How to Build a Subaru WRX STI (EJ20/25) Comprehensive Guide (POV)

[@gr0uch377]

This kind of content is so rare. This video can save some thousands but more importantly learn a skill that can better their lives. You should be charging ppl for this lol. Doods a saint 🙏🏽

[@Smeedia]

Information in my opinion should be free for anyone to be able to learn. Hopefully it helps some people out 🥳

[@tobypeltier8183]

@@Smeediabruh wish we could be friends literally bought my first subie 2011 hatch wrx I would so love to visit to learn first hand 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@bradleyopsal]

I'm not doing this anytime soon (knock on wood), but I still watched the whole thing. 😊

[@Smeedia]

If you ever do need it, it will be here 🫡

[@yowicky9465]

never delete this video tanner omg this helps so much i love you😭

[@Smeedia]

It won’t go anywhere 🫡

[@goatg2747]

@@Smeediathoughts on hybrid build ? 257 block 205 heads ??

[@johnlexus1]

Men, this is just insane, this is valuable for years to come, anybody can follow this and repair their cars, I wish someone did this for audis

[@thotakarthikeya7204]

Genuinely, I was literally about rebuilt that engine with a professional but now I can rebuilt it by watching this video. Nice Content!

[@Smeedia]

Not too bad to knock out 🙌 hopefully this helps 🥳

[@ej.builds]

Thanks for posting this video, I will need this once my 205 blows up

[@Smeedia]

Anytime, hopefully it helps 🫡

[@pty249]

Holy shit I've literally got my short block on a stand and I'm about to put the heads on and I see that this video just dropped 40 minutes ago. What timing... Your videos have single-handedly convinced me that I could rebuild the engine in the 170k mile GG WRX that I stupidly bought without a real inspection. You're the best, thank you so much. I'm having a blast.

[@Smeedia]

Literally perfect timing 😅 hopefully this helps in any spots you might get stuck in 🙌

[@Liu_Racing]

Totally feel you. I got convinced and motivated too😊

[@kelduron]

This video and your teardown video is how I was able to rebuild me EJ25. I got it tuned after the rebuild and it is making 440 HP. Thanks bud! Couldn't have done it without you!!

[@Liu_Racing]

You are just so awesome. The moment you pick the right bolt from the box, I knew, you are just the Man! Biggest respect and appreciation from a German fan!

[@littlefoot4417]

Wish it wasn’t such an expensive platform 😂 awesome vid and guide!!

[@Smeedia]

Compared to some others they’re not too pricey 😅

[@littlefoot4417]

@@Smeedia agreed 😂😂

[@bradgreen987]

Wow, again,you make it look so easy. Love the tutorials 😅

[@Smeedia]

Trying to help others who are trying to DIY 🫡

[@SturdySteppa10]

I can’t even put into words how much you have helped me, you have a video for every single thing that gave me a issue. Best detailed Subaru content on the planet!!!!

[@Smeedia]

Glad to hear that they’ve helped 🥳🫡

[@SturdySteppa10]

Learned something new every single one

[@garretwaugh5651]

I’m mad at the algorithm for not recommending this video first. Watched a few other “step by step” guides that skipped a lot of steps leaving me confused when changing my timing belt. This video definitely cleared a lot of that confusion up and I appreciate you for that!

[@robertsavello4120]

i miss wrenching and rebuilding my subaru engines. Did a few in my day when I lived up north. Now i live down south in maine and housing is too expensive and pay is too low for me to have hobbies. I am living vicariously through this video. Thank you for this. Even taught me a few things along the way.

[@InsaneTaco1997]

I have fresh case halves, forged pistons and STI rods just sitting around doubting myself because of my first build failure. I’ll try again after watching this video 😁

[@Smeedia]

Only way to get better is to keep trying 🫡

[@rustyshackleford81]

Anyone remember Hardcore Henry? Love the new pov camera!!!

[@Smeedia]

POV camera comes in clutchhhhhh

[@oaero7355]

As someone who wants to restore my 2001 subaru 2.5rs this video was very helpful and gives me more confidence when putting my car together 🙏 I have a lot of work ahead of me😅

[@davidstanic3081]

Bravo for helping the community

[@Smeedia]

🫡🫡🫡 here to help where I can

[@doghairgarage9022]

Big fan of just throwing the bolts in a box, years of messing with EJs it becomes second nature where everything goes! Excellent walkthrough!

