[gabedude]

Originally Posted by chaos311clarity

meh, im not changing... im not having any problems so they can suck my dick.

You don't need to. Your car is does not have a LEV2 motor, plus it is tuned. The 05 USDM STI had the best USDM motor and the best compromise in EM strategy. Halfway through the 06 MY run, there was another manufacturing plant making the USDM 2.5 motors. All of these have not lasted as long as the early 06 STIs and the 05's. The 04 STI was trying to meet LEV2, but Subaru got a waiver. So some of these are ok, some are not.

[atanarus]

Mine doesn't eat much oil. About 1/2 qt every 2000 miles. It does get pretty dark though.

[gabedude]

Originally Posted by atanarus

Mine doesn't eat much oil. About 1/2 qt every 2000 miles. It does get pretty dark though.

It would be interesting to see an oil analysis of a stock 07 STI after 3k. That would tell us much about the factory tune compared to previous MY and any damage that might be present in your motor.

Basically, when I knew that I damaged my motor by running out of fuel (reset the ECU then romped on it), the oil over a week's period turned to a light black color on the dipstick and ate about 1-2 quarts per change. After 1k or so, it was completely black. It was better for a good bit after tuning to Stage 1 (I ran it on the stock map after the initial damage for about 3-4k miles). After tuning to Stage 2, it lasted 1 month before it started eating a quart every 500 miles and the oil would turn dark black after driving for 30 miles (after changing it). It then finally cracked on #3 where there was a casting bubble in the top ringland. #3 injector was also flowing 5% less fuel. It lasted 11k on that motor after the initial damage. I had only one piston that did not have a hairline crack. #4 had two. #2 had one. #1 was pristine (you tune off of #1) and #3 had cracked bad enough to allow so much oil and exhaust smoke out the filler cap that I parked it. Good thing I did because the cracked ringland never came off the grove (the ring held it in place when I babied it home).


The same oil in my wife's 06 STI is right now at 3k. It has burned maybe 1/4 quart, if that. It is a light tan color on the stick. We have put 10k miles on it, it is now at 50k miles, running strong.

[AMTEXX]

Originally Posted by gabedude

You don't need to. Your car is does not have a LEV2 motor, plus it is tuned. The 05 USDM STI had the best USDM motor and the best compromise in EM strategy. Halfway through the 06 MY run, there was another manufacturing plant making the USDM 2.5 motors. All of these have not lasted as long as the early 06 STIs and the 05's. The 04 STI was trying to meet LEV2, but Subaru got a waiver. So some of these are ok, some are not.

'05's FTW again! Man our resale values keep going up! Thank you Subaru!

[ploney]

Originally Posted by gabedude

It would be interesting to see an oil analysis of a stock 07 STI after 3k. That would tell us much about the factory tune compared to previous MY and any damage that might be present in your motor.

Basically, when I knew that I damaged my motor by running out of fuel (reset the ECU then romped on it), the oil over a week's period turned to a light black color on the dipstick and ate about 1-2 quarts per change. After 1k or so, it was completely black. It was better for a good bit after tuning to Stage 1 (I ran it on the stock map after the initial damage for about 3-4k miles). After tuning to Stage 2, it lasted 1 month before it started eating a quart every 500 miles and the oil would turn dark black after driving for 30 miles (after changing it). It then finally cracked on #3 where there was a casting bubble in the top ringland. #3 injector was also flowing 5% less fuel. It lasted 11k on that motor after the initial damage. I had only one piston that did not have a hairline crack. #4 had two. #2 had one. #1 was pristine (you tune off of #1) and #3 had cracked bad enough to allow so much oil and exhaust smoke out the filler cap that I parked it. Good thing I did because the cracked ringland never came off the grove (the ring held it in place when I babied it home).


The same oil in my wife's 06 STI is right now at 3k. It has burned maybe 1/4 quart, if that. It is a light tan color on the stick. We have put 10k miles on it, it is now at 50k miles, running strong.

