Complete in-house rebuild service for every turbocharged Subaru. WRX TD04L, STI VF series, Legacy GT, Forester XT, and FA20DIT. AVCS banjo bolt screen inspection and report included on every EJ rebuild. In-house VSR balancing since 2008.
The AVCS (Active Valve Control System) is Subaru's variable camshaft timing system on EJ205, EJ207, EJ255, and EJ257 engines. Subaru installed small mesh screens inside the banjo bolts that supply oil to the AVCS system. These screens accumulate varnish deposits from degraded oil and eventually restrict or fully block oil flow, not just to the AVCS, but to the turbocharger and cam journals that share the same oil supply passages.
The most critical screen is the banjo bolt on the passenger side cylinder head that feeds both the turbo oil supply and the AVCS intake solenoid. When that one clogs, the turbo is starved simultaneously with the AVCS system. The first sign is often a P0011 or P0021 AVCS code before the turbo noise starts, but the turbo was already running lean on oil by the time the code appeared.
Subaru acknowledged the problem directly. TSB 02-97-05 covers the AVCS screens. TSB 02-103-07 covers the separate turbo oil feed screen. Both TSBs recommend removal. The Subaru performance community agrees without exception: remove the screens. Because these screens are on the car and not on the turbo, we cannot inspect them during a rebuild. What we can tell you is what we found inside the CHRA.
DTC Reference: P0011 = Intake cam bank 1 advanced. P0021 = Intake cam bank 2 advanced. P0024 = Exhaust cam bank 2 advanced. Any of these codes on an EJ turbo warrants AVCS screen inspection before turbo work proceeds.
Below turbo inlet, feeds turbo AND AVCS intake solenoid. Most critical screen. A fully clogged screen here starves the turbo of oil pressure at startup. The first symptom is often P0011 but turbo bearing damage is already occurring.
Feeds driver side AVCS intake solenoid and cam journals. Does not directly feed the turbo but a clogged screen causes P0021 codes. Access is harder, near the timing belt cover.
Inside each AVCS Oil Control Valve solenoid. Clogged OCV screens produce symptoms identical to a failed solenoid. Inspect when AVCS codes are present.
Internal head drillings on EJ207 / EJ257 with exhaust AVCS. Restriction produces P0024 codes. Exhaust OCV solenoids are on the underside of the heads at the front corners.
Every turbocharged Subaru from the first USDM WRX through current production is supported. The turbo varies by engine code, model year, and market.
The 2002-2007 USDM WRX uses a Mitsubishi TD04L turbocharger on the EJ205 2.0L engine. See our MHI turbo page for TD04L rebuild detail. AVCS screen inspection applies to all EJ-powered WRX models.
The most common WRX rebuild unit. Journal bearing single scroll. 14411AA800. Oil starvation from the banjo bolt screen restriction is the number one failure cause.
The FA20DIT replaced the EJ series with direct injection. Journal bearing single scroll. 14411AA830. The FA20DIT eliminated the AVCS banjo bolt screen problem of the EJ generation but has its own PCV and intake carbon buildup considerations.
The USDM STI runs IHI VF series through its entire US production life. VF39 on 2004-2006, VF43 on 2007 (enlarged wastegate), VF48 on 2008-2021. All journal bearing single scroll on the RHF55 frame. VF48 is our most common STI rebuild unit.
Dedicated VF variants tuned for Legacy GT and Forester XT power targets. VF40 on 2005-2007 Legacy GT, VF54 on 2008-2012 Legacy GT. The Legacy GT applications frequently come in with oil contamination and coking from the longer oil passages on the horizontally-opposed engine in a sedan application.
The JDM VF lineup covers EJ20 and EJ207 performance variants. Ball bearing units (VF22, VF23, VF24, VF28, VF29, VF34, VF36, VF38) deliver faster spool than USDM journal bearing counterparts. VF36 and VF38 introduced titanium turbine shafts. These units are increasingly imported and we rebuild all configurations.
Search by Subaru OEM part number, IHI VF model, engine code, or model year. Subaru uses the 14411-XXXXXX format for all OEM turbocharger part numbers.