[@Smeedia]

Easiest way to keep track of em all now 😅

[@lbraga565]

You have a skill sir.. I wish I could do what you do with these engines. I should have gone to mechanic school when I was younger..

[@MarcusThe-Pilot]

Currently swapping a 257 in my 04 wrx, and the PCV was driving me insane trying to find a diagram! This saved me so much time I appreciate it!

[@omialmanza1900]

Holy shat! A full movie🤯! 🍿.

[@Smeedia]

Everyone asked for this one 😂😅

[@lifeofpauls3640]

Thanks you for such a comprehensive video. My daughter has an 02' wagon with blown motor and I feel this will help immensely. I have an 04' FXT that i plan on building the motor on.

[@Smeedia]

Hopefully the video helps walk ya through any issues 🎉

[@mthompson1637]

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Currently getting things needed to do a timing belt on an 07 STi limited (original belt with 98k). Now to get in my order to company 23👍. watched the entire video. next.... the clutch when bank account refills 💵

[@Smeedia]

One thing at a time 🙌🫡

[@AD-uw6bd]

Insane amount of knowledge packed into a long detailed video. Thank you so much.

[@JDMAUTO]

thank you for the info on what to replace when rebuilding, oil control valve, cam gears and oil coolers just went on my parts list lol. just blew my 13 sti up, rebuilding now!

[@kevind_53]

Our boy is just trying to make us better subie owner!

[@Victor-vq9ks]

Knowing what tools to buy or have is also very helpful

[@Smeedia]

Linked the specific ones in the description 🫡 A general tool kit will get you by for most of it

[@Hakiri27]

our subie savior tanner, you are the goat when it comes to diy info for these cars!

[@Hakiri27]

finally completed a headgasket / clutch job, never could have done this without all your videos, thank you

[@jacobstephens8447]

Sheesh bro. Just noticed the video length. Love watching this kind of stuff even tho I'm not at this point yet. So much to learn. Gonna dig into this tonight and tomorrow and get you all that premium watch time

[@Smeedia]

Yessssir it’s definitely a long one 😅

[@SoggyRaspberry]

I love this so much thank you! i’m hoping i don’t need to do this any time soon, but if i do i know where to go, thank you!

[@Smeedia]

It’ll be here if you need it 🫡

[@SoggyRaspberry]

@@Smeediai know it’s hard to get an accurate answer, but do you know about how much this rebuild costed? Type RA block, heads, oil pan, etc, i should start saving just in case haha. And with a proper tune should a build like this last a long time? (also a hard question but reliability is often more import than overall fun)

[@SUp3RpooP3r7698]

Tanner, just scooped a GrimmSpeed unequal length header for the STI and installing it tomorrow after my shift (I work at a Honda dealer) so it makes stuff more convenient for me lol 😂 just stock with muffler deletes, eventually will do more to it. But I can't wait to hear how well they sound and flow

[@stevemartegani]

I'd recommend installing the turbo and intake manifold before putting the engine in the car. The less time spent leaning over the front of the car to work on the engine the better it is for your back. Otherwise great video!

[@tylernorthrup5471]

Be aware how easy it is to break off those electrical connectors for the AVCS oil control doodads - i broke one wiggling out my EJ and that one set me back a couple weeks cause i had to order one out from the states and i live on Van Isle... what a pain in the arse ... great content Tanner 👌 keep it going 👍

[@Smeedia]

I’ve seen a handful of them break before 😢 them heat cycles definitely take their toll on the plastics

[@andrewrowley6253]

You make this look so easy. Lol awesome job man. I love these videos.

[@TheMrFlyBoy18]

Subie king for the win❤ most of us appreciates you bro

[@FeherRob]

Perfect timing for this video. Gunna rebuild my ej255. Thank you so much man.

