(V)aniac

Hey,
I am going to do a Turbo swap and looking for some suggestions from some of the more experienced Suby owners. I do Auto-X and it would be nice to hit the 500hp but my expectations are realistic. My car is a 2006 STi. I am currently running Big Pipe Header and Up-Pipe, Tanabe Exhaust and downpipe. Also, I have water-meth injection and COBB access port.

My tuner has recommended buying and tuning with the VF42 from the S203/S204 series. I don't want a huge turbo with turbo lag because my previous WRX sucked fro daily driving. My questions are thus:

-Has anyone ever tuned a VF42 on a 2.5L using water-meth?
-If so what kind of numbers did you see?
-Was it worth it as opposed to just staying with stock turbo?
-Finally, are there any other turbos you would recommend with higher horsepower gains and less turbo lag?

I am looking to get this all completed before Christmas and any input would be awesome. I track the car, I do Auto-X and it is my daily driver. I would like to avoid upgrading the bottom end of my engine if possible. Thanks!

(V)

Heedz

iTrader: (51)

You will be no where near 500hp with a IHI turbo.

Although the JDM ones are really nice I can say this now because I just picked up a car with a VF23.

apetron

iTrader: (21)

The VF-42 is not a big turbo by any means.

On my VF-43 (stock 07 sti turbo) with catted downpipe, injectors, fuel pump, exhaust, etc. I made 350whp and 420 torque on E85. That was maxed out with nothing left.

If you want 500whp you are talking something like a GTX3076 or GT35r with full motor build, etc on E85 or something other then 91 octane.

Upgrading the turbo and adding more power is going to eventually require you to upgrade your internals at some point. Its just a matter of when and how much it will cost you.

I'd suggest the Element Tuning GT52 if you are looking for something with less lag and great power. I am currently running it in my setup and make 422whp and 457 wheel torque. Full built motor and supporting mods included.

(V)aniac

Great info guys...thank you! Hey apetron...how is the GT52 as a daily driver? What internals did you upgrade? And how is the reliability factor? How long have you been running this setup? Have you had any problems?

Brfatal

As said no VF will make 350 without race gas (you'll get close with E85). A GT30R won't even make 500 whp on E85.

The setup it sounds like you're wanting is going to lag no matter what you do and it will not be something you're going to want to run on a stock motor and without spending a boatload of money.

A VF42 is going to be a waste of money for the results you're gonna get out of it.

apetron

iTrader: (21)

Fantastic as a daily driver.

I've been running this setup for almost 2 years with little to no issues. Currently have about 14k on the new motor/turbo. Had to replace my injectors recently due to issues with the ones I using. It wasn't a result of anything going wrong, just DW making a ****ty set of injectors.

As far as the internals I replaced everything. Rods, Pistons, Crankshaft, bearings, etc. etc.

EQ Tuning