| Subaru OEM Part # | IHI Model | Engine | Application | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USDM WRX | ||||
| 14411AA800 | VF52 | EJ255 2.5L | 2009-2014 Subaru WRX (USDM) | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA800D | VF52 | EJ255 2.5L | 2009-2014 Subaru WRX (USDM) | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA830 | VF57 | FA20DIT 2.0L | 2015-2021 Subaru WRX (USDM) | Journal / FA20DIT direct injection |
| USDM STI | ||||
| 14411AA572 | VF39 | EJ257 2.5L | 2004-2006 Subaru WRX STI (USDM) | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA620 | VF43 | EJ257 2.5L | 2007 Subaru WRX STI (USDM) | Journal / Enlarged wastegate |
| 14411AA700 | VF48 | EJ257 / EJ257B 2.5L | 2008-2021 Subaru WRX STI (USDM) | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| VA440057 | VF48 | EJ257 2.5L | 2008-2021 STI (USDM), IHI internal code | IHI Internal Code |
| USDM Legacy GT / Forester XT | ||||
| 14411AA530 | VF40 | EJ255 2.5L | 2005-2007 Subaru Legacy GT (USDM) | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA760 | VF54 | EJ255 2.5L | 2008-2012 Subaru Legacy GT (USDM) | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| JDM VF Series | ||||
| 14411AA650 | VF45 | EJ20 / EJ255 2.0L | JDM WRX / Legacy EJ20 2004+ / Forester XT | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA070 | VF22 | EJ20 2.0L | JDM WRX / STI EJ20 early, largest VF | Ball Bearing / P20 single scroll |
| 14411AA130 | VF23 | EJ20 2.0L | JDM WRX EJ20 | Ball Bearing / P20 single scroll |
| 14411AA150 | VF24 | EJ20 2.0L | JDM WRX EJ20 / Rally / auto | Ball Bearing / P18 single scroll |
| 14411AA200 | VF28 | EJ207 2.0L | JDM STI Version 5 EJ207 | Ball Bearing / P20 single scroll |
| 14411AA220 | VF29 | EJ20 2.0L | JDM WRX EJ20 improved compressor | Ball Bearing / P18 single scroll |
| 14411AA443 | VF35 | EJ20 2.0L | JDM WRX Type RA fast spool | Journal / P15 small housing |
| 14411AA373 | VF30 | EJ207 2.0L | JDM STI EJ207 V7-V9 | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA340 | VF34 | EJ207 2.0L | JDM STI EJ207 V7-V9 ball bearing version | Ball Bearing / Single Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA490 | VF36 | EJ207 2.0L | JDM STI Spec C 2003+, Ti shaft twin scroll | Ball Bearing / Twin Scroll P25 |
| 14411AA542 | VF37 | EJ207 2.0L | JDM STI V8/V9 Spec C | Journal / Twin Scroll P25 |
| 14411AA690 | VF49 | EJ207 2.0L | JDM STI 2008-2014 | Journal / Twin Scroll |
| 14411AA560 | VF38 | EJ20 2.0L | JDM Legacy GT Ti shaft twin scroll | Ball Bearing / Twin Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA610 | VF41 | EJ207 2.0L | JDM Forester STI | Journal / Single Scroll P18 |
| 14411AA900 | VF60 | Various | Subaru Levorg / JDM applications | Journal Bearing |
No results? Contact us at sales@theboostlab.com with your year, model, and engine code.
The AVCS screens accumulate varnish from degraded oil and restrict or fully block oil flow to the turbo and cam journals. The passenger side screen is the most critical because it feeds both the turbo and the AVCS intake solenoid. The first symptom is typically a P0011 AVCS code. By the time the code appears, the turbo has already been running starved. Subaru issued TSBs (02-97-05 and 02-103-07) recommending removal. The entire Subaru specialist community agrees universally: the screens do not belong on any turbocharged EJ.
The EJ255 and EJ257 are known for oil consumption, some engines consuming a quart every 1,000 miles. Low oil level starves the turbo bearing system at high RPM and under sustained boost. The flat boxer configuration means the engine holds oil differently than an inline engine, and the turbo drain lines sit at unique angles that can cause pooling.
The EJ255 and EJ257 use cast pistons with thin upper ring lands. Under detonation from pump gas, aggressive timing, or lean conditions, the ring land cracks. Debris circulates through the oiling system and arrives at the turbo CHRA. A ringland failure that has not been fully addressed will damage the new bearings immediately.
The USDM VF39, VF43, VF48, VF52, and VF54 are all journal bearing turbos. On a cold EJ engine, oil is thick and slow to reach full pressure through the narrow AVCS passages. Hard acceleration or full boost demand on a cold EJ is the fastest way to score a journal bearing. Even five minutes of easy warmup makes a meaningful difference.
The VF57 on the FA20DIT is a journal bearing single scroll unit with its own oil feed path characteristics different from the EJ. Direct injection engines are known for increased intake valve carbon buildup that can restrict crankcase ventilation, affecting PCV function and oil pressure stability. The good news is the FA20DIT eliminated the AVCS banjo bolt screen problem.
Head gasket failure on EJ engines pushes coolant into the oil system. Coolant-contaminated oil loses its film strength immediately, causing bearing failure throughout the engine including the turbo. A turbo rebuild on an engine with a compromised head gasket is a short-term fix.
Start your rebuild request in our repair system. VF48 and VF52 parts stocked for fast turnaround. Every EJ teardown report includes oil starvation assessment and AVCS screen removal recommendation. In-house VSR balancing since 2008.
Start Your Rebuild Request37833 Pineapple Ave Unit A • Dade City, FL 33523 • sales@theboostlab.com