NooB upgrade questions
11-23-2002, 04:27 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
NooB upgrade questions
Please give me some insite on upgrades for stock WRX. The most bang for my buck. I'm mostly interested in power upgrades at this time. Please list you opinions in chronological order, ie; 1. boost 2. exhaust 3. ect. I'd like to shoot for 275bhp.
I've owned my wrx since May, but was too affraid to ask before. I'm familiar with the lingo, so fire away! Thanks everyone. Thanks New I-Club!
-Chris N
I've owned my wrx since May, but was too affraid to ask before. I'm familiar with the lingo, so fire away! Thanks everyone. Thanks New I-Club!
-Chris N
11-23-2002, 04:59 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
check the upgrade kits from www.turboxs.com , www.vishnutining.com or www.cobb.com . They'll get you the poswer your asking for.
11-23-2002, 05:37 PM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Somerville MASS
Posts: 201
I got 270ISH right now
on less than 1000 dollar invested total
Here is my current setup
Prodrive axle back exhaust(300 used)
intake silencer removed(free)
UNICHIP running TurboXS's stage one maps(520 shipped w/harness)
Go Fast Bits lightened/underdrive pulleys(135 shipped, usually 190)
Let me tell you that 270 feels ALOT better than 227.
But I do have to say, the best and biggest improvement I made on the car was the suspension.
I added a 22mm whiteline front sway bar, and a 20-24mm adjustable rear sway abr with whiteline endlinks.
This made an incredibly dramatic improvement on the cars handling. I have zero body roll now, and almost no understeer.
If you have the factory 16's, then tires would be the first place to start. My car came with 17" prodrives from the factory
My next step is Cusco Zero 2R's and making the jump to over 300HP with turboXS's stage 2 (turbo back and remap the chip)
And Samco hoses.
My advice for best bang for the buck is this
Manual boost controller, use your boost gauge(if you dont have one GET ONE NOW) and set your car for 15.5lbs boost in 3rd gear.
New tires, and a rear sway bar/end links.
Not counting tires, this is less than 300 bucks invested, if you shop around(including the boost gauge, DO NOT screw with boost without one)
Here is my current setup
Prodrive axle back exhaust(300 used)
intake silencer removed(free)
UNICHIP running TurboXS's stage one maps(520 shipped w/harness)
Go Fast Bits lightened/underdrive pulleys(135 shipped, usually 190)
Let me tell you that 270 feels ALOT better than 227.
But I do have to say, the best and biggest improvement I made on the car was the suspension.
I added a 22mm whiteline front sway bar, and a 20-24mm adjustable rear sway abr with whiteline endlinks.
This made an incredibly dramatic improvement on the cars handling. I have zero body roll now, and almost no understeer.
If you have the factory 16's, then tires would be the first place to start. My car came with 17" prodrives from the factory
My next step is Cusco Zero 2R's and making the jump to over 300HP with turboXS's stage 2 (turbo back and remap the chip)
And Samco hoses.
My advice for best bang for the buck is this
Manual boost controller, use your boost gauge(if you dont have one GET ONE NOW) and set your car for 15.5lbs boost in 3rd gear.
New tires, and a rear sway bar/end links.
Not counting tires, this is less than 300 bucks invested, if you shop around(including the boost gauge, DO NOT screw with boost without one)
11-23-2002, 07:06 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks a million.
Is the UNICHip how you are boosting boost? How much are manual boost controllers? I've read and shopped alittle for those but I'm not sure if I'm looking at the same things because some are like $80 and some are $500ish. I don't know which is what.
Boost monkey, what is that? I just don't want to get in over my wallet with warranty issues. Is there a book about such Suby installs?
Yep, tires would help a great deal, springs and rear anti-sway bar I'd like to do after that.
Is the UNICHip how you are boosting boost? How much are manual boost controllers? I've read and shopped alittle for those but I'm not sure if I'm looking at the same things because some are like $80 and some are $500ish. I don't know which is what.
Boost monkey, what is that? I just don't want to get in over my wallet with warranty issues. Is there a book about such Suby installs?
