-G-

Sorry to hear the bad news Ty!

Always heart breaking when your pride and joy gives up the ghost.


I truly think you'll regret breaking it, it's a super rare car and you won't stay away from subaru's and the next wont live up to this.

I'd tuck it away for 6 months, gives you time to calm down and think.

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

Sorry to hear your thinking of breaking her Ty


If you do choose to break it, I'd be interested in a few bits, defo the manifolds as I have just found out mine are shot to bits

The Sheep Worrier

iTrader: (2)

😰😰😰

simb 2

iTrader: (3)

This is really gutting mate. If it was me I would'nt make a decision to strip and sell quite yet and garage it up for a couple weeks...your head will be clearer.

Look at it this way, the car cosmetically is to how you want it, 2.1 engine seems to be the general consensus. I've been here before so know the frustration all too well! And would say if Engine Tuners reputation proceeds them then your car will be reliable with confidence too use.

Option 2. Strip sell get rid and start again. You are a true petrol head! Not a **** polisher where the car hasn't seen past 4000rpm. Which means your get another car be it a Scooby or another marque...that's when it starts again - wheels/brakes/exhaust/re-map/cosmetic changes...you and alot of others will know this list.

It isn't a cheap list and all of a sudden your at the price of a 2.1.

Just my view on it...don't make a rash decision!

Mine was off the road for a month going through all these options!

Good luck mate!

Si

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

My first choice would funds allowing be an ET 2.1 but with what I've spent recently on the car the money tree has been stripped bare. Unfortunately you have to draw the line somewhere.

Ok I'll keep that in mind but before it gets down to that level of parts being sold off I'd have expected to have sold the major items ie turbo, ecu, toucan, gearbox etc.

But you'll have to pay more than £20 for those items.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

I know what you're saying Geraint but in six months the engine will still need replacing and is likely that the price will still be the same if not more expensive.

On the replacement car front I don't think I'd opt for another Subaru at all, as I've been there and done it on three occasions now, I think a more sensible car would be called for.

I've had it with modifying cars, if truth be told I enjoyed my Spec C when she was more standard as modified cars come with a penalty in terms of constant worry and cost of ownership.

In real terms a standard car isn't really any slower than a modified one except at licence endangering speeds.

Thanks Craig, I'll let you know in due course.

wasbo

iTrader: (1)

Gutted for you Ty,
This is bad news, as a few have said garage the car, Spec C's will get rarer as time passes and harder to get, sell the turbo and injectors and the toys, this will get you a fair lump of cash back and return to totally standard and just enjoy the car as its meant to be. Don't look back in a few years when they are fetching top dollar and regret it, who knows if they go the same way as the old rare ford rally cars you may get all the cash you have ploughed in back.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Thanks Si, you are correct that at some point I would regret it but I just can't keep on ploughing money into the car.

I think I might well consider putting the car to one side and putting a cover over it, but I am conscious of the saying 'out of sight, out of mind' meaning that I'll just lose all interest in it.

As for modifying any future car I have learned an expensive lesson from all this and that is that you get more enjoyment from a standard car with a few tweaks rather than modifying it wholesale.

As for the next car choice - it definitely won't be an Impreza or Subaru full stop come to that.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

I have put up a wanted advert looking for a JDM EJ207 engine in the hope that someone out there has one for sale as it's not worth reconditioning my own given what I know has gone wrong with it.

If I can put it back to totally standard by selling off the goodies then at present that will be my preferred option, I agree that you get the most fun out of these cars by leaving them fairly standard.

I am secretly hoping to find an engine which means I can return it to standard and keep it, but if the costs get too much then I have to be sensible and seriously consider the next inevitable course of action.

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

I have no opinion Tyron on what you should or should not do other than to take time to come to the right decision for yourself.

Bloody cars can take you to some pretty high and low places in a very short time.

I wish you all the best for the future matey, you deserve a turn of fortune

simb 2

iTrader: (3)

Whatever you decide mate each will be a difficult one to make.

Hope you get a satisfactory outcome mate financially and emotionally

Si

S3LDM

OH MY GOD.. I can't believe the bad luck you have had Ty, struggling to digest what I have read to be honest..

Think you have had some good advice in previous posts on here, don’t make rash decision’s, dwell on your options, count your money (what you have left) then decide..

What has gone wrong exactly Ty.?

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Thanks Kev, I agree totally about what you say about the highs and lows but unfortunately I only seem to have known the lowpoints recently.

I agree any of the decisions I have in front of me all have their merits and pitfalls, any decision I reach will enevitably leave me banging my head on the wall later on in frustration.

Basically at least one of the cylinders is leaking exhaust gas into the coolant meaning that the coolant temp rises from 90c up to just under 110c in literally over 150 yards.

The 'sniff' test is inconclusive as it will only happen when the engine is under boost which cannot be done on a stationary car, but these are issues I have seen before when I had the previous engine failure.

I believe what is happening is that the cylinder head(s) are being lifted when on boost - plus the engine deck/cylinder heads might have warped as well.

As an aside to this problem also the engine is using engine oil at an alarming rate - just under 1 litre in around 500 miles.

This car would test the patience of a saint, and the bank account of Rockafeller.

Shaun

Tyron,
You've hit the nail on the head with summing up the pitfalls of modifying, especially to this kind of level. This was THE main reason why I chopped in the SPEC C and bought something "normal" with the current JDM Hawkeye. Whilst I miss the sheer grunt that the previous car had, I don't miss the stress that all entailed. The SPEC C engine had the **** kicked out of it for a number of years, being subjected to heavy abuse, but in the end it was so far from a road car (although it had been reverted back trim wise), I stopped enjoying it. Buying a "normal" car was the best thing I did for what I wanted moving forward - a car that doesn't get driven that much, but each and every time I drive it, it does so with no drama. The only thing I need to check is how much fuel I have.

