Wrenchin... Adventures under the hood... Put em here.

[gravitylover]

In so many of the new motors you have to use synthetic because the particles in dino oil are too big for the VVT systems and things get fkd up. Even if it isn't pure, which Timber makes a good case for that being the case, it's still refined down better. I also don't think I could get a 0W-20 or 30 in anything but synthetic.

[Timberridge]

In so many of the new motors you have to use synthetic because the particles in dino oil are too big for the VVT systems and things get fkd up. Even if it isn't pure, which Timber makes a good case for that being the case, it's still refined down better. I also don't think I could get a 0W-20 or 30 in anything but synthetic.

I've not really shopped around much, but the 0W-20 for the VVT in my 4 Runner is like hydraulic fluid. It's a bit hard to find so I buy it online. I currently use RP. My former industry contacts tell me that's not Grp 3 derived, whether by choice or necessity. But I'd have no problem using any of the major brand Grp 3 based oils. They are all fine for a water cooled street motor.

The Mobil 1 Racing oils I understand are still the old full syn PAO +AN formula but they are so loaded with zinc and phosphorous that your catalyst might get f*cked up over time...along with your wallet.

[Norseman]

Thanks for the oily knowledge dump. Chemical engineer by schoolin?

[Timberridge]

Thanks for the oily knowledge dump. Chemical engineer by schoolin?

Yes. I used to be in charge of getting union workers to make all this stuff without blowing things up. Nothing that school prepared me for.

I'll shut up now and go back to my regular posts.

[Touring_Sedan]

JFC, When did this turn into MTBR?

[Timberridge]

JFC, When did this turn into MTBR?

This week. Welcome.

[Ted Striker]

335mm bb height is too low for rocky trails. Someone should make a 336. 337s are totally unstable.

[Cross]

I have not posted in a while. I stopped doing much to the M3 since it was not going to be a dedicated track car. Actually have it for sale to help fund the race car.

Bought a wide body Miata(Flyin' Miatas first track/test car) last spring with no drive train. Swapped in a drive train and wiring harness from a 2000 Miata and did several time attack events last summer. This winter I completely stripped the car down again. Removed existing roll cage to have a new one installed. While having the engine bay and interior empty I am taking the time to repaint them white so it is easier to see whne working on the car. Also easier to spots leaks with just a quick look under the hood.

I think removing the "rollerskate" is actually easier then pulling just the motor and trans on these cars. The rollerskate is all the suspension and drivetrain that can be removed all in one from the body.


Before and after of the engine bay with new paint. Wrenching on it will be so much better with the bright back ground.


Old cage before cutting it out. The previous welder was a much better grinder then welder...


Now I need to stop spending money on things like the truck and trailer to tow the car so I can get the car put back together.

[VTeton]

I'm anti synthetic, my Subaru legacy gt burned more than a quart of synthetic between oil changes since new. Blew the engine after 30k miles while changing oil every 5k miles and topping off as needed. Dealer recommended I switch to conventional oil and 3k oil changes. She ran another 70k trouble free.

Drove it like hard since day 1, Cobb stage 1 and loaded with people flying up north every weekend.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Timberridge]

That Miata is a cool project, keep us posted. My wife owned one 1990-98. That was a fun car.

Maybe Subaru's require some waxy buildup to keep the oil in the engine?

[Ted Striker]

Nothing will keep oil in an EJ2x.

Don't ask me how I know.

[Timberridge]

If Porsche can keep it in a flat 6, I wonder why Subaru can't?

[hawkgt]

^^^^ valve cover gaskets suck.... IMO. Easy enough to change out but only temp fix.

[Timberridge]

I wonder if its b/c Porsche was smart enough to design a dry sump system instead of a wet sump in the flat engine, and perhaps due to cost Subaru is just living with that design flaw in theirs? idk.

[jamal]

If a subaru is burning oil it's likely coming through the rings. Sometime exhaust valve seals. It's not really because of the flat design and dry vs wet sump doesn't have a ton to do with it (although a dry sump will generally be sucking blowby gasses back in instead of pushing them out the pcv).

I blame the pistons and the stock tune on the 2.5 turbo cars. They stay too lean (well, not rich enough if you want to get technical) as boost comes on, so they knock a good amount and you wind up with this:



Every single case where a customer came in with a little extra oil consumption and/or an occasional misfire, leakdown on a cylinder over about 7-8%, this is what we'd find. Kept us busy rebuilding engines. Put in forged pistons and it won't happen again. Personally I suspect a ton of cars are out there driving around like this and are just being told by the dealer and mechanics that a little oil consumption is normal and due to the flat engine design. I think Subaru's limit is like 1 quart per 1000 miles which is absurd. if you're going through that much oil in an ej25 turbo I can almost guarantee a piston or two looks like the picture.

[Timberridge]

Yikes. ^^That's not something you want to get a bill for.

[KyleLanTheman]

Subaru's legacy (no pun intended) of reliability has long been tainted. Shoulda bought an evo

[bodywhomper]

Anybody wanna buy my 01 legacy wagon? It runs well, but may not for long.

[LHutz Esq]

Still some Subaru fanboi will tell ya- I got 100,000 trouble free miles out of mine- all I had to do is routine maintenance like oil, filters, valves, piston, timing chain.

Our ‘08 outback leaked oil on the boat over.

[KyleLanTheman]

Not to mention they can't seal a head to a block of a car that already has twice as many heads as neccessary. I have no idea why they're so popular

[Obstruction]

Not to mention they can't seal a head to a block of a car that already has twice as many heads as neccessary. I have no idea why they're so popular

Speaking as someone who has bought a few, the main reason is Relatively inexpensive 4 wheel drive. All of which help me overlook the fact that they aren’t particularly comfortable, quick or reliable. Until the fucking ac shits the bed at 65k miles or I spend 4 hours whaling on a 4 yr old wheel hub to get it loose from the steering knuckle, because the wheel bearing prematurely shit the bed etc., etc.

[Ted Striker]

Well they were popular back when they were one of the only companies making an actual station wagon with real four wheel drive. And for good reason.

Today they're just another bloated SUV blob mobile maker, selling cars to fat asses.

[Cross]

That Miata is a cool project, keep us posted. My wife owned one 1990-98. That was a fun car.

It is a fun project, even more fun on the track. Not thrilled on having a Miata but cheap parts and the amount of race knowledge out there makes it hard to go with something else.

[bodywhomper]

Well they were popular back when they were one of the only companies making an actual station wagon with real four wheel drive. And for good reason.

Today they're just another bloated SUV blob mobile maker, selling cars to fat asses.

Toyota, Honda, and Audi all have made awd (or 4wd) station wagons in the 80’s/90’s. I thought subi really entered the popular culture via strong marketing of the “official car of Utah,” USA winter sports support, and lesbian subculture.

Ours was well behaved (only 30/60/90 maintenance and oil changes) until about 100k. No HG issues or other problems. At 100k is when the piston slap/rod knocking started.

[Timberridge]

Their flat sixes burn a lot of oil. Historically and up through 997s at least. To the tune of a quart per change (best case) to a quart per 1,000 miles.

Interesting. I suppose since most Porsches are 2nd or 3rd cars they get driven less and cared for a bit more, so it's not as big an issue to their owners as an everyday car like Subaru.

My favorite engine design tho, the inline 6, is a dying breed.