I am/was about to purchase a 2007 Wrx 2.5 with 30 k miles on the clock for 7995 and someone said there was an issue with the EJ257
.
I heard the 2.0 lump was more reilable and was about to purchase a 2006 2.0 wrx with 55k miles for 6495 - both has FSSH and 1 x owner.

What years were affected? Someone refers to this engine as "chocolate" in a post on this very site.

I would prefer a late 2006/2007 2.5 WRX to the older 2.0 WRX but with so many conflicting stories with NO SPECIFICS on this VERY site... I am stuck ?

Is the 2.5 engine only at risk of blowing up if
not serviced
bad fuel
overtuned etc or is it liable to melting as one author put it?

 

Ive had both and only the 2.0 litre blew up lol

 

There has been a few head gasket failures on the 2.5 thats all, all under serviced and over tuned cars are at a huge risk of going pop,.

 

the 2.5 can be mildly tuned safely, remap, exhaust, etc. but for bigger power you will need forged pistons, new head gasket (i'm sure someone with more knowledge will be able to confirm)

if you want a newer car with the 2.0, have a look at JDM (jap domestic market) imports

 

My 03 2.0L STI is on its 2nd rebuild @ 57k

Its luck of the draw, Don't believe everything you read on forums....

 

it certainly is the luck of the draw.had my 2.olitre bug sti 9 years not one issue.obviously proper services and care help but some people are really unlucky i dont think mileage really comes into it.some people have done a few thousand miles and engines gone pop other people go for miles and nothing.

 

So what is it you are looking at buying a WRX which has the EJ255 engine in it or a WRX STi which has the EJ257 ???

There have been few problems with the EJ255.................

 

My reccomendation would be to buy a blob sti.

But if you do buy a hawk wrx make sure you move over when you see a blob sti in your rear view.

Or if you buy a hawk sti make sure you move over when you see a blob sti as you dont want to blow your engine now.

Oh and the blobs are cheaper too.

Seriously though why anybody buys a 2.5 I just dont know. Not every 2.5 sti is going to give you problems but a large % will.

 

I would have thought 8k was top end money for a wrx personally nice miles and owners i know but at this day in age its a buyers market imo, you can buy a hawk sti for that money there was one on here a day or 2 ago for 7k iirc, all imo of course

 

This is a prime example of someone being put off about the whole chocolate 2.5 thing.

I just think it's a real shame. OK, so the Japanese did climb into aircraft (fully not expecting to return) but man, they can still build an engine.

They are crazy, but never underestimate the power of the Japanese.

 

I cannot say about the EJ255 WRX engine, but the reference to the Chocolate pistons is the EJ257 pistons tend to melt when pushed over 380BHP.

I was advised this by my Mapper MartynJ when i wanted to take mine to 400+

 

Cobblers. So why is PPP readily available from Subaru dealerships? This pushes them up to around 320.

 

Think you are quoting him totally wrong. I expect he said 380BHP

Standard power on the Hatch/Saloon EJ257 is 296BHP

330s/320R puts it at 325/316 BHP

340R puts it at 336 BHP

 

Buy an Evo and have done with it

 

Yes, the 280 was a Typo, I meant 380 BHP

 

After reading 50+ pages on here im shocked you still want a scooby...! lol.

Anything you buy... be prepared to throw some cash at it... and be prepared to service and maintain it right.

Tune it with good parts and use a reputable mapper...

Still a gamble but you take your chances!!

 

Like they aint got their fair share of probs lmao

Every other person i spoke to regarding the earlier evo's first thing they said to me was engines popping and to be prepared to put the later engines in, you want performance then be prepared for what come with it imo

 

indeed they do, I actually have first hand experience.

A few months ago, My Uncle bought an EVO 4 with 86KM imported in 2004 the engine went pop within a week.

It was not just 1 F*Kd piston and rod either, all 4 pistons were shot, the ring gland had snapped, and the crank was floating.

Once we sorted the engine the car was sold.

 

You should take your Uncle to the Hospital for that, sounds painful

TX.

 

Thanks for the input guys. very helpful.


Well after 9 years of Jaguar ownership including an X350 Xj8 4.2 V8 Sport... I know about spending money on motors ...

I would rather the 2005/2006 2.0 Turbo but they are becoming harder to find with less then 50k on the clock and FSSH.
I thought I read on another page somewhere that the EJ257 was in all WRX's from 2005 - 2008 so is it just the STI?

I am only looking at a 2007 (57) WRX 2.5 with the 230BHP Not the Sti.
Does this have the EJ255 with the fewer problems?

Evo's have the interior of a daihastu charade - bollocks.
I have owned 2.0 Golf GTi
BMW 323i
BMW 325i
BMW 528i

Jaguar x-type 2.5 Sport
Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport (engine fail at 72k miles)
Jaguar XJ8 4.2 SPORT 2003 X350. ENDED UP MECHANICAL FAILURE AND IN THE SEA WITH ME IN IT.

 

If you purchase a WRX you will lust after a STi, just do it now and be done with it

TX.

 

The WRX runs the EJ255 engine. The WRX STi version runs the EJ257 version.(lots of differences)

The EJ255 has had few, if any problems, when standard.

Is the WRX you are looking at an early Hatch or last of the Hawkeye saloons ?? Quoting the registration is not enough to identify the model as Subaru model years do not stick to the calendar year.

 

The last of the saloons.

I 'd prefer the last of the 2.0's being 2005/2006.
It looks like it will be the 2007 57 plate - last of the saloons due to their availibilty and good market prices.

I am not a fan of the hatchbacks looks - think it looks like a rover.

I like the GB270 but I have heard a few negative comments about that too and they are overpriced for the same mileage etc as a 2007 wrx saloon.

Can the standard 2007 EJ255 wrx 2.5 engine be taken to a subaru dealership and be safely tuned to 270-280BHP?
Is a PPPack suggested for this engine or are the only problems with tuning the 2.5 sti to above 380bhp?

I would not want anywhere near that kind of power - anything between the standard 230bhp up to 300 bhp would be marvellous.!

 

To be fair it wasn't an entirely serious comment. If you want reliability you really need to go German

 

The Subaru supplied Prodrive Performance Pack took it to 266BHP
http://imdomino.imgroup.co.uk/imggb/...0WRX%20PPP.pdf

However it's no longer available so your only route would be a custom map and exhaust which would work out cheaper anyway and be tailored for your specific car.

 

I've owned 2 07 WRX Hawks. First tuned to 267/326 with cosworth panel filter. Scorpion catback exhaust, Decat downpipe and remap. Cost was around £710 with custom map from Duncan @ Racedynamix. Car ran like a dream

Current hawk running at 342/407. Full decat. Cosworth panel filter. vf43 turbo. sti tmic. walbro fuel pump. NGK Iridium spark plugs. Cost around £1619. No issues as of yet touch wood! Big jump from 267 bhp. Car feels insane now. Standard 5 speed gearbox. Standard clutch. Standard internals. Would not take it any further than that tho. Car gets driven daily.

Also owned an 05 blob wrx. I'll never go back as i would miss the torque of the 2.5.

Current hawk purchased in may with 19k on clock for £7300 Id say £7995 is a little pricey with 30k miles tbh.

Richard

 

Thanks for that mate that is really useful.
I am feeling better about the 2007 saloon 2.5 wrx now and this is the one I will focus on.

I will be bending your ear once I buy it for more information. I have checked out race dynamix too.

7995 is retail prices.

I have been burned before with an x-type which engine blew up.

I fancy those "basic" mods for a modest upgrade which does not put the engine under too much strain to attain 270+ BHP.

 

If your looking to keep it basic then keep it at the 260-280 level and mod the suspension + brakes once you've done the engine or preferably before if u can wait. I couldn't lol. Thats what im currently doing! Fitted front and rear strut brace and can already tell the difference!

Just decide how far you want to take it before the remap ie prodrive level or 300+ as tweaks are expensive/speed is addictive!

No problem thats what we are here for

 

Now that i do agree with

 

The 2.5L STi versions got EJ257 (denoted by the 7) although the exception to this is the Forester STi which is based on the EJ255 lower compression engine.