I bought a 2002 wrx and i want to know what you guys suggest as first mods.

Exhaust - i need something quiet.
BOV- i have a GFB hybrid

Springs- i need something thats gonna lower it at least 2.0 inches, but the best i found was 1.6

 

Don't waste your money with a BOV-does nothing for performanc.
Lots of opinions on exhaust-do a search. The best seem to be TurboXS or Vishnu turboback. Also get an Uppipe.
First mod for suspension-rear swaybar and links- Whiteline or Cusco.
Kartboy shortshifter and bushings.
Cobb reflash (Stage 1) of computer.
Boost gauge
17" wheels and tires
This is a start-good luck.

 

I want BOV for the sound...
TurboXS exhaust seems a bit on the loud side for me.

cobb reflash i dont wanna do this until i have all my mods done.
The car already comes with 17 OZ rims.

 

Vishnu has a drone to it at speed on the HWY I think. If you want quiet but louder in the car so you can hear what's going on, get a Greddy. It's the quietest one that makes power. That's what I run. If you plan on making decent power though, you'll want a Turboback, not just a catback. Be careful as many companies design their exhaust so it only works with their downpipes. You may want to consider a turboback exhaust done in one shot.

Tein S techs are good for your drop. You want a spring that drops the front more if your looking to level the car. Teins drop 2.0" front and 0.7" rear respectively. Also, the New Perrins look nice and drop 2.0 front and 1.0 rear. Teins can be had cheaper though, as I've seen them on Ebay for ~$150+shipping. Perrin's typically go for ~220ish.

BOV's will hurt your performance. The system relies on the recirculatory vent to aid turbo spooling between shifts. I experimentd with a HKS BOV and found that the car felt/is faster with the factory BOV. If you replace your downpipe and cut the silencer out of your air intake tract and drop in a nice Perrin panel filter, you will hear your factory valve open up. Nice and suttle but ou can tell it's there. Stay away from atmospheric BOVs unless you want to go slower.

 

Yes the up pipe is actually the first I replaced in mine. Thanks for the comment, I'd like others to learn from my knowledge and mistakes.

 

Ok let me see if i understand this correctly.

I want a exhaust quiet all around the one i had on my prelude Greddy EVO was so loud it got me into too much trouble.
Im looking for something close to stock as possible thats why, i got the idea of a prodrive exhaust.

With a turboback will i still be legal? the car must be able to pass emissions reason why im asking aroudn before doing anything.

Isnt the GFB hybrid BOV a 50/50 valve so i wont loose much performance?

Why would i wanna drop the front more than the back?
is the car that higher up on the front?
I noticed its like a 4x4 all around!

Thanks great info btw.

 

Ok now i heard not to get it from vishnu site itself, so where would you guys suggest from and catback or turboback?

will i still pass emissions?

This is what concerns me the most.

 

Ok so a vishnu turboback exhaust is what you suggest ok sounds good.

Now do we really need a short ram intake?

 

BAN SUVs suggest Vishnu because he works there

Not that there's anything wrong with that. They make good stuff. Personally if you want a nice turbo back that's been proven on the dyno to make power buy a B+B. Titan Motorsports Is a good vendor and sell the B+B with a cat for a reasonable price. Excellent quality in their stuff. I've been researching it myself because I want to buy one too.

As far as the Greddy being loud, it isn't loud on the WRX at all with a stock downpipe. I have no cats with a 4"bellmouth D/P and it still isn't very loud. Pretty much if you buy a turbo back with a cat in it you won't be overly loud.

With emmisions I can't help you. I'm not aware of your states laws. Do they "sniff" the tailpipe? Here in upstate NY they just visually check to see if a CAT is still in place. No "sniffing" so I'm not in any trouble, seeing as I get inspections done through a source. Short Ram intakes are not necessary. Just remove the intake silencer in the fender and drop in a Perrin Panel filter or a K+N filter.

 

Your a great informer, here they only check if the cat is in place, what really worries me the most, is the noise because on my prelude, MY GOD!!! it was like a ricer can sheshhh and i paid $650 for the catback.

now we continue on any other suggestive mods?

 

Catless up pipe. Helps the turbo spool quicker and promotes longer life. Once your exhaust is done and you've dropped in a panel filter, look into an ECU reflash or other form of engine management. Since your car will have the capability to take in more and put out more air, a tuned ECU can net much larger gains. The ECU was the last thing I did after all the above mentioned and it was a world of difference in power. The car just came to life. Before it, I raced a friend with a bone stock WRX and I pulled on him from the top of 2nd and all through 3rd. Now with the ECU, I aniliate him. Of course he had to go out and buy an STI, but that's another story. There is much to consider when shopping for tuning methods. Mostly you need to decise how far you want to go with it and try to find the best solution that will support future mods if that's where you're headed.

Also, a lightweight crank pulley nets a few horses and is easy to install. Makes the car feel quicker. I like mods I can feel. DON'T buy an underdrive (smaller diameter) pulley. It may cause your cam position sensor to read the wrong position and screw up your cam timing. I used a Perrin Pulley and it's been working great. Once you remove yours, hold the stock one in one hand and the Perrin in the other and you'll see why it makes power.