STi engine in a WRX

[Mustacheride]

So, I've got an '04 WRX that I just grenaded the engine on last week. The mechanic who looked at said the engine definitely needs a new shortblock, and said I could have damaged the cams and turbo, too. He quoted me a price of around $8500, and I'm only willing to spend $6k tops. I was looking around and found a couple of complete long block engines with the turbo in the $2500-$3500 range. I also found a couple STi engines complete. Will an STi engine easily bolt right into my WRX, including the wiring from the original WRX wiring harness? Is this too much trouble to get myself into and just be looking at the 2.0L turbo engines?

Also, does anyone know a good shop in San Diego that knows what they're doing with Subarus? I don't really have the tools or garage that I'd need to do any of the work myself. I really like the car, and any help is much appreciated.

One last thing, does anyone know what years engines I should be looking at for doing the swap?

Regards,

Michael

[yamaha_rider619]

No a sti engine will not bolt up straight into your wrx. Best bet is to get a used wrx motor or a new sti shortblock. With the sti shortblock you can use your heads, if they are good, or other wrx heads. Wiring is different, gas pedal is different.

Research hybrid engines, the cost about $5k+ depending on the internals you choose.

[SeattleJeremy]

Wiring is different, gas pedal is different.

What YR means by gas pedal is different is the STi throttle body is Drive by Wire, and the WRX throttle body is operated by a cable. He's right Hybrid is the way to go.

[yamaha_rider619]

I couldn't remember what it was called.

Just make sure if you decide to go hybrid, the shop you choose knows what they are doing, and have done a hybrid build before.

[Mustacheride]

Thanks for the advise, I found an '03 engine that I'm going to buy. I'll just hold onto my blown up motor, with the plan to put a 2.5L shortblock in it some day.

[yamaha_rider619]

My engine is not blown, but I am deciding the same thing you are. I would love a 2.5L longblock, but that's a very expensive, a hybrid worries me (even though a ton of people have done it) and a rebuild may not suit my needs.

[johnstonad]

No a sti engine for sale will not bolt up straight into your wrx. Best bet is to get a used wrx motor or a new sti shortblock. With the sti shortblock you can use your heads, if they are good, or other wrx heads. Wiring is different, gas pedal is different.

Research hybrid engines, the cost about $5k+ depending on the internals you choose.

It seems so fair price for it. I am interested on that kind of engines.

[MainFrame]

It seems so fair price for it. I am interested on that kind of engines.

You should realize that at the end of the day $5,000 really means $10,000.. I would honestly put aside around three times what the build is going to cost for miscellaneous stuff.

[RayfieldsWRX]

You should realize that at the end of the day $5,000 really means $10,000..

A big +1 on this. I don't have the cash in my car that MainFrame does, but it's a lot more than I ever planned.

[zax]

I would love a 2.5L longblock, but that's a very expensive

Why? The 2.0L heads reportedly flow better than the 2.5L heads.

[MainFrame]

Why? The 2.0L heads reportedly flow better than the 2.5L heads.

IMO, the only reason to do the entire longblock would be for AVCS, and it would be kinda pointless unless you go with a year model that has dual AVCS. Even then the added cost/trouble is hardly worth it.


The 2.0L heads flow plenty to make big power on a 2.5L block.. of course since you're going to be having them rebuilt anyways there's little reason not to open them up some more while they're off.

[zax]

Even then the added cost/trouble is hardly worth it.

Exactly my thoughts. 5 ft-lbs of mid-range torque increase is approximately what the intake AVCS will buy you. Understandable if you are racing competitively, but hardly worth it for a DD.

[seattleslow]

I know I've come to the party late, but I'm in the same boat in that my engine has died, well, let me not be overly dramatic. One of the pistons is failing (leaking signficantly). To patch it is $2K. To drop a 2.0 engine is about $6K. However, I don't mind spending "a bit" more to get the extra torque from a 2.5L as well as more performance in the long run with further mods. My mechanic at Group 2 (based in Seattle), recommended for me to try to find a "complete" engine, so that's what I'm working on. If anyone has tips, I'd greatly appreciate them.