First off. I didn't buy my WRX for drag racing. That said the 1/4 mile is still an important consideration. I would like to hear back from some of you who have been to the track with your WRX's what kind of times the WRX runs when stock. The reason I ask is because of the dismal recorded times posted by many magazines which put the car at an ET of 14.7 to 14.5. I ran mine about a year ago and with a "slip the clutch" launch and 3 runs and got a best time of 14.289. However, I have performed 3 drop clutch launches in the past 6 months at around 52000 rpm and am sure I could shave 3 tenths off that time through the better launch alone, just barely putting it into the thirteen's. That would mean the WRX is a 13 second car stock. 52000 seems just the right spot as it is just what is needed to chirp the tires and come out strong.
The "Drop clutch" launches are not something I plan on doing much of (to say the least), but I have an upcoming tangle with a friend's S4 so at least one more hard launch is in my cars future. I would appreciate hearing from any one who has done this at the track and has some hard figures. Ideally I would like to hear from as many as possible so I could come up with a good average.
Thanks.

Mine ran a 14.4xx when stock. I was slipping the clutch and getting crappy 60ft times (2.1sec).
It was my first time out with an AWD car.

A stock WRX can run anywhere between 13.9 - 15.9 depending on track conditions and driver skill
That pretty funny buts its true.
An extremely good driver with great track conditions could run a 13.9. I have also seen guys run 15s in WRX's (scared to launch their car)

I watched a guy with Shiv's stage 0 that couldn't run any faster than 14.8 at the track on day. Doug ran 13.0 with this setup.
I was also told by a guy that he ran 14.2 with Turboxs stage 4. I ran 12.7 with this setup.

These are examples of people who are afraid to launch their WRX. If you baby it off the line you will not run a fast time. A bogged launch can cost you a 1/2 second or more in the 1/4 mile.

A good driver with a good launch (1.8x 60' time) should be able to pull low 14s in a stock WRX.

Originally posted by SGOSWRX
A stock WRX can run anywhere between 13.9 - 15.9 depending on track conditions and driver skill
That pretty funny buts its true.

It also depends on what coast you live on. Cali gets emisions junk that slows us down.

Originally posted by killaho
It also depends on what coast you live on. Cali gets emisions junk that slows us down.


California cars are no slower then cars sold anywhere else in the US.

Tracks can vary 2-4 tenths. The rest is driver skill.

CT

also concider what people call skill, and translate that into how much your willing to beat your car on the launch, and throughout the gears.

elevation makes a big difference too.

i went 14.5 with a 2.005 60 ft my first time at the track here on the east coast
it was about 45-60 degrees, and underhod temps were between 99-125 degrees
my car is totally stock besides the 3/16 mod

got 14.2x @ sac raceway w/ no mods. Went to Infineon a month later w/ intake and MBC.....14.7x. Then again I was running lean the whole time. (not sure if that made a difference).

Just in case you were wondering, in a stock Subaru Impreza WRX, Car & Driver did a 14.1, Motor Trend did a 14.2, and Road & Track did a 14.4. I don't really remember what the trap speeds were, but I think at least two of them (I know R&T is one of them) did drop-clutch launches at around 4,000 rpm.

My car is all stock and my best time is as follows:
2.025.........60'
6.002.........330'
9.356.........1/8 et
73.17.........1/8 mph
12.233.......1000'
14.706.......1/4 et
91.07.........1/4 mph

There is a catch... I have a wagon.. It was a 90 deg day last august when I got this time

So maybe someone can tell me why the wagon is slower. R/T(or one of those mags) put the sedan at 14.2 and the wagon at 14.6. The wagon only weighs 80lbs more (per subaru web site)so whats the difference??

Also I was launching as hard as I could to get that 60' time. I read the thread about launching, so hopefully I'll be able to pick up a tenth there. I'm told that a tenth off of your 60' time is worth 2 tenths at the other end. Hopefully.
I have since then added a turboxs turbo back exhaust and an aem cai (I'm adding a little at a time as I get the money)

C-YA;)

Originally posted by Seeinstars
elevation makes a big difference too.

And the air, temp, track surface, etc., etc., etc. :)

Originally posted by Dewey 8d
And the air, temp, track surface, etc., etc., etc. :)

It would take some pretty serious track surface irregularities or outladishly high track temperatures to give a comparable hit in E/T and traps to that experienced when running at a high altitude track such as Bandimere (5,800ft).

Up here, stock WRXs run from mid 15s to mid 17s. No joke.

-Pace

Best ET and MPH were on the same run: 14.016@95.21

best 60ft: 1.934

72deg F @ 57% (29.60 mmHg) @ 12:12pm


The 14.0 was my 3rd run of the day on about 15.0psi (EBC), 91 octane, 17" wheels, HKS exhaust. This seems to be on the money for this setup, although my MPH seems a bit higher *shrug*. I avg'd about 14.1that day.

With another 1/2 pound of boost (and now MBC), IC hoses and a catless uppipe, I guess I could consistently run 13.8 now.

jason

Some of you have a few mods (slight or not)... I am purely stock. Here's the timeslip. I guess next time I'll try some clutch drops and see if the 60' and 1/4 mile drop a little more. I'm hoping for a 14.3.

