Newbie question (how to run low-12 or high-11 seconds)
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
Trying to convince a 3,200 lb AWD car to be an 11-second dragster is an expensive and (IMO) misguided idea. There is a reason that there is no official AWD drag class, like there are RWD and FWD drag classes: that extra drivetrain is costly in weight and loss of power due to friction and heat. You'd be much better off buying a used Camaro SS or Corvette and turning that into a 10-second car, and it would save you thousands of dollars, if not $10k or more.
I just checked an ad in the paper, '98 Camaro SS for $11k. Do an engine swap, exhaust mods and a supercharger and it would still come in under $16k and beat any WRX in a straight line.
I just checked an ad in the paper, '98 Camaro SS for $11k. Do an engine swap, exhaust mods and a supercharger and it would still come in under $16k and beat any WRX in a straight line.
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Thanks for all the input guys. I'm not looking for an all out drag car. Infact, I'm more into handling than straight line driving. I just wanted something quick. Comparing it to my Steeda GT, I'd like to see the WRX run mid to low 12's when needed, but handle like it's on rails and brake like no body's business.
I've pretty much accomplished this with my stang. And for comparison purposes, it weighs 3450 with me in it and is set up for roadcourse/open road racing, but ran 12.1's with only 336rwhp over a year ago w/ Nitto drags and IRS.
Right now it has 391rwhp and 391 rwtq w/ stock exhaust, tune, MAF and 30lb/hr injectors. That's almost 60hp difference and the suspension has remained the same save for brake upgrades and Sparco Torinos.
My goal is to have a low 12 second WRX that looks bad ***, handles like it's on rails and stops on a dime.
I don't think that is too hard to achieve. Just gotta have the right combo w/ a good driver.
Btw, I should have the WRX by March. I'm looking for a nice '02-'03 in excellent shape, preferably w no wing and decent miles in the Tampa, St Pete, Clearwater, Brandon area. Anyone know of any?
I've pretty much accomplished this with my stang. And for comparison purposes, it weighs 3450 with me in it and is set up for roadcourse/open road racing, but ran 12.1's with only 336rwhp over a year ago w/ Nitto drags and IRS.
Right now it has 391rwhp and 391 rwtq w/ stock exhaust, tune, MAF and 30lb/hr injectors. That's almost 60hp difference and the suspension has remained the same save for brake upgrades and Sparco Torinos.
My goal is to have a low 12 second WRX that looks bad ***, handles like it's on rails and stops on a dime.
I don't think that is too hard to achieve. Just gotta have the right combo w/ a good driver.
Btw, I should have the WRX by March. I'm looking for a nice '02-'03 in excellent shape, preferably w no wing and decent miles in the Tampa, St Pete, Clearwater, Brandon area. Anyone know of any?
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Posts: n/a
Originally posted by meilers
Trying to convince a 3,200 lb AWD car to be an 11-second dragster is an expensive and (IMO) misguided idea. There is a reason that there is no official AWD drag class, like there are RWD and FWD drag classes: that extra drivetrain is costly in weight and loss of power due to friction and heat. You'd be much better off buying a used Camaro SS or Corvette and turning that into a 10-second car, and it would save you thousands of dollars, if not $10k or more.
I just checked an ad in the paper, '98 Camaro SS for $11k. Do an engine swap, exhaust mods and a supercharger and it would still come in under $16k and beat any WRX in a straight line.
Trying to convince a 3,200 lb AWD car to be an 11-second dragster is an expensive and (IMO) misguided idea. There is a reason that there is no official AWD drag class, like there are RWD and FWD drag classes: that extra drivetrain is costly in weight and loss of power due to friction and heat. You'd be much better off buying a used Camaro SS or Corvette and turning that into a 10-second car, and it would save you thousands of dollars, if not $10k or more.
I just checked an ad in the paper, '98 Camaro SS for $11k. Do an engine swap, exhaust mods and a supercharger and it would still come in under $16k and beat any WRX in a straight line.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 857
From: -----------------
Car Info: .............................................................................
Save yourself ALL the trouble and don't even start with a WRX....it 'AINT worth it.....trust me.
If you just GOTTA Subaru...save your pennies and get an STi so you don't have to spend all that $$$ on what the STi already has.
A WRX just 'aint worth it....
