I need some SERIOUS help!
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I need some SERIOUS help!
Well first off-helllllooooo!
Hey, how ya'll doin? Well, I just purchased myself a '98 Impreza 2.5 RS Coupe, Auto, w/60k on the odometer. Gotta tell you, this car is waaaay cooler than I had originally thought. I've been tuning cars for a little while now, almost 6 years. I'm no expert, but at the same time, I can hold my own in a garage. This is my first Japanese car and I'm already in love with that island-chain country, what an AMAZING vehicle. Anyway, all that aside I want to boost this badboy. I'm looking for a mid 13 sec. 1/4. Nothing too impresive but at the same time can stand up for itself if it needs to. I don't want to second guess anything and I don't want to jump right into a damn thing until I ask of those that have been there and offer advice. There aren't any these in my area so that is why I'm here. I come looking for the basics: How strong are the internals? What is a good kit that's out there? What would you change about that certain kit to make it even better? How hearty is the transmission? Are there GOOD NO2 kits, and are they a feesible option? I'm looking for either your personal input and/or websites you can point me to. I welcomeany at all help and I thank you in advance. As far as the money option, I'm not worrying about it right now. I like to see what exactally is out there, then make a decision on how high I put my monetary celing. Thanks so much people and I look forward to some good times and stories. Take care.
CBass
Hey, how ya'll doin? Well, I just purchased myself a '98 Impreza 2.5 RS Coupe, Auto, w/60k on the odometer. Gotta tell you, this car is waaaay cooler than I had originally thought. I've been tuning cars for a little while now, almost 6 years. I'm no expert, but at the same time, I can hold my own in a garage. This is my first Japanese car and I'm already in love with that island-chain country, what an AMAZING vehicle. Anyway, all that aside I want to boost this badboy. I'm looking for a mid 13 sec. 1/4. Nothing too impresive but at the same time can stand up for itself if it needs to. I don't want to second guess anything and I don't want to jump right into a damn thing until I ask of those that have been there and offer advice. There aren't any these in my area so that is why I'm here. I come looking for the basics: How strong are the internals? What is a good kit that's out there? What would you change about that certain kit to make it even better? How hearty is the transmission? Are there GOOD NO2 kits, and are they a feesible option? I'm looking for either your personal input and/or websites you can point me to. I welcomeany at all help and I thank you in advance. As far as the money option, I'm not worrying about it right now. I like to see what exactally is out there, then make a decision on how high I put my monetary celing. Thanks so much people and I look forward to some good times and stories. Take care.
CBass
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 336
From: North Idaho it's c-c-c-c-cold!
Car Info: 2002 WRB WRX / 06 f150 King Ranch
CBass,
Having been through your what your thinking...
The stock internals are not that strong. I broke #4 piston on a phase II block with just a small 6-7 psi boost spike (maybe more). This is with out any fuel timing management either. I don't recommend that either. Your phase I block should be a better platform for boosting. Slightly lower compression. Just a weak MAF sensor. You could get around this pretty easy though. As for the tranny, it will break if you go with gobs of boost. If not sooner or later. I am at 12 psi and I am at the breaking point for torque. 300 pound feet or so. Any hard driving and it's gonna break. As for a turbo kit, I have a Ludespeed Stage 2 kit. It is however, no longer classified as a Stage 2 kit. I have built up the bottom end of the engine and have added a full on programable engine management system. So I am way more reliable than before. As for NO2, I don't know. In my opinion, you wont need it if your set up right. My car is pretty damn quick. I have yet to take it to the track but I'd guess a low 13 with just 12 psi right now. That is with low compression pistons. With your stock set up and running similar amounts of boost with the right computer behind it all. I'd guess high 12s. Out of the hole a turbo 2.5 is a rocket. I pulled a vette from a standing stop and all the way past 80 mph. Plus I was ***** footing it all the way. Tranny worries and boost spikes. Once you break like I did you will find your self worring all the time. But in the end, it's worth it.