I tried dumping and slipping between 4000 to 5000. I did not want to risk any higher RPMs. This got me from 1.9 to 2.0 for 60fts.

14.5 isn't bad for stock if you're not too experienced with drag racing and launching in general. Just be sure to wind the gears out. With the mods I stated above I went from consistent 14.40 runs to 14.15 by simply winding out the gears. I tried w/o winding out at first because I wanted to see the effect between letting boost drop as the ECU tends to do after 5500RPM or so as opposed to shifting a bit early and staying a on a boost curve that had peak boost more centered around shift and clutch engage points.

jason

Actually, I'm quite experienced with drag racing (just not with the WRX). I used to own an sohc vtec civic that ran 12.6 on drag radials so i know all about this stuff. HOWEVER, I just believe that I didn't push my car to the limits launching because I was just afraid to. I might bring myself to clutch dumping next time at the track, but we'll see. I always wind out the gears, so I know that it's all in my wussy, afraid launch.

Excerpt from my webpages at http://members.cardomain.com/uncle_dan

Here's my time slip from the California Speedway on the weekend of January 11 & 12, 2003. (I'm car # 721 in the Right Lane.) Below, I compared my most recent performance results with the results from my very first performance test when I drag raced my stock WRX at the California Speedway back in September of 2001. I'm happy to say that with the few strategic mods I've made so far, I'm now a second quicker down the 1/4 mile.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_b/293000-293999/293448_16.jpg

R/T = .663 (9 Sep 2001 - stock) >> .699 (11 Jan 2003 - mod)
60 = 2.075 (stock) >> 1.883 (mod)
330 = 6.105 (stock) >> 5.635 (mod)
1/8 Mile = 9.480 (stock) >> 8.792 (mod)
1/8 MPH = 72.12 (stock) >> 79.03 (mod)
1000 = 12.397 (stock) >> 11.502 (mod)
1/4 Mile = 14.865 (stock) >> 13.830 (mod)
1/4 MPH = 91.05 (stock) >> 96.85 (mod)

When I first started to run performance tests on the car back in September of 2001, I was worried and a bit upset that the times I ran didn't match the 1/4 mile run times listed in the various popular car magazines:
__Car & Driver (October 2001) >> 14.1s
__Motor Trend (July 2001) >> 14.2s
__Sport Compact Car (October 2001) >> 14.3s
__Road & Track (May 2001) >> 14.4s
Regardless, my mission was to establish a benchmark or reference point for me to start from before making any upgrades or mods and my 1/4 mile ET average of 14.8s seemed to be where I would have to start. Altitude, temperature and humidity levels can definitely effect the ET and could have been factors of why I ran slower-than-published times that hot September afternoon. Running on oxygenated 91 octane fuel in California doesn't help matters either.

When I first took my car to Infineon Raceway I was very disappointed. I had a Blizt NUR Spec Catback, no intake silencer, and a TurboXS H-RFL. I honeslty think the BOV screwed up my times immensely. Running extremely rich between shifts, and I think it was at some points sticking open. I never missed a shift, and I shift extremely fast. Look at my times, and tell me what you think.

R/T .921
60ft 1.990
330ft 5.927
1/8 9.327
MPH 73.27
1000 12.221
1/4 14.720
MPH 90.03

I also have leather interior, and everything that came stock in the trunk was left in, including tire, and all that. Now does my car having only 2.5k on it effect the performance that drastically? I've only had the car for 1.5 months. But as the 60ft time tells you I can launch it pretty damn good.

You 60fts, not to burst your bubble, are "OK". 60fts on a mostly stock car in the "pretty damn good range" would be in the high 1.8x... which I have yet to do.

As for the ET down the whole line, it doesnt seem like you're really pushing the car. Shifting early perhaps? Take it past redline. The BOV could be a factor... I've shied away from getting an aftermarket one. I'd be most interest in knowing when you shift. Your timeslip looks all to similar to one I had and that was my issue.

jason

p.s. maybe this thread should be moved?

I heard from my dealerhip that the WRX transmission is not very strong (not in those words, he basically said people abuse them) and doing a clutch drop at high RPMs can (has) result in cracked gear teeth.

He also went to say he had an e-mail from SOA that stated if there are any WRX 5-sps with transmission problems, the customer is responsible for the repair, until such time as Subaru has the transmission stripped down and it is deemed to be warranty.

After hearing this from the service manager, I basically told him to go pound salt. Turned out to be that notorious clutch issue.

-Phil

Unfortunately for him, after he stiffs you 3 times, he has the California Lemon Law to deal with (If you're in CA anyhow). Unless, of couse, he can find those spy photos he took of you at the drag strip ;)

jason

I took my car to Cecil County Dragway a month after I got it (used with 16k on it). Tthis is my first AWD car and first time at the track. Stock I ran a 14.4x @ 93.x. I then did the "pulled hose mod" and ran this:

76 Degrees & 96% Humidity

R/T .531
60' 1.966
330' 5.721
1/8 8.867 @ 78.14
1000' 11.571
1/4 13.89 @ 96.8

I always assume I hold some sort of record for a WRX with "$0 in mods." :) Also, this was all full interior + 20lb bookbag and 93octane @ 1/2tank.

