dm21qr3

hey everyone... im new here-- just picked up this wrx about two weeks ago:

https://www.i-club.com/forums/cars-sale-83/2002-wrx-vishnu-stage-2-%248-900-a-177652/
(02 stage 2 sedan, 140k miles)

car has been perfect-- super clean, no problems whatsoever in the last two weeks until friday night, i took it out for a little midnight run with a buddy of mine and on the way back noticed some weird rattling coming from under the hood. upon further examination its been determined that the engine is pretty much done. sounds like a bunch of rocks are rolling around in there-- super loud clacking noise and very little power being produced.

long story short- i need a new engine now for sure. i was looking to you guys here in the bay area forum to help me out and point me in the right direction here. i dont have a lot of money (college student) so im looking primarily for the least expensive way out of this, but if i can upgrade in the process without breaking the bank im certainly open to ideas here.

where would you guys recommend i look for a new engine? any positive experiences with shops here around the bay?? any other advice on what i should be looking for or direction that i should be headed with this?

thanks in advance guys!!

Chris

SubyN00by

iTrader: (15)

GST for all your automotive needs! (and sexual needs...)

You could have them swap in a 2.5 block, or you might be able to get your hands on a cheap 2.0 liter to swap directly in, may not be the most power, but it'll probably be cheaper.

03_Impreza_Al

iTrader: (46)

VRT MBasile

iTrader: (17)

GST Motorsports or LIC Motorsports.

GST does sell built motors, but not for an economical price (given you're a college student)

any idea why your engine blew? Were you running 87 octane or 91 octane?

wrxisthebest

iTrader: (15)

im guessing with the mileage, and the fact that it is a turbocharged engine with aluminum piston, i think it just gave up, thats my guess... the pistons just started denigrating...that what aluminum does after being boosted for a long time

dm21qr3

yeah i was running 91 so that couldnt be it... basically it was real late and we went out for a little togue run on a local road. i was letting my friend drive and he was getting on it pretty good (hes used to driving hondas) so he was definitely redlining the car for a couple mins, and like i said driving back you could first hear the rattling as you let off the gas, and the next day the car lost almost all power and the rattling became even more pronounced. he probably accelerated the process but i suppose it was bound to happen at one point or another-- but there were no signs at all that the engine was going to be giving out any time soon, up until then it had been running really strong with no issues or noises whatsoever.

i will definitely check out GST and see what theyre all about-- i was considering checking around local salvage yards for an ej20 or ej25 block-- do you guys think that would be cheaper, or should i just stick to GST and the like?

wrxisthebest

iTrader: (15)

go with a built motor if u plan on modding, a stock motor will do if u dont plan on going anything more than what u have!

dm21qr3

ehh, im pretty sure im not going to do any more engine mods then i already have on there (upgraded turbo, intercooler, exhaust). was planning on saving up for some brembos but it looks like thats going to have to wait now for sure. will the ej25 be compatible with the mods that i already have on there? do you think its any more durable than a 2.0 engine??

wrxisthebest

iTrader: (15)

idk if it is anymore durable, but the mods will be compatible, but if u go 2.5 u are gunna need to get ur head ported and polished, and a new tune

SubyN00by

iTrader: (15)

well, it all depends on your budget. If you don't have the money to do it the right way right now, then just get a stock one and start saving up money. If you've got the money, then just do it up! Either way, GST can help you out.

stylin525

iTrader: (2)

2 weeeks and motor goes bye bye. sucks huh. I had my wrx for about 2 months and bye bye 5speed. But yea. good luck on that one.

SubyN00by

iTrader: (15)

hehe, I see two words that don't mix...

vishnu and reliable...

mattsn0w

iTrader: (23)

you better have cash if you go with a built motor.

Go with the tried and true EJ20.

You may be able to get a cheap EJ20TT from Attarco(http://www.attarco.com/index.php?mai...&products_id=7) but i'm not sure what the head flow is on those. They are from the EDM and Australian legacy. no low end torque as they have two turbos.

worth asking LIC about.

dm21qr3

yeah so this afternoon i took the car out on the freeway and it died for good after about 20 miles on hwy 4... i was trying to get the car smogged before it completely crapped out!

anyhow im confident the previous owner couldnt have known about something like this happening-- and im not sure that i would blame it on vishnu either... after all the car did have 140k miles on an original, non rebuilt motor. i guess its just part of the game.

ive been asking around and ive heard some really good things about LIC, how do you guys feel about them vs DST??

nerd

iTrader: (1)

Go With Gst!!!!!!