The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi guys, first contact on this sensational site. I have a 97 2 litre Impreza five speed, single overhead cam. Has a wicked piston slap noise left side front piston. A common problem I believe. It sound like a dude inside the motor with a big hammer going for his life.

After a bit of research I have found that the piston design which has a short skirt introduced by Subaru for better effeciency, tends to rock a bit in the bore. Eventually turning into piston slap. When the piston reaches its expanded size, the clearences are taken up and hence the noise goes.

The noise is only when cold, once warm, (that is:- after being driven type warm) the noise diappears.

Anyhows, Options: Rebuild orginal motor. or find a rebuildable double overhead cam.

Problem experienced, Trying to find resonably priced oversize pistons for the motor is becoming difficult. I had one place quoting me $1000 for a set of pistons, no machining.... just the pistons OMG!!!

I went to Parramatta Subaru and you wouldnt believe it, the pistons are a discontinued part. Again..... OMG!!!

Can someone out there me with a source from whom I can get oversize pistons from, for a decent price that is.

I live in Sydney, dont mind having the pistons sent to me, as long as I get the right ones.

I believe that Cosworth make a piston with an offset gudgeon pin which helps elleviate the problem.

Apart from that, the Subi is sensational. Love the power and drive-a-bility.
WRX's must fly.

I know, I am hearing all the subi buffs out there saying, put a REX motor in the Impreza, bit I cant and wont as my some is only 16 y.o and he dont need that much grunt just yet.

Anyway, sorry for the long winded thread, but people... I do like to chat

Take care VL BENNY

If you can do the work yourself and have the time to do it then why not build up another motor and swap it out with the one you have that way your car is only imobile for a day.

$1000 for a set of Impreza pistions? That's crazy! There has to be a company that makes after market oversized piston rings somewhere. I got 40 thou oversized for my EA82 engine - the last love of '82's made was in 1992, so i'm sure a 1997 EJ motor would be able to get the piston heads for it at a good price.

I could dig up the reciepts, but i'm sure it was under $400 for the new pistons, rings and bore job. Can't remember if i got a new set of bearings in that too.

I'd try and go with what Subi Wan said. If you want your original motor in there, get the second one, drop it in and run on that til the original motor has been rebuilt...

Cheers

Bennie

Hey guys thanks for the heads up re the piston slap
Suggestion to rebuild original is the most atrractive alternative

Has anyone else experienced this problem. Interested to hear your stories

Still need to source the over size pistons.. H E L P !!!!!

Anybody.... p l e a s e h e l p

Once I get through this Ill submit a short story on the results.

THANKS..... Benny