Ade

I took the viper kit off last night and re-fitted the air box with the ITG panel in and she's running fine again, so looks like I'll need to save for a re-map, I will get it re-mapped for just super unleaded at the same time so I don't have to bother with the octane booster. I have a feeling the induction kit just tipped it over the edge along with all the other mods I have fitted when I rebuilt the engine. It's a 98 STI Type R by the way, seeing as I forgot to mention it at the start. thanks for all the advice given. Ade

cheers guys, I will have a good look round all the hoses if not then I will look into a re-map and take it off until then Ade

I had a thought it might need a re-map, what sort of costs would that be Ade

The car definatly ran better with the ITG on it, can't understand why it wouldn't like it, and I have seen it fitted to scooby's on here, but if I can't solve it then it will be straight off and the old panel filter ITG straight back on. Ade

I fitted my new pipercross viper filter last night, and now the car seems to be very jerky and feels as if it is holding back when I accelerate, I did have the turbo off as well to fit a new up pipe but that seems to be ok. I'm wondering if the car is now getting to much air and maybe an ECU reset will sort it out, I plugged the 2 black plugs in and the ECL flashed normally so no sensor problems. Does anybody have any ideas, car feels very lumpy and I don't like it much, responce seems slow and un willing to go. It does go but feels like it is missing, so if you have any thoughts please let me know. Ade

I had the same and it eventually turned out to be the head gaskets staring to fail, I'd get a garage to do a coolant check on it, mine was found to has traces of combustion gases, or something like that, in the water, so I took both heads off and found that one of the gaskets had started to go between the cylinder and water jacket. Ade

I could do a write up, but it would take a hell of a long time, if you have a copy of the workshop manual it has step by step instructions of exactly how to lift the engine out and how to put it back in. In fact it tells you how to do everything and is very very useful. You have to do a bit of flicking backwards and forwards through the sections but it really is very good. An idea of what you are doing in the first place is handy too. I'm mechanical engineer anyway (not cars) so that helped. But if you o have any specific questions don't hesitate to ask Ade

It is a jap one mate it's a Type R, I have some pics some where and will put them on soon Ade

Well, that's it all done, the beast is back on the road after 6 long weeks of working on her after the oil pump failed. To say I am pleased with myself is an understatement. I have had to take the engine out and strip it all the way down to the crank and then rebuild it and put it back in all on my OWN, but it was worth all the spilt blood, plus a chance to stick a few mods on. So far she's had New crank New big ends New main bearings New oil pump New piston rings Exedy Lightened flywheel (thanks Harvey) New Exedy clutch New De-cat down pipe New stainless up pipe Viper induction kit Ported/polished heads Inlet/exhaust valves re-seated and new oil seals And everything else involved in taking the engine to bits, seals, gaskets etc To be honest I found it quite easy, only takes 1hr 30 to get the engine out and about 2 hrs to put back in, could only spend 2-3 hrs a night working on it due to work so hence the long period off the road, but she's running like a dream, what a difference the de-cat d/pipe has made along with the flywheel. Still have a few miles left to bed the piston rings in until I open her up properly and I can't wait. Putting the viper kit on at the weekend so the noise will change again after that's been added. Can't believe how much money I have saved by doing the work myself , £1000's. so if you want any work doing let me know. My thanks to API Engines who supplied most of the parts, all genuine Subaru parts I might add, especially Pete (the engine builder) who's knowledge of the impreza engine is amazing and also to Olly at roger clarke who also supplied parts . I'm just glad to be back on the road, yes I am smiling from ear to ear Ade

You don't have to use it with a lightened pulley but it all helps, you can get your original flywheel lightened for about £150 @ API Engines and I have seen them go up to around £600, and yes you are right less inertia faster engine spins up, but I have not heard about stalling problems, I wouldn't expect it to do that. Ade

I have been talking to Olly @ Roger Clarke M/Sport and Dave @ API Engines and they agree that they are a great mod and can really help acceleration, the only loss is engine breaking, never mind, will just have to use the breaks more, the original weighs in @ 10.7 kgs, the one I have been looking at is just 4.4kgs, that's one hell of a saving!!!!. ADE

Who's got one and what have you got, I'm toying with the idea of putting one on Ade

Cheers Mark, I will have a look on e-bay again today, can't make my mind up about the flywheel though and there's only you who has replied Ade

Just had a thought, might as well go for a lightened flywheel at the same time, anybody got any views on them, I have heard they reduce torque, but speed up acceleration???. Seen one on E-bay tonight £240 and weighs in at only4.4kg. who out there has got what?? Regards Ade

Need anew clutch asap, any ideas what or where to get one, needs to be easy for the misus to drive Ade