Project WRX

[flintster55]

Okay so I decided it was time for a project thread for the WRX. I think it's a great way to keep track of things, hear some opinions from you guys, and help people to put name and a car to a face. For those that don't know me here is a link to all my profile info.



I picked up the car in July of 07 from a dealer in Richmond after a solid 6 months of searching. Coming from a 98 Civic this car feels like a rocket ship. Lots of traction and the boost never gets old. I plan on keeping it a few years, at least until I am out of school. That being said, I would like to keep it as reliable as possible as it is my DD but I do plan on doing quite a few AutoX each season.

Mods that were already on the car:
SPT springs
Kartboy shortshifter
Titanium "Piston" shiftknob
JDM STi hood scoop
HKS catless up pipe

Mods I have done:
OEM underseat sub
Megan Racing 3" catless turboback exhaust
Switched transmission and diff fluids to Redline

Future plans:
New wheels- 17" JDM B4 most likely
Tactrix cable or Accessport for engine management
Sway bars and end links
VF 39 or 16G possibly

[ScottyB]

:thumbup:

get rid of those tires, especially if you like to autocross.

[WRXtranceformed]

Good stuff. There are a couple members here who have owned and modified Subarus, so feel free to ask us questions about whatever

[flintster55]

get rid of those tires, especially if you like to autocross.

Haha they're not the dreaded RE-92s at least. It has Goodyear's on it that the dealer put on before I bought it. New tires and wider wheels are high on the list though

[ScottyB]

Haha they're not the dreaded RE-92s at least. It has Goodyear's on it that the dealer put on before I bought it. New tires and wider wheels are high on the list though

ah i see. the RE's weren't bad for daily driving, they were just awful for autocross. actually they were always terrible, i think i just got used to it.

[WRXtranceformed]

I never felt safe on the RE92s. I bought a set of used RE070s from Maeng for my old WRX and it was like night and day.... in dry conditions anyway.

[HAULN-SS]

actually they were always terrible, i think i just got used to it.

I concur - and I haven't even done an autocross.

[Maengelito]

I bought a set of used RE070s from Maeng for my old WRX and it was like night and day.... in dry conditions anyway.

i loved those tires, too bad they were so damn expensive.

[Beej]

Is the OEM underseat sub worth a damn?

And yeah RE070's would be the shit if they weren't so expensive.

[WRXtranceformed]

I really liked the OEM sub. It wasn't loud but it filled the cabin well once you got it tuned right.

[flintster55]

Yea I picked up a used one on NASIOC for cheap. The harness and sub was only like $50 I think and installs under the seat completely out of the way. It's plenty of bass unless youre a huge rap fan.

[flintster55]

Time for a little Spring Break update-

I ended up taking off the Megan Racing exhaust to get out of an exhaust ticket I got during December in Roanoke County. Since it was stock, I went ahead and had the car inspected so I won't have to worry about that for a whole year now. The Megan racing cat-back was a melon shooter and sounded amazing, but I would have a throbbing headache after a trip of an hour or more just because of the droning at highway speeds. So, I ended up buying an SPT cat-back. It's a full 3 inch all way back like the Megan Racing piece, but it is supposedly 50 state legal and much quieter.

So on to the install- sorry for crappy cell phone pics but it was all I had with me

The new goods all wrapped up



Weapons of choice



Megan Racing downpipe vs stock downpipe and midpipe



Stock cat-back vs SPT cat-back



Random cool turbo shot



Stock cat-back



SPT cat-back installed




Overall, a fairly simple install. I've done this a few times now and i'm really starting to get good at it. I'd say 2 hours or so if you have a lift and a few extra set of hands like I did.

I also really like the sound of the SPT cat-back. It's not obnoxiously loud but it's very deep and the boxer rumble is very apparent. I'll try to post up a sound clip if I can get a good recording sometime soon

[WRXtranceformed]

I always really liked the Magnaflow sound on the WRX too (TurboXS standard tip). Very deep and soft but sounded mean when you got on it. Good stuff!

[mrbaggio]

You are completely catless now?

[flintster55]

You are completely catless now?

Yea completely catless now as opposed to the 3 it comes with from the factory

[chibich]

nice project. If you ever need any help let me know. I've messed with a good number of wrx's and sti's

[flintster55]

nice project. If you ever need any help let me know. I've messed with a good number of wrx's and sti's

Cool deal! I'll definitely remember that. I'm trying to decide on engine management right now. I'm looking at UTEC, Accessport, or a tactrix cable and opensource. I'm leaning for a tactrix cable and an XPT map right now but I would love to hear opinions on any of the 3 from you or Lee or anyone else with any experience with these.

[chibich]

I have an accesport and about 95% of the subaru owners I know have them too, and have never had any problems with them. I know 2 people with Utec and they have said it is just ok. I guess it mainly depends on who you want to do your tuning and if you want to remap the ecu or just go with a piggy back.

[WRXtranceformed]

I'll give you my input FWIW!

I've used AP, UTEC, ECUTek and Hydra. When I first used the AP, the ProTuner didn't exist so all you could use basically were the off the shelf maps unless you went to Cobb in Utah or wherever the fuck they are and get a custom tune from them. Cobb's ots maps were extremely rich and were leaving a lot of power and driveability on the table, I was never impressed. I think most people nowadays that go with the AP go ahead and get their cars ProTuned at places like Agile.

I liked the UTEC a lot better than the AP because TurboXS was relatively close by to me and Jermaine does some good tuning. My motor did blow on my STi with a TurboXS tune, but I can't say whether it was the tune or not... they tuned my old WRX and it ran really strong. The UTEC lets you switch maps really quickly with the remote map selector which is awesome, it's a lot better than plugging in the AP every time you want to do something. The last I heard TurboXS had a new version of it out called the Delta which was supposed to be the shit, but I've been out of the loop for a while.

Hydra hands down is the best EMS for Subarus, imho. The level of control you have over the car is unrivalled and it even has inputs for Hydramist if you decide to go with water injection. It is very expensive though. I wouldn't go that route unless you're into doing things real big!

Cliff notes: Check out the Delta or get a ProTune unless you have a few grand burning a hole in your pocket!

[flintster55]

^^^^That's great info guys. I really apreciate it a lot. I've heard AP maps are really rich like you said Lee and they are very conservative. The UTEC sounds pretty good all around really and yea I definitely don't have a few grand to really throw down for a Hydra since I'm a typical decently poor college student but I definitely would if I could.

So neither one of you guys have ever heard much about XPT maps flashed with a tactrix cable? They seem to be becoming way more popular since it is really cost effective compared to an AP or UTEC.

But either way, some very good information. Thanks