trackhound

I built the engine myself and ordered parts in from Ron at Raw Performance in the states who is amazingly cheap (and helpful with customs). The parts were approx £1750 including shipping and import duty etc for the following. New Ej257 casing (honed to suit pistons) CP Pistons Pauter Rods Cometic Gaskets Cossy main bearings Steve Whitson at SW Motorsport did some chamber work on the Heads for the larger bore which was an additional £100. (He ported these previously on another build of mine) I was already running a TD05/06 20g, FMIC, GT spec headers and 3 inch exhaust etc from my 2.0L so I re-used most of the ancilliaries and put them on the 2.5. It pulls like a train!

Took the wagon to Duncan at Hypertech today following the 2.5 conversion. What a decent chap. Very friendly, super knowledgeable and sensibly priced. Rather chuffed with the results - 389 bhp and 401 lbft of torque. I ran three maps with varying degrees of ignition advance but had to keep things sensible as running the standard 5 speed box.

That's interesting - Colin N said he had sourced it for the big man!

I got the impression Colin was the new owner rather than it being for sale.

Thanks - not sure what the problem is with photobucket

I regularly visit Alex Noble & Son on a Sat morning to pick up parts for the forged 2.5 project I am building. Colin Noble mentioned he had something special in the workshop I might be interested in. Low and behold it was Colin MacRae's personal 22b. It had only covered 10,000 KM and was absolutely immaculate. It was almost as if it had just rolled off the production line. Turned out the garage had sourced it specially for him some years ago and had purchased it back from the MacRae family following the sad demise of the great man. Good to see such a fine example of such a wonderful machine. http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq50/tr...acrae22b003.jpg http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq50/tr...acrae22b002.jpg http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq50/tr...acrae22b001.jpg

I've seen the sticky for the one in renfrew but just wondered if anyone recommends an outfit in the east? Thanks

my, that sir is one fine machine you have there.

Couldn't agree more about Steve. He is currently doing the machining work on my 2.1 stroker and also porting my heads. He is a first class operator and more than happy to share his expertise unlike some other engine builders. Is yours the white classic with the 2.5 and the 321T?

Standard subaru 4 pots are cast iron and retain alot of heat and have a small piston diamater. Brembos are alloy, have a larger piston area and pad size and dissipate heat a lot more effectively. Big difference. However, if you are going to uprate your calipers for track use, I would recommend also upgrading to two piece disks with alloy bells and powervane type rotors as they are much lighter and much more effective at shedding heat, thus reducing fade. I upgraded to compbrake pro-race1 4 pot calipers and 330mm disks with alloy bells and they are simply amazing. Before I would have to come in every 6-7 laps and let the brakes cool, even with red-stuff pads and racing fluid. With my current set up, fade has been eliminated during track use, I can stay out as long my tank's full and I have shaved seconds from my lap times.

flat4online sell a 2.5 short engine delivered for £1495

this functionality is actually a component of Ecutek software rather than it being tuner specific. We're working on developing this feature on the romraider project and I'm hopefully testing map switching ability on my car over the coming weeks. If anyone wants this functionality for free then keep an eye on the Romraider website: www.romraider.com. Woof Woof.

Flat4online sell the block only delivered for £750 or the short engine for £1495 delivered. I take it you're pulling together a built unit?

I love classics but Newage ECUs can be re-mapped using free software whereas most classic ECUs need to be chipped or replaced with an Apexi unit.

thanks - it's a bug eye I'm afraid. In the long term I'm aiming for 500bhp but will need to do it in stages as the financial outlay is somewhat scary. In the meantime I'll continue to run the old faithful td05/06 20g until I can afford something rotated!

Wise move - I'm about to put together a 2.2 closed deck forged stroker and am debating doing a 6 speed or a PPG conversion at the same time.

Have you checked the MAF for dirt/contamination?

Hi - ECU Explorer won't recognise the protocols on pre 2000 ECUs unfortunately. You should be able to buy something similar to VAG com for your scooby of flea bay. Last resort you can always take your car to Nobles in Penicuik and they will use their diagnostic software but it costs £30 ish and you can expect a load of disapproving and ill-informed comments from Colin Noble about any mods you have done and how you should only use Prodrive parts etc. Is the car throwing any CELs?

Hi - what gearbox will you be running with the 2.5?

sorry you're right - got carried away in all the excitement!

it's on men and motors which is a channel on sky and freeview

Woof woof - beautiful car. Great to see another wagon being an owner myself. A friend of mine is also a wrx wagon owner and an avid skier. He got the windows blacked out and spent 6 weeks touring the french alps during the winter. He's tight as an ant's chuff and didn't want to pay for accommodation so he actually slept in it at night in car parks where normal camper vans are not permitted. Madman.