[@coffeeguydave8149]

Just came to say congrats Tanner on this HUUUUGE project. I’m going to watch it many times. Ps: Porsche moon tune coming soon. We all know you can’t resist 😂

[@Smeedia]

It’ll be here when ya need it 🙌 Soooon 😂😅

[@zachk7268]

Yo! Come to Griots Garage tomorrow for the Caffeine and Gasoline meet! I’ll be there in my STi, hoping to show you my car!

[@fernandomateo4572]

Going to try to do this one day hopefully. I’d love to see a video of tools you’d recommend from someone who barley has any. Things you can’t live without like gloves, towels, certain types of lubricants etc. just things to have in the garage

[@yosephk.2945]

Appreciated your knowledge and willingness to share it to the others! Thank you Sir!

[@NewSparky97]

Can't wait to have a garage or back shed I can do my own engine work in. Type RA oem short block, next size up turbo from stock, bigger injectors and fuel pump, E85. One day

[@toasty699]

This is awesome!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Smeedia]

🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@HangryToad]

I wanted to build my motor but I sent it off to a reputable shop. Thank god because they’re having a fueling issue with cylinder 3. The cylinder runs lean at certain rpm while the rest are perfectly fine. They’re still looking into it

[@Smeedia]

Hopefully they can find the root cause relatively soon, never fun to find those issues

[@d2a5e32]

Those damn garage ghost.. What kind of operation do they think Smeedia is running here. Catch those hands. 👊🏼👊🏼

[@lightofscorpio9396]

beautiful, thank you for this!

[@Smeedia]

Anytime! Hope it helps!

[@dougsimon9629]

If i didnt love the channel so much i would talk shit lol i needed this vid last year🤣🤣 but tbh you other vids were this in pieces. Keep up the good work man!

[@Smeedia]

Figured it was time to combine it all into just one Video 😂😅

[@dougsimon9629]

@@Smeedia well done sir

[@xxbigpoppa27xx]

Awesome, I need this guide!

[@Smeedia]

🫡 hopefully it helps!

[@daveb920]

Johnny Bravo moment. Classic

[@Smeedia]

😅

[@jbrubeljr]

love watching videos like this, cool work!

[@JoshD10]

Gd shit bro. Love this! I’ll definitely be using this for reference

[@Smeedia]

Hopefully it helps 🎉

[@JoshD10]

@@Smeedia It will

[@HunterBean-k6m]

26:20 ran into the same problem when i swapped to w25 heads, luckily i had a spare motor to pull avcs oil lines from. and that why i hoard parts. lost a bolt? grab it form the other one.

[@Smeedia]

I’ve got a stash of saveable parts, I try not to hoard too many too often 😅

[@spectr3origin931]

Helllll yesss, I love shmooo on the block!

[@MattPlate]

This is awesome. Love the step by step guide. This is a very newbie question but am I able to put an AOS on my GDA bugeye? If so which one do you recommend?

[@Smeedia]

Yes you can but you will need radium’s cruise control relocation bracket 🫡

[@MattPlate]

​@@SmeediaThanks mate. Appreciate the advice

[@JuKEz1904]

Thanks for all the info.This solved a lot of questions

[@Jon-us8yn]

I've been waiting for this video and I'm so grateful! I only wish there was more in-depth hose routing LOL. Also I can't find a wrench that fits dual avcs models to torque the Cambolt. I plan on using the timing belt method but I never trust I'll get the right torque.

[@michaelrouw2117]

Excellent video. Huge effort.😉👌🏻

[@Smeedia]

🫡🫡🫡

[@Turbodude12345]

Been waiting for this.

[@Smeedia]

Was waiting for a good car to shoot this on 😅

[@WeebRX]

Nice cause my rings might be shite now. Compression reads 145-150 while leak down is 30% at most on cyl 1 with air coming from oil filler neck. 🎉

[@Smeedia]

Ripppppp 😭

[@michaeladam3792]

Bro this is literally exactly what I needed thanks big time for the time it took to make/edit the vid 🫡

[@Smeedia]

Hopefully it helps if you need it 🙌🫡

[@tylerbocock4122]

Now we (me) need a trans rebuild tutorial haha Great video as always m8! Can't believe we get this for free

[@Smeedia]

We kinda did one with a STI 6 speed last year 😅

[@tylerbocock4122]

oooooh that's right! Still need the full Smeedia comprehensive treatment tho lol

[@william-ezekielverduzco5163]

Love your videos they are great take up teaching

[@Dhane-0]

Buddy got the schmoo right off them heads 😂

[@Smeedia]

😂😂😂

[@fraserlordly2432]

The coil pack boots and springs cost like 2.50 each I'd recommend replacing them when you reuse the coil pack.

