having read various posts saying that for decent power on a hawkeye wrx you need to replace the pistons. what benefits would you get from forged pistons and rods and what would it cost? (from where?)

 

Sell, buy an STI and start there, forge that engine and its a better starting point altogether.
You still have some issues with forging a WRX 2.5, you still have lots of weak points in the chain (gearbox, clutch, brakes etc), though what sort of power are you looking at?

Tony

 

i would like about 400bhp eventually

 

just grab a jdm v8 sti complete motor n tranny . you get a starting stronger package from there and i think these motor should be enough to push 350-400 on stock internals

 

Try one at around 360 bhp/390 ft.lb of torque, I've been out in one today.... (Thanks Lee).

It's plenty !

IMHO

dunx

 

A up DUNX is yours an sti 2.5 or a 2.0 mate

 

Clutch and brakes are an easy enough (and cheap enough) upgrade though.

Just the gearbox that is the weak point then - depends how you drive I guess

 

Always a pleasure

 

Hawkeye WRX has EJ255 engine whereas STI has the EJ257.
WRX has the exact same block as STI with different pistons. The heads are slightly different with smaller ports and slightly higher compression.

Rods are the same in WRX and STI but would top out at about 430-450 bhp.

Pistons deffo need doing if pushing over 380bhp - forge or cosworth

 

so i dont need to replace the rods? any idea how much pistons are with fitting?

 

I cant understand how you could be bothered going to that sort of expense and hassle when you could get 360 / 390 for not that much expense. As Dunx said why would you need more than this??!!

 

because i dont want to be worrying about the pistons failing. i would rather do it in advance rather than have to rebuild the engine if it goes bang

 

The engine wont go bang at 360 / 390 if properly mapped.

Plenty of guys over here in Northern Ireland running that power without goin bang. Makes a fantastic road car thru the 5 speed box

 

Have you done the clutch on yours yet?

I'm torn as to what to go for? I run mine on a daily (costly!) basis - so don't want anything too lumpy. But likewise, don't want to feel I am holding back on the track etc.

HELP!

 

No I am running 350 torque as I like the early spool of the Td04.

The other guys over here running the big torque are still on the standard clutches although one of the guys gearbox packed in which is the first hawk gearbox failure I have heard off

Have you tracked yours?? Hows your gearbox holding up?