Hi guys, this is my first post here, although I've been reading post on this board for quite some time. Anyways, I just picked up my 03 WRX on saturday and I had a bunch of questions. I hope this is okay, and I did infact read much of what is on the board today already. I'm new to the WRX family, but not new to imports, etc. Over the years I've gone from big block muscle cars to 4 Diamond Star cars (turbo's, NOS, etc), a turbo Miata, and then a 02 SER Spec V. I've always wanted the WRX and should have gotten one instead of the Spec, but I learned my lesson.

Okay, here goes - what aftermarket products will make the CEL go on ?? Up pipe, downpipe, exhaust ? Can you tell me which. Then, with using a CEL elminator (ponyexpress) does the CEL still function, just not pay attention to the exhaust setup ??

I see not many people recommend an aftermarket intake. Should the silencer be removed ?? Do most just run a K&N drop in filter ??

Next, what is most suggested an electronic boost control by itself or doing an ECU upgrade ? Do you all recommend using an aftermarket boost controller along with the ECU or not ?? What is safe increase in boost on stock vehicle using a boost controller? I've read some people saying 15, 16, 16.5 ??

For now, until I get more information my last question is this. What size is the factory boost gauge ?? I'd like one that reads psi so I was wondering if one is availabe same size as the factory unit so I can just replace it in the same mounting cup.

Any help to the "new guy" around here would be most helpful. There is some great info on this board!

Best regards,
Mike D.

 

I can answer your question about the intake the stoke intake is already a cold air intake. Removing the silencer does nothing but make it louder. A K&N filter should be adequate. I don't think the stock turbo will produce more than 16 PSI of boost. That's max output anyway and will overload the turbo. I had heard that the OEM US cars ran 13.5 and the JDM and EUR cars were 15, but I can't say with any certainty. I guess if you get a ECU and have access to 94 octane or better you could run 15.