Help on deciding how to rebuild engine (152K on the motor)

**SlvrSaabaru** · 02-13-2013 09:47 PM

I have been running with stock motor/turbo/inter cooler (TurboXS TBE and up pipe) on a AP 2.0 93 octane map on my 2005 Saabaru (Saab 92x Aero) for a while and pretty happy with it, but always had in mind to upgrade the turbo/intercooler/injectors/fuel pump/boost controller and get a protune.
With so many miles on the motor I am trying to decided on either rebuild, buy a sti short block and run a hybrid setup or say F'it and do a total Ej25 swap to be able to handle up to 300hp at the wheels after all the upgrades and a protune.

This is my daily driver and will be for at least another few years (hopefully). So my question is, will just upgrading my stock block and head internals with forged components and new gaskets be decent enough to handle adding more power? I have heard that running the hybrid setup provides the obvious strength due to the sti short block but it isn't the most reliable?

Any advice?

**morgan46** · 02-13-2013 10:26 PM

Yes. You maaaaay want to start by saying the year of your car so we know the engine size

.

**SlvrSaabaru** · 02-13-2013 10:37 PM

My bad, 2005 Saab 92x Aero, only made them for 2005 and 2006. EJ205

**morgan46** · 02-13-2013 10:39 PM

Wait wait wait lol you have a 205 I'm a Saab chassis??

**MainFrame** · 02-13-2013 10:41 PM

You should look into either a 2.1L stroker, or a 2.5L hybrid. A complete ej257 longblock swap is a huge hassle, considerably more expensive, and likely not worth it. Any rebuild is not going to be as reliable as the original engine, so while a hybrid might not be as reliable as stock, I would consider it as reliable as any other rebuild (if done right).

**morgan46** · 02-13-2013 10:44 PM

Actually, not to undermine you mainframe, I just completed my 2.12 stroker, and it's been going for 6.5k so far without even a hiccup! That's what I was going to suggest^

it is a great kit, as long as you can deal with waiting 5 mins before you drive it so the forged internals can expand appropriately I'd say go for it!

**SlvrSaabaru** · 02-13-2013 10:45 PM

the Saab 92x Aero is a rebadged WRX, GM had a 20% stake in Subaru at the time and wanted to create a entry level Saab for the 20 somethings (they owned Saab at the time). All they did was restyle the front fascia, used the steering rack from the STi, and upgraded the interior + added more sound insulation. Great stealth car, which is why I love it and want to rebuild the motor to hopefully get another 100K out of it (possibly also getting a new transmission at some point). Check it out at the bottom of the wiki LINK

**morgan46** · 02-13-2013 10:51 PM

Very cool! Lol I can't wait to tell my cousin, she's a Saab nut

. Anyhow! I would do the stroker kit. That's what I did. If you switch to a 2.5 block the ECU won't match up for tuning purposes and everything from there gets really tedious and irritating lol. Your best bet is a rebuild. Go to Celtic Motorsports, email the guy, tell him that Tyler and William Morgan sent yah, he is awesome to deal with! http://www.celticmotorsport.com/catalog/

**MainFrame** · 02-13-2013 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by morgan46

Actually, not to undermine you mainframe, I just completed my 2.12 stroker, and it's been going for 6.5k so far without even a hiccup! That's what I was going to suggest^

it is a great kit, as long as you can deal with waiting 5 mins before you drive it so the forged internals can expand appropriately I'd say go for it!

6.5k miles? I would hardly call that a measure of reliability. Let me know when you reach 200k. Any properly maintained ej205 should have no problem surpassing 200k miles without a hickup.

I'll put $100 down that your stroker doesn't go over 200,000 miles without an issue.

**morgan46** · 02-13-2013 11:08 PM

Ill match it! Easy $200 made! I built her, she's solid.

**MainFrame** · 02-13-2013 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by morgan46

If you switch to a 2.5 block the ECU won't match up for tuning purposes and everything from there gets really tedious and irritating lol.

Not true. Using an ej257 shortblock while retaining the ej205 heads, intake manifold, and throttle body will have no issue tuning on the stock ECU. The ECU and wiring has to do with the heads and throttle body, not the block.