Looking for some advice on making my car faster, without affecting the life of the engine. For the most part, I drive all freeway miles. I previously had an all engine hatchback, so I am new to the turbo thing. I have an 06 wrx and I want to make it closer to 300hp, ect…. I want to keep it sleeper status. Here is my agenda. Please let me know your inputs and arguments on the following:

-Cobb Access Port
-Helix Up/Down Pipe
- HKS BOV (too many BOV arguments so this is still in question)
- Greddy Boost Control
-STI Injectors

 

you don't need the uppipe since your 06 is already catless. also, if your going with a BOV, make sure it's 100% recerculating, and STi injectors won't do much without an upgraded turbo and a tune. i would cut the injectors and uppipe off the list and go for a catback or even a protune with the accessport. if your going for the "sleeper" style, go with either a cobb or Borla Hush. both are commonly known for being quiet. hope this helped and happy modding to you bro...

 

cobb should be the first thing you get. you dont need an up pipe unless your gonna get a larger diameter one. get a down pipe and exhaust. as for exhaust the borola hush is very quiet and i can speek from experiance. forget the BOV unless you want the sound (if you want a sleeper you dont want the sound). i dont see why you want injectors unless your getting a bigger turbo. im not sure about the boost controller. you might want to get a nice set of gauges to monitor your car. defis are perfered.

that should be a good start but its not all about horsepower. you should ballance your modding. do some suspension, drive train, engine, etc... there are ways to make your acceleration faster such as light weight flywheel, light weight crank pully, and others

just find a route that is in your budget and when it comes down to it. its what YOU want not what other people suggest, its YOUR car not OURS

happy modding

 

Thanks for the advice. I want to go with the Access Port for sure. I researched Vishnu, but I guess there are smog complications later down the road. As it goes for exhaust, I want something quiet. My previous car had Trust, and it shook the inside. As it goes for airflow, how are the stock intakes and exhausts? This thread is strictyly for engine output and performance. The suspension is another story. I can afford a couple $k at the moment, but it seems anything more than what I mentioned is getting into high dollar and higher maitenance. Always interested in other opinions. My goal is 300hp/tq.

Question on the Cobb ehaust: are there any smog problems for California.

 

Unless you're planning on getting a catted downpipe, any exhaust (other than stock) will not pass the CA smog test. As rallied said, the Borla Hush is great for a sleeper/stock look but with great performance and sound (not loud, but a good rumble). Are you looking for 300hp at the crank or the wheels?

 

at the crank.

 

You don't need larger injectors - the 06 injectors are much larger than the previous years. Scratch the bov...I am currently running cobb AP w/ the titek catted downpipe and the borla hush. Great setup, and it has really nice pull, and with a protune it would yield me even more power. A conservative setup might be putting a vf34 on your car. Might want a bigger top mount though. Remember to also upgrade your suspension and brakes as well...

 

Get a full TBE (go w/ Borla hush too keep the cops off your tail), Cobb Stage2 and a Protune, and you should be happy for a while. Also look into a Cobb or Perrin lightweight pulley. It'll help with acceleration and free-up some hp.

 

I actually heard that in a straight line, the lightened pulley actually doesnt really help your acceleration because of less momentum at the crank..but that might be wrong. I think I heard that from smitty actually o_O.

 

Definately look at replacing the 06's top mount intercooler.
Also, brakes are good to go, but might want to look into some better pads and maybe rotors, at least you already have the 4/2 pots

 

I havent seen rotors / pads for the 06...otherwise I would be on those so fast. Links?

 

Researched, the Borla Hush is catback. What is a good down pipe to go with it???
Also, Stock top mount seems really thin in diameter, what is a good intercooler replacement for top mount when running stock turbo?

 

get a bell mouth down pipe. are you gonna get catted ? and i would just get an sti top mount, they are good enough unless your gonna gety a bigger turbo. ebay also has some top mounts - iver heard mixed reviews though

 

Don't really want to get catted, but I don't really want to have to put stock stuff back on for smog. Any systems that actually smog and offer descent power gains? Also, what does a STi top mount price run? I am installing mod's next week starting with access port for power and blitz blm gauges for accessories. Starting this way because I still have quite a bit to go on warranty. I'm thinking I won't make it to 36k though, ha.

 

A used STi TMIC in decent-good condition will run you anywheres from $250-400. If you're running stock turbo, you shouldn't really need a bigger TMIC, unless you plan on getting a better turbo in the future. As for smog-legal systems, you may find one that will pass the sniffer test, but will NOT pass a visual test. If you're environmentally friendly, I know most DP manufacturers offer catted/non-catted DPs (Helix or Cobb to name a couple). My Borla Hush is mated to a Helix DP (not v.3) and it works well. And you're probably right, you won't make it to 36k .