I knew it would happen someday, but apparently yesterday was time.
The STI blew up on the Dyno @ Mann Engineering while getting it's E85 tune


Before I say any more, I'm going to say this wasn't Mann's or Delicious Tuning's fault. The car has ~110K miles on it. I don't think it was very well taken care of by the previous owner, and I've beat on it pretty hard while autocrossing.
I got to drive the car after the 91 tune was done to burn off the excess fuel, it felt great.

Basically during a E85 Pass, a CEL came on and Bill shut down the car immediately. The engine puked oil out of the dipstick... which is never a good sign. The car could start again, but wouldn't hold idle.
They did a visual on the car, and think the head gaskets appear ok. This means probably either cylinder liner, or piston/ring. Either way, at over 100K miles the the shortblock is done in my book. I'm not going to tear down the motor to replace a couple of things only to have the rest of the motor severely worn.

The E85 made WAY more power than I expected. With the incomplete E85 tune, it picked up ~50WHP vs the 91 Tune (at only 19PSI) needless to say things were working well before the failure.

So - I'm in the market for a shortblock at least. It may make more sense to buy a Longblock and trade in my old motor for a core.

Bill from Delicious recommended ?Grocery Getter? Forged Shortblock | Outfront Motorsports

I'm going to start working up a budget on Monday

 

Doh! Sucks to hear man but it will be better, stronger!

 

Call Mert...I think he has a short block, sleeved, with forged pistons he may have up for sale.

 

Well you've been making thread on which power mod to get next... Guess the next one will be a built motor

Sorry that sucks, but it does happen. Time to build and up the boost!

 

Yeah - honestly if I'd realized how much power this was gonna make, I probably wouldn't have gone there yet. But cest la vie

 

What the hell is wrong with you?! Of course it is the tuner's fault! In fact I think they owe you an engine! 50 extra horsepower and the engine blows?! Ridiculous, if it was 200hp...may be...but clearly they didn't know what they were doing! I think you need to start another thread bashing the shop without any evidence and shoveling fault on them to warn the community about their shady practices and force them into making things right! Fight the power!

/Nasioc Sarcasm

My condolences. Stuff happens. It is what it is sometimes. Sooooo...when's the build thread coming

 

Very sorry to hear that! At least it served you well for quite a long time.

 

110k is a long time?

 

Hey now ... it made it through half a tune.

 

Lol. So how is your car still going?

OP, sorry to hear your misfortune... Glad you can accept that it happens and didn't freak out at the shop or tuner. I'm glad this ain't nazioc.

 

Nah - I worked at a shop with a Dyno long enough to know the score. If there's a weakpoint, the Dyno will find it
The motor probably would have blown up a month from now (halfway up Mt Hamilton) anyways.

 

Depends on how it's used, I guess?

 

For a stock, never abused motor no. For one tuned and used hard, yep. I figure the motor I am running now, with the conservative tune I have, I will get 50k out of at best but I flog the crap out of the FXT.

 

IAG performance looks like they have really quick turnaround time as well and can get built blocked shipped right away.

 

thats insane man. Youre not even running that agressive of a set up.