insight from my BAIC peeps: should I rebuild or buy rebuilt long block?
Thread Starter
the artist formerly known as mcdrama
iTrader: (23)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,428
From: Santa Cruz Mountains, CA.
Car Info: WRBP 2015 WRX Premium/CVT
insight from my BAIC peeps: should I rebuild or buy rebuilt long block?
I have a 2004 WRX with 170k miles (mixed highway, backroads, autox) that drinks a fair share of oil and recently started burning oil without signs of external leaks or in the downpipe.
before it goes boom I want to renew the guts to last me another few years.
I'm looking to either rebuild my motor or buy a rebuilt long block from a shop or some where like kragen, winchester auto, etc...
i'm looking to my BAIC peeps for insight and experiences with rebuilding your own or having a remanufactured motor. Curious about cost as well as longevity.
Any info from local vendors is welcome but i'm just looking for parts cost as me and a buddy will be doing the swap.
Thanks in advance!
before it goes boom I want to renew the guts to last me another few years.
I'm looking to either rebuild my motor or buy a rebuilt long block from a shop or some where like kragen, winchester auto, etc...
i'm looking to my BAIC peeps for insight and experiences with rebuilding your own or having a remanufactured motor. Curious about cost as well as longevity.
Any info from local vendors is welcome but i'm just looking for parts cost as me and a buddy will be doing the swap.
Thanks in advance!
General Pimpin'
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,019
From: Knee deep in beer. subabrew crew, ca.
Car Info: MY04 aspen wrx wagon.
Rebuild it with good stuff. Im right there with you and im considering doing a 2.1 stroker e85 tune.
If the motor has lasted this long you got a good one. Keep it.
If the motor has lasted this long you got a good one. Keep it.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 225
From: Berkeley, CA
Car Info: LGT Wagon
Aren't you the guy with the Legacy engine sitting in your garage? How about swap in the EJ255?
Rebuild the heads $500, bore and hone $100, rings and gaskets $300. Bottom end might be ok, but it would only cost another $100 for bearings. How much is your time worth?
The problem with rebuilding is the the temptation to sweeten the package. "Well I've got it apart, might as well throw in some forged pistons" ($600). Soon it will be forged everything, cams, oversize valves, Cosworth oil pump, and then you suddenly have $3000 in parts alone.
Rebuild the heads $500, bore and hone $100, rings and gaskets $300. Bottom end might be ok, but it would only cost another $100 for bearings. How much is your time worth?
The problem with rebuilding is the the temptation to sweeten the package. "Well I've got it apart, might as well throw in some forged pistons" ($600). Soon it will be forged everything, cams, oversize valves, Cosworth oil pump, and then you suddenly have $3000 in parts alone.
iClub Silver Vendor
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,494
From: Participating in some Anarchy!
Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
Some things to remember:
1.your cylinder heads will need to be replaced.
2. All vacuum lines, rubber hoses, etc will need replacing.
3. If you already have engine management, a 2.2 liter stroker engine is a good
, inexpensive option.
4. Regardless of build, it shouldn't take longer than one week to perform.
1.your cylinder heads will need to be replaced.
2. All vacuum lines, rubber hoses, etc will need replacing.
3. If you already have engine management, a 2.2 liter stroker engine is a good
, inexpensive option.
4. Regardless of build, it shouldn't take longer than one week to perform.
Registered User
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,225
From: SF Bay Area - Peninsula
Car Info: 04 psm wrx sedan
I'd stay away from kragen/winchester to buy a longblock - I recommened a dbtuned built block, I've got one (2.0 with upgraded pistons/bearings) and have been pleased so far (only about 10-15k on it)..took two weeks from first call to paul, til I picked my car up with motor ready to go
You can also go to GST, eq, speedelement, lic, ahq..they can all get you parts so call around and ask
You can also go to GST, eq, speedelement, lic, ahq..they can all get you parts so call around and ask
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From: BAIC Wagon Clique
Car Info: '02 WRB WRX Wagon
Some things to remember:
1.your cylinder heads will need to be replaced.
2. All vacuum lines, rubber hoses, etc will need replacing.
3. If you already have engine management, a 2.2 liter stroker engine is a good
, inexpensive option.
4. Regardless of build, it shouldn't take longer than one week to perform.
1.your cylinder heads will need to be replaced.
2. All vacuum lines, rubber hoses, etc will need replacing.
3. If you already have engine management, a 2.2 liter stroker engine is a good
, inexpensive option.
4. Regardless of build, it shouldn't take longer than one week to perform.
iClub Silver Vendor
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,494
From: Participating in some Anarchy!
Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,736
From: Norcalif
Car Info: with the blinkers on
Can you elaborate on the quantity? I'm starting to hear a slight knock, and I probably go through about a half quart every 4K miles in oil. I'm only at 60K miles too :/
OP: I'd go with a self rebuild. I get the feeling that O'reilly/Kragen parts are decent only for domestic vehicles (probably bcs they have some sort of access to the supply chain).
OP: I'd go with a self rebuild. I get the feeling that O'reilly/Kragen parts are decent only for domestic vehicles (probably bcs they have some sort of access to the supply chain).