[@Smeedia]

Not a bad addition to do when doing this 🙌

[@brentthompson9272]

Awesome detailed video, probably the best step by step for building a Subaru engine back up👏 would you know what what head gasket thickness to run if I was to fit a ej20k head to a 207? If not would a machine shop be able to tell me if I was to take the heads and block to them ? Cheers

[@Smeedia]

.051 is typically a safe bet but wouldn’t hurt to ask the machine shop when they deck the heads for how much material they remove

[@brentthompson9272]

Awesome thanks!!

[@natebridge2601]

1:18:45 ngl bro, I was asking that question wayyy before you got there 😅 the killer b inlet has scarred me for life.

[@briarm9331]

Sick, do you think you'll ever do a high revving ej207 or are they just worse apples/apples vs 205/257? Always been a lot of hype around those

[@Smeedia]

I prefer the 2.5L but I do have a 207 sitting in my overflow 👀

[@alanburke717]

Dude its crazy you just posted this. Because i wanna get my bug going again and im looking at the outfront 2.0...but gotta rebuild my heads. Id be so afraid to put it all together and drop it in. Id be afraid id screw it up so bad. Well. Maybe those 2 years of small engine class 24 years ago in HS might come in handy for once?

[@2gstancy]

Your a beast 🤘🏼

[@Smeedia]

Helping where I can 🫡

[@ToneeKinnah]

I love the Ny plate

[@valrandir]

This is awesome !

[@Smeedia]

🫡🙌🥳

[@kekoanuinalukahele1597]

Awesome video do you happen to have a video or diagram on how to do the vacuum lines for a 2003 Impreza wrx

[@garrymillstones517]

Not a scooby guy at all, I prefer BMWs but this was an interesting video.

[@aynun1647]

I think I can do this, but somedays I also think I can win a fist fight against god so

[@Smeedia]

Duuuude you could do both at the same time 🤌

[@StephenBrewer89]

You will never beat God. Almighty power wins all. Jesus Christ is strong!

[@matthewchandler9189]

Haha Jacob in the Bible tried didn’t go too go for him 😂

[@aynun1647]

@@matthewchandler9189 my name isn’t Jacob, I’m built different

[@AngelGonzalez-e8l]

You can do it, we believe!

[@tmake0]

Hi First of all great video. Lots of info. Did you use a manual to build this engine. Would you recommend any?

[@Trav1ar]

I have brand new heads I'm putting on a brand new block. Should I deck or skim the heads? Also, it is worth it to do a valve seat job and/or port & polish if all I'm trying to achieve is 450HP at the wheel?

[@justinf7674]

Fantastic video. Curious why you hold full throttle while cranking to build oil. Disconnecting the cam sensor prevents fuel and spark.

[@Smeedia]

It cuts fuel, just preventative measures 🫡

[@justinf7674]

@@Smeedia ah ok. Good to know. Also wanted to ask what exhaust is on that car?

[@daverettberg966]

Thank you sooo much for this vid!

[@Smeedia]

Hopefully it helps 🥳🫡

[@dylanbrooner9836]

Can you make a list of all the stuff we should buy for a full rebuild but with a shortblock built already like gaskets, accessories ect??

[@Smeedia]

It would have to be. Master list, it’s different for every generation and chassis

[@kswitch265]

Woahhh woahh woah. POV shaft lubing, i think you accidentally uploaded this to the tube instead of the OF my dude, no way we get this for free 😂

[@Tony-tk4ht]

man i wish i could have you as a mentor. im more of a hands on type a learner😂

[@TheMrFlyBoy18]

Me and my 07 Hawkeye aspen pearl white sti be like "👀." Us at the end of the video "👌🏾."

