New here.. how can I get some HP out of the 04' WRX?
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New here.. how can I get some HP out of the 04' WRX?
Hello everyone.. this is my first post here. I currently drive a modified 00' Mustang GT putting 247hp to the ground. With gas prices climbing and a desire to try something new, I've decided to pursue a WRX. I just got home from a lengthy test drive of an 04' WRX sedan. I was happy with the car, but honestly, I expected more. I've navagated these forums briefly, but can someone break down some reasonable mods to get this car moving? Also, I'm curious what things to look out for in these cars, as well as areas of weakness. Thanks for any input!
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 658
From: Bakersfield
Car Info: 06 STI WRB/Gold
If you want a lot of hp than get a bigger turbo for it, but a couple of first mods you should get are a turbo back exhaust and catless up-pipe, and a reflash. should net 30-50 hp gains for around 2000 as long as you do your own work.
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I'd love an STI, but I don't want the payments associated to it.. a bigger turbo sounds great, but I don't want to drop 2k in the car immediately. I was reading even generic performance chips for these cars can reduce turbo lag.. is there any truth to this? I guess I'm just looking to grab a few cheap ponies out of this car.
Aside from performance, are WRX's reliable? Is there anything to watch out for before I go back to the dealer tomorrow? Btw, the car is a used WRX with 22k on the clock.
Aside from performance, are WRX's reliable? Is there anything to watch out for before I go back to the dealer tomorrow? Btw, the car is a used WRX with 22k on the clock.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23
From: central jersey
Car Info: 2002 wrx
maybe so but the likelyhood is far different, who here has ever had a subaru lemon? or heard of anyone having a lemon. personally i've never heard subaru and lemon in the same sentence. maybe thats just me? (but i dont think so) 
So easy to get to a decent power level comparable to your 'stang.
Up-pipe, Turboback Exhaust (Down pipe + Catback Exh), Engine flash...total cost around $2,300 not including shipping or whatever...280 hp crank...but with AWD you know the deal.
Up-pipe, Turboback Exhaust (Down pipe + Catback Exh), Engine flash...total cost around $2,300 not including shipping or whatever...280 hp crank...but with AWD you know the deal.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22,776
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Car Info: '13 BRZ Limited / '02 WRX
I believe a new intercooler y-pipe and catless up-pipe will help turbo lag. I just put a new y-pipe on my 02 WRX and I'm waiting for my UP to arrive. Unfortunately I'm not going to have a turbo-back exhaust and engine management soon enough to tell you how well it performs.
To give you an idea of price, I got my UP for $212 new, looking to get a used DP for $100 to $150, cat-back axhaust for around $500, and a COBB AccessPort for around $600 (new). Total it'll cost about $1500 if I do all the work myself, or with some buddies.
Hope this helps you.
To give you an idea of price, I got my UP for $212 new, looking to get a used DP for $100 to $150, cat-back axhaust for around $500, and a COBB AccessPort for around $600 (new). Total it'll cost about $1500 if I do all the work myself, or with some buddies.
Hope this helps you.
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From: hawaii
Car Info: My 2009 FIT for sale!!!!!!!!!!
pretty much some bolt on exhaust work and ecu reflash like everyone is saying. just watch out , not to drop the clutch on these cars.... especially when you are buying a WRX that has 22 thousand miles. i would recommend to check the transmission fluid level!!!!!!! but other than that its a wonderful car!
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 154
From: fresno
Car Info: wht 04 wrx=RIP 02' GPW s2000
an uppipe and downpipe would definitely help with the spool up, and also some sort of ecu upgrade would help with the power delivery. A boost controller would also be of some help, but that should be used with caution.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 748
From: chico for now
Car Info: lowered blk04 with no motor
my cars has a cheap manual boost controller. (save for a chip im broke for now) and ra tranny i smoked this stock 94 5.0 last nite. i was in fourth and he was in third. those basic exhuast mods are the way to go first
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 51
From: Redlands, CA
Car Info: 03 WRX
I put down 211whp and 217ft/tq with no tune. Thats uppipe, downpipe, catback and CAI. Tuned would net at least another 30whp or so. With that you'll be right back at 240ish whp. There are so many ways you can go. Good luck.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 40
From: 94002
Car Info: wrx wagon
Originally Posted by todd4566
Hello everyone.. this is my first post here. I currently drive a modified 00' Mustang GT putting 247hp to the ground. With gas prices climbing and a desire to try something new, I've decided to pursue a WRX. I just got home from a lengthy test drive of an 04' WRX sedan. I was happy with the car, but honestly, I expected more. I've navagated these forums briefly, but can someone break down some reasonable mods to get this car moving? Also, I'm curious what things to look out for in these cars, as well as areas of weakness. Thanks for any input!
around 20-22mpg around town/freway and about 25-28 a long
trip. I thought the new pony cars with there tall gears was getting
not bad gas millage. If you want to go fast in a straight line for
cheap your mustang is a lot better. If you want to seat four and hit
the hills/corners, drive through rain or snow wrx is a lot better.
IMHO you either buy WRX and do zero mods or you buy a STI. Any money spent on mod a WRX is wasted and good have been spent
on a STI. It is such a bargain for like 5-6k more to get more hp/tq
6spd, brakes, seats, rims/tires and warrenty
I just wished they would have made a STI wagon
