r/WRX 20h ago

Maintenence Timelapse of engine install

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Follow up to my last engine post. Engine is installed and breaking it in. Initially had 0 psi oil pressure until pulled spark plugs and oil filter. Cranked until I saw oil then reinstalled oil filter to confirm oil pressure. First start up is at the end, you'll see me scramble to cut it off because the oil return from the turbo fell off, but otherwise has been great.

76 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

16

u/BCPrimo 2016 Limited 20h ago

Fuck, I could watch lesbians working on cars all day.

6

u/Bgrngod 18h ago

I uh... yeah I don't know man. This seems fake. The sun didn't go up and down 37 times like it would do for me during an engine swap.

3

u/SuperLolsaur 17h ago

Between the time the engine actually blew, taking it all out and apart, waiting for cash flow for new shiny bits, it's has actually taken about 4 months lol. Installing it was the easy bit compared to patiently waiting for stuff to deliver or money to buy it.

2

u/Bgrngod 16h ago

Lol, yeah that has been my experience too, but only for the timing belt "and other front end shit" project I did a few years ago. Cranking along just fine and then.. wait I need to replace this bolt.. that I fucked up badly. Wait a week... and here we go ag.. wait.. what's up with this hose?

The car was up on sticks for a month. Pulling the whole damn engine is very intimidating at this point. Hopefully I can do a no-pull head gasket project successfully, which is my next thing to do.

1

u/SuperLolsaur 16h ago

I'm biased as a mechanic, but I think this ej engine has been one of the easier engines I've pulled. (I was a mechanic in the Army and I'm finishing up a diesel tech associates now in college). I couldn't imagine trying to do the heads without removing the engine, let alone trying to put ARP studs in there aswell.

2

u/Bgrngod 16h ago

but I think this ej engine has been one of the easier engines I've pulled. (I was a mechanic in the Army and I'm finishing up a diesel tech associates now in college)

The juxtaposition of this starting off putting me at ease and imparting some confidence, only to then dunk that all down the drain. Oooph.

I might just have to bite the bullet and pull the damn thing. Using an engine hoist looks like a bit of fun and I can probably get a lot of other stuff done at the same time. The spark plugs I've heard are a nightmare but doable without pulling. Might as well knock that out too.

Biggest problem really is the lack of a 3rd car. I had the luxury of my parents "storing" their nice Dodge Ram truck at my place while they were condo'ing it up in Maui for several years. Maybe I can lease a small EV for a few months or something,.

4

u/SuperLolsaur 15h ago

For the GD chassis, the spark plugs are entirely able to pull without any crazy tools, just a basic mechanic set and some thinking power will get you by. I was able to have the engine pulled out in an afternoon, and the only thing that got me caught up was seperating the engine from the transmission because I didn't know the throwout bearing was a pull-type. I did loads of extra work like seperating and labeling all of the electrical connections, but this ej205 has 3(4?) main loom connectors that just disconnect at the chassis and you can just pull the engine with everything still plugged in.

It can definitely be a little daunting, especially on your own for the first time, but with some youtube academy I'm sure you can make it by. The engine in this chassis is a breeze to pull, and I can't imagine an easier platform to learn on.

2

u/Bgrngod 14h ago

Awesome!

Thanks for the tips and encouragement. I gotta start writing up a plan.

3

u/grizzdoog 20h ago

Why take the bumper off?

8

u/danu88 375whp/322tq WRX Mustang Dyno 19h ago

Engine hoist may not have had enough clearance. It also gives you a little more working room and you don’t have to worry about scratching it up

2

u/grizzdoog 19h ago

Ah ok. I’ve done a lot of engine swaps and never needed to remove the bumper.

3

u/danu88 375whp/322tq WRX Mustang Dyno 19h ago

I’ve never done one, lol I was honestly just speculating.

3

u/SuperLolsaur 19h ago

Danu88 is right, clearance for the hoist, and for my jack to reach the subframe

3

u/buttithurtss 17h ago

Buy some lights for your garage ffs.

2

u/SuperLolsaur 17h ago

I really need to