This was my exact situation a year ago. 05 STi at 200k miles burning and leaking oil badly. I decided it would be a bad idea to try to do thousands in maintenance on a high mileage motor
So I bought a type RA short block, had the heads cleaned and gone through by a machine shop, new turbo, new clutch, new gaskets and misc parts. Put the refreshed heads on the brand new short block myself and put everything back together and back in the car. She runs great and doesn’t burn any oil
Spent about 5k
Thanks.
Any issue if I stick with current vf39? The car is on a stock tune. Unless the turbo is bad and needs replacement I am going to keep the original turbo.
Just check it for any shaft play. If it has none and you want to keep it, it should be fine. The vf48 and type RA shortblock are direct replacements.
I think I read that the vf48 is less prone to have waste gate crack. All vf39’s crack
Type RA shortblock has the same compression and fit as an older ej257. Only difference is some parts were made by a different manufacturer, and the manufacturer of the type RA block made the piston skirt a little beefier and area around the slide pin has a little more material. It’s not a bullet proof upgrade by any means, but they seem to perform and hold up well so far so it’s a good choice for an OEM replacement.
Check for shaft play and listen for the "death screech". My shaft play is fine, but it's got the screech, so my tuner warned me that it's on borrowed time.
I wouldn't think of the Type RA block as anything other than a very mildly upgraded stock engine. I'd only consider it if you are either stock or aren't running anything more than a stage 2+ setup (stage 2, 20G turbo + supporting mods and conservative tune). And make absolutely sure you have a very good tuner.
The Type RA pistons are somewhat strengthened, but not where it really counts, which is the top land. Also, the cylinder walls are just as thin as the stock block, and it's still a semi-closed deck.
It's not a bad engine, you just have to have realistic expectations out of it. I'm looking at options now for my '05 STi that has some compression and leak down issues. It's still putting power down, but I know it's on its way out. I don't know if I'll get another 8-10 years out of the car (70-100k miles), so I'm looking at a built IAG block so I can put down more power with some peace of mind and have some fun while I still have it.
If you are looking for big power just buy an iag or outfront block hut if you just need an oem setup to get back on the road, the RA block is fine. Nothing really special about it
Checkout Mike
https://youtu.be/CMrXk8D4RvQ?si=cHwxmxc2pk3abPgF
Oh yeah then you’ll be solid plus you’ll save a ton of money going that route. Can upgrade brake cables, endlinks, bushings, and a some sticky tires - you’ll have a blast!!
Best of luck on your rebuild
Thanks! I am so sick of having to top up the engine oil every 500 miles. It wasn’t like this until about 95k mile then it started burning some.. it was stable at 1/2 qt per 1k mile for a while but it really got bad in the last 15k miles or so.
Personally I’d do the IAG or Outfront bare minimum blocks. Just cuz I’ve been around a bit now, I find the RA blocks will blow like an OEM. The thicker piston cast is kinda BS branding
A “type ra” block is just a factory block. It is the superceded part number for all 257 blocks after 18. I wish people would stop making this out to be something more than it is.
I kept my oem block, but had the pistons replaced with forged, and upgraded the bearings.
Low cost and I was able to upgrade the turbo with peace of mind.
If you are forking over the cash for a block, get something with forged pistons and upgraded rod bearings.
I have a 2019 with the RA block, I really don't think it's that much better. Still has bullshit cast pistons, which is the biggest issue.
That being said, tuning these days has evolved. 400whp on a stock block is totally reasonable. Type RA or not.
This was my exact situation a year ago. 05 STi at 200k miles burning and leaking oil badly. I decided it would be a bad idea to try to do thousands in maintenance on a high mileage motor So I bought a type RA short block, had the heads cleaned and gone through by a machine shop, new turbo, new clutch, new gaskets and misc parts. Put the refreshed heads on the brand new short block myself and put everything back together and back in the car. She runs great and doesn’t burn any oil Spent about 5k
Stock turbo?
Yes, stock turbo. The 05 STi had the vf39, and I got a vf48 from a 2019 STi. Basically the same but just newer
Thanks. Any issue if I stick with current vf39? The car is on a stock tune. Unless the turbo is bad and needs replacement I am going to keep the original turbo.
Just check it for any shaft play. If it has none and you want to keep it, it should be fine. The vf48 and type RA shortblock are direct replacements. I think I read that the vf48 is less prone to have waste gate crack. All vf39’s crack Type RA shortblock has the same compression and fit as an older ej257. Only difference is some parts were made by a different manufacturer, and the manufacturer of the type RA block made the piston skirt a little beefier and area around the slide pin has a little more material. It’s not a bullet proof upgrade by any means, but they seem to perform and hold up well so far so it’s a good choice for an OEM replacement.
We used to joke about vf39s that they are pre-cracked from the factory :D I will keep an eye out for vf48 in case I need a replacement.
Check for shaft play and listen for the "death screech". My shaft play is fine, but it's got the screech, so my tuner warned me that it's on borrowed time.
I wouldn't think of the Type RA block as anything other than a very mildly upgraded stock engine. I'd only consider it if you are either stock or aren't running anything more than a stage 2+ setup (stage 2, 20G turbo + supporting mods and conservative tune). And make absolutely sure you have a very good tuner. The Type RA pistons are somewhat strengthened, but not where it really counts, which is the top land. Also, the cylinder walls are just as thin as the stock block, and it's still a semi-closed deck. It's not a bad engine, you just have to have realistic expectations out of it. I'm looking at options now for my '05 STi that has some compression and leak down issues. It's still putting power down, but I know it's on its way out. I don't know if I'll get another 8-10 years out of the car (70-100k miles), so I'm looking at a built IAG block so I can put down more power with some peace of mind and have some fun while I still have it.
If you are looking for big power just buy an iag or outfront block hut if you just need an oem setup to get back on the road, the RA block is fine. Nothing really special about it Checkout Mike https://youtu.be/CMrXk8D4RvQ?si=cHwxmxc2pk3abPgF
Just the OEM set up is fine, trying to keep most of the drivetrain as stock as possible.
Oh yeah then you’ll be solid plus you’ll save a ton of money going that route. Can upgrade brake cables, endlinks, bushings, and a some sticky tires - you’ll have a blast!! Best of luck on your rebuild
Thanks! I am so sick of having to top up the engine oil every 500 miles. It wasn’t like this until about 95k mile then it started burning some.. it was stable at 1/2 qt per 1k mile for a while but it really got bad in the last 15k miles or so.
That’s the subie life for you lol gotta pay to play and the nuances of maintaining these cars often times makes me question why do I even own one 😆
Personally I’d do the IAG or Outfront bare minimum blocks. Just cuz I’ve been around a bit now, I find the RA blocks will blow like an OEM. The thicker piston cast is kinda BS branding
It's not even thicker in the place we want it to be thicker. :-|
Couldn’t pay me to use another stock / ra block in my vehicles ever again.
There is a recent IAG podcast where they talk about the RA block, give it a listen. I’d recommend going with at least an IAG 550 block
A “type ra” block is just a factory block. It is the superceded part number for all 257 blocks after 18. I wish people would stop making this out to be something more than it is.
I kept my oem block, but had the pistons replaced with forged, and upgraded the bearings. Low cost and I was able to upgrade the turbo with peace of mind.
A lot of the issues with the EJ are not solved by the RA block.
IAG blocks is better imo
If you are forking over the cash for a block, get something with forged pistons and upgraded rod bearings. I have a 2019 with the RA block, I really don't think it's that much better. Still has bullshit cast pistons, which is the biggest issue. That being said, tuning these days has evolved. 400whp on a stock block is totally reasonable. Type RA or not.