Hi all -

This is my first post since I just started to seriously consider purchasing an '05 WRX wagon with automatic transmission. Wagon - because I have a family. A/T - because my wife is making me get rid of my 5-speed '04 Hyundai Elanta GT since she cant drive it when she needs to. I told her I would get a family car with 4 wheel drive and A/T in its place, so she is happy. Just wait till she drives it and hits the gas!!! :-)

I used to have a 300ZX Turbo, and I miss it dearly. This car will serve as my performance, commuter, and family car in one. My wife has the main family car - an '02 Sonata.

Anyway, I was wondering if:

A) Can I upgrade to Vishnu or Cobb stage 2 kits with A/T?
B) Can the automatic handle this type of power assuming I am not going to abuse it too much?
C) Is the wagon version OK to mod like that?
D) I don't want the hassle of searching for 93 octane gas everywhere, so I would just use a 91 octane mapping for the ECU (like you California folks). Is this fine with the above mentioned upgrades?
E) The Cobb and Vishnu websites stress reliability. I need this to be somewhat reliable. I don't plan on doing any stoplight or track racing, but I love to open it up on the highway occasionally! Will this set up get me to work every morning?
F) Does anyone have an A/T wagon with similar mods that can tell me about their experiences?
G) Will this set up pass NY emissions as long as I leave the Catalytic Converter installed?

I know I can probably ask these companies directly, but I would rather hear it from people who have done it or are not trying to sell me something. You can also probably tell that I am real new to the WRX fan club by my post. I never thought I would be able to buy a car with this type of performance until my kids were out of the house! Thank you in advance!!!

Mike

 

answers:
A) Yes. However, Cobb stage 2 and Vishnu stage 2 are not the same. Vishnu stage 1 is comparable to Cobb stage 2. Also make sure that your model year is supported for their reflash, the Cobb looks like it is, not sure of the Ecutek.

B) Yes. The automatic can actually handle more horsepower than the 5 speed. I've been running my car ('03 automatic wrx sedan) at over 300 hp at the crank for close to 30,000 miles and have had 0 transmission problems.

C) Yes. The engine and transmission are the same.

D) Yes. The 91 octane map will work just fine.

E) Yes. As I stated above, I've got a lot of miles at some pretty decent horsepower levels and I've had 0 reliability problems.

F) Slack on here is running Cobb stage 2 on a WRX Sedan.

G) Probably not. I know that in California these stages will not pass a visual inspection because they either remove the catalytic or replace it with a high flow unit. You'd have to ask around in the regional forum for your area.

 

I'm not an a/t expert, but I've run Cobb Stage 2 on my 5mt and I love it. Also, I've read a lot about a/t guys doing a torque converter. I'd recommend that. I've driven an a/t and the boost lag is rediculous. A converter is supposed to somewhat eliminate that.

psycho

 

I suggest not going with "staged modifications" and just buy parts that are equal to say a "Vishnu stg.2". Then go with an ECUTEK reflash. ECUTEK will remove the 130mph speed governer the 4EATs have. A VF34, STi injectors, pump, TBE, reflash should keep you satisfied for a while.

 

Wow. I was thinking more like vf22 if I do go with turbo upgrade. You don't recommend exhaust? Is that beacuase of emissions? I do need this stuff to pass NY emissions also.
130mph!!! No need for that!

Thanks to all for your advice!

Mike

 

I included the TBE=Turbo back exhaust in my last post. The VF22 is a good turbo too, but for daily driving VF34 is better. You will notice more low end torque and midrange with a VF34. VF22 is mostly for top end power.

I personally like the ECUTEK reflash over the Cobb Accessport. It consistantly makes more power than the Accessport on cars that I've seen in the past.

You should pass the sniffer test for smog, if you put the stock downpipe in place and heat it up properly before you go in for smog. Visual inspection, i'm not so sure about.

 

Before you do any power mods get an upgraded TC with a different stall. You'll thank me, I promise.

-Chris