BigTDogg MA Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 So on August 1st I get a report from Blackstone Labs on the oil sample I had sent in. I had stopped sending samples in after I landed happily on Shell Rotella T6 for my 3 season oil, but this last OCI I had high consumption. Was actually more like 1.5+ quarts. Their analysis was as follows: This increase in chrome and iron is quite unexpected. Chrome shows ring wear and iron is from steel parts. It doesn't take a lot of chrome to show a ring problem and we certainly can't rule that out here. We usually see a little aluminum from the pistons with ring trouble, but not always. We don't suggest compression test too often with cars, but that might be a good idea here. No fuel or coolant is present. The TBN is fine at 5.8, showing lots of active additive left since 1.0 or less is low. It's a good idea to get this engine looked at. Edit: Added Blackstone report with history and oil type. Well FML then… I bring it to Motive Auto Works, the only place I bring my car, for a compression and leakdown test. Cyl #1 90psi compression, awesome… Leakdown of 90% in 3 seconds… Sweet!! I decided to drive it for a bit to wait till I got my CEL. Fast forward 2 weeks… ugh. So I began asking questions, doing research, hunting classifieds. Root cause? Bad gas, borderline tune (I only did an e-tune), age (166,000 miles) any combination of the three, I’m not sure. But I’ll be eliminating 2 of those 3 variables with a newly built engine and a dyno tune. I sat down with Alberto and discussed options for rebuild and replacement. He was thorough in explaining options and game plan. I honestly can’t say enough great stuff about this guy and his shop. I wish I remember who referred me to Alberto, because I owe them huge. Like cup the balls in a reach-around huge. I decided that a stock STI shortblock would do the same thing as my bottom end just did, eventually. So I opted to go with Wisecos. But I also wanted to keep it simple, because she’s my daily driver, and reliability is paramount. So enough rambling, here’s the parts list (in no particular order): Aftermarket Parts Motive Auto Works Shortblock with STI crank, King bearings and modified oil flowBrian Crower Intake valve set Brian Crower SS exhaust valve setARP head studsBrian Crower valve springs and retainersDefi White Racer Series 60mm Boost Gauge (PSI)Wiseco Subaru EJ25 99.5mm PistonsKiller B Oil BaffleKiller B Oil PickupPerrin Turbo Inlet, BlackDefi White Racer Series 60mm Pressure Gauge (PSI)ARP Head Stud KitGrimmSpeed 05-07 Subaru Legacy GT (without VDC) Master Cylinder BraceCometic Subaru EJ25 100mm Bore .030" Head GasketMishimoto Oil Sandwich Plate Adapter with 3 x 1/8" NPT PortsTokyo Roki Oil Filters & Crush Washers - 6 packTSK3 Replacement BearingSouthbend DXD ClutchGroup N Pitch StopKart Boy Short Throw shifterNGK Subaru One Step Colder Iridium Spark PlugsPerrin headers OEM Parts WRX SMFWSubaru USDM 04-06 STI gasket and seal kit STI 11mm Oil PumpOEM oil panOEM Oil CoolerAVCS SolenoidsClutch Slave CylinderWater PumpWater Pump gasketTiming BeltTensionerIdler Pulley, Left UpperIdler Pulley, Left LowerIdler Pulley, RightCrankshaft GearThermostat and gasketCoolant ConditionerBy-pass PipeUpper Elbow HoseLower Elbow HoseUpper Elbow Hose ClampLower Elbow Hose ClampMotor Mount, LeftMotor Mount, RightTransmission Mount, MT Add that to my existing mods VF-52STI UPCobb DPAEM panel filterBPTMICAP fuel railsDW65c pumpIP&T oil feed lineGrimmspeed 3-port EBCSTGV deletes And I think I'll have a pretty fun lil DD on my hands Once the Grimmspeed TMIC comes out I'll likely snag that, as finding a LGT specific Process West kit is harder than finding a Prius not driven by a liberal douche. While she was down for the rebuild I also refinished my Hella horns and got my headlamps retrofitted with a Morimoto TRS kit. I pick her up tomorrow around noon and I’m sure I’ll post more after. Definitely will post pics if Alberto took any. Not sure that he did though since time was of the essence. First and foremost, I have to thank Alberto and Motive Auto Works. He was able to turn this around in relatively short time and helped me keep my costs to a minimum. I had to rent a car for the duration since the LGT is my DD and my Z32 only has 2 seats and I can't drive it to work. Next I have to thank Jeremy and the crew at Subaru of Wakefield for great prices on OEM parts. They've also revamped their website to make searching and finding PNs easier. Lastly I've gotta thank msprank at Infamous, as he was an excellent source of parts and always had great communication. And having an awesome 10% off sale.I had good experiences with a couple of sellers on Nastycock (Perrin headers) and a local guy who did the retrofit. I'll judge the retrofit after a few washes and rainy days, but so far the work looks awesome. *Edit* Added one pic Alberto sent me, looks nice and stock, just the way I like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 After three New England winters, my Hellas started looking pretty rugged... So I took them apart, wire brushed and sanded them, then finished them off with some brake cleaner to get any oils off. Hit them with some Rustoleum hammered finish silver metallic for the guards, and satin black for the actual horn piece. Then put them back together with stainless M4x0.7 BHCS and nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 reserved for pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhitter Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Curious if you can ballpark what labor will be. I have a 2008 with 120k on it and reading this forum makes me think it's going to blow at any moment. My OBXT build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 After you taunt me with the tagging? No way dude... Just labor, I did nothing myself, I drop off and pick up, about $3500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Well, damn. I thought I was gonna get to see you get some grease under your nails. Why didn't you go for it? In any case, glad to see it worked out OK and you're back up and running with a new motor -- it's always a good feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 It's my DD, no time. 2 kids and a job that won't quit (I'm up working now). I do all my own work on my Z32, because I can afford the downtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtea Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 It's my DD, no time. 2 kids and a job that won't quit (I'm up working now). I do all my own work on my Z32, because I can afford the downtime. I hear this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JermTheElf Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Nice to finally see a thread here for ya. Let's get some pics of the wagon in the snow this winter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Yes, good to hear it went well. Jerm, be careful what you wish for...that could happen tonight. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dujo Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 60s yesterday. Snow tonight. Maybe it's time to put the snows on. May have been bmx that turned you on to Motive. That's who clued me in a few years ago. That or sigmafour. Both guys that have gotten their fingernails dirty in his shop. When you pick it up, ask Alberto if he had any flashbacks to working on mine. Although, at this point, you've had his hands a lot deeper in your car than I have in mine, so it's really mine that reminds him of yours rather than the other way 'round. Where'd you get the hex stainless hardware for the hellas? Just the local hardware store or something a little more specialty? My hellas aren't quite that bad, but they are heading that direction. I can't believe that they give you crap hardware that rusts and stains after one winter. I was shocked when I first saw that happening. And it's progressing quickly. Nice to see them clean up so nicely though. Will have to do that soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 Any Ace hardware or True Value will have them Dujo. Home Depot does not. Car feels great, more details later. Dealing with a sick kid now, so time is short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 430ish miles into the break-in now. For such minor performance changes, the car is a beast. And I can't even really get on it yet. Break-in during winter time sucks wangdoolders BTW. But it will all be worth it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 The car will be fun, enjoy it. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firepuma Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 Glad to see it back on the road. Who did the headlights? I need an upgrade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share Posted November 28, 2014 Guy in Medfaaad named Danny Nguyen. So far so good. I needed to adjust my driver side beam, as it was high and I was getting flashed a lot. The cut off still isn't razor sharp on the left side, but I'm working with him to figure it out. It's a Morimoto Quick Retrofit kit, and it looks good when I am driving, but I'm kind of anal retentive about things. Below is before adjustment, from about 10' away (driveway isn't 25' long, need to find a new location to do an accurate alignment) And a quick shot of the exterior, after polishing, before grill reinstall (new clips and hardware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted December 1, 2014 Author Share Posted December 1, 2014 Did my 500 mile oil change today. Collected a sample to send out to Blackstone. So far so good. Another 1000 then I can tune. I should have 350 or so by next Sunday. Then it'll slow down for a bit. Likely tune in early February. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted December 2, 2014 Author Share Posted December 2, 2014 Installed new grill clips and replaced the hardware with some stainless flat heads and finishing washers. Have a ton of these leftover from my Z32 engine, so why not use em? Just got some OEM mudflaps I cleaned up today and will be installing after my next car wash. May look for some JDM spats too. Still have to install the boost and oil pressure gauges, but I need another day off with decent weather to do so. Break-in is so painful, but I've pretty much mastered the double-clutch 5-4 downshift. New flywheel and a short throw change things up a bit, so had to relearn a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firepuma Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I did the OEM flaps and love the look on the wagon. Had them color matched as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted December 11, 2014 Author Share Posted December 11, 2014 So little update on the status. Umm, forgot to snag a pic of this, LOL, guess this ain't right... From my old engine. Yeah, that'll cause a bit of an issue. Just passed the 1000 mile mark on the break in. The cold weather had me a bit concerned as she'll burn a bit of oil upon start up. So naturally I panicked, given how much money I had just dropped into this build. So I brought it to Alberto for a quick check up. He took her for a spin and reassured me everything I was hearing was just normal, forged engine, cold weather start up noise. He also said my basic eTune from Tuning Alliance was solid enough to have some fun. So I got on it a bit, nothing more than 12psi so far. God it sounds awesome, pulls hard, and I can't wait to get a real dyno tune. I hopped on the Grimmspeed TMIC GB today as well, then she's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Yep, that's one nasty looking valve there. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 Couldn't resist, had to do a pull today Maxed out at 13psi, still on the old tune. Can't wait to really tune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted January 13, 2015 Author Share Posted January 13, 2015 So today I threw a P0031 Front O2 Sensor Low Input. The sensor is OEM and only 30K miles old. Any thoughts on what would cause this? Excessive blow-by? Bad seating/sealing to the header? Any thoughts are appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Sensors don't last forever, my aftermarket one lasted 2 years. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTDogg MA Posted January 13, 2015 Author Share Posted January 13, 2015 But the original one lasted 144k, so unless they moved MFG to China or something, I'd be surprised if it's the sensor. I'm not saying it's not possible, and I'm going to replace it anyway, but I'd be surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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