I am about to start modding my 05 WRX. I will probably start by pushing the stock componants until there isn't anything left, then upgrade from there. I know this car has 13 flat, upper 12 sec potential without changing everything over. What are the weaknesses though? I have heard a lot of horror stories over the years about the # 3 cyl. leaning out. What causes this- intake design, fuel rail design, what? I don't want to put an EGT or WB on the car and have it read ok only because the other 3 cylinders are doing ok. Also- rods and pistons, I have heard a lot about them also. There is so much misinformation on the forums, I don't know what is true and what is not about these cars weaknesses. I have heard the trans obviously, I am not worried about that- if it blows, it blows. However- I want to push the motor and stuff as far as it will go. After I reach my goal, I was going to tear it down and do rods and pistons in it, however a few people have said the motor itself if junk and to go with a 22. Is the block and crank that weak in this car? I will be going green (or larger) with a 75-100 shot when all is done, so if this motor (even built) can't handle that, then maybe a 2.2 is necessary. I have been building and modding for about 16 years now, so I know what I am doing, I am just new to the WRX and would appreciate any info I can get from the people who know best. I would search, but most of what you get is stuff from people with no clue just upping the boost on pump gas not knowing how to drive and blowing it up complaining that it is weak. I want to know from people with real knowledge how well it holds up if handled properly. Thanks.
Joe

 

Not the power level I am looking for and Robert (forced performance) is the only guy I will deal with for turbos- so it would be the green or a custom setup based on my goals (he knows how I am ). I want a lot more than that .


As for the trans- yeah I know that is a goner. I am hoping that it will hold up long enough after the motor is done for me to recoupe and save for a new trans lol. I tend to have higher hp cars hold up better than mild ones sinc eI tend to beat the snot out of the stock or mild cars to get the numbers where with the built ones, I will sacrifice a few tenths and let the motor do the work- when you are running high MPH's, I am not too concerned with the ET being dead on if it means the car holding together . I have a lot of 12.8-12.9 runs at 99-103 mph on fairly stock DSM's that I drove the snot out of and broke everything in the mean time- yet once built up, I rarely broke a trans lol..
Joe

 

Thanks for the info here. The only downside to a 2.5 is I hear they don't like to rev as much as the 2.0/2.2. I would rather make more power up top and be easier on the drivetrain than have gobs of tranny shredding torque down low .
Joe

 

Oh yeah- one more thing- any pointers on where I can locate the 2.2 closed deck motors? And is anything different between the two externally- like will I need to change intake, accessories, etc. for it? Even a blown motor will suffice as long as the crank is good. I will change the rods and pistons anyway. Thanks!!
Joe
PS- see I am glad I started to ask- I had no clue the WRX motor was open deck!! That would not last long at all .

 

I haven't even seen the rail setup yet, I take it it is a series setup with #3 being the last to get fuel? It should be closest to the regulator then, no? If so, it should still have plenty of fuel, or am I not correct on the layout? Thanks.
Joe

 

Thanks for the link. That is very similar to what I wanted to do with the 2.0 (until you pointed out the open deck design). I am surprised that is all they rev to though- gonna be a learning curve getting used to the WRX over all the DSM's I have worked on and built lol. The 2.2 seems more the way I want to go- I don't want increased stroke and avcs. Anyone make deck guards for the 2.0 or anything to get some more durability out of it- It is nice to be different .
Joe

 

Yeah, a lot of guys fill blocks for strength, however you sacrifice some cooling by doing so. I know they make something for the hondas that I have heard referred to as a deck saver- it is a type of reinforcement from how it was described to me. It is not something I am first hand familiar with though. I have to do some research to dig it up. Thanks for your help!!
Joe
Oh yeah- it is block fill that you are referring to probably, you can get it at summit or any performance place like that.

 

Here is the honda one- http://www.honda-performance.com/pro...&productID=134 It is called a block guard.
Joe