That 2 octane ratings above what I could get a hold of. Fun stuff. It makes all the difference.

Most of the Car & Driver, etc, stats you see, while done with merciless tactics, are using regular pump gas.


jason

I haven't hit a 1/4 mile but on the 1/8 I ran a 9.086 at 74.39, and mine is completely stock

Originally posted by FraudulentNeon
I took my car to Cecil County Dragway a month after I got it (used with 16k on it). Tthis is my first AWD car and first time at the track. Stock I ran a 14.4x @ 93.x. I then did the "pulled hose mod" and ran this:

76 Degrees & 96% Humidity

R/T .531
60' 1.966
330' 5.721
1/8 8.867 @ 78.14
1000' 11.571
1/4 13.89 @ 96.8

I always assume I hold some sort of record for a WRX with "$0 in mods." :) Also, this was all full interior + 20lb bookbag and 93octane @ 1/2tank.


What is the "pulled hose mod" if you don't mind my asking

mmboost dont bet on it lemon law woun't help you
as soon as they look at your trans and clutch your
screwed better off getting the gear replacement
i've even seen a dogbox destroyed from dropping the clutch

Originally posted by EvoEater
What is the "pulled hose mod" if you don't mind my asking There is a restricter hose that keeps your stock boost at around 13psi (ive heard stock was 13psi but not really sure)
But when you take off the hose it lets the turbo run peak boost which is around 17psi. Which is also way to high for stock! I dont see how he even got down the track with that much boost. I did this "mod" and you will hit fuel shut off in 3rd through 5th gears in WOT. Its not fun, it feels like you down shifted at 5000 and dumped the clutch. I wouldnt recommed doing this..:D

to run more than 16psi you need a fuel cut defender or a piggy back computer

Originally posted by landsharkca
to run more than 16psi you need a fuel cut defender or a piggy back computer Your absolutely right, I was running 16.5psi on my rex until i hit fuel cut in 5th gear WOT. I geuss its time to turn my boost down. Thankz landsharkca.:cool:

get a fuel cut defender so you can run max boost;)

The best i ever got out of my car was 14.7xx @ sac raceway. I was sliping the clutch because someone had told me that if i try to drop it @ too high of a RPM i could fry me tranny and clutch.

stock trans can't handle high rpm drops well you need to learn to slip the clutch also don't be suprised if you burn up the stock clutch replace with a good aftermarket

we both had decent launches.

wrx 350z
1.9 60ft 2.1
9.2 660ft 9.4
14.1 1320ft 14.4
96mph 98mph

he was gaining alittle on top end, my car was stock except for 2 gallons of 100 oct

whats the difference between slipping and dropping the clutch? when i launch, i come off relatively slowly, but still get a little wheelspin... im guessing i slip? also, whats "winding out" the gears? past redline?

just put in a turbosmart mbc, @ 15 psi; also got my turboxs rfl bov :D im happy as hell.

yeah sounds like your slipping the clutch alittle off the line.
"winding out" your gears is basically taking it all the way to redline,which is usually not necessary unless you have cams that have enough duration and lift to make power at redline.

My MY03 STi best 1/4 mile time thus far = 12.01 .......has a few mod's obviously...BUT its gonna get faster, trust me!!
:D

When stock it ran 14.04 for the 1/4....

sweet... australian.. a 12 second 4banger. i just love WRXs'

yes its all about skills, a pro driver can launch that baby mean without hurting the tranny and at the same time pulling to its full potential, thats skills. the manual tranny was made for skills, every had a different way of driving with the clutch. there are those who are perfect. and those who are off. just because you have to max your baby's performance out doesnt mean you have to hurt it. it just means u have to be ONE WITH THE SOUL of the car. =)

wrxs' are race cars. they are made for aggressive speed, wrx come with racing clutches so its up to the most skilled clutcher, its not a matter of strenght or power, its a matter of finese and timing.

14.4XX stock...I'm just happy I went from 14.2XX with 2 second 60' with catback and intake to 13.83X with a low 1.8 60' after full turboback and intake only...the 60' is key! :)

WRX34

Hello,

This is my first posting. I will be picking up a new 2004 WRX (Sedan) within the next week or so.

In terms of bolt on performance, I'd like to get your opinions on what would be the best upgrade steps. What offers legitimate increases in power versus appearance/"sound of power"?

Recommended suppliers?

I have in mind that a complete exhaust system upgrade would be the first step. Thoughts/ideas on the intake side?

I have a basic understanding of this stuff, but would appreciate input by anyone who's gone down this path.

Also, degree of difficulty to install by yourself, any special tools, etc.

Thanks to all!

just got those cats removed and some good straight piping done with intake and you will gain much hp expecially with a turbocharged car.

What times are stock Auto WRX's running?