Yep, tires would help a great deal, springs and rear anti-sway bar I'd like to do after that.
11-23-2002, 07:27 PM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Somerville MASS
Posts: 201
My unichip is controlling boost
Vishnu's does not control boost, with his, you use an MBC
If you saw a boost controller for 500, it wasnt an MBC, itt was an EBC(electronic boost controller, not manual)
Personally, a used TurboXS unichip for 475-550 is a MUCH better deal than a 500 dollar boost controller.
Dont pay more than like 129 for an MBC. ANd only pay that much if you get a TurboXS high performance MBC.(it is a bleed AND ball spring controller, works a little nicer)
But you can build/buy a home made MBC for 5-15 bucks.
They all do pretty the same thing, some Like that turboXS one, work a little nicer, and lessen the severity of partial throttle full boost.(which is bad)
Boost monkeys are about hte best thing going as far as cheap reliable boost control, and with them, you get NO partial throttle full boost(which makes it a little safer for your engine)
If you saw a boost controller for 500, it wasnt an MBC, itt was an EBC(electronic boost controller, not manual)
Personally, a used TurboXS unichip for 475-550 is a MUCH better deal than a 500 dollar boost controller.
Dont pay more than like 129 for an MBC. ANd only pay that much if you get a TurboXS high performance MBC.(it is a bleed AND ball spring controller, works a little nicer)
But you can build/buy a home made MBC for 5-15 bucks.
They all do pretty the same thing, some Like that turboXS one, work a little nicer, and lessen the severity of partial throttle full boost.(which is bad)
Boost monkeys are about hte best thing going as far as cheap reliable boost control, and with them, you get NO partial throttle full boost(which makes it a little safer for your engine)
11-23-2002, 09:14 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Boostmonkey might be "safe" but they dont improve performance like an MBC, not even close.
And safe is still a relative term because thats still too much boost to be running with a completely stock setup.
The car still wont low end power like it will with an MBC.
From all the horror storys I heard that wouldnt consider putting one in my car. But thats my opinion.
And not to flame you or anything dave, but 270hp? Is that a dyno number? Do you have any 1/4 mile numbers? Thats big expectations for those mods if you ask me, even tho you didnt
~v6
And safe is still a relative term because thats still too much boost to be running with a completely stock setup.
The car still wont low end power like it will with an MBC.
From all the horror storys I heard that wouldnt consider putting one in my car. But thats my opinion.
And not to flame you or anything dave, but 270hp? Is that a dyno number? Do you have any 1/4 mile numbers? Thats big expectations for those mods if you ask me, even tho you didnt
~v6
11-23-2002, 09:49 PM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
What about the dual setting controllers? Are they worth looking at? If I kept my exhaust stock, could I get 250ish? A decent kick in the pants?
Still unsure exactly what Boost Monkey is/ or how it works. WHo sells these? I'll be back after visiting Vishnu and TurboXS, thanks for the ideas guys.
so V6 like the MBC, right? whos MBC is better?
and dave likes the unichip as a whole package, correct?
Still unsure exactly what Boost Monkey is/ or how it works. WHo sells these? I'll be back after visiting Vishnu and TurboXS, thanks for the ideas guys.
so V6 like the MBC, right? whos MBC is better?
and dave likes the unichip as a whole package, correct?
Last edited by inski21; 11-23-2002 at 09:54 PM.
11-23-2002, 10:03 PM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Somerville MASS
Posts: 201
50? bag that, make your own
or get one like this off ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1873259951
or this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1873297083
OH and I also like MBC's dont get me wrong, they are the best bang for the buck. But they arent a realistic solution when I am planning on making 320+hp. I also was tired of haviing to drive around PTFB. If you want a fast, super easy,cheap and VERY easily reversible mod, then do an MBC.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1873259951
or this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1873297083
OH and I also like MBC's dont get me wrong, they are the best bang for the buck. But they arent a realistic solution when I am planning on making 320+hp. I also was tired of haviing to drive around PTFB. If you want a fast, super easy,cheap and VERY easily reversible mod, then do an MBC.
Last edited by davenow; 11-23-2002 at 10:18 PM.