Currently my mods are:
Gutted uppipe
4" downpipe by TXS
Catless 5Zigen exhaust
1lb Underdrive pulley
CAI
Progress Springs
18" Rota Rims
Kuhmo Esta tires
Front/Rear Drilled/Slotted Rotors
Ceramic Pads
SAFC2 Piggyback

Now ive saved up about 1k to spend on my car but im baffled on what to do. Suspension, or power. Im not sure what i can get as far as best bang for buck. I even thought about getting the max hp on my stock turbo, but i think i might be close to there already lol. My last dyno was 230whp 235wtq. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

For $1K --

Intercooler hoses
Guages -- boost/egt
Struts to go with your springs
Front/rear swaybars
Rear endlinks

You can probably get most of the above if you find good deals. Or you could go the bigger turbo/injectors/fuel pump/tune route. If you buy used you can probably find a vf30 package for $1K.

 

My goal is mid 300whp. vf30 will take me there?
Also, would you go with struts over coilovers? I was looking at a Megan coilover package.
Intercooler hoses? Does it really make a difference? Which ones?

 

You will need something bigger than the vf30 for 300+hp. vf22 maybe?

Yes, IC hoses make a difference, mainly the Y-pipe. The stock Y-pipe is corrugated, designed to restrict airflow. I have Samco IC hoses, perrin is popular also. I guess you have to decide whats more important to you...300whp or Coilovers. WIth $1000 its one or the other.

 

Well i mean for later on ... should i just get struts or go for the coilovers?
Yeah i was thinking about the vf22 but people are saying the its not possible to get very far over 300whp.

 

Would you pick a fp18g over the vf22? I still need injectors tho. I have a 255 lph in hand to install tho.

 

T T T

 

300whp on what dyno? That makes a huge difference. Normally I would say no way, but the fact that you put down 230 whp on the stock turbo makes me think you dynoed on a higher reading dyno (Dynojet maybe?).

As for your list, I'd say spend the $ on engine management. Your car will make even more power and will be much safer.

What are your goals for the car (besides 300whp)? Track/autox/drag? Give me an idea of where you want to go and I'll try to steer you in the right direction. Suspension is the next obvious step, but choices will really depend on what you want to do with the car.

 

I dynoed at a dynojet. They told me stock wrx's get about 155-165whp on their dyno.
Im mostly into drag racing, as im at raceway park alot. But i do want to try out auto x some time.

 

Dynojets are one of the higher reading dynos. It may be possible to hit 300whp (or very close to it) with an aftermarket turbo on that dyno. On a Mustang or Dyno Dynamics dyno, a typical VF30/34 with supporting mods will net 250 whp. Just remember that dynos are different and their results should be used for tuning and before and after comparisons and not for bragging rights.

As for suspension, a set of stiffer, lowering springs will be inexpensive and satisfy your needs. You can even autox on them. If you were going to track (road course) the car, I would suggest coilovers.

But as I said before, I would spend the money on engine management. You'll get a much smoother (and safer) power curve and more useable power out of something like an ECUtek reflash or Cobb Accessport. That will run you $600-$750 depending on which you choose, which leaves you just enough for springs.

 

Yeah i only use the dyno really for tuning and before/after on parts i install.

Shouldnt i change my shocks instead of my springs? I dont quite get that one. I still have the stock ones, and i think the back ones are leaking.

Well i have the safc2, which i think is good enough for a daily driven car, unless someone explains why it isnt to me. Im just mainly looking for a mid to low 12 second car. I was acually thinking about a nitrous shot (50), it would keep me daily drivable with the stock turbo, and at the same time i can acheive my desired 1/4 mile times. What do you think? Also, what supporting mods would i need for the nitrous kit? Thanks,

Dave

 

Accessport?

 

lol, so you want a low 12, stock turbo daily driven car (with nitrous) with some autox on the side. I dont think you can pull that off with $1K.

 

Im just starting off with 1k for now, not just spending 1k and calling it a day. I was just shooting some ideas as helpful comments were comming my way, thats all.

 

Honestly Dave, that SAFC is not engine management. Spend the money on an Accessport and get it tuned for your mods. The car will drive 10x better and have more power. Remember that peak numbers don't mean squat. Driveability, responsiveness, performance, and safety are more determined by the area under the curve and the slope of the curves than anything else.

If you can, please post your dyno plots.

As for nitrous, I can't offer any advice as I've never dealt with that system.

If your shocks are going bad, then by all means replace them. I was just offering up an inexpensive solution to get better suspension performance.