If you just GOTTA Subaru...save your pennies and get an STi so you don't have to spend all that $$$ on what the STi already has.
A WRX just 'aint worth it....
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 358
From: sunnydiego 619
Car Info: GC8 ej20 motor, 18" gramlights on yokos,
if i were u i'd get the the GC8 then do a motor swap. it's lighter plus i think it looks better than the WRX.
i did. can't wait to get it tuned......
RANDi
i did. can't wait to get it tuned......
RANDi
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iTrader: (12)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally posted by KINGSKY
if i were u i'd get the the GC8 then do a motor swap. it's lighter plus i think it looks better than the WRX.
i did. can't wait to get it tuned......
RANDi
if i were u i'd get the the GC8 then do a motor swap. it's lighter plus i think it looks better than the WRX.
i did. can't wait to get it tuned......
RANDi
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 109
FP 18g turbo-www.forcedperformance.net-$750
Ultimate Racing Injectors 785cc-www.ultimate-racing.com-$425
Turbo XS UTEC-www.turboxs.com-$1049
Walbro 255 lph fuel pump-www.forcedperformance.net-$99
Helix Down Pipe-www.ebaymotors.com-$255
Helix up pipe-www.ebaymotors.com-$130
Turbo XS FMIC-www.turboxs.com-$1499
Turbo XS shorty intake-www.turboxs.com-$159
Autometer Boost Gauge 30 psi/30 in hg vac-www.ebaymotors.com-$43
Autometer EGT gauge-www.ebaymotors.com-$100
Gauge Pod-www.ebaymotors.com-$25
Joe P MBC-www.boostcontroller.com-$35
Ultimate Racing Injectors 785cc-www.ultimate-racing.com-$425
Turbo XS UTEC-www.turboxs.com-$1049
Walbro 255 lph fuel pump-www.forcedperformance.net-$99
Helix Down Pipe-www.ebaymotors.com-$255
Helix up pipe-www.ebaymotors.com-$130
Turbo XS FMIC-www.turboxs.com-$1499
Turbo XS shorty intake-www.turboxs.com-$159
Autometer Boost Gauge 30 psi/30 in hg vac-www.ebaymotors.com-$43
Autometer EGT gauge-www.ebaymotors.com-$100
Gauge Pod-www.ebaymotors.com-$25
Joe P MBC-www.boostcontroller.com-$35
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 109
I forgot to mention, you have to have a cat-back exhaust. turbo xs, greddy, hks, bosal. It's all good, just make sure it's 3 in at least. You MUST HAVE 3IN EXHAUST for that turbine or you will lose quite a bit of power. You can get away with 2.5 in on the stock turbo or IHI vf turbo's but not the 18g.
BTW the FP 18g turbo is not on their site, you have to call them and ask for it. If you really have money to blow, buy the 20g turbine instead which is around $1100.
BTW the FP 18g turbo is not on their site, you have to call them and ask for it. If you really have money to blow, buy the 20g turbine instead which is around $1100.
Last edited by ilivas; Feb 15, 2004 at 12:41 AM.
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
Just out of curiosity -- why would you need both a UTEC and a manual boost controller? Once you have tapped your ECU, the boost controller seems redundant...
Still, that's a hot setup -- many people forget about upgrading the fuel system. Many people also forget about race-tuning their cams as well (which is fairly cheap) -- but that makes the car less streetable...
Still, that's a hot setup -- many people forget about upgrading the fuel system. Many people also forget about race-tuning their cams as well (which is fairly cheap) -- but that makes the car less streetable...
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 232
An STI will never even come close to a WRX with a STG4+. If you launch properly in a STG4 you can run 11.9's. The best an STI can run is about 13.2 which I've personally never seen. The best run I've seen an STI do at the track was a 13.3 and there was about 6 STI's racing. A stock WRX is about $24k, the STG4 is about 4k more.
STI's are pretty sweet though, If the STI would of been out at the begining of 2003 I would gotten one instead of the WRX. Now that my WRX is modified, I'll never trade it for an STI. I actually test drove one when I was thinking of trading in my WRX but decided it wasn't worth it.
-SZ
STI's are pretty sweet though, If the STI would of been out at the begining of 2003 I would gotten one instead of the WRX. Now that my WRX is modified, I'll never trade it for an STI. I actually test drove one when I was thinking of trading in my WRX but decided it wasn't worth it.
-SZ