You have a number in your head. More power, more reliability, an engine that pulls harder and lives longer than the one that just let you down. We build performance Subaru engines here in Kent, machined and assembled under one roof, to the power goal you actually have. Not a parts-store fantasy. A real engine that holds up.
We are East Valley Auto Rebuild. Mark Bryant, the Independent Subaru Guru, has spent more than 30 years inside these motors, from daily-driver Outbacks to built WRX and STi engines. As Mark likes to say, breathe a little fire out there. We just make sure the engine can take it.
Talk to us about your Subaru performance engine build in Kent, WA
A performance build starts with your goal, not our catalog
Before we machine a single part, we want to know what you are building toward. Are you chasing a strong, reliable street car? A high-performance Subaru that can handle big boost? Something that just needs to survive Pacific Northwest winters and pulls at high mileage?
The answer changes everything. Compression ratio, the pistons we pick, how much the engine gets built up, the fuel you plan to run. A build for 93 octane and a daily commute is a different animal than a high-boost setup.
So we talk first. No pushy sales tactics, no upselling you into parts you do not need. Just an honest conversation about power, budget, and how you drive. What is the point of a 500-horsepower short block in a car that lives in traffic? If that is not your goal, we will not build it.
This is the part a lot of shops skip, and it is exactly why so many "performance" engines come to us already broken. They were built to a spec sheet, not to a driver.
What goes into a real Subaru performance build
A stock rebuild puts the engine back to factory. A performance build is a different job, and the difference is in the machine work and the parts.
Forged internals
that hold power
Cast factory pistons are fine for stock power. Push past it, add boost, and you want stronger parts. We build with forged pistons and upgraded rods rated for the power you are after, so the bottom end is not the weak link. We help you choose internals that match your goal, not the most expensive box on the shelf.
Stroker builds
for more displacement
Want more torque everywhere, not just up top? A stroker build raises displacement by combining a longer-stroke crank with a matched overbore. We do the cylinder boring and honing and the crankshaft work in-house, so the bore, the stroke, and the clearances all agree. A stroker only works if the machine work is exact. Ours is.
Custom compression
for your fuel and boost
Compression ratio is a balancing act. Too high for your boost and fuel, and you fight knock. Too low, and you leave power and response on the table. We set custom compression to match your plan, whether that is a snappy naturally aspirated build or a high-boost setup that needs room to breathe.
Blueprinting and balancing
Here is where a performance engine is won or lost. Blueprinting means we machine and assemble every part to exact, measured tolerances instead of the loose factory range. We balance the full rotating assembly so the engine spins smooth at high RPM. We check every clearance, twice. A blueprinted Subaru engine is smoother, stronger, and more predictable than anything off an assembly line.
Head and valvetrain work
Power needs airflow. We handle the top-end machining too, including cylinder head resurfacing and valve work, so the heads flow and seal to match the bottom end. A strong short block with tired heads is half a build.
Everything under one roof in Kent
Here is what sets us apart. We are one of the only shops in Washington that does complete in-house Subaru machining and full engine installation in the same building. The boring, the honing, the crank grinding, the balancing, the assembly, the install. All of it, in Kent, by the same team.
Why does that matter for a performance build? Because tolerances stack. When your block goes to one machine shop, your crank to another, and your assembly to a third, every shop works to its own numbers and nobody owns the result. When we do it all, the bore is matched to the piston, the piston to the rod, the rod to the crank, and the crank to the block. One team, one set of numbers, one engine that fits together exactly.
We machine in a clean environment on precision lathes, mills, and hones, with top-grade measuring tools. We rarely outsource. The engine you are paying for is the engine we actually build.
The build process, step by step
1. Goal and plan. We sit down with you on power targets, fuel, boost, and budget, and we spec the build around that. No guesswork.
2. Teardown and inspection. We strip the core fully, clean it, and measure everything. You find out exactly what you are starting with.
3. Machine work. Boring, torque-plate honing, deck work, crank grinding and balancing, head machining. All in-house, all to blueprint tolerances.
4. Parts and assembly. We assemble with quality parts, genuine Subaru OEM where it matters and proven aftermarket performance parts where they earn their place. Every clearance gets verified during the build.
5. Documentation. We send photos and videos through the build so you can see your engine come together. You are not left wondering what is happening to your money.
6. Install or hand-off. We can install the engine in your car, or build a complete long block for you or your tuner to drop in.
Sound thorough? It is. A performance engine is not a part you swap. It is a machine you build once and run for years.
