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How much to pay for engine rebuild?


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I recently purchased a 2005 LGT wagon with 86,000 miles only to have it develop a knock whilst on the freeway a month later. I assume the engine needs to be rebuilt, and i want to know what I should expect to pay a mechanic to have the engine rebuilt. I received a quote of $7000 dollars to have the engine rebuilt from GST Motorsports in Hayward California and would like to know if it is possible to spend less then this and still have the job done well as $7000 dollars is more than i spent on the car to begin with. Additionally any shop suggestions within in the San Francisco Bay Area would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Mike from GST is an amazing tuner but the costumer service over there is s***. Check out Mann Engineering, they are a Subaru performance specialist located in Santa Clara and build a lot of engines. They may have better prices and most definitely have better customer service.
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This is the build sheet i got back with the estimate from GST with the individual cost break down for all parts and labor. Is this reasonable, as it seems a little expensive compared to how much i paid for the car to begin with?

 

That's a nice engine for big HP. what are your HP goals ?

 

I'm running a stock ej257 and my rebuilt heads.

 

Actually that's not a bad price for all that, but do you need that ? Is that with the labor to remove and install ?

 

5mt or 5eat ?

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

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So this is the email i got back from Mike the lead engineer surrounding the items on the build sheet:

 

"The estimation as attached includes a complete 105k timing belt service package which includes water pump, tensioner and all idler pulleys.

 

The upgraded over OEM (Stock) components are in essence the forged pistons, forged connecting rods, performance race main and rod bearings and the oil pick up. The two most common failure points of the EJ series turbo engine are ring land failures in the pistons which the forged piston design included in the estimate is there to combat and oil starvation from the OEM oil pick up failure which is why we utilize a purpose built after market unit such as the one included in the estimate.

 

The estimate attached also does include having the cylinder heads resurfaced and cleaned however does not include valve replacement or machining which is tested for at the machine shop and added should it be required (in a lot of cases it’s not needed)

 

There’s other items simply not listed in our estimates which are conducted during the labor portion of the work to assist with lubrication (oil pressure) which we do not mention or list due in part to it being our internal practices for engine builds for our customers and not something we want other shops simply copying nor offering and as they are of no cost in labor time for us to do them we’d rather not have them listed and passed on"

 

As far as power levels, i hadn't thought much about going over stock but its definitely something i could see myself doing in the future. I assume bolting on a larger turbo to this engine build would do the trick?

 

All things aside the quote i got from GST is the best by far when compared to other shops being not only cheaper, but also including forged internals. The quote plus labor landed at $7500.

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Just saying for stock power levels you don't need all that. read my click here link in my sig, my stock ej257 and vf52 at 21psi has been running great for over 94,000 miles.

 

It's all in the tune.

 

Find a local repair shop that knows/works with a good machine shop and go with a new ej257 short block.

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

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agree with max, if you are not looking to upgrade the power get an oem shortblock from subaru and just do new oiling components including a better pickup tube like the killer b unit or moroso. You will come in ~$5000 all said and done including labor if you stick to a basic replacement including the machining for the head. While the head is off take a look at your cams and cam buckets. Mine were toast after just 9000 miles on the built motor. Im in for 7500 not including labor on my new stage 2 tuff motor from IAG, but that includes headwork and cams.

 

Long story short unless you are shooting for big numbers stick with a simple build with a solid tune and good OCI and youll be happy - so will your transmission.

 

IF you want to go with more power - look into Outfront Motorsports - https://www.outfrontmotorsports.com/shortblocks/outfront-motorsports-grocery-getter-forged-shortblock - They are in LA.

Im sure if you can get your car to them they can get you back on the road for about the same price as GST and Mann. I've only heard great things about OFMS. Another option is IAG but they are on the right coast

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