[@andre1884]

Thank you for making this bro

[@joshblass9946]

Great video once again 👏 do you have the EJ20 in the USA or is every engine EJ25? I only ask as in the UK bugs & blobs are all EJ20 and all the JDM imports are EJ20 twin scroll, including the hawk, hatch and newer models

[@Carlos.Rivera]

Could you make it something like this but with BRZ/FRS ?

[@Smeedia]

Maybe, I don’t typically work on any of em 😅

[@SwaydOUT]

Your a legend man 🙏🖤

[@da9pauly]

Very informative!!!!

[@Smeedia]

Hopefully helps some people out 🙌

[@OneTastyPickle]

FINALLY. 🤘🏻🎉

[@Smeedia]

🙌🙌🙌 lmao I love the user name 😂

[@OneTastyPickle]

Thanks man. Keep doing what you do! 🤘🏻

[@Qius_Cars]

Hey Tanner! Gonna go check out a WRX STI hatch tomorrow, it's listed as forged pistons with unknown mileage, 120-125 psi compression on all 4 cylinders. Anything I should really keep an eye on?

[@jeff6818]

So you do not reuse the dowel pins in the bell housing? Great video, do you have a company do your editing?

[@HunterBean-k6m]

quick question, i pushed the clutch fork in and everything but in still having problems getting the clutch to bleed, i got a new master and slave cylinder but still having problems bleeding the system and building pressure. thoughts?

[@Smeedia]

Just air stuck in the system?

[@HunterBean-k6m]

@@Smeedia man i hope so, i really dont want to spend this weekend pulling my trans apart : (

[@mikedonovan8018]

I love your redacted comments. Cause some how some people can screw up on whats easy to people who have done it a few times.

[@Smeedia]

It happens, I’ve made mistakes in the past on some things I consider straight forward now 😅

[@joshuawilliams639]

I noticed everyone get the heads sent off instead of doing them themselves. Is there a reason no one wants to do them

[@Smeedia]

I normally do them but the heads we took off were scrap and went to the dump. So I found a set of fully refreshed B25 heads for the owner that were ready to go. But if you get new valves you HAVE to have a machine shop do set up unless you have tooling. You’ll either need to grind the stem or cut the seat to get valve lash appropriate

[@Turbodude12345]

Let’s goooo man.

[@Smeedia]

🙌🙌🙌

[@swoosh8474]

I can't wait to be able to actually build my legacy.

[@Smeedia]

When you planning on getting it going 🎉

[@swoosh8474]

@@Smeedia Well because of my kinda young age and financial status and not having a garage to keep the car in. I'm gonna have to collect some parts and work on the body for now. It's sad, but some things have to come before cars..

[@shes_lucy]

any recs for a solid shift knob company? bonus points if you have an affiliate link, gotta get our boy his bread 😪

[@Smeedia]

I don’t have any affiliation with the company but Racesang makes some top Tier knobs 🔥

[@chasestoddard6984]

How should I go about getting a plug and play style tune ? That’s my only question ❤

[@Smeedia]

Reach out to a tuner and go through them for mapping. Off the shelf maps are never the best 🫡

[@chasestoddard6984]

@@Smeedia well ig I meant tuner lol not off the self but thank u ima do that when I wake up 😂❤️

[@benjaminphantomhive]

Do something with the ez30

[@Smeedia]

One day Ben one day

[@Turbodude12345]

Did you do the video for a regular I4 engine ? I remember you saying you’d get one done for us when you had the Evo bro.

[@Smeedia]

I did a mini version of this on building the EVOs engine 👀

[@Turbodude12345]

I’ll go look again, not sure how I missed that 👀.

[@Turbodude12345]

Appreciate you man, as an evo fan boy you’ve made me consider an STI.

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

@Smeedia Is this part 2 for the 2005 STI? This and the other is great. I just bought 2006 impreza 2.5i as fun daily maybe for winter too. I would do rally roadcourse it. I do live near roadcourse track. Thought mines non turbo. Its an ej253 am learning lots and think i can improve non turb. ej253 from this and others. Would you ever do a ej253 non turbo rebuild to improve few things on it still keep stock