4URABUS

My stock EJ205 finally crapped-out three weeks ago at 197K miles. It seems that the lower rear head bolt on the driver's side pulled the threads out. So far I've collected the aforementioned EJ22 Phase II block, plus a new WRX crank and a set of new STI rods. What should I do for forged pistons? From what I can gather, EJ22T pistons won't work well because they'll drop the compression ratio below 8:1 when using the EJ205 heads. I noticed that JE makes pistons with the correct dish volume for stock EJ205's (8.5:1 C/R), high compression EJ205's (9.5:1 C/R), 79mm stroker EJ205's in both low and high compression versions, as well as EJ25 block/EJ20 head "hybrid" engines in both low and high compression versions. How tough could it be for them to make an EJ22 block/EJ20 head "hybrid" piston with a 9.5:1 compression ratio? Basically a high-compression EJ225.

Being that my stock longblock now has over 168K miles on it, I'd think that it'd be too tired to support that much hp without a rebuild. Since I got the EJ22 core for free, and I'm buying a brand-new STI crank and rods next month for dirt cheap, I figured that building a stroker instead of a stocker was a smarter way to go.

Since I originally created this post, I've picked up a Phase II EJ22 shortblock with a spun rod bearing. Why pick a Phase I over a Phase II? Just curious.

I've got over 166K miles on my mostly-original 2004 WRX. I love the combination of midrange/topend power and fuel economy of my stock set-up, but have always been disappointed by the lack of off-boost torque. Since I'm going to need to replace the clutch within the next couple of years, I was wondering about which would be the best combination of parts to give me that putting-around-town tractor-like grunt that I desire. At first I was thinking about stroking my EJ205 with a stock-stroke EJ257 crank and rods, using Mahle pistons to give me a "2.2" liter stroker engine. I hear it's really popular and cost-effective, but after finding out that it only gives slightly more than 2.1 liters, I was a little disappointed. Call me crazy, but I'm looking to hit that magic 2.2 liter figure. After doing some more research, I noticed that the EJ25 guys were using 83mm stroker cranks to get a boost in cc's. After using an engine displacement calculator available on the 'net, I discovered that a .5mm overbore on my stock block along with an 83mm crank would get me that magic figure that I desire. I understand that no one makes off-the-shelf pistons for such a beast, but I'm willing to spend the money on custom pistons to achieve my goal. However, instead of buying an expensive 83mm billet stroker crank, I was planning on having a stock new USDM STI crankshaft welded and offset ground to either 82 or 83 millimeters, which ever figure gives me the best ring pack location on a set of custom slugs. Finally, it recently occurred to me that a Phase II EJ22 N/A block would very easily get me at that coveted 2.2 liter displacement figure that I crave. Basically, I would gut the case out into a scrap pile, bore it .5mm to clean it up, and fill it with a new EJ205 crank, EJ257 rods, and custom pistons to give me pretty-much the same compression ratio as the stock EJ205 engine. Top it off with my stock EJ205 heads and I'm in business. So here's my ultimate goal: Subaru rated my car at 227hp at the flywheel when it was new. I want to make that number at the wheels, so I figure that about 300hp at the crank is what it will take to get there. I don't want to put my recently-rebuilt EJ205 heads on an EJ257 shortblock (too much static compression), I don't want to swap the turbo (I'm happy with the stock 15psi of boost), and I don't want to swap camshafts (I don't want to spend over a grand on bumpsticks alone). Oh, and one final thing: when I pop the hood, I want everything to look completely stock from the top view of the engine. I'm willing to go with a stealthback exhaust and eliminate all my cats, but I want to keep the stock 2004 WRX twin-tip axle back muffler. So which way should I go? Also, what supporting mods besides the new Cobb Accessport V3 will I need to make this car a reliable daily driver?