You missed the point of my post. The suggestion was made that a stock WRX tuned to STI power levels would just curl up and die; I'm just refuting that allegation. I'm quite well aware of the differences between the two cars, and the parts list. Everyone who knows the STI knows what an incredible bargain it is when you consider how much power and technology you get for the money.

Warranty isn't an issue when dealing with a car as old as mine; adding a little juice to a comfortable, stealthy car was my motivation, and I'm quite happy where the car is now. If I wanted to take it past STI levels (say, 260 or 300 WHP) then I would definitely be spending more than it would cost to get an STI and bump that by 40 HP in total investment in my car, but that's pretty moot. At 50k and 4 years, I've already got my money's worth out of the car; the resale value and warranty are already shot, so you're no longer comparing apples to apples.

As the point has been made several times in this post, they are two different cars for different drivers with different price and insurance points. It might seem pretty foolish to buy an WRX and slowly turn it up to STI levels, but that might be the only possible route for someone who doesn't have the credit to float that $33k loan for the STI, but can do $22k and a few hundred from the paycheck every once and awhile. I didn't go that route and just did it all at once, but I can see how the WRX is a very attractive option to first-time sports car drivers.

Come to Arizona. Ricers are rare here, but you can't hurl a brick without hitting a Mustang. Luckily, most of them are bone stock, which means I only see them in the rear-view mirror.

 

I'm not missing your point. I never made mention that a WRX would just fall apart and die with STi power levels.

If you feel that you got your money's worth out of the car at 50,000 miles, I'm sorry for you. I'd expect a hell of a lot more out of my "money's worth" than 50,000 miles and 4 years.

As for resale value, maybe I'm in the minority, but I plan on keeping my STi until it dies. Resale value means personally means absolutely nothing to me.

First-time sports car drivers? The WRX is a very attractive option regardless of who you are. I see a lot of "mature" folks driving WRXs. It's a very reasonably priced and practical "midlife crisis" car without the flash. It handles well, accelerates briskly, and is as reliable as a stone. What else could you ask for? Excellent buy for the budget-minded enthusiast!

 

^^^ Both of you have very good point of views!

But to answer the question...

Up pipe, Cobb Stage 2 - plus a protune. This setup will come close to a stock STI.

 

A stock WRX makes about 170 awhp. I doubt a Stage 2 and Pro Tuned WRX is going to pick up 50 whp. In actuality, due to drivetrain loss that would mean that the WRX was picking up nearly 80 hp at the crank with nothing more than engine management.

 

How nice of you to assume my initial post was directed at you specifically, which (obviously) it was not; way to "own" the thread. For some reason you're going out of your way to find fault with a post that you clearly agree with in every point -- that's a mystery you'll have to solve for yourself.

You are incorrect about Me&05WRX's post about the Cobb stage II. That includes a turboback exhaust in addition to an up-pipe, so you aren't making the HP difference from engine management alone. However, a 40hp gain from just engine management isn't unusual for the WRX, especially the 02-03 models which were tuned down from the factory (most likely to pass a future California emissions standard).

http://cobbtuning.com/wrx/power-s.html#Stage2

Personally I think that the Cobb tune is very mild (and too rich), so it wouldn't quite get you to STI power levels even at stage 2. Getting to STI power levels in a straight line is still well under $2500 for most WRX models. Getting one to turn a corner as fast, as this thread has beat to death over and over, would cost a bunch more.

 

i have an 05 wrx and i dont plan to go past 300hp or even 300Whp. thats why i decided not to get the STi. i think 300hp would be plenty enough for me. and i enjoy modding my WRX to give it just a little more ummph.

if i had gotten the STi all i would have done was swaybars and AP and i would be Done.

but with my WRX ive done JDM V8 Suspension, AP soon, Coob Swaybars, the STi hood scoop, and way more to list. and yeah..its not nearly at the level of the STi but its the modding that i enjoy.

anyways..thats my view on it...i think its just all about what tickles peoples fancy when they decide between the WRX or the STi.

 

Whatever you say, buddy. Just get all confrontational and **** and whine like you always do when someone disagrees with you.

How would I-Club survive if it weren't for your (self perceived) wealth of knowledge?

And lastly, don't blame me for the lack of your common sense. If you want to post in reply to someone or something, address someone.

 

Those were my plans. I might get bored and decide to add a TBE though, if not for anything else but the sound. I've never noticed the "significant difference" with the upgrade to a TBE that everyone seems to talk about. An STi with a TBE really doesn't feel much different to me from a stocker......

 

I'd definitely get the ProTune with a Cobb Stg 2. You can pick up a lot of hp just by fiddling with the AFRs. Also, a stock WRX doesn't make 170 whp. I just dyno'd my bone-stock 05 WRX on an uncorrected Mustang dyno and it only made 140 whp/150 lb-ft.

 

Damn! That's it?

 

let's remember that the WRX and STi's are not "drag cars" the AWD is nice to launch with, but they are more rally or Auto X cars then anything... it's very possible to make your WRX move like an STi... i don't think a tune alone will get you there but you can find cheap reliable parts all over the place. and as for the 6-speed tranny.... Personally i think the 5 speed is better for boost than the 6 speed. The longer gears let the turbo spool longer which causes an increase in POWER!!!!!

 

yeah, i agree... except the 6 spd is built stronger

 

True, but people think cars are drag cars just because of AWD.

I gotta say though, I do wish that the STi had longer 1st and 2nd gears......

 

My friend had an 02 wrx and was up to STi level with just the stage 2 cobb ap, and STi exhaust. He ran a 13.7 at the Hawaii track with just those mods, which is about what the STI's were running there. And for those of you who don't know, the Hawaii track is poorly made so it was .3-.5 seconds slower than it should be. And yes, he really did only have those two mods, nothing else.

 

I say it just depends on what you want to do. track events you will have to spend boocoos to keep up with an sti on most courses (and no I am not talking about auto-x). If your talking about acceleration that those guys up there had some decent ideas.

And on a side note....why does everybody get soooo defensive on the internet? They are just opinions....not everybody can be right.