Is my WRX STi or not?

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:43 pm

Tomi wrote:It seems to be a good job, plus I didn't pay that much for it. Most WRX's were going for at least $9,000. This car was $6,000.

Well if you're happy with it that's all that matters! That is why I would have sounded like it is a downer, I know I would be on a huge down if I shelled out Genuine WRX cost for something that's not a factory unit.

Cheers

Bennie

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:54 pm

Tomi wrote:Is it that bad that it's a conversion? Everything in the car works fine. Also, why would someone spend so much money converting it? A whole new engine, plus making it an AWD. Seems very impractical.

I'm thinking that someone(previous owner) had a 1.6L LX or an STI and either upgraded the LX (bought a written off STI) or wrote off the STI and bought and LX and at some point a swap has come about.

A good conversion will be very hard to spot until you start checking engine numbers and compliance plates ( sometimes compliance plates and vin numbers are swapped as well)

If you are going to insure the car you must make sure the engine number and vin numbers are the ones you have on the license / transfer papers.

TOONGA

Tomi · Post by **Tomi** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:25 pm

So back to the original question, is the engine an STi engine or a normal WRX?

nncoolg · Post by **nncoolg** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:29 pm

See if there is a label on the timing belt cover, it will have the engine part number and a barcode on it. Problem is degreaser washes off the ink...

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:38 pm

Photos are a must for identifying the engine. Can you take a few?

Tomi · Post by **Tomi** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:14 pm

I can see the bar code on the timing belt cover but it is in a difficult spot to read. Here are a few pictures of the engine.

Brumby Kid · Post by **Brumby Kid** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:29 pm

Looks like some aftermarket work. Pod filter cough stainless pipes cough

An I right in thinking that ALL WRX and STi are turbo engines? And then the STi is just tuned?

Cam

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:41 pm

doesn't look like an STI motor normally they have a red intake manifold and a top mount intercooler with STI written on it

they look like this

TOONGA

Tomi · Post by **Tomi** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:46 pm

The car has a front mount intercooler so maybe the top one was taken off?

Brumby Kid · Post by **Brumby Kid** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:07 pm

You have an intercooler but no turbo.
Can't spot one. And if there wa it would be aftermarket. Note engine number EJ20 not EJ20T.
What is the body? Can we confirm that?

Cam

Brumby Kid · Post by **Brumby Kid** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:08 pm

You have an intercooler but no turbo.
Can't spot one. And if there wa it would be aftermarket. Note engine number EJ20 not EJ20T.
What is the body? Can we confirm that?
Il take some pics of my STi tomorrow if you want.
Anything in particular?

Cam

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:18 pm

Brumby Kid wrote:You have an intercooler but no turbo.
Can't spot one. And if there wa it would be aftermarket. Note engine number EJ20 not EJ20T.
What is the body? Can we confirm that?
Il take some pics of my STi tomorrow if you want.
Anything in particular?

Cam

Have a close look at the motor Cam it is the quad cam motor as everyone calls them, Ive never seen an EJ20 quad cam run N/A.

the EJ20 motor never has been named with a "T" EVER the T designation comes from us the buyers of subarus not Subaru.

Even the fabled EJ22t motor only has EJ22 written on the block.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=2319484

scroll down and look in the thread above

TOONGA

Post by **Alex** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:00 pm

There's definately a turbo there. Can see it in the last pic. It also seems to be an Ej20g from a gc8 or liberty rs.

Can pretty surely say it's not an sti. Got any pics of the wheels and brake calipers? This is another good way to determine how good the conversion is.

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Post by **Alex** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:06 pm

Brumby Kid wrote:Looks like some aftermarket work. Pod filter cough stainless pipes cough
An I right in thinking that ALL WRX and STi are turbo engines? And then the STi is just tuned?

Cam

Sti is very different. Bugeye sti for example is an ej207. They run a different block and heads. Can handle alot more boost and mods than a regular wrx.

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Tomi · Post by **Tomi** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:33 pm

Yeah the car has turbo. I can tell with the power it has plus I can hear the BOV. I will take a picture of the wheels and brake calipers tomorrow morning. All I can say for now is that all 4 wheels have disc brakes. In the Sti version, is the motor the only thing that's different from the standard WRX?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:34 pm

I guess a part number off the ECU might continue the mystery unravel......

