What to look for?
Discussion
Hi there,
Finally managed to sell my evo and I’m now thinking of getting a scoob as they seem a bit more refined and reliable. Seems the only viable replacement for the evo
I'm looking at a Hawkeye STI or a hatch. Really like the rb320 but, doesn't seem to be many for sale at the moment. There’s a forged rb320 that I really like but, the mileage puts me off.
I have budget of £16000 but, could stretch it for the right car.
I know the engine (2.5) is meant to be unreliable, would a forged engine be a must and how much does this cost? Anything else to look out for?
If anyone knows or thinking of selling a RB320 /Hawkeye sti, preferably with a forged engine give me a shout.
Many thanks
Finally managed to sell my evo and I’m now thinking of getting a scoob as they seem a bit more refined and reliable. Seems the only viable replacement for the evo
I'm looking at a Hawkeye STI or a hatch. Really like the rb320 but, doesn't seem to be many for sale at the moment. There’s a forged rb320 that I really like but, the mileage puts me off.
I have budget of £16000 but, could stretch it for the right car.
I know the engine (2.5) is meant to be unreliable, would a forged engine be a must and how much does this cost? Anything else to look out for?
If anyone knows or thinking of selling a RB320 /Hawkeye sti, preferably with a forged engine give me a shout.
Many thanks
On a 2.5 a forged engine is definitely the way forward. Don't worry about mileages, mechanically these cars are very good in the gearbox, brakes and suspension department, and it's likely the forged engine build hasn't done anywhere near as much mileage as the car, it may well have been done a few thousand miles ago.
RB320 is a very nice buit of exclusive kit, comes with the DCCD and is very well specced/built. Should hold on to it's value and my advice would be, if you are a cash buyer and not needing finance, drive a bloody hard bargain and get a really good deal. Cash is king these days.
Equally, with a forged bottom end you are in a good position to start looking at power upgrades from the standard 320bhp, if it's still at that level, although often after a rebuild owners get their cars remapped so it may well be running more than that. Those twin scroll turbos are very capable of producing a lot more than the standard fare, maybe 380-400 with some quality mapping, exhaust mods and decent flat panel air filter or induction kit. Your injectors should be just fine at that level of tune and you might want to add an adjustable fuel pressure regulator just to make sure you can dial in a bit of extra fuel should it be required.
Cheap mods for the level of extra oomph you get over standard if you manage to find a car at the right price with a forged bottom end.
Fill your boots
RB320 is a very nice buit of exclusive kit, comes with the DCCD and is very well specced/built. Should hold on to it's value and my advice would be, if you are a cash buyer and not needing finance, drive a bloody hard bargain and get a really good deal. Cash is king these days.
Equally, with a forged bottom end you are in a good position to start looking at power upgrades from the standard 320bhp, if it's still at that level, although often after a rebuild owners get their cars remapped so it may well be running more than that. Those twin scroll turbos are very capable of producing a lot more than the standard fare, maybe 380-400 with some quality mapping, exhaust mods and decent flat panel air filter or induction kit. Your injectors should be just fine at that level of tune and you might want to add an adjustable fuel pressure regulator just to make sure you can dial in a bit of extra fuel should it be required.
Cheap mods for the level of extra oomph you get over standard if you manage to find a car at the right price with a forged bottom end.
Fill your boots
That’s good to hear! The evo was the opposite in those aspects - Rubbish unreliable gearbox, unreliable drive train (AYC, Transfer box). It started to rust at the rear arches. Was just getting sick of worrying about what will go wrong so got rid before the inevitable happened.
Just want a car I don't have to worry about and keep throwing money at. Would love to do a few track days and go to crail but, never bothered as I knew the gearbox was on borrowed time.
Definitely going to go for a RB320, went for a look at one a while back and it was lovely! The only thing that would put me off is the engine reliability. 400bhp would be ideal for me as a fast road car! The forged one is seen is 53000 miles up at £17500. It does look well looked after but, don't want to lose a lot of money when I would come to sell it at 60-70000 miles.
Thanks for your advice mate very helpful
Just want a car I don't have to worry about and keep throwing money at. Would love to do a few track days and go to crail but, never bothered as I knew the gearbox was on borrowed time.
Definitely going to go for a RB320, went for a look at one a while back and it was lovely! The only thing that would put me off is the engine reliability. 400bhp would be ideal for me as a fast road car! The forged one is seen is 53000 miles up at £17500. It does look well looked after but, don't want to lose a lot of money when I would come to sell it at 60-70000 miles.
Thanks for your advice mate very helpful
definitely go for a forged bottom end, will easily handle 400 and then some. At least you know then that you are running power levels well within the capability of that engine. Better to be over engineered than on the limit or not enough. Armed with pound notes you are int he driving seat. Go and haggle hard 
Maxwell90 said:
That’s good to hear! The evo was the opposite in those aspects - Rubbish unreliable gearbox, unreliable drive train (AYC, Transfer box). It started to rust at the rear arches. Was just getting sick of worrying about what will go wrong so got rid before the inevitable happened.
Wasn't an Evo X was it?! I went the other way, my STI 330S dropped a piston at only 20,000 miles so bought an FQ330 SST. Now that's turning into a "what will break next" saga, as you say. AYC bust, second set of Brembos after 15k, third set of wheels ordered because the lacquer is falling of the second set, and now the SST box is playing silly buggers. Thank goodness for warranties. Seriously thinking of buying an Alfa for peace of mind and more reliability!!! 
Hi, been browsing these pages for a while, I'm a member of a few of the Owners Clubs, NESF, Scottish Scoobies, ScoobyNet etc.
There is a brilliant RB320 for sale on SNet, I really wish I had the money for it, I'd snap his hands off for it. Forged Engine and only running stock power, no stress on it what so ever and would handle well into the 400's if you wanted.
Either that or this would be a bit of a giggle.
There is a brilliant RB320 for sale on SNet, I really wish I had the money for it, I'd snap his hands off for it. Forged Engine and only running stock power, no stress on it what so ever and would handle well into the 400's if you wanted.
Either that or this would be a bit of a giggle.
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