I would suggest crawling around the clubs and gobble up as much advice and knowlege as possible and then make your jump. There is a wealth of knowlege about your car here. Tap into it. Plus it's free..Good luck.
Paul...
Having been through your what your thinking...
The stock internals are not that strong. I broke #4 piston on a phase II block with just a small 6-7 psi boost spike (maybe more). This is with out any fuel timing management either. I don't recommend that either. Your phase I block should be a better platform for boosting. Slightly lower compression. Just a weak MAF sensor. You could get around this pretty easy though. As for the tranny, it will break if you go with gobs of boost. If not sooner or later. I am at 12 psi and I am at the breaking point for torque. 300 pound feet or so. Any hard driving and it's gonna break. As for a turbo kit, I have a Ludespeed Stage 2 kit. It is however, no longer classified as a Stage 2 kit. I have built up the bottom end of the engine and have added a full on programable engine management system. So I am way more reliable than before. As for NO2, I don't know. In my opinion, you wont need it if your set up right. My car is pretty damn quick. I have yet to take it to the track but I'd guess a low 13 with just 12 psi right now. That is with low compression pistons. With your stock set up and running similar amounts of boost with the right computer behind it all. I'd guess high 12s. Out of the hole a turbo 2.5 is a rocket. I pulled a vette from a standing stop and all the way past 80 mph. Plus I was ***** footing it all the way. Tranny worries and boost spikes. Once you break like I did you will find your self worring all the time. But in the end, it's worth it.
I would suggest crawling around the clubs and gobble up as much advice and knowlege as possible and then make your jump. There is a wealth of knowlege about your car here. Tap into it. Plus it's free..Good luck.
Paul...
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iTrader: (12)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
CBass, I'd actually talk to Tom at Ludespeed, Shiv at Vishnu, and the guys at I-Speed for advice on forced induction. The guys at Cobb are GREAT, but they aren't doing FI yet, although I'm sure they can give you great general advice on what to do before you get boost. I believe Hayscoob gets his work done at Vishnu, among many others. All that he said will pretty much be echoed by the rest of us. Get an off-the-shelf turbo kit, tweak it, then replace the components as you break them- that's my plan for the next year or so anyway. 
In the meantime, keep in mind that yeah, your car is great off the line, but loses steam at higher speds- at stoplights it'll take a V8 or forced induction to beat you, but you won't impress in the 1/4 yet.
In the meantime, keep in mind that yeah, your car is great off the line, but loses steam at higher speds- at stoplights it'll take a V8 or forced induction to beat you, but you won't impress in the 1/4 yet.
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Building up the internal is always the best idea, and yet I am not one of them 
I also have a 98 but MT (check my profile). Paul mentioned about the weak MAF, and that's not true. The weak MAF happened only for the 99RS, which uses the hot wire film. The 98RS is pretty strong for the MAF. The weak part will be the head gasket. The earlier model of 98 used the Phase I block, so it's prone to have blown head gasket, especially under boost. The later 98 model had the Phase 1.5 block, which I heard is stronger, but not invincible. I checked mine and pretty sure it's a Phase 1.5...so I wish mine will hold for awhile (until I get my beater). If you have question, feel free to PM me.
Good luck and welcome to the Subaru world!
-Benson
I also have a 98 but MT (check my profile). Paul mentioned about the weak MAF, and that's not true. The weak MAF happened only for the 99RS, which uses the hot wire film. The 98RS is pretty strong for the MAF. The weak part will be the head gasket. The earlier model of 98 used the Phase I block, so it's prone to have blown head gasket, especially under boost. The later 98 model had the Phase 1.5 block, which I heard is stronger, but not invincible. I checked mine and pretty sure it's a Phase 1.5...so I wish mine will hold for awhile (until I get my beater). If you have question, feel free to PM me.Good luck and welcome to the Subaru world!
-Benson
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Originally posted by bensonwrx
...Paul mentioned about the weak MAF, and that's not true. The weak MAF happened only for the 99RS, which uses the hot wire film...
...Paul mentioned about the weak MAF, and that's not true. The weak MAF happened only for the 99RS, which uses the hot wire film...
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