I would whole heartedly support your thoughts of looking for a standard engine, so you can start to enjoy the car again. One which you have spent so much time and effort on.

I would certainly recommend you speak with likes of API. Not only to enquire if they have a JDM engine to drop in (I know David did have a couple crated some time ago), but also to find out how much it would cost to inspect and repair your existing engine (still retaining 2ltrs assuming crank & block etc is OK). If you block is OK, it might just need a new set of rings and gaskets. If it's burning the kind of oil you're stating, it could just be a problem with your pistons not being honed to fit and being a sloppy fit.

Head gasket issues could be based on all manner of culrpits. Incorrect head bolt torquing, lack of quality machining on head and/or block face. It's possible all this could be corrected with minimal stress.

It's worth looking at all available options prior to making such a drastic decision as breaking or outright selling imo.

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

It had an alarming smoking session while being tested in the workshop as well as oil/water out of the exhaust.

Shaun

Condensation - no? ..... for you to get water out of the exhaust from the cooling system, would require some serious major major issue, enough to warrant the car not even running?

That would be water getting into the combustion chamber and straight out of the exhaust ports. Enough of it to not even boil off and come out of the exhaust as water would be highly unlikely would it not?

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

It was a mixture of oil/water Shaun,defo not condensation due to the car being well up to temperature after a 2 hour drive and idling in the workshop.
Tbho the smoking and 'fluids' coming out of the exhaust wasn't the biggest worry,the quick rising rate of temperature and amount of water being pushed into the overflow was more of a worry,plus the oil consumption of course.
All in all the engine is obviously giving a lot of signs to the fact it's fecked.

Shaun

Severe headgasket failure and piston to bore seal issue highly probable then.

I'm sure you'll agree though, that without a strip down it's impossible to diagnose extent of issue. Like I said heads could be fine, block could be OK. Worse case could be knackered HG's, warped block, scored and cracked liner (although the latter would be doubtful on a 2ltr I suspect at this level).

Upshot is until it's split Tyron will never know.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

As some may already know I have know decided to keep the car and this will involve the removal of the engine and sending it off for assessment to a specialist.

Hopefully it will require what was referred to earlier as a 'refresh' when I spoke to Simon @ API, I am waiting for costings for this work from API, Enginetuner, AS Performance and local specialists Three Arches.

Hopefully this will entail the strip down of the engine and the re-assembly with new ACL bearings, piston rings, new gaskets and seals, Cosworth stopper head gaskets, APR/RCM/Cosworth head studs, new oil pump and water pump etc.

I will be refitting a VF36 turbo, STi TMIC, original air cleaner and ducting, Blobeye STi scoop and undertray in other words returning it back to a standard state albeit with a forged engine.

As has been said by others and myself previously I believe that the standard albeit remapped Spec C is a great point to point car and once it's been put back to standard that is how it's going to stay.

I will be selling the SC50 twin scroll turbo, APS FMIC and cold air intake, Chargespeed reverse vent plus other items very shortly, I will put an advert up tomorrow with pricing.

stevep360

iTrader: (20)

Good shout mate, as Shaun says I loved my 600bhp blobeye, but it turned into a drama everytime I went out as was always on edge with it. Back in a standard car, will put a mild map on it and keep it around 340bhp. Even at that they are quick enough point to point. Good luck with it bud.c

JTinnovations

iTrader: (2)

Good decision Ty

Very tempted by the twin-scroll SC50 to replace my twin-entry LM480...but the wallet says no

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

I know what you mean Steve there is always that doubt in your mind, plus of course the power can catch you out sometimes especially if you're not keeping a keen eye on the speedo.

Thanks Tim, go on you know you want a proper 'twin scroll' turbo.

simb 2

iTrader: (3)

Good news Ty, hopefully you can start seeing some light at the end of the tunnel!

Mine was built by API a good many moons ago and did over 30k over 7 years with no issues and had complete confidence and peace of mind. Get yourself a drivable car with useable power. I can't speak for the rest of the Tuners but have all built good reputations over the years.

Fingers crossed for you mate

Si

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

Fully agree Shaun,only a strip down will answer the questions fully,I am on board with Ty's idea of going back to standard as it will allow him to just enjoy the car without the hassle accosiated with big HP.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Thanks Si, I can see the start of the tunnel not quite so sure yet about the end of it but at least it will be underway.

The straight swop against the GTR is still on the table, just in case you have a moment of weakness.

And of course without the big power some other components can be changed back to standard as well.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Wise words Shaun, and I followed them very closely and they helped me to take a path that I hadn't really considered seriously until this afternoon.

mervil

iTrader: (5)

Fair play Ty... the decision is definitely a happy medium... you get to keep the car and get to enjoy it without (hopefully) breaking the bank

Best of luck mate, lets hope if you ever fall into a bucket of ****, you don't come out sucking your thumb

Shaun

A problem shared is sometimes a problem halved.

These types of things can get quite emotive and it's never a good time for this to happen and as such, it normally leads to an understandable questioning of your stamina and will to carry on. Who would blame you for that!

I wish you all the luck..... no, hold on. You won't need luck this time.

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

Very pleased you have come to a decision that will give you some long overdue enjoyment.

Drivability is the key to a any performance road car

wasbo

iTrader: (1)

Good call Ty, my cars performance on road and track far out ways my own and its only a remap and exhaust. If I needed to go faster my only upgrade would be brakes which you have covered, so get it done and enjoy, like you said the extra 100hp you had on road is not that great without going warp speed and that worry of how long it will last should go once its running mid 300's