What's with WRX's?
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What's with WRX's?
Ok, maybe I'm a little out of place for this but I am literally getting pissed off with WRX's.
I used to own a 2000 Civic with a few bolt ons (intake, headers,exhaust) and got good gains and NO problems. I sold the car and bought a 2003 WRX. The car is great from the factory 
but unfortunetly I am a tuner. Right away I bought a turbo timer, strut tower bar, XS Engineering CAI, and a HKS bov. After reading a LOT of the posts on this forum I have become very irritated with my WRX. I just put the intake on and I am already having everyone say to take it off because it will lean out the air/fuel mix. I am waiting on a bov that I am no longer going to put on because of all the crap I have heard about it making my car run rich. It seems like for every little thing you do to the car you have to tune it. Otherwise it will run rich, it will run lean, the boost will increase, the ignition timing will change, etc. I can't stand how difficult it is to modify this car. 
I love the sound of the bypass valve that I can finally hear (without the bov its all I have) with the intake installed but now that I have to take out the intake, I will be left with nothing. I have always wanted to enjoy the sound of a bov. I realize I am just ranting on so I am going to stop. It's just that I paid for a car that I can freely mod that will net good results and it seem to be somewhat of a let down. Ok, now I am done venting. 
I used to own a 2000 Civic with a few bolt ons (intake, headers,exhaust) and got good gains and NO problems. I sold the car and bought a 2003 WRX. The car is great from the factory but unfortunetly I am a tuner. Right away I bought a turbo timer, strut tower bar, XS Engineering CAI, and a HKS bov. After reading a LOT of the posts on this forum I have become very irritated with my WRX. I just put the intake on and I am already having everyone say to take it off because it will lean out the air/fuel mix. I am waiting on a bov that I am no longer going to put on because of all the crap I have heard about it making my car run rich. It seems like for every little thing you do to the car you have to tune it. Otherwise it will run rich, it will run lean, the boost will increase, the ignition timing will change, etc. I can't stand how difficult it is to modify this car. I love the sound of the bypass valve that I can finally hear (without the bov its all I have) with the intake installed but now that I have to take out the intake, I will be left with nothing. I have always wanted to enjoy the sound of a bov. I realize I am just ranting on so I am going to stop. It's just that I paid for a car that I can freely mod that will net good results and it seem to be somewhat of a let down. Ok, now I am done venting.
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From: G35 Coupe (FOR SALE)
Car Info: G35 Coupe (FOR SALE)
I hate to do this but if you really read up before you started modding, you probably wouldn't have gotten the cai and bov as your first mods.
A reflashed ecu (Ecutek or Access) will give you a reliable 25 whp gain. If that isn't enough, try looking into some of the stage kits.
A reflashed ecu (Ecutek or Access) will give you a reliable 25 whp gain. If that isn't enough, try looking into some of the stage kits.
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mods
I am inclined to agree with the above post with a small amount of research and cash you can have gains that will blow away what you got out of your civic.
those mods on the civic were substantive mods exhast, headers, etc, the ones you got for your wrx were not CAI doesnt do much even on vetec motors.
But get a turbo back and an ecu to match and you will put out 280/285 drive that and you will love the wrx not hate it.
those mods on the civic were substantive mods exhast, headers, etc, the ones you got for your wrx were not CAI doesnt do much even on vetec motors.
But get a turbo back and an ecu to match and you will put out 280/285 drive that and you will love the wrx not hate it.
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i'm with palaban... but if you really want to hear your BOV go nuts, get the GFB BOV... that's 50/50 BOV.. so i don't believe you run as rich as 100%... someone correct me if i'm wrong...
but when you mean tune your car, aren't tuning it to make it faster? or stronger? and more of a hobby isn't it? well it is for me... so by doing things like ECU upgrades and such you'll get that "tune" feeling because you'll smoke half the cars here
BUT
of course racing is bad, street racing that is.. *snicker*
but when you mean tune your car, aren't tuning it to make it faster? or stronger? and more of a hobby isn't it? well it is for me... so by doing things like ECU upgrades and such you'll get that "tune" feeling because you'll smoke half the cars here
BUT
of course racing is bad, street racing that is.. *snicker*
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From: Plymouth, MN
Car Info: 94 T-Leg Sedan and a 00 M5
As an alternative to the CAI, you may want to get an uppipe and/or a downpipe. You get almost the same BOV noise inside the cabin as you do with the CAI, plus you get great power gains.
