subaru ej20 cranks help

[t4andgreys]

hi there just after some info really just got a 2002 52 plate bugeye ,bought with the dreaded bottom end knock .. Now i understand that you are not supposed to regring the cranks on these, which leaves me with a few options left ..
does anyone know if a bugeye 52 plate will have a centre thrust crank or a rear thrust crank fitted ,because as i understand it they are not interchangeable ,or are they ????

also is it possible to buy a complete earlier classic engine and put my heads on the classic bottom end ??

just a bit unsure if all cranks are the same from earlier ej20 engines and want to know what will fit or swap over and what wont as new to all this jap stuff
cheers

[japgt]

I belive the cranks can be converted from center to rear thrust.

Not sure on compatibility of heads and blocks im afraid so wouldnt like to comment.

[ScoobieWRX]

If you're going to get a used crank have a chat with API. They'll have a load in stock as engine building is what they do for a living, that way you can stick with a NewAge crank rather than faff about having a classic crank and your block machined.

NewAge cranks are rear thrust but i think that has more to do with the fact later factory cranks are stronger than classic cranks and didn't need to be centre thrust. Classic cranks up to 1998 i think are centre thrust.

It has to be said though that engine builders in the USA prefer to build their big power engines using a centre thrust crank whether they use a forged or billet crank so i suppose if you want to go the centre thrust way you'll have to get everything machined, and you end up with a dual thrust crank.

If you are just looking to build your engine back up to factory spec and you're not doing a special build go for the used newage crank because it's the cheapest and easiest option.

[t4andgreys]

yeah cheers guys some good points mentioned there !!
not looking for a bazillion horse power as the car is completely stock and original ,just how i like it !!!!
so want to build it to o.e spec.. cheers for the heads up too will give api a ring and see what they say .