welcome, red is a sweet color. i can't answer your question but i would like to know as well.

 

Actually the hard part about the 98s were the fact that they were MAF engines... The DOHC heads were alright but not for high boost... I would go with a SOHC head setup only because 1 its one of the best flowing heads and 2 it runs a MAP and its easier to tune... The STi shortblock is the way to go so other than that it should be a nice strong engine...

 

Well I'm trying to avoid a lengthy rewiring stage as I hate to chop into pristine factory wiring. Switching to the sohc head would involve switching harnesses correct? If I have to switch harnesses I would rather just move to a jdm STI setup.

 

You should talk to no-coast-punk. He was running the EJ22T shortblock with stock DOHC heads @ 22psi with Nismo 555cc injectors and an AFC. The stock ECU on the 98RS is close to a 98 WRX ECU (so i've heard). I'm running 5 psi on my 98 with a walbro pump and an HKS AFR with no problems so the stock ECU is pretty good IMHO.

 

Im running with just a Bell FPR and walboro pump on my 98. No problems at all. Running about 4psi.

 

Also I have never had any problems with my MAF. I believe 99 was the year that had the weak MAF. Also the 98s ecu doesnt learn as well as newer cars so you can get away with a SAFC without it relearning all the time, I would say that 98s are one of the better years to try and turbo.

 

Here's some STi block with stock DOHC action for you.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=686942

 

double post

 

thanks for all the help guys your input has really given me some good direction

 

While the 98 motors aren't techically as good as later EJ25s in most repsects, they're by far the easiest to turbocharge without going to standalone management or lengthy wiring changes. With that shortblock and completely stock heads, you can make 250-300 whp all day long with careful tuning, using just an RRFPR, AFC, and bigger injectors. A timing controller would also be a great thing to have, but they are hard to find as they are discontinued.

 

ok so I just happened to run across an ej20 short block out of a wrx for 100 bucks, one of the cylinder walls has some light scratching from a cracked piston thats in it. Everything else is good. Would it be worth my time to fix the ej20 short block and use it or stay with locating a sti or legacy short block

 

Have a machine shop check it. There's a limit to how much you can overbore a block before you need custom made pistons. If you only need like a .030 over, you should be able to get off the shelf pistons.

 

ok after a visit to a local machine shop I found out it needs .025 over... So 'm going to buy it. Its not a sti short block but I feel like it can get to my horsepower goals. I was thinking about JE pistons... anyone like/dislike these?? One of my friends has my digital camera causing a delay on pics, but as soon as possible I will take some of the car and the shortblock and post.

Brandon

 

I have a set of Pauter rods for a 2.5 phase I on Ebay they must go. Take a look.