Subaru’s EJ and FA engines have been central to the brand’s success, powering everything from daily drivers to high-performance rally cars. However, like any high-performance engine, the EJ and FA series come with their unique set of challenges—particularly in oil delivery and reliability under extreme conditions. King Engine Bearings has risen to meet these challenges by designing bearings that offer enhanced performance and protection, ensuring that Subaru engines can reach their full potential.
Understanding the Oil Delivery Challenges in Subaru Engines
One of the most well-known issues with the Subaru EJ series, especially in high-performance applications, is oil starvation. This occurs when the engine’s oiling system fails to deliver adequate lubrication to critical components, particularly under high-stress conditions like racing or aggressive driving. Oil starvation can lead to premature wear, bearing failure, and ultimately, catastrophic engine damage.
The FA series, while incorporating modern technologies like direct injection and a more efficient cooling system, can also experience oiling issues, especially when pushed beyond its factory specifications. High-RPM operation and increased load in performance applications can exacerbate these oil delivery problems, making it crucial to address this aspect for reliable performance.
Recognizing these challenges, King Engine Bearings developed specialized bearings for the Subaru EJ and FA engines, designed to address the oil delivery shortcomings and provide superior protection.
King Engine Bearings’ Solution: Tailored for EJ and FA Engines
Recognizing these challenges, King Engine Bearings developed specialized bearings for the Subaru EJ and FA engines, designed to address the oil delivery shortcomings and provide superior protection. King’s approach is based on extensive research and testing, ensuring that their bearings not only meet but exceed the demands of high-performance Subaru engines.
XPG/XPGC Bearings for Subaru EJ Series
For the EJ series, King developed the XPG bearings, specifically engineered to combat the oil starvation issues common in these engines. The XPG bearings feature unique oil slots instead of standard oil holes, allowing for better oil distribution within the groove and more consistent oil flow to critical areas, particularly the number two and number three rod bearings. Additionally, the fully grooved number three main bearing enables 360° oiling, ensuring a steady supply of oil even under extreme conditions. This design reduces the risk of oil starvation and extends the life of the engine.
Taking it a step further, King introduced the XPGC bearings, which incorporate the same advanced features as the XPG bearings but with the added benefit of pMaxKote polymer coating. This coating provides an extra layer of protection, reducing friction and wear during engine startup and under high load conditions. The XPGC bearings are ideal for high-performance builds that demand the highest level of reliability and protection, particularly in motorsports and other extreme applications.
XPG/XPGC Bearings for Subaru FA Series
The FA series, particularly the FA20, benefits from King’s XPG and XPGC bearings, which are designed to handle the specific demands of these modern engines. The XPG bearings for the FA series maintain enhanced oil control and consistent oil flow, critical for preventing the oil delivery problems that can occur when the engine is pushed to its limits.
For those seeking even greater protection, King’s XPGC bearings for the FA series offer the same precision engineering as the XPG, with the addition of the pMaxKote polymer coating. This coating reduces friction and provides superior protection against wear, making XPGC bearings the optimal choice for FA engines used in high-stress performance applications.
Why Choose King Engine Bearings for Your Subaru Build?
Subaru engines, whether EJ or FA, have become legendary for their performance and durability. However, to truly unlock their potential, it’s crucial to address the challenges posed by oil delivery and bearing reliability. King Engine Bearings has developed tailored solutions for these engines, ensuring that enthusiasts and racers alike can build engines that are not only powerful but also dependable.
By choosing King Bearings, you’re investing in components that are designed with the specific needs of your Subaru engine in mind. Whether you’re looking to prevent oil starvation in your EJ engine or improve the efficiency and reliability of your FA engine, King Bearings provides the performance and protection you need to take your build to the next level.
