So im not a real tech savy person and when I purchased my 02 wrx I was sold an utec and know nothing about how to use it or tune it and have been told I should sell and swap for a cobb as the utec is unreliable. Yes/no opinions please.
2. I have a slight but noticable knock on startup. It goes away after a few seconds but not sure if its rod or main bearing knock. Is this something that is normal after so many miles or should I replace the bearings? And with that question I know there was 2 different variations of the bearings on the mains and rods, so how would I find out which one to order. And can you do the replacement of the bearings with the motor still in the car?
3. Im going with an aftermarket bov instead of a bpv. What have some of you guys done to block off the factory bpv pipe to inlet tube.
I purchased an aftermarket inlet tube due to wear and am replacing all hoses and piping on the turbo system as well as upgrading the exhaust, headers back uppipe, dp, catback. Intercooler and eventually turbo.
Any advice would be helpful. This is my first subie and im pretty much repairing all the fed up shit and non maintanance that wasnt done by the previous owner..... please help.......
1. UTECs are not unreliable, but it's outdated and nobody really tunes them anymore. That doesn't mean you need an AP either though.
2. Could be rod knock until oil pressure builds, in which case you have a spun bearing. It will probably be more than just replacing a bearing. You're going to need some machine work. It would be foolish to buy anything without tearing the engine down 1st to see what's wrong.
3. Don't replace the stock valve with a BoV.
4. That's a lot of miles on that car. Be very wary on modifying it.
So would I be better to buy a jdm engine or pick up one from a local salvage yard and have it rebuilt. And if not an ap and my tuner wont tune the utec then what is a good option for tuning...
Well as soon as the title comes in to my bike ill be selling it to finance an engine or rebuild.... about 2k to play with. Or id trade the bike for a engine and cash. Even with a slight know and drivable I am disgusted with the car.
Well to be honest with you unless you plan on doing the work yourself I don't see a chance in doing a engine build with 2k.
I just did a JDM swap myself and spent around 2k, that covered the engine and tune up parts alone.
Spent extra money on tools that I needed and fluids add up quick.
I budgeted myself around 2k as well.
I was looking into an engine build before going the route I went and the numbers got alot higher.
How much did you end up paying for this car?
Maybe just cut your loss and sell the headache to someone else?
Well in total after financing it was around 5600. And its been a car ive wanted for quite a few years. When I purchased it I knew there were cosmetic issues and at high throttlle it sounded like something rattling... thought maybe valves needed adjustment or metal sheilds.... wrong I think I was floating the valves. Anyway checked the oil when I got home and changed it bc it was black as hell, was as thin as water and 3 quarts over full. Now I see why. Ive ordered close to 800 in additional parts for things such as intervooler silicone hoses, wheel bearings, rear struts, springs, vc gaskets kit, shifter, turbo inlet hose, throttle cable, perrin ic coupler.... so like I said as soon as the title comes in ill be selling my custom chopped bike for financing a motor. And I am doing the work myself. So will probably go jdm and install all new hv oil pump and water pump gates race tb and 565 injectors with large ic....
If you do the work yourself you should be somewhat ok.
I replaced the filters and gaskets on my injectors and just reused them.
Not sure what kind of condition your IC is in but you might wanna try to hold on to it till you get the engine itself squared away to keep under budget.
Dont forget your exhaust gaskets.
I found alot of good info on JDM swaps around if tou got any questions just ask before you buy.
Yea im def one to ask if im unsure. After talking with one of the guys at the shop were not too sure its a spun bearing yet. Ill know more when I get it to the shop and check it out. Bc although it does seem like its knocking at startup slightly it also goes away and doesnt do it at all until it sits over night
Welp got the throttle cable in and on and started the car and well...... verdict is its gotta have a motor. Rod know slight but constant. Shit! I guess jdm here I come....
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