My Subie Broke!

Ancalos

Forum Member
Hello everyone, I am the son of 4gas$ and neither of us are very engine savvy. I am in need of someone to help me or point me towards someone who can replace the headgaskets on my 2002 Subaru WRX. I already have the gasket kit. I am not looking for a freebie by any means. But as a full time college student with very little income I am trying to get this project done the best way for the best price. Thanks you for looking and have a fantastic day!
 
Where is the car located?? I know guys around Lansing that can do it.
 
Im located in Milan but I can travel anywhere to get it done without paying an arm and a leg haha.
 
Do you have the means to do it yourself? IE downtime, tools, shop space etc? I have not done a subbie but head gaskets are their weak point (and ring lands). If you can swing it, there's a TON of info online and it's a great learning opportunity. If you get hung up on a step, post a thread here.
 
Do you have the means to do it yourself? IE downtime, tools, shop space etc? I have not done a subbie but head gaskets are their weak point (and ring lands). If you can swing it, there's a TON of info online and it's a great learning opportunity. If you get hung up on a step, post a thread here.

I would do it myself but I dont have the tools ir space to do it. Also I need to get the timing belt changed too I almost forgot.
 
What kind of tools do you have?

For the cost of labor, you can buy a nice set of tools that'll last you decades. As far as timing belts, they are intimidating but actually quite easy.
 
Those are actually pretty easy. Make sure when you surface the head they do them correctly, they are so short being a 2cyl you can mess them up.
 
I would do it myself but I dont have the tools ir space to do it. Also I need to get the timing belt changed too I almost forgot.

You are gonna end up doing the timing belt and the water pump, try and find a metal impeller one, your might be plastic oem.
 
Actually check the cost of a new long block.... The 02 had shitty bearings in it also. The cost of an engine is surprising low, might even wanna call on a brand new 2.5 out of the sti. Back when it was new the 2.5 was sub $2000 iirc
 
Actually check the cost of a new long block.... The 02 had shitty bearings in it also. The cost of an engine is surprising low, might even wanna call on a brand new 2.5 out of the sti. Back when it was new the 2.5 was sub $2000 iirc

I was checking out engines. I found low mile ej205s out of the same car I have for around 1900 and the sti ej207 for around 2850. For now i want to fix this engine so I can drive the car for now then later in ths future I plan on dropping in a ver 7 ej207.
 
Actually check the cost of a new long block.... The 02 had shitty bearings in it also. The cost of an engine is surprising low, might even wanna call on a brand new 2.5 out of the sti. Back when it was new the 2.5 was sub $2000 iirc

Wouldnt the 2.5 be difficult due to the wiring harness? I was looking into that but it seems like a difficult and expensive swap. Im trying to just get my car back on the road asap and not broken haha.
 
I was checking out engines. I found low mile ej205s out of the same car I have for around 1900 and the sti ej207 for around 2850. For now i want to fix this engine so I can drive the car for now then later in ths future I plan on dropping in a ver 7 ej207.

Have you tried the dealership? I know that sounds crazy...
 
Wouldnt the 2.5 be difficult due to the wiring harness? I was looking into that but it seems like a difficult and expensive swap. Im trying to just get my car back on the road asap and not broken haha.

I could have sworn it was a pretty straight up swap.
 
Agreed with others, if you want it done cheap invite some friends over one weekend and tear into it. There is probably lots of youtube videos showing you the basics. Between that and nasioc.com you should have all the info you need. Might not be bad knowledge to have if you're planning on staying with Subarus.
 
Agreed with others, if you want it done cheap invite some friends over one weekend and tear into it. There is probably lots of youtube videos showing you the basics. Between that and nasioc.com you should have all the info you need. Might not be bad knowledge to have if you're planning on staying with Subarus.

This is a true story, because that thing is gonna break.
 
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