Time to start modding my wagon

[Azewaldo]

So I've got this stock 2002 WRX wagon my wife & I picked up last year. I've been putting together a list of a few things to mod/upgrade. Let me know what you think; this will be my first foray into car modding, so I'm open to comments.

I'll definitely be doing more RallyXes in the NorCal area, and want to protect the car with RallyArmor flaps (http://www.rallyarmor.com/store/impreza-mud-flaps-blue-logo-p-166.html) & a front skid plate (http://www.rallyarmor.com/store/wrx-sti-skid-plate-p-148.html). For the shifter I might get the Kartboy Short Shifter (http://www.fastwrx.com/karwrxshorsh.html) & probably get the Bushing Kit (http://www.fastwrx.com/karwrxshifbu.html) to go with it; then finish it off with a MOMO Shift Knob (http://www.fastwrx.com/sushkn.html) (that thing looks sweet).

Then, I'll probably be ready to start making more power, with a lightened crank pulley (http://www.jscspeed.com/wrx/engine/perrin_crank_pulley.htm), K&N Typhoon Intake (http://www.jscspeed.com/wrx/intake/kn_sti.htm), ACT Flywheel (http://www.jscspeed.com/wrx/clutch/wrx_flywheels.htm#act), and probably an exhaust that doesn't wake the neighbors (http://www.jscspeed.com/wrx/exhaustheader.htm#ex102).

To be continued...

[sebhockey]

For power I would suggest exhuast and engine management first. I'm planning to get the COBB stage II when I get back from deployment and have the money. It's an accessport and turbo back exhuast, gives a nice boost in hp and torque. You really dont get much out of an intake until youre up around 300 hp. So unless you're up there I'd stick with stock and remove the silencer or get an SPT intake instead. I got the SPT, sounds nice and keeps my warranty, power difference isn't noticeable right now. What I've seen is the ECU likes the SPT but not other intakes, so you really gotta get a tune for another intake.

Other items sound good, I also suggest some upgraded endlinks while you're at it. The rear ones are plastic, thus weak. I would also suggest a rear diff protector too.

[Azewaldo]

Yeah, I haven't really researched the engine management side of things yet (mainly because it looks expensive). It'd be nice if I could coax more performance from the stock ECU management. Does this require a trip to a local tuner, or are there DIY options? It'd also be nice to get a 3" turboback, but again, not cheap. Looking for bite-sized chunks of goodness right now.

I didn't mention a diff protector because it looks like it already has one, looks about like this:
http://www.subaru.com/microsites/spt/sptImages/B031SSA000.jpg

[BlackParis]

Yeah, I haven't really researched the engine management side of things yet (mainly because it looks expensive). It'd be nice if I could coax more performance from the stock ECU management. Does this require a trip to a local tuner, or are there DIY options? It'd also be nice to get a 3" turboback, but again, not cheap. Looking for bite-sized chunks of goodness right now.

www.enginuity.org <open source engine management

if you get a tactrix cable you can reflash it/tune it... 100$

www.getadomtune.com does WebBased tunes, Via Enginuity... Dominick is a cool guy, does an EXCELLENT job, and Web tunes are very reasonably priced... The Upstate NYSOC flew him here and he did some tuning for a weekend, he had MANY VERY Satisfied customers ;)

If you are too far away to take advantage of my tuning in person, I offer this service. Send me your logs and maps, I will review the logs, modify the maps and send them back. This is performed as often as you like. Paid for on a monthly basis. This also includes phone or internet tech support for install and tuning problems.

$45/month

[sebhockey]

Cool, then you already have the diff protector.

The bad thing about WRX's is the initial performance items are the most expensive, but also the most cost effective. There are DIY options for engine management, which is where searching on NASIOC actually does have a purpose. You can download maps and I think buy a Tactrix cable and xfer new maps to the ECU. The cobb accessport xfers maps too, and they make all kinds of maps for ya. Alot of it depends on how in depth you want to go into it, what kind of risk you wanna take etc etc... Sometimes spending more intially is the better idea to keep from spending a crap load more money later and wishing you had gone the other route. Myself I'm gonna wait to get the Cobb stage II kit all at once, no sense in destroying a perfectly good motor.

[lorenkb]

For a cheap engine management system see http://www.enginuity.org/

This is an open source engine management community. There are some canned maps that you can download that people have put together, but the best thing is to really spend the time learning what all goes into EM and do it yourself (not an overnight thing...) or get it tuned by someone who knows exactly what they are doing.

COBB stage 2 is well worth it. Full turboback with tried and true EM that gets the job done right. Further tuning can be done with a dyno to get everything that little boxer can give. Their exhaust is very tasteful as well (not loud, not whisper quite).

+1 for sticking with the stock intake. It does it's job quite well until you start getting up there in HP. Also keep in mind that once you start changing your exhaust past a certain point EM is required.

Oh yeah, and bugeye wagons rule! :twisted: