Ok, so after upcoming smog check, I'm planing to really modify crab out of MY02 wrx. I thought about modifying my new Z, but it has not much potential. And I don't want to void the warranty. I'm going to get rid of in a few years anyway. I like my subaru too much to sell it. It is paid for. So, I can afford to play with it. No warranty to concern about and it's not my only ride.

I'm asking you, i-club bay area members to give me some idea. (I'm using search engine myself as well.)

I need ideas on it's power/engine. Other stuffs, I'll figure it out.
I want it to be fast and reliable. And able to pass smog once that time come again. For example, swap the downpipe to stock.

current power mods:
accessport stage 1, borla hush,

budget: 10,000

open to new turbos, sti or stock looking uppipe, hfc downpipe, internals if must.

I would probably have GST work on it.

 

It depends what you are looking for and what you want to do with it?

My good friend out here in dallas just put TGV deletes on his bugeye. He has an 18g turbo w/ External wastegate and supporting mods.

 

downpipe; rce tarmac 2s, white line sway bars, a nice set of tires with wide rims, and some drive time at a track

 

smog, is going to be a pita if you have any mods period.

It really depends on what you're looking to get out of the car. With my 2.0L, I was able to get about 240awhp on a lot of stuff that most smog techs would not notice. Up pipes are pretty hard to determine because they're pretty jammed in there, so, most up pipe mods, the smog techs won't notice. I am running a VF-35, but you could easily get a VF-39 from an STi as it is a factory part, and get an STi intercooler (STi intercoolers are actually pretty efficient and usually the better bang for the buck) unless you can find a V7 JDM STi intercooler.

Though, if you want more than 240awhp, I'd suggest looking more towards something like an 18g. While there will be a bit more lag, there's a lot more potential for power.

Exhaust, obviously you've noticed that you'll need swap a downpipe if you get one, so that's research you'll have to do for which you want.

With 10k, there's a lot of options you can take, and I'm sure almost every one of them has been covered by some i-club member, unless it's some crazy custom build. Good luck! And have fun with the suby!

 

Are you planning on staying with the 5spd? depending how much power you are looking to get, you might have to get RA gears or a 6spd.

I had the following on my suby:
VF39
STi TMIC
STi pinks injectors
STi fuel pump
Godspeed uppipe
Helix dp
Borla hush
Accessport
Tuned by Mike@GST

This setup i had was relatively cheap as i purchased most if not all of it used from the classifieds. Mike was about to get a smooth 270awhp. I really liked this setup it had a smooth powerband and very reliable.

If you are looking to get more power with an even bigger turbo and looking at meth, etc. consider putting that 10k towards a new tranny

 

Having been there and done that with my old wrx wagon...knowing what I know now....here is what I would do if I had a mechanically sound bugeye wrx:

Power:

vf22 Turbo
TurboXS or Spearco TMIC
Silicone Y-Pipe intercooler hose
STi pink injectors
Stock intake
Stock BPV
Catless uppipe (free if you gut your own)
Downpipe of your choice that fits your catback
1-step colder spark plugs
Boost and EGT gauges
Cobb Accessport Custom EQ Tuning road tune by Ed

Suspension

Sti Strut/Spring Kit - WRX Sedan 2002/2003
https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/p...roducts_id=850

Wheels/Tires

Subaru RS 16x7 wheels (they are light, only ~ 17lbs)
Good tires like the Bridgestone RE050, RE050A PP, Falken Azeni 615, etc...


I think you could get all that for $10K (especially if you bought used) and it would be KILLER!

 

That's a pretty decent size budget. I don't know much about power items, but good wheels and rubber goes aways as well as a good set of coilovers and sway bars.

 

with that budget you can also get a nice BBK.

 

So the fact that you are going to modify the "crab" out of your 02 wrx sounds like your a pig. The fact that you dont think your Z has much potential lets me know that your a cop.

 

for 10k.. hmm.. hire a hawt chick to stand next to ur car for 6 months.. totally worth it

 

Well, I'm not saying 350z bad or anything. I rather keep it stock since I'm not going to keep it. I'm keeping my suby - that's for sure.

vq35hr is still very new. It is pretty much maxed out from factory. For now, hfc and decent catback will yield about 10-20hp. FI kit from previous year models' will not work with vq35hr's dual intakes. Although Greaddy may come up with twin turbo kit, I think ej20 is more tunable for less money.

 

You are right. I already have sway bars. Made a big difference. Although I don't have coilovers, I have prodrive springs with agx shocks. Running on azenis potenza 225/45/17 with rotas.

 

Yeah, it is pita. You seems to understand. I already took out perrin uppipe and helix hfc downpipe for now. Yeah, I was runing stage 2. I would most likely get sti uppipe or basal (one with heat shield) uppipe. Stealth is the key word here. I want somewhat higher than 240whp. But you are right, 18G seems to be a good choice. I think that is a bolt on. But would 18g require front mount intercooler? That would be more than pita to revert back to. I could handle downpipe and tmic. Done it many time.

 

Wow that is pretty impressive list. I'm going to look into that. Good thing is I already have some of those mods. Including boost, egt, oil pressure, and accessport, tires, and rims.

 

vf37 twinscroll setup