Engine Model Year Question - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Bookies · 02-22-2019, 11:48 AM

Hello,

I tried searching for the answer but couldn't find any good info (sorry if it is out there somewhere and I just couldn't find it). I'm looking to buy a 2015 BRZ and the owner is telling me the engine was replaced. The job was performed by professionals and I've looked over the car; everything looks great. I'm curious though, I know Subaru has made iterations and improvements to the FA20 over the years, and the owner isn't sure which year the car was that the engine came from. Is there a quick and easy way to tell which year the engine was manufactured or what version it is? I know there are differences with sensors in things depending on the year. Thanks in advance!

Oh and the engine was replaced because apparently there was an oil leak from somewhere that went on for so long that the engine eventually seized... He said his kid was driving it and when the engine started making noise he just kept driving it.

Mr.ac · 02-22-2019, 04:38 PM

Same engine.
Only improvements where at the engine management system.
If the engine was done by a dealership or a good reputable shop and it's a new engine, I'll be ok with it.
Unless the current owners is still a kid, then I would look for another.

chipmunk · 03-01-2019, 02:09 PM

The only difference between 2015+ engines and prior year engines is the recommended oil change intervals. 2015+ recommended every 6000 miles. 2013 & 2014 say 7500 miles.

Vital · 03-01-2019, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipmunk

The only difference between 2015+ engines and prior year engines is the recommended oil change intervals. 2015+ recommended every 6000 miles. 2013 & 2014 say 7500 miles.

And better Valve Springs...

Tcoat · 03-01-2019, 02:28 PM

Actually there were some minor changes between 2013 and 2017.

I don't remember what they were but they were not huge.

@nikitopo knows I believe.

Grady · 03-01-2019, 03:14 PM

Minor structural improvements on 2017+ case.

chipmunk · 03-01-2019, 04:31 PM

Here ya go!

NoHaveMSG · 03-01-2019, 09:12 PM

I thought there were slight changes to the valve train in 15'. Aren't the valve stems different length along with a couple other small corresponding changes ?

02-22-2019, 11:48 AM	#1
Bookies Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Drives: 2013 FRS Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Engine Model Year Question Hello, I tried searching for the answer but couldn't find any good info (sorry if it is out there somewhere and I just couldn't find it). I'm looking to buy a 2015 BRZ and the owner is telling me the engine was replaced. The job was performed by professionals and I've looked over the car; everything looks great. I'm curious though, I know Subaru has made iterations and improvements to the FA20 over the years, and the owner isn't sure which year the car was that the engine came from. Is there a quick and easy way to tell which year the engine was manufactured or what version it is? I know there are differences with sensors in things depending on the year. Thanks in advance! Oh and the engine was replaced because apparently there was an oil leak from somewhere that went on for so long that the engine eventually seized... He said his kid was driving it and when the engine started making noise he just kept driving it.

02-22-2019, 04:38 PM	#2
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Same engine. Only improvements where at the engine management system. If the engine was done by a dealership or a good reputable shop and it's a new engine, I'll be ok with it. Unless the current owners is still a kid, then I would look for another. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

03-01-2019, 02:28 PM	#5
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	Actually there were some minor changes between 2013 and 2017. I don't remember what they were but they were not huge. @nikitopo knows I believe. __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

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03-01-2019, 02:09 PM	#3
chipmunk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Drives: _ Location: _ Posts: 440 Thanks: 50 Thanked 178 Times in 104 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The only difference between 2015+ engines and prior year engines is the recommended oil change intervals. 2015+ recommended every 6000 miles. 2013 & 2014 say 7500 miles.

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