haven't read anything about needing to change anything else. Since they don't have AVCS cams I doubt you'd need to change them or the cam gears. Not sure about cam position sensor or crank position sensor though. Didn't research those engines much since I wanted something with AVCS.

Ok, sounds like i need to talk a little further with my mechanic about all this. Thanks for the insight

[D-Rodman]

Originally Posted by Serjin

Aha! I'll see about getting the ECU if thats all it takes. I also just found out my motor supply shop has the NON AVCS for $600 cheaper. If i got that one, id still have to swap cam, cam gears etc?

Thanks for helping me out here, its appreciated

I do believe a non AVCS motor will require changing the crankshaft sprocket and cam gears from your USDM motor. You will more than likely be using your USDM intake manifold and coil packs. You want to identify the motor you are buying in order to really understand what is required to implement it properly on your vehicle. There are a few variables that can only confuse you if you are speculating without knowing exactly what motor it is you end up getting. Feel terrible for your situation, that’s really ****ed up, at least you got the car back. Sounds like you are working with a shop that knows what to do. Best of luck, keep the thread updated, it’ll be good to see your car fixed and healthy again.

[Serjin]

Got a new motor in it! It's running! Only 1 CEL lol, a p1086. Looks like i should be able to just swap that TPS sensor out and hopefully it goes away. Insurance lapsed so only drove it a bit, i havent built up a lot of boost, but it seems to be building it better than before. Car is stuck on a Cobb OTS Stage 1 until i get a new Cobb AP or get it tuned.

[snow_bound26]

Good luck with everything. Hopefully a good end to a s***** situation.

[PSolbergfan]

Sounds like a big end bearing to be specific. It's bad too. I've heard ones that only act up after 3000 RPM, but to hear it at idle is terrible. Your engine is done. Hopefully the cam caps aren't scored from bearing fragments, but I doubt that. Do yourself a huge favor and throw away the old oil cooler. You can NEVER get get all the old bearing material out of it. I don't care what anyone says, buy a new oil cooler for the new engine.

[D-Rodman]

Originally Posted by PSolbergfan

Sounds like a big end bearing to be specific. It's bad too. I've heard ones that only act up after 3000 RPM, but to hear it at idle is terrible. Your engine is done. Hopefully the cam caps aren't scored from bearing fragments, but I doubt that. Do yourself a huge favor and throw away the old oil cooler. You can NEVER get get all the old bearing material out of it. I don't care what anyone says, buy a new oil cooler for the new engine.

I think you missed the part where he shares that he installed another motor.