[grahamzr]

What do you guys think would be the first worthwhile mod to do? I've been looking on scooby mods, and the snorkus delte may be a good way to go. A kit on fastwrx.com is only like $40. Any other suggestions?

-Zach

 

[antrey]

I'm going for the slightly conservative route of installing a boost gauge before my first performance mod. After the boost gauge I'm considering removing the cat from the stock up-pipe. I want to focus on mods that reduce lag and allow faster spooling. Coming from a 2002 Acura RSX TypeS, the turbo motor characteristics seem very different. After the Uppipe I will install either an EGT gauge or Wideband AFR gauge before proceeding to more extensive ECU/Exhaust mods.

 

[poppakaylee]

Short throw and AccessPORT

I've installed the dealer supplied short throw shifter and actually just relashed with the cobb Tuning AccessPORT last night. I was a little disapointed with the short throw shifter -Granted, I didn't know what to expect; there was a mild decrease it travel distance but I'm not sure I would do it again if I had the choice. Still its nice to have. I'm running the Stage 1 91 oct map on the AccessPORT. I've only driven it a few mile so far and haven't see much difference; I'm assuming that the system hasn't had enough miles yet to 'learn' how to improve perfomance...? any thoughts on this?

 

[grahamzr]

I would think that as soon as the information was uploaded into the ECU the computer would relearn the maps almost immediately....maybe after a few minutes of idling or something.

-Z

 

[poppakaylee]

If that is true and whatever improvements that should have happed already did, then I am pretty disappointed... and a sucker to boot.

 

[poppakaylee]

This from another forum:

Poppakaylee wrote:

I flashed my ECU last night and have only driven it a few miles; haven't felt any difference yet. Is that becuase it needs to 'learn' first? if so, does it take long?

RESPONCE: It can sometimes take your ECU as much as 3 - 4 days to "learn" the new map(s). Some guys discover instantaneous results, others drive around for a couple of days thinking the 'port is a dud, only to wake up one morning and discover that they are driving, as Tom called it, a different beast all of a sudden.

​

 

[jdmpartstx]

1) Turbo-Back Exhaust & Uppipe
2) Engine management and boost control (unichip, UTEC, reflash, etc - have it dyno tuned for your car...off the shelf maps are sketchy, IMHO)
3) Intercooler
4) Turbo & Injectors

EDIT: Somewhere between 1 and 3 should be NEW TIRES. The stock RE92s are garbage.

Antrey - Installing a wideband O2 and EGT gauge, while not unwise, would be jumping the gun if your car is still stock (gutted uppipe is like stage 0.000001). I've got 291whp (2002 WRX) and still have no EGT gauge and Wideband AFR display. Those particular gauges are quite expensive - that money would be better spent on the exhaust and engine management (which actually make the car faster) in my opinion. A good time to install those types of gauges would be when you're upgrading your turbo and injectors and getting ready to make some power.

And I agree with the "give your ECU some time to learn" sentiment. It really does take some time. And during that time you'd be best driving your car like you stole it so that the ECU learns aggressively, instead of conservatively

That's my 2¢

 

[antrey]

1) I've got 291whp (2002 WRX)

Have you had any reliability problems with the stock clutch or transmission at that power level? What are your modifications?

 

[jdmpartstx]

My stock clutch actually started slipping right before I installed the turbo/injectors/intercooler. So I had an ACT clutch with their street disc installed (the only item I didn't want to install myself - everything else was done by me ) right before it was dyno-tuned with the new turbo et. al.

The stock drivetrain will be reliable up to around 320whp. That's assuming you don't do 5k RPM clutch-drops from every red light and stop sign. That will break the gearbox on a stock WRX/9-2x after a while. I've had no problems with the gears on my car.

My mods:

Power:
ATR Pitbull turbo-back exhaust (3" all the way with no cats = loud)
Gruppe-S catless uppipe
A'PEXi AVC-R boost controller
Unichip - dyno tuned
JDM V7 STi VF30 Turbo
JDM V7 STi Top-mount intercooler
JDM V7 STi pink 565cc fuel injectors
JDM STi hood scoop
ZeroSports intercooler splitter
Home-made intercooler water sprayer (must-have for TX summers)

Handling:
JDM V7 STi 44mm inverted struts
Some random unknown brand JDM lowering springs - unknown rates but they're nice
O.Z. Superleggera 18x8
225/40-18 Kumho Ecsta MX

Aesthetics:
JDM Bugeye black-chrome HID lights
JDM STi grille
JDM STi S202 carbon fiber spoiler (replica)
Carbon fiber corner light covers (used to have a carbon fiber hood that these matched)

That's about all I can think of at the moment I was running about 17.5psi of boost with a gallon of Toluene in the tank when I did 291hp/290tq at the wheels.

My future plans are a FMIC and retune for 300+whp, and 4-pot front brakes.

:cheesy: :cheesy:

 

[D0WNxSH1FT]

1) Mod the driver. Learn the car stock, get used to the way it performs.
2) Short-Shifter/Boost Gauge: Get them from a subaru dealership or aftermarket.
3) Tires - the RE92's hold the car back so much.
4) Springs/Rear Sway Bar/F&R Strut Bars
5) Engine Management (Cobb if you dont have the $$$ to tune...i dont lol).
6) Catless UP, TBE.
7) Mod the driver again, cus now you are Stage 2 and running with Evo's.