I have a Blackstone Analysis on the way. Changed the oil on Wed.
Did 18 Auto-X laps on it.
Changed it on Mon. and sampled that batch.
Dino - 5W30
No significant change in color.

We shall see.

On a side note: just before my last 3 runs that weekend. I had a Very Rich event occur at launch, black smoke, and then two more launches thereafter with some whitish smoke, no smoke at all past launch basically. Since this occurred, my enigne has been idling very lumpy and moves around in the engine bay noticably more. Since this weekend, with an oil change, reset, no smoke and not burning oil. Odd. My only guess is that the oil vapor system may have burped a gob of oil into the intake as I duid inspect the rubber lines and they were quite wet with oil.

[gabedude]

Originally Posted by ploney

I have a Blackstone Analysis on the way. Changed the oil on Wed.
Did 18 Auto-X laps on it.
Changed it on Mon. and sampled that batch.
Dino - 5W30
No significant change in color.

We shall see.

On a side note: just before my last 3 runs that weekend. I had a Very Rich event occur at launch, black smoke, and then two more launches thereafter with some whitish smoke, no smoke at all past launch basically. Since this occurred, my enigne has been idling very lumpy and moves around in the engine bay noticably more. Since this weekend, with an oil change, reset, no smoke and not burning oil. Odd. My only guess is that the oil vapor system may have burped a gob of oil into the intake as I duid inspect the rubber lines and they were quite wet with oil.

Well, it was misfiring for some reason. Probably due to oil in the IC from high G turns. I hope that is all it was... I fear it is not though. I have just seen too many stories. Once you see smoke, the end is near has been mine and other's experience with 07+ turbo motors (EJ257 and the EJ255).

[La Mer]

Originally Posted by gabedude

You don't need to. Your car is does not have a LEV2 motor, plus it is tuned. The 05 USDM STI had the best USDM motor and the best compromise in EM strategy. Halfway through the 06 MY run, there was another manufacturing plant making the USDM 2.5 motors. All of these have not lasted as long as the early 06 STIs and the 05's. The 04 STI was trying to meet LEV2, but Subaru got a waiver. So some of these are ok, some are not.

I'd like to know more about this. What constitutes an 'early 06 STI'? Better yet, do you have any documentation?

[gabedude]

Originally Posted by La Mer

I'd like to know more about this. What constitutes an 'early 06 STI'? Better yet, do you have any documentation?

When you try and buy a block Subaru asks for build date if you are buying for an 06 model. IIRC, it was very late in the MY06 run that Subaru changed the design on the motor. Only a few 06 STIs were made that way. I could be crazy though and none were made with the newer block.

Subaru EJ257 STi Shortblock, JSC Speed

[berdugo]

Originally Posted by gabedude

That is normal, especially after you get into higher mileage. The thing is that the 07+ turbo motors are eating oil. The 06 and under are not. This only happens after breakin. During breakin, the car will not eat any oil. After you start to get on it, it gets worse and worse. I don't want to sound like I am beating a dead horse here, but I am just sick and tired of all the people who just say "Just follow their instructions" or "get a good protune so you can bypass LEV2".

Look, I love Subarus. I am just pissed at their engineers who are designing the fuel system and Engine management for the USDM cars which are subject to LEV2. The EU and JSpec cars do not have these issues and a re mapped just like a regular WRX as JSpec and EU STI's have always been mapped. I mean the EU 07 STI O/L C/L delay is 0'd (where we have 750 MS of lag time before ti zeros triggering the switch to open loop). This means that once the Open loop fuel table calls for enrichment (under boost), the motor gets richer fuel. Not this "lets run at stocih way into peak VE, then throw a rich ass fuel mixture at the cylinders to cool them off". This is just a hack to get aroudn LEV2 at the expense of the longevity of our cars. I would rather have to deal with the problems of upgrading the fuel system with direct injection that to deal with blown motors.

