I sold my lightly modified 1G AWD DSM about a year ago, and I'm looking to possibly get a WRX this summer. In looking through this site I'm finding the approach to modifying Rex's seems quite different from a DSM. Sure, up pipe, down pipe, exhaust upgrades are the same, but from there the paths seem very different. For example, on a 1G DSM a very effective and super cheap upgrade path would be hack open the air box, K&N (or knockoff) filter, boost gauge, manual boost controller, and for about $100 you can safely add a good 50 HP (155 average to 205 average wheel HP according to many runs with my G-TECH pro). You can also make a trip to home depot, pick up some ABS pipe, and open up the intake side of things for almost nothing. From there you'd move on to the exhaust parts, maybe some porting work, upgrade or just re-wire the fuel pump to make sure it keeps up, etc. It's not until you get into upgrading the turbo and/or injectors that you need to break out an AFC.

I seems like WRX owners start with a new computer (flash the stock module, add a UTEC, whatever), then go from there.

Are there any people modifying the WRX with a more "DSM mentality" approach?

 

Right, I agree.
Why is that? I'm sure you're correct, but I don't understand the difference. As long as you don't go crazy with the boost (only go to 15psi or so) and are not running lean (no detonation), what is the problem? Or is the problem that the stock computer can't compensate correct and a MBC at 15psi causes a lean condition? I have searched on this site, but I couldn't find any good answers to this which is why I'm posting. When you say, not safe for the TD04 are you implying that a MBC would be safe to use with an aftermarket turbo? Just to be clear, I'm not talking about trying to crank the boost up to 19psi or anything, just 1 or 2 psi along with freeing up some airflow.
Good to know. The less restrictions while stock the better.
But wouldn't it be nice to be able to add a cat back, up pipe, and MBC for some nice power gains without dumping another $500-$1000 for computer upgrades (or re-flash)?

I understand the need for computer re-flash/utec/whatever if you get into serious mods, but I still don't understand why you need to jump into that if you just want to bump up the boost a couple psi along with some minor exhaust improvements. Everyone keep saying you need to, so maybe you do. Or maybe everyone keeps saying you need to so nobody questions it?

 

Yes, I understand this. I wasn't trying to ask why people don't do the same mods as they do on a DSM, but why the different way of approaching it.

Quote:

The MBC just doesn't work on the WRX the same as it does on the DSM - you can do it safely, but it's not the best way to go. Besides, you'll get bigger gains by getting the reflash done than without - I mean, you can get around 230hp at the wheels with turbo back exhaust and a computer reflash. So about $1500 in mods and you're pushing 60 or 70hp more at the wheels than stock. Not too shabby.

No, not too shabby. But I don't understand what you mean when you say a MBC just doesn't work the same, even though you say you can do it safely. And as for whether or not it's the BEST way, again I'm not going to disagree. But look at it this way, if $1,500 in mods gets me 60 or 70hp, but $100 in mods might get 30hp. If you take out $650 for the re-flash from your example and add in $50 for a MBC+boost guage you're looking at $900 for what, 50hp? This is just a guess of course. And with a re-flash you're stuck unless you flash it again, with a MBC you can up the boost when you're at the track running 97+, and turn it back to stock for your daily work and back commute.

But again, I'm not trying to compare the merits of low-tech moding, for lack of a better term, to chip re-flash/UTEC based moding, I'm just trying to see if anyone is going with a cheaper low-tech approach.

I've never heard of cops looking around under the hood of a car.. Why would a cop care? I live in Florida, used to live in Oregon and California if that makes a difference. Sure, the smog inspectors might, but pulling out a MBC should be a 5 minute job.

 

Nooooo, don't call me old skool! I'm not THAT old am I?

I really hate the idea of paying $650 to have someone re-program a computer chip, when you get nothing tangible in return. Just your old chip. Then if you make other modifications you need to send it off for another re-flash to make the most of it... Something about that just screams "rip off" to me. I think you can get chips for other cars re-flashed for something like $100. THAT seems like a reasonable price.

But in any event, in researching this site and others is seems to me that going with something a UTEK for $1,000 is the best way to go. Ability to self tune, something tangible so I don't feel so ripped off. I just wanted to know why so few people seem to go with the cheap low-tech method of modifying.

Here is what I have decided as the reasons. Low-tech (old school) will work. It will add power. It IS a better bang for the buck (hp to $$). High-tech is better. More hp. More efficient. More expensive, and a higher $$ to hp ratio (more expensive per hp). So why does it seem that people mod'ing DSMs tend to go low-tech (you can go all high-tech elecronic with a DSM as well) and WRX'ers go high-tech? Money. The WRX is still new. Still going to cost you $20k or so to get a used one. Most people buying $20k cars can afford $650 to re-flash a computer chip, where many people buying $2,500 DSM's are saving their pennies to pay for gas.

I am waiting until this summer to buy a WRX (I plan to move from Florida to North Carolina around June/July then buy the WRX after I'm there). But last night on the way home the power steering pump on my Wrangler went out (spun the pulley right off the pump). If the dealership I took the Jeep to would have sold Subaru's as well, I'd have a WRX today.

 

Ahh, now THIS makes sense as a legit reason to avoid a MBC.

Definately an EGT gauge would be helpful when upping boost on a WRX, while it's not as necessary with a DSM as there has been almost 15 years of trial and error. Definately if I start playing much with boost levels (EBC, MBC, UTEC, whatever) I'll need an accurate Boost Gauge AND an EGT. Even at the track, which I've never done, if I were to run race gas and up the boost I'd want to watch the EGT.

 

Do you consider a UTEC to be in the re-map category ('cause it does timing, fuel, and boost changes), or are you lumping it in with AFC's?