I had 505/470 on my stock 2.0ltr Sti for over 8k miles and none of them I would say was easy miles for the car lol , various trips around the Alps , Monaco , Le Mans etc never had an issue

 

The guys who own the mega power 2.5 state most failings are due to owner neglect or actual defects from the factory, (no, not the choccy parts) they say a well looked after STI engine is good for bigger power than what is commonly stated.

I might ask my new mate on Facebook, Mick Adkins what he thinks of the 2.5!

 

I have to agree with most of that , I am pretty meticulous with main ting everything and probably even a bit overkill at times but it's never seen me wrong with any engine , it's a lot down to luck of the draw when pushing the limits I know many have failed before they see 500 and a handful that just keep going , poses the question of owner/care/useage etc

 

hes wrong ask any engine tuner (proper ones like api or engine tuner) what the faults in the standard 2.5 lump are.

 

TBH I'm not really bothered about the 2.5's capabilities as I'm more of a lightweight so to speak, but while speaking to one of the most respected tuners in the UK a few weeks back (about the new STI looking very nice in the flesh) he got extremely defensive about the 2.5 lump.

He also said it was people using the wrong fuel and not mapping etc.

I'm sure hard usage can kill any component at stock or higher power levels, as many say it can be a lottery.

 

Who said that then?!


Look over at my profile to the left...... that power (490bhp) is on the "hyperblabla" pistons on a totally stock and untouched 2ltr Newage OEM engine.

 

Come on then..... which "one of the most respected tuners in the UK" was it then?

 

Thing is there are so many factors when it comes to reliability it can only be the luck of the draw. That and making sure you only let the very best tuners and mappers near your car.

Which is why I do my own servicing and run a Prodrive map.

 

Pistons I would say.

 

Read that http://www.probeindustries.com/Articles.asp?ID=144

Might give you a little low down as to why I quoted 'strong'. As I'm still under the assumption that a properly forged piston is stronger and more durabe than the new age ones.

I've never seen a classic STI running std pistons with uprated rods and pushed but I'm assuming It would manage with the std pistons at around the same power level as your if mapped correctly.

 

You already are

 

The 56 page thread here seems to disagree with you
https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...-failures.html

I've seen or heard second hand of plenty of mapped 2.5 cars (and unmapped standard 2.5's come to think of it) not even running big power fail - some of them mapped by some of the "most respected tuners in the UK" as well.
3 of our local group had their 2.5 headgaskets go in the last 18 months on what was otherwise a pretty standard engine - maybe an exhaust mod might have been the exception in one case?
I've seen 2 hatches that have suffered ringland failure in a local specialist as well - all the owners claim to have run on V Power or Momentum.
I'd be willing to be not every one of them failed due to the owners neglecting the vehicle.
Some people are lucky, but the figures speak for themselves - there can't be that many stupid people out there.