hi gabedude,

sorry for the thread hi jack, but I do have an 07 EU STi.
You are the person I know that knows the difference between the USDM and EU STis mapping. What is the difference between the 2 versions? What does it mean when you say that the EU STi tunes like a WRX? Does it have anything to do with the AVCS of D/A? Thanks in advance

[Bownse]

Originally Posted by gabedude

The thing is that the 07+ turbo motors are eating oil.

beginning at what mileage? i know it's nearly new, but someone else mentioned this, so i started watching it. at 4k miles mine's not using a drop. i don't auto-x or rally it, but i do occasionally bang the rev limiter when i don't react quickly enough to the shift alarm (or when i don't hear it because of the stereo).

[atanarus]

To clarify, it says "A track day or autocross event requires an oil and oil filter change immediately before and immediately after the event." This does not imply all "racing-type" driving. Still unnecessary IMO.

[ryanwrxduksa]

I change my oil every 3,000 miles. Most of which are daily; I do however cross that 6,000 rpm daily. Several times a day. I've never burned a drop of oil since my new motor though

I was one that popped. Gabe, you might remember that. I had my motor warrantied at 6,000 miles. I'm not at 15,000 miles. This time I flashed across the street from the dealership, not after a break in. I don't burn any oil now but I did before. I'm also running stage 2 catted, DW 650cc injectors; and it's tuned by Chris @ EFI Logics

I think that safeguarding yourself with injectors and a good tune from a very reputable tuner who understands the 2007 STi logic is your best bet.

btw, any one going to English Town tomorrow for Formula D?

[STI-LOS]

I have seen this many times, if you check out Joe Gibbs Racing Oil with there racing Oil for Turbo Style engines or any forced induction high performance engine they state oil changes should be done after all race periods which when I called them they said should be like 500-700 miles and that is checking the filter every 100 miles.. For most of us this is not the case and if you get a chance give these guys a call they will give you tons of info on the oil, thats why I went with there new Hot Rod Oil from Joe Gibbs its strictly for Flat Tappet style motors that run at high temps and is also for cars that sit for a bit to there oil has tons of stuff in it for corrosion its has super high sheer values it great stuff... A little pricey at $12 a quart but with there new HR Oil they recommend 2K for oil changes as long as your not racing the Sh*t out of it every weekend.. But yeah if your STI is a straight out Time attack car or U autoX every weekend its just like the article says you got to really keep up on the oil changes...

[Black_Sun]

Originally Posted by gabedude

That is normal, especially after you get into higher mileage. The thing is that the 07+ turbo motors are eating oil. The 06 and under are not. This only happens after breakin. During breakin, the car will not eat any oil. After you start to get on it, it gets worse and worse. I don't want to sound like I am beating a dead horse here, but I am just sick and tired of all the people who just say "Just follow their instructions" or "get a good protune so you can bypass LEV2".

Look, I love Subarus. I am just pissed at their engineers who are designing the fuel system and Engine management for the USDM cars which are subject to LEV2. The EU and JSpec cars do not have these issues and a re mapped just like a regular WRX as JSpec and EU STI's have always been mapped. I mean the EU 07 STI O/L C/L delay is 0'd (where we have 750 MS of lag time before ti zeros triggering the switch to open loop). This means that once the Open loop fuel table calls for enrichment (under boost), the motor gets richer fuel. Not this "lets run at stocih way into peak VE, then throw a rich ass fuel mixture at the cylinders to cool them off". This is just a hack to get aroudn LEV2 at the expense of the longevity of our cars. I would rather have to deal with the problems of upgrading the fuel system with direct injection that to deal with blown motors.

K..... I have a pretty modified 07 (check the sig)....... Maybe I'm luky, but I burn no oil between changes... I change every 3000 miles with Motul.... I do have to agree with the SOA tune though....It's terrible.....

[disturbed1]

uh WTF is LEV2? And for some reason my oil is purple after i change the oil.