Just a side note. My first mod was also a CAI. I can understand your frustration and disappointment, since I did the same thing. However, you can EASILY sell it on E-bay and use the money to finance an uppipe. Just DON'T BUY ANY CAR STUFF ON EBAY! (performance-oriented stuff, that is. Buy all the lights and stickers you want
)
Just a side note. My first mod was also a CAI. I can understand your frustration and disappointment, since I did the same thing. However, you can EASILY sell it on E-bay and use the money to finance an uppipe. Just DON'T BUY ANY CAR STUFF ON EBAY! (performance-oriented stuff, that is. Buy all the lights and stickers you want
)
I have a Blitz LM intake on my car and everything's fine. The turbo sounds great from the cabin, and my friend even said he could hear the turbo spooling while driving beside me with his window down.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 65
From: Denver
Car Info: '02 WRX Sedan
Ok, Im beginning to have a real problem with everyone on the forums deterring people from performing mods such as a CAI or a BOV saying it will cause your engine to run lean or rich thus hurting performance and/or your engine. But will it REALLY damage your motor or decrease your performance that much? I think not. Sure it has been proven that a CAI can cause your A/F mixture to lean out, but enough to actually burn your motor up or cause detonation? This hasn't happened to me or ANY of the many WRX owners I know. The same applies for BOV's. No problems here. Until someone's piston(s) melt or a rod gets thrown due to having a CAI or BOV, I will not be convinced they are a "dangerous" mod and shouldnt be performed. DwithBoost, relax, have fun with your rex, and enjoy a bad *** car WITH a CAI and that BOV youve always wanted. Your car will be just fine.
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From: San Jose, CA
Car Info: STi Motor Mounts, Synthetic Fluids, nothing else yet
Although nobody likes to think they do, we all jump on the "bag on this person/product" bandwagon. I did it at first, and decided that MOST people on these sites talk out of there *** or just regurgitate what another person might have said.
Buy what u want and have fun.
Rich
Running a little leaner on an already rich running car... OH NO!
Buy what u want and have fun.
Rich
Running a little leaner on an already rich running car... OH NO!
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 100
From: Santana, CA
Car Info: 02 GDA 5spd Silver
Get a turbo back, or a least a downpipe, your butt dyno will definately feel the improvement once you start removing some of those cats.
If you can... turbo back, uppipe, and some ecu management (or reflash). Those 3 are all pretty simple (if you do a ECUTEK or Cobb reflash) mods that will leave you smiling.
If you can... turbo back, uppipe, and some ecu management (or reflash). Those 3 are all pretty simple (if you do a ECUTEK or Cobb reflash) mods that will leave you smiling.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 100
From: Santana, CA
Car Info: 02 GDA 5spd Silver
Wanted to add one more thing, I have a turboback, an uppipe, and have hacked the milkjug off my silencer, the OEM BOV is very audible and plenty loud enough, IMO. (Stock turbo, etc.)
-Tom
-Tom
Last edited by Ride Operator; Apr 23, 2003 at 09:40 AM.
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I want to thank everyone for their input. I truely love my car I just get frustrated when I can't make the mods I want to make without screwing something up. I think I will get my ECU reflashed by Vishnu. I've been doing a little research and I have only heard good reviews from their customers. Has anyone here had their ECU reflashed? If so, then who by? Also I depend on my car as a daily driver, how long would I be without a car for?
I truely love my car I just get frustrated when I can't make the mods I want to make without screwing something up. I think I will get my ECU reflashed by Vishnu. I've been doing a little research and I have only heard good reviews from their customers. Has anyone here had their ECU reflashed? If so, then who by? Also I depend on my car as a daily driver, how long would I be without a car for?
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If you really want a BOV, then go with the GFB 50/50. I have had mine on for over a year now and it hasn't given me any problems. It's got a great sound and since it vents 50% of the air back to where the stock one did, then you are not blowing nearly as much fuel into the Cylinders as you do with a 100%.
Also, The WRX does not require a CAI until it is highly modded. The stock bock is perfectly capable of giving the engine enough air. Plus, if you hack the 'Milk Jug' then you get the same sound you would with a CAI.
Go with a Remapped ECU, Turboback Exhaust, Uppipe and a GFB 50/50 BOV and you'll be screaming from the whip lash you get when you get on it.
Blue
Also, The WRX does not require a CAI until it is highly modded. The stock bock is perfectly capable of giving the engine enough air. Plus, if you hack the 'Milk Jug' then you get the same sound you would with a CAI.
Go with a Remapped ECU, Turboback Exhaust, Uppipe and a GFB 50/50 BOV and you'll be screaming from the whip lash you get when you get on it.
Blue
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sure?
Well with my Stage one SPO, (Boost Controller (15.5lbs.) and Turboback Exhaust) BOV and Injen Intake, every thing is fine and my air/fuel guage says its good, and when i get on it- its a little rich so don't always beleave what everyone says.
Just Listen.
Just my two cents.
Bryanb
Just Listen.
Just my two cents.
Bryanb