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Old 08-05-2022, 01:41 AM   #1
SecularSti
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Default 09 STi - Rebuilt Factory Engine vs IAG Shortblock

Hey all. I have a one family 09 STi with 78k that’s going to be sold soon. The motor went recently and she needs a new one. I’m wanting to go with the route that will give me the greatest ROI when I go to sell it.

I had it towed to a recommended repair shop in Nashville and they are quoting me $10k for a rebuilt factory motor or $7k for a motor with 110k miles - neither situations are ideal. I’m going to call around to a couple of other shops, but the way I see it, these are my options:

1) Wait and find a lower mileage donor motor

2) Rebuild the current motor

3) Buy an IAG short block

I’m not looking to do anything else to the car besides get a good motor in it that will appeal to the most buyers. The IAG route is the way I’m leaning due to the price and the warranty. The only downside is if the heads sustained any damage, the IAG route gets more expensive. Thoughts?

Old engine can be heard here: https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho...3#post46716273
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Old 08-05-2022, 06:50 AM   #2
rtv900
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so it's 13 years old with 78k on the body and you are considering plunking around 10k into it for ROI???????
What do you think it's worth even if the motor was fine?

Doesn't make any sense at all to me.
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Old 08-05-2022, 08:10 AM   #3
whozatguy
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Have you considered selling as is? It won't sell for as much, but you also won't have to dump $10k into it that you may not get back.
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Old 08-05-2022, 09:51 AM   #4
SecularSti
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtv900 View Post
so it's 13 years old with 78k on the body and you are considering plunking around 10k into it for ROI???????
What do you think it's worth even if the motor was fine?

Doesn't make any sense at all to me.
09 hatches have been going for 25-30 and this one is very clean. Even if I get $20k, which is more likely, I won't get anything for it as a roller. So it makes sense to fix it correctly for an extra $3k vs an old motor with 110k on the clock.

Last edited by SecularSti; 08-05-2022 at 10:19 AM.
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Old 08-05-2022, 10:28 AM   #5
rtv900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SecularSti View Post
09 hatches have been going for 25-30 and this one is very clean
ummm, ok, if they actually SELL for 25-30 that's one thing.
seeing a bunch of ridiculously priced listings for 25-30 is a totally different thing.

Plus, describing a car as very clean that also happens to have a ruined engine at 78k miles doesn't hold much water.
To any rational buyers that means one of two things, or both.
It was beat to hell
It was grossly ill maintained

Those are the ONLY two ways to ruin a motor at 78k miles.
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Old 08-05-2022, 11:03 AM   #6
benflynn
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Get it away from that shop. What blew in the engine?
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Old 08-05-2022, 12:52 PM   #7
SecularSti
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtv900 View Post
ummm, ok, if they actually SELL for 25-30 that's one thing.
seeing a bunch of ridiculously priced listings for 25-30 is a totally different thing.

Plus, describing a car as very clean that also happens to have a ruined engine at 78k miles doesn't hold much water.
To any rational buyers that means one of two things, or both.
It was beat to hell
It was grossly ill maintained

Those are the ONLY two ways to ruin a motor at 78k miles.

They do - I follow the market closely (and that’s fine if you don’t agree, I’m not here to debate that) I’d like to focus on options and see if anyone has any other recommendations than the ones I’ve listed.

Last edited by SecularSti; 08-05-2022 at 01:09 PM.
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Old 08-05-2022, 12:54 PM   #8
SecularSti
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Originally Posted by benflynn View Post
Get it away from that shop. What blew in the engine?
We're not sure, the engine hasn't been torn down, but likely low oil. The engine was only driven home after the sound in the link occurred and has always burned about half a quart between changes. I checked the oil when I got home and it was lower than expected.

I agree, the shop does not sound like the best option. I'll likely go with an IAG block.

Last edited by SecularSti; 08-05-2022 at 01:01 PM.
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Old 08-05-2022, 01:24 PM   #9
benflynn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SecularSti View Post
We're not sure, the engine hasn't been torn down, but likely low oil. The engine was only driven home after the sound in the link occurred and has always burned about half a quart between changes. I checked the oil when I got home and it was lower than expected.

I agree, the shop does not sound like the best option. I'll likely go with an IAG block.
If your just going to sell it get a 1500$ oem short block, 300$ oem gasket/seal set, timing kit and normal head service.
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Old 08-08-2022, 08:55 PM   #10
SecularSti
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Quote:
Originally Posted by benflynn View Post
If your just going to sell it get a 1500$ oem short block, 300$ oem gasket/seal set, timing kit and normal head service.
Good call Ben, this is the route I’ll go! I hadn’t been able to find a decently priced short block but I found one for $2300. Where did you see one for $1500?
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Old 08-08-2022, 09:33 PM   #11
KillerBMotorsport
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Oem, $1,500
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Old 08-09-2022, 01:24 PM   #12
SecularSti
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Originally Posted by KillerBMotorsport View Post
Oem, $1,500
You sell them for $1500? I can’t find them for less than $2200
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