Vf30 ---> Vf34
05-31-2003, 07:07 PM
#1
Pr0n King
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Vf30 ---> Vf34
So stuck the VF34 in my car today... The swap took a couple of hours with the usual leakage/dirtiness - nothing I haven't seen before TOO MANY times. 
First thoughts after break-in and MINIMAL test driving:
0. Turbos look EXACTLY the same (as I thought they would).
1. NO SMOKE. THANK GOD!
2. Spool is slightly louder than the VF30.
3. Lag is slightly reduced vs. the VF30. Not enough to warrant the extra price if purchased new (still $200 most everywhere that I've seen)
4. Spool (after boost starts to build to max boost) is surprisingly quicker. I MAY have to do some re-tuning on the UTEC.
5. Spin the wheels with the turbos out of the car and you can feel the VF34 having SLIGHTLY less resistance than the VF30.
This purchase was made SOLELY to eliminate the smoke I was getting at idle. I didn't do it to increase performance/drivability - so I'm not disappointed that there's not really a marked difference.
I am glad that I originally went with the VF30 @ $750 vs. the $1100 that VF34's were going for at the time. It didn't seem to last, but I think my unit was a dud or damaged in shipping. This unit was used, and packaged VERY well by the person who sold it to me so I'm not worried about shipping damage.
I would have been happier if I could have found a slightly used VF30 (<3k files, 2 dyno pulls, no track runs) for $550 or so - but I paid $600 + my stock turbo (which wasn't doing me any good anyway) for this VF34 and that makes it a pretty good deal in my book.
Now I just have to save up for a new clutch...
[cliff's notes]IMHO VF34 is not worth a $200 premium over the VF30, but it does offer slightly less lag/slightly steeper boost ramp. If I hadn't driven a VF30 car for 8k+ miles I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference with the addition of the VF34[/cliff's notes]
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First thoughts after break-in and MINIMAL test driving:
0. Turbos look EXACTLY the same (as I thought they would).
1. NO SMOKE. THANK GOD!
2. Spool is slightly louder than the VF30.
3. Lag is slightly reduced vs. the VF30. Not enough to warrant the extra price if purchased new (still $200 most everywhere that I've seen)
4. Spool (after boost starts to build to max boost) is surprisingly quicker. I MAY have to do some re-tuning on the UTEC.
5. Spin the wheels with the turbos out of the car and you can feel the VF34 having SLIGHTLY less resistance than the VF30.
This purchase was made SOLELY to eliminate the smoke I was getting at idle. I didn't do it to increase performance/drivability - so I'm not disappointed that there's not really a marked difference.
I am glad that I originally went with the VF30 @ $750 vs. the $1100 that VF34's were going for at the time. It didn't seem to last, but I think my unit was a dud or damaged in shipping. This unit was used, and packaged VERY well by the person who sold it to me so I'm not worried about shipping damage.
I would have been happier if I could have found a slightly used VF30 (<3k files, 2 dyno pulls, no track runs) for $550 or so - but I paid $600 + my stock turbo (which wasn't doing me any good anyway) for this VF34 and that makes it a pretty good deal in my book.
Now I just have to save up for a new clutch...
[cliff's notes]IMHO VF34 is not worth a $200 premium over the VF30, but it does offer slightly less lag/slightly steeper boost ramp. If I hadn't driven a VF30 car for 8k+ miles I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference with the addition of the VF34[/cliff's notes]
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05-31-2003, 07:08 PM
#2
Pr0n King
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P.S. I'll upload the ton of pics that I took later in case anybody is interested... Gotta chop 'em to size first.
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05-31-2003, 07:09 PM
#3
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P.P.S. I'm convinced that an oil catch can does an upgraded turbo WRX good! Every time I take off my intercooler I'm reminded that there is CONSIDERABLY less oil puddled in there than I used to see... Just a thought for all you Stage 4 cars out there!
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05-31-2003, 07:11 PM
#4
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P.P.P.S. ANTI-SEIZE EVERYTHING that is near the turbo/exhaust! It has saved me from breaking/stripping/rounding anything so far (the ridiculous # of times I've had things apart)! Don't forget this!
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05-31-2003, 07:15 PM
#5
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P.P.P.P.S. I'm sunburnt. If you've seen my well-nigh translucent skin - you won't be surprised. Yowch. 
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05-31-2003, 10:17 PM
#7
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Update: After a more "spirited" drive - the VF34 while not SUBSTANTIALLY different is definitely noticeably quicker to spool. The car feels "peppier" and "peakier" than with the VF30...
VF30 made the car feel like it had a bigger engine, the VF34 feels like a turbo car again.
Interesting...
I don't think there's going to be any difference in ultimate power/performance though.
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VF30 made the car feel like it had a bigger engine, the VF34 feels like a turbo car again.
Interesting...
I don't think there's going to be any difference in ultimate power/performance though.
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05-31-2003, 10:33 PM
#9
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I may end up selling my VF30 and get a VF35 so I can get rid of some of the lag that I have
Jon
- Lord knows that I should have gotten that in the first place. But I cannot complain, since the price that I got the VF30 for was so damn good
05-31-2003, 10:44 PM
#10
First 12sec WRX in HI
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Jon,
If you're interested in a slightly smaller turbo with quicker spoolin characteristics, we could always trade your vf-30 for my vf-23. Food for thought.
Jayson
If you're interested in a slightly smaller turbo with quicker spoolin characteristics, we could always trade your vf-30 for my vf-23. Food for thought.
Jayson
06-01-2003, 12:01 AM
#11
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You can buy my VF30 for cheap and get it rebuilt.
BTW - pix!
(Jon - just throw that torque converter in there!)
VF34 on the left, VF30 on the right.
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BTW - pix!
(Jon - just throw that torque converter in there!)
VF34 on the left, VF30 on the right.
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06-01-2003, 12:01 AM
#12
Pr0n King
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34 on the left again...
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06-01-2003, 12:02 AM
#13
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From behind, so VF30 on the left, VF34 on the right.
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06-01-2003, 12:04 AM
#14
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Oh, and a scared dog for good measure.
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06-01-2003, 12:05 AM
#15
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Want to touch the heiney!"
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"Want to touch the heiney!"
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