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 1:09 am

Brumby Kid wrote:I it 5 speed or 6 speed?
5 speed is just a standard WRX
6 speed is an STi.

Cheers Cam

All Classic shape (GC/GF) Imprezas are 5 speed, whether they are NA, WRX or STi.

The Bugeye shape (GD) Imprezas and onwards, are 5 speed is they are NA and WRX. All the GD STi's are 6 speed.

taza wrote:I thought the older Bug Eye, Peanut and GC8 STI's were still 5 speed... Don't quote me on that though

See above

Tomi wrote:It seems to be a good job, plus I didn't pay that much for it. Most WRX's were going for at least $9,000. This car was $6,000.

El_Freddo wrote:Well if you're happy with it that's all that matters! That is why I would have sounded like it is a downer, I know I would be on a huge down if I shelled out Genuine WRX cost for something that's not a factory unit.

I agree with Bennie. 6k is preety cheap for a reason but as long as you're happy and the car runs well, then all is good. I would however check that the car is legally done with license dept and insurance, otherwise you could be in a world of trouble if someone is hurt doing an accident.

TOONGA wrote:doesn't look like an STI motor normally they have a red intake manifold and a top mount intercooler with STI written on it

Only Version 4 onwards. All the earlier STi's were silver. Australia only received the Version 5 onwards, so this could be an STi but just an earlier converted car. If you want to drive down to Rockingham one day, then I'll check it out for you.

steptoe wrote:I guess a part number off the ECU might continue the mystery unravel......

This could also show someone fitted an ECU into a WRX.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 6:31 am

Tomi wrote:I can see right next to the top of the strut tower, there are two small holes, that look just like there use to be pop rivets there. So whoever had this car before must of taken it off.

Sorry if have missed it, have you found the AUDM Compliance plate? Regardless of original STi/WRX or LX conversion I would be sorting this first. As mentioned, this can be a whole of pain in the event of an insurance claim and/or the police are involved for whatever reason.

Rebirthed, grey import, stolen vehicle are all possible - hope none of these eventuate though.

Am assuming was a private sale as opposed to to a dealer? Is there any other history to the car?

Goodluck - not a nice feeling when you find these out later

rtcb65 · Post by **rtcb65** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 8:03 am

Tomi wrote:Is it that bad that it's a conversion? Everything in the car works fine. Also, why would someone spend so much money converting it? A whole new engine, plus making it an AWD. Seems very impractical.

Impractical. Well i can only think that would be said by some one that doesnt have issues with dollars.

Total cost of the car in the link , including purchase , around $4,000 .

Looks the part , gets the looks, gets the questions and is still only a N/A 1600 . And most important , still has the drum brake rear.

showthread.php?t=22281

Tomi · Post by **Tomi** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:41 pm

sven '2' wrote:Sorry if have missed it, have you found the AUDM Compliance plate? Regardless of original STi/WRX or LX conversion I would be sorting this first. As mentioned, this can be a whole of pain in the event of an insurance claim and/or the police are involved for whatever reason.

Rebirthed, grey import, stolen vehicle are all possible - hope none of these eventuate though.

Am assuming was a private sale as opposed to to a dealer? Is there any other history to the car?

Goodluck - not a nice feeling when you find these out later

Where would I find the AUDM Compliance plate? There is minimal history with the car. The guy that we bought it off said when he got the car, there was no clutch so he bought and installed a new heavy duty button clutch. I think I have the receipt for that, but that's about it.

rtcb65 wrote:Impractical. Well i can only think that would be said by some one that doesnt have issues with dollars.

Total cost of the car in the link , including purchase , around $4,000 .

Looks the part , gets the looks, gets the questions and is still only a N/A 1600 . And most important , still has the drum brake rear.

showthread.php?t=22281

Nice. The guy that converted my car went all the way, changing the motor, ect.

Alex wrote:There's definately a turbo there. Can see it in the last pic. It also seems to be an Ej20g from a gc8 or liberty rs.

Can pretty surely say it's not an sti. Got any pics of the wheels and brake calipers? This is another good way to determine how good the conversion is.

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Here are a few pictures of them. All four wheels/brakes are the same.