My engine failed while autocrossing

[cmiovino]

5k launches are one thing, but I've seen people just simply not care.

People roll into grid with cold engines and head out there romping on it at barely 100F oil temps. I always take mine for a short drive around to get the gear oil up to temp and coolant/oil up to where it should be. Minimum you should do.

I've also seen cars idling in paddock nearly all day too. That can't be good to be doing that for ~8 hours.

I think if you do a lot of these things over and over, adding in romping on it on the street when it's not fully warm too as an example, it can cause issues down the line.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by ZDan

No reason not to ask.

Except being an adult that knows the rules, and a jackass that doesn't.

I prefer to not be an idiot.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

If done properly, yes. I do them and I know what to expect.

edit: I can't say that I've seen "all" of his vids, and by no means do I worship at the altar of CSG.

Oh that was a comment about my driving, not csg.

I drop it to 4500 on asphalt though…

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Except being an adult that knows the rules, and a jackass that doesn't.

I prefer to not be an idiot.

Lemme guess, first-born. In LOVE with *rules*!

In the real world, rules are *often* bent. There is *no reason* not to ask a manufacturer if they might take care of an issue even if outside of warranty based on goodwill. And sometimes it happens. Buddy of mine got his Honda Civic's bottom end replaced after the block cracked way way WAY outside of warranty for next to nothing, as Honda recognized it is a "design defect".

Doesn't hurt to ask, even if likelihood is low. Mighty uptight of you to consider someone a jackass just for asking. IMO!

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Oh that was a comment about my driving, not csg.

I drop it to 4500 on asphalt though…

Ah, well.... actually, I don't pay much attention to the tach. I also don't have much of a competitive urge. I just enjoy mastering the machine. FRS is fun to toss around. If I was more serious, I'd probably get a shifter kart.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Doesn't hurt to ask, even if likelihood is low. Mighty uptight of you to consider someone a jackass just for asking. IMO!

Oh, come on. The OP reeks of not-my-fault-so-disappoint bullshit. That is the spirit in which the reply was made.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Lemme guess, first-born. In LOVE with *rules*!

Nope. Second born that takes responsibility for his actions.

[alex87f]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Nope. Second born that takes responsibility for his actions.

There's no shame in asking, so long as you don't act like you're owed a positive answer

As for OP, that's a weird failure mode. But these engines don't like heat, and autox is not great for allowing heat to dissipate. Based on what I read, looks like a "no luck that day" situation.
I'm awaiting a quote for a rebuilt M96, so I can empathize !

[autoracer86]

Personally I think I would have searched for a racer mod friendly dealer local to me. Gave them a ring knowing they would say get lost just so I know at least I tried.

I see zero reason wrong with trying your luck but yeah Subaru has no reason to cover your car outside of warranty raced or not. You could try fighting with SOA if you have some free time but even if you got some sort of discount it will still be the most expensive option and probably net you the worst results.

Those techs are not really used to swapping motors or rebuilding them. Look at all the valve spring recall issues from motors rebuilt by dealers.

I hope you can get back auto xing soon and sorry you lost the motor.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by alex87f

There's no shame in asking, so long as you don't act like you're owed a positive answer

This x1000. No reason whatsoever not to *ask*. Also no reason to expect coverage outside of warranty, but IMO give them an opportunity to give you some "goodwill" coverage even if it's unlikely.

As for OP, that's a weird failure mode. But these engines don't like heat, and autox is not great for allowing heat to dissipate. Based on what I read, looks like a "no luck that day" situation.

I don't know if these engines so have so much a problem with heat. IMO they are marginal for oil delivery to bearings in the first place, combine that with effects of machining tolerances, random boogers and worms of RTV, plus some loss of oil-pressure under high lateral loads, and failures do happen...

I'm awaiting a quote for a rebuilt M96, so I can empathize !

Gotsta ask, IMS bearing?

[alex87f]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Gotsta ask, IMS bearing?

Swapped 150 miles before failure for a reinforced unit. It looks like a possible culprit, but not in the conventional way.

Will know more next week ..

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Pro racing no, they don’t put that many miles on a car.

Grassroots racing off a production engine, sure, which I think is what many people wanted when Toyota came out with an affordable 2750# rwd coupe.

https://mazdaracers.com/topic/5099-engine-reliability/

And then you have csg putting tens of thousands of track miles on their car, far more abusive than the average autoxer. Which many cars can’t even make it through a 20 minute session without heavy modification. You’re right, Motorsports is a risk and ten years on we’re learning how FA20’s hold up after 100k+ miles of use.

I’m not shocked or angry, it’s just what the reality is, no point in trying to hide it.

With a healthy heaping of supporting mods, tons of preventative maintenance, and non-abusive driving habits. Lets not ignore how many engines were lost on the very first 2013 BRZ. Yes, plural.

I can all but guarantee you that even intermediate level autoxers are more abusive to an engine than I am.

The car is 100% not track ready in stock form; this goes for virtually all production street cars.

For the guys who think FA20 failure rates are high, you guys should check out the failure rates of Corvettes, Lotuses, Porsches, etc., on track.

[WildCard600]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

For the guys who think FA20 failure rates are high, you guys should check out the failure rates of Corvettes, Lotuses, Porsches, etc., on track.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I can all but guarantee you that even intermediate level autoxers are more abusive to an engine than I am.

Right? Doesn't matter how prepped it is. Abuse is abuse. I know you know because your vids speak for themselves.

I'm trying to walk that line between game recognizing game, and sounding like a fanboi.