Months after asking the question whether it’s worth it to put a new engine into a 20-year-old Subaru, the answer is a resounding yes.
Back in January, the tired old 2.0 L four-cylinder EJ20 engine in Daniel’s WRX Bugeye was retired to that great scrapyard in the sky. Into the engine bay went a newly-built 2.5L turbocharged EJ257 engine, a full 25% larger displacement.
After the heart-transplant surgery, it was weeks of very careful daily-driving to break in the new engine. Never revving the engine over 3,000 RPM, never over 5 PSI of boost from the bigger, badder turbo. After 1,000 km of break in, the Bugeye was returned to Can-Jam Motorsports for custom tuning. They even added an oversized hood scoop to suck air into the intercooler.
Now the car is back on the road full-time, and it is completely transformed. The most obvious change is all the low-end grunt. From a standstill at the line, through 2,000 RPM, the engine pulls so much stronger. Once boost builds up, the acceleration is dramatic, and at the top of the rev range the exhaust makes such a sweet sound.
How was this achieved, you ask? Here’s a brief list of the changes to the engine compartment (not including the STi ‘pinks’ struts that were installed last year).
- 2.5 L STi short-block (EJ257) 2018+
- reconditioned cylinder heads
- polished cams and journals
- complete engine gasket set
- new timing belt and tensioner
- replacement water pump
- 11 mm oil pump (race prepped)
- new oil cooler
- NGK Iridium Plugs (1-step colder)
- STi catless up-pipe
- custom down-pipe
- bigger VF39 turbocharger
- STi intercooler and fuel injectors
It’s still a WRX and not an STi, but it’s just a little bit closer. The vehicle maintained the 4-speed automatic, so it’s as comfortable a daily driver as anyone could want. But take it out to the road course, open up the dump-valve on the VAREX exhaust, and stomp on the skinny pedal on the right, and you’ll know this Bugeye is something special.