He also asked for any ideas - I just gave him my idea. He was also asking for an affordable way to get to the 12"s, which, we know with the Subaru, nothing is really that affordable.

 

I thank you for your contributions and I don't want to discourage you from participating.

I have to disagree on your point about nothing being affordable, though. The now-common VF34 and attending mods are affordable considering the power gains. Part of the reason is that turbo cars in general lend themselves to good gains but the Subaru 2.0 and 2.5 liter engines in particular are popular enough for tuners to want to develop affordable performance packages that work. The price of the VF30 and VF34 are significantly less expensive than when the WRX first appeared in the U.S. in 2001 (as the 2002 model year). Engine management in those 'early' days has also come a long way, as some of the first modded cars used univeral piggyback devices or standalone engine management that weren't quite as tuner-friendly or as streetable as the latest reflashes.

Of course, being 'affordable' is relative. I can't afford even a VF34 upgrade at this time which is the only reason I haven't already done so. You know the old adage: Speed costs money - how fast do you want to go?

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

Agreed =

 

 

Thats another option - Big **** Turbo and a Crapload of NAWZ! Holy crap that turbo is huge! What is that thing?

 

yea that sucker is a monster. i dont think ive seen on like that before. but as everyone emphasized, subies made to handle in corners more than going straight line. I read a review somewhere for the wrx and they said its not going to take out a corvette in a straight line (both cars stock) but you take the same two cars on a twisty course and the corvette will be behind in the first corner. you can make them fast draggers but cost money. nothing new with that, they keep saying it because its the truth. just my 2c

 

I really doubt that a stock WRX can turn faster lap times on a road course than a C5 or C6 Corvette, given capable drivers. The Corvette chassis and suspension is much more sophisticated than a WRX's, combined with more power and huge brakes and tires.

Let's try to stay on topic of the original post.

A VF34 and supporting mods will make enough power to turn 12s at well over 100 mph through the traps if the driver knows how to launch a WRX. CupertinoSteve's car was using a VF30 (non-ball bearing turbo), STi pinks, Walbro, and Vishnu TMIC, along with Vishnu turboback. As long as the quality of the tune is good, whether it's XEDE, EcuTek reflash, or Cobb AccessPORT, the VF34 should be sufficient for a mid to high 12-second WRX at the drags.

This is not a radical combination. A number of members are running bigger turbos than the VF34 but at some point you start to lose some daily driveability.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

I ran a 12.9 at LACR (2710 ft. above sea level). I did that with pinks, pump, plugs, esx top mount, cai, catless turbo back, ecutek, vf22, 105 race gas, 19psi, and a stock clutch that has seen better days.

 

Damn, all that just to hit a 12.9!

 

i have a 04. ra tranny act clutch, turbo back and coob stage 2 flash. in the mid 13s.

 

LACR is way above sea level, as maverick707 states. Air is less dense at higher altitude, hence any engine will make less power. In other words, cars that run high-12s at high altitudes would run a few tenths quicker at sea level, if tuned to run properly at both altitudes.

Quote from an issue of Sport Compact Car regarding the Subaru World Rally Team in 2004: "The greater volumes of air intake are also a benefit at high-altitude events like those in Mexico and Argentina, where cars can lose 25 percent of their claimed 296 SAE hp above 6,500 feet."

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

Plus, my clutch or synchro when shifting into 4th gear grinds and I lose a lot of momentum. I hate it. I was also learning how to properly launch the car too. Before I had just reved it high and dragged the clutch, but I was feathering that day.

 

Go with an 18g turbo and supporting mods. IMO opinion, the vf series of turbo is a big waste of cash.

I used to have an 18g turbo, but I ended up going with a rotated mount t68 instead. IF you're looking for alot of power down the road then do it right the first time. I lost alot fo money buy buying and then later having to sell parts (downpipe, 2 turbos, up-pipe, intake, etc)

Here's a couple pics of my setup just give you an idea. It's cheaper in the long run.