Pricing, parts, and the warranty
Every performance build is priced to the build. The variables are your power goal, the parts you choose, how much machine work the core needs, and whether we install it. Our pricing is a real fraction of dealership machine pricing, and the dealers do not build engines like this anyway.
On parts, we will not cut corners. We use genuine Subaru OEM parts where they give the best result and warranty-backed quality, and high-quality aftermarket performance parts where your goal calls for them. We have strong opinions here, earned the hard way. Cheap knock-off internals are how good builds die young. We would rather build it right than build it twice.
Our machine and engine work is backed by a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty. We stand behind what we build.
DIY and tuner support
Not everyone wants us to turn the last bolt, and that is fine. We support DIY Subaru builders and tuners. Bring us your block and parts, and we will do the machine work and a blueprinted assembly, then send you a long block ready to install and tune. We will give you the clearances and the numbers so you can finish with confidence. Plenty of sharp local builders use our machine shop as their backbone.
Why drivers across the Pacific Northwest trust us
Mark Bryant has built his name on Subaru engines for over three decades, starting in Subaru-only work and running this Kent shop since 2003 out of a 7,000 square foot facility. He trained as a chef before going all-in on mechanics, and he brings that same care for getting every detail exactly right to every build on the bench. Our team carries decades of combined Subaru experience, and many of our customers have been with us 20 years or longer.
We are Subaru specialists first. We know where these engines fail, what holds power, and what is a waste of your money. That is the value of a shop that has built hundreds of these and stands behind every one.
See our full Subaru machine shop services in Kent, or start with a standard Subaru engine rebuild if a built engine is more than you need right now. When you are ready to talk power, contact our team.
See Why Subaru Owners
Keep Coming Back
The quality of work is top notch. Took my 2011 STI there to get the head gaskets done and could not be more pleased with the work they did and how they treated me through the process. Sent photos and videos of the entire process while taking apart the motor. Great people who really do want the best for the customer and their car. Would absolutely take my Subaru there again if needed.
I brought my 2017 wrx with a blown engine to Mark at east valley auto rebuild. I really liked how he took the extra time to discuss all my available options, from keeping it stock to going with more quality parts. Mark covered it all with his extensive knowledge while he tooks us out to lunch. He really made sure that what I wanted out of and from the car is what I got.
I have been coming to this repair shop for a couple of years now and just bought my second Subaru to allow them to keep maintaining my car for me. They have been so helpful to me over the years, always working around my budget, always squeezing me in last minute when they are busy. The owners are great people who genuinely care about their customers and the staff is very informative. Thank you, East Valley!
These folks handle all my auto repairs with extreme care and understanding
I've brought my 2011 Subaru Outback to East Valley Auto Rebuild a few times now, and every visit has been a great experience. Mark Bryant and his team do excellent work at a fair price, and they really know their stuff—especially when it comes to high-performance Subaru options. They're honest, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. If you're looking for quality service and trustworthy advice, I highly recommend them!
Some of Our Professional Subaru Services
Below are some of our most popular Subaru Services and Repairs and descriptions of each.
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Other Services
Explore our full range of Subaru specialist services
Frequently Asked Questions
How much horsepower can you build into a Subaru engine?
It depends on the platform, the parts, and your budget. We build everything from strong, reliable street engines to high-boost setups with forged internals. The honest answer is that we build to a goal you can actually use and that the rest of your car can support. Tell us your target and we will tell you what it takes to get there reliably.
What is the difference between a rebuild and a performance build?
A rebuild puts the engine back to factory specification. A performance build uses stronger parts, custom compression, blueprinted tolerances, and often a stroker setup or overbore to make more power than stock and hold it. The machine work is far more precise, because the engine is asked to do more.
Do you build engines for WRX, STi, and Legacy GT?
Yes. We work across the Subaru lineup, including WRX, STi, Legacy GT, Forester, and older models. High-performance turbo Subarus are a big part of what we build in Kent.
Can I supply my own parts for the build?
You can. Many of our customers and tuners bring their own internals, and we will machine and assemble to them. We will also give you our honest take on the parts before we start, because not all aftermarket parts are worth running.
Will the build be tuned, and is it covered?
We build and assemble the engine to your plan, and we can build a complete long block for you or your tuner to install and tune. Our machine and engine work carries a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty. A good tune is part of a healthy performance engine, so we are happy to coordinate with your tuner on the target.
Start your Subaru performance engine build in Kent, WA, call
(253) 872-7468.
