Subaru Engine Conversion, Getting lost doing an engine build... Options

[tmcquinn]

My buddy has recommended this board as a potential place to have a mature conversation about a Subaru build. I'd like to know if it's ok with you guys to start a thread here about that? I don't own a 914 but I do have a 987 if that lends me any cred.

Here is the story, as mercifully short as I know how to tell it. I bought a 2003 WRX with the intention of teaching my teenager about engines (which is working) and maybe getting myself back into the game. In retrospect, I didn't know nearly enough to start down this path, though I could say that about a lot of things that ended up being great experiences. Well, it turned out that the prior owner had blown the engine, put in another motor, and blew that one. It had 2 broken rods, broken pistons, and a crankcase that was chock full of chewed up parts. But here is the part that I failed to fully consider: the owner had a 2.5 installed in place of the 2.0 and then just had them bolt the turbo on it. I bought a 2.0 short block from Subaru, some nice heads, oil pump, water pump, timing kit, etc., etc. My goal is a stock 2.0 or close to it. In other words, the exact opposite of nearly every WRX owner on the planet. So now I am in the process of trying to figure out which of the remaining 2.5 parts can't or shouldn't be used when building the 2.0? I will eventually figure this out. But if a conversation like this isn't out of line on this board I would sure like some input from you guys.

[matthepcat]

So I am confused, are you trying to get the WRX back together or convert a 914 to a Subaru motor conversion?

[tmcquinn]

So I am confused, are you trying to get the WRX back together or convert a 914 to a Subaru motor conversion?

It's a 100% Subaru build.

I was hesitant to crap up your Porsche forum with my Subaru issues but a buddy told me that this was a great group of guys who did enough Subaru swaps that I might be able to get some help identifying what parts from a 2.5 won't work with a 2.0.

I am participating in other forums but this is a car that really appeals to a younger crowd with a different world view from mine. Returning it to stock is near blasphemy to a lot of WRX owners.