03 WRX Auction donor won! Opinions?

Well I have been lurking on this forum for quite a while now (in silence) reading up on the GTM and then followed the 818 through its development to this point. I suppose seeing Waynes car and the GRM car put together finally gave me the kick in the pants I needed to start one of my own.

Won this car at Copart auction today for $1450 plus $550 in broker/sales fees. It has 133K miles on it and was a single owner car from the history report. Hoping the damage is mostly cosmetic and an annihilated radiator of coarse. My only concern is whether or not the front end damage has pushed up into the timing cover/cams. Hoping a Subi Guru could take a look at the engine shot and guesstimate what i'm in for (complete rebuild:confused:)?


Attachment 22786
Attachment 22787
Attachment 22788
Attachment 22789
Attachment 22790
Attachment 22791
Attachment 22792
Attachment 22793
Attachment 22794

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by microsweper

gave me the kick in the pants I needed to start one of my own.

---

Back or front? lolll

Seriously now, does the engine run? If you know.

engine is probably fine, right side lower control arm might be bent. Good luck on your build. Lead time for a kit is about a year. Should give you plenty of time to strip it. Looks like you will be able to recoup a lot of money selling off parts you wont need. I made back almost $1000.00 it made my donor cost only $1200.00

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Frank818

Back or front? lolll

Seriously now, does the engine run? If you know.

---

Haha, actually a little of both i think.

Dont know if the engine runs or not, the auction didn't list that it did. So i assume not. Plan on pulling the front back out and finding out.

Picked up the car a couple weeks ago and started tearing into it. Here are a few photos of what it looks like now.
Attachment 23256
Attachment 23257
Attachment 23258
Attachment 23259
Attachment 23260
Attachment 23261

Think I will try to replace the timing gears and belt first before i go tearing into the heads. Maybe I will get lucky and the valves wont be damaged (doubt it though:(). Sounds like if the valves did crash into one another i will just be doing a valve job and replacing all gaskets. No need to tear into the bottom end if the pistons are not damaged correct?

If the valves got hit, the pistons will likely need attention too. Hopefully neither are damaged.

Microsweper
This damage looks exactly like mine. Except mine was a SOHC
About 6 of the 16 valve were bent with no piston damage. Taught my son how to do a valve job.
Attachment 23271
parts cost $400
Labor: Priceless
Put about 10k miles on this donor car since repair.
Bob

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by microsweper

Picked up the car a couple weeks ago and started tearing into it. Here are a few photos of what it looks like now.
Attachment 23256
Attachment 23257
Attachment 23258
Attachment 23259
Attachment 23260
Attachment 23261

Think I will try to replace the timing gears and belt first before i go tearing into the heads. Maybe I will get lucky and the valves wont be damaged (doubt it though:(). Sounds like if the valves did crash into one another i will just be doing a valve job and replacing all gaskets. No need to tear into the bottom end if the pistons are not damaged correct?

---

Yes there are bent valves on both sides, probably did not hurt the pistons.

Thanks for the valuable information. I was planning on pulling the heads and replacing gaskets anyways. Will budget for valves now too, and keep my fingers crossed that the pistons are alright as you suggest!