Turbo on a 2.5?
06-22-2006, 08:55 AM
#76
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HA!!
Looks like the cost on that Avo kit has come down some:
http://www.avoturboworld.com/avoshop...roducts_id=100
Well, at least if it used to be $4k anyway.
Still.... that much money will buy you an engine swap too, nearly. If you do it with friends; it wouldn't include labor costs. I'd still be nervous to turbo the stock block.
=S2=
Looks like the cost on that Avo kit has come down some:
http://www.avoturboworld.com/avoshop...roducts_id=100
Well, at least if it used to be $4k anyway.
Still.... that much money will buy you an engine swap too, nearly. If you do it with friends; it wouldn't include labor costs. I'd still be nervous to turbo the stock block.
=S2=
06-22-2006, 09:03 AM
#77
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Personally, I've never really bene impressed with the AVO kit all that much. Always struck me as a bunch of parts that "fit" instead of a cohesively engineered solution. As for the stock block, I'd be willing to boost on it, I'd just grow unsatisfied rapidly with the performance ceiling at 6 psi.
06-22-2006, 09:13 AM
#78
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Yeah. Well folks in here said the Avo kit was the best of the bunch.... though that was at the time. Three years does a lot for the aftermarket.
I'd personally take an EJ255 from the Forester XT or '06 WRX, slap EL headers, an HFC and a Prodrive catback on, probably swap the transmission too, stage 1 or 2 clutch, and call it a day.
I'd personally take an EJ255 from the Forester XT or '06 WRX, slap EL headers, an HFC and a Prodrive catback on, probably swap the transmission too, stage 1 or 2 clutch, and call it a day.
06-22-2006, 09:16 AM
#79
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That's the hard way. 
STi/FXT/LGT/WRX 2.5 short block under stock heads, switch to WRX-style intake mani, standard WRX bolt-ons, and good EM like a Hydra is all you need to make an STi-beating RS-T.
STi/FXT/LGT/WRX 2.5 short block under stock heads, switch to WRX-style intake mani, standard WRX bolt-ons, and good EM like a Hydra is all you need to make an STi-beating RS-T.
06-22-2006, 09:29 AM
#80
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So basically RS heads are the same? Or no?
I know squat about turbo.
EM would work, but couldn't you just rig up the OE WRX/FXT/whatever harness? Or is that the "hard" part? I guess that's subjective... Most people find the wiring to be the worst, others the mechanicals. For me it'd be the wiring.
I'm more of a no-EM kind of guy I think. Don't like to overcomplicate with all of that. If I stay N/A, I'll be getting EL headers to go with my HFC and catback, and an i-Speed SRS-20 ECU reflash. Ought to put me in the 190chp range I think....... Not really sure. Whatever it'd be, it'd be nice.
I know squat about turbo.
EM would work, but couldn't you just rig up the OE WRX/FXT/whatever harness? Or is that the "hard" part? I guess that's subjective... Most people find the wiring to be the worst, others the mechanicals. For me it'd be the wiring.
I'm more of a no-EM kind of guy I think. Don't like to overcomplicate with all of that. If I stay N/A, I'll be getting EL headers to go with my HFC and catback, and an i-Speed SRS-20 ECU reflash. Ought to put me in the 190chp range I think....... Not really sure. Whatever it'd be, it'd be nice.
06-22-2006, 09:48 AM
#81
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RS heads are completely different, but by using a standalone you save incredible amounts of hassle by not having to change any wiring. Wiring is by far the most difficult part of any NA->turbo conversion, if it has to be done. If you change the short block out, then you have to either have a standalone type EM, or convert all the wiring so the turbo engine ECU can be used.
The "cleanest" way to get turbo power is to do a 100% swap like most shops advertise, but the easiest way is with a Hydra or link combined with the path of least resistance with the mechanicals to get the power you want. For me, that list would go like this:
Hydra Nemesis
EJ257 short block
WRX intake mani, TB
STi topmount
turbo crossmember
WRX-type header, UP, TBE
bolt-on turbo (something in a GT30 would work for me!)
WRX compatible fuel rails and injectors (may be the only thing that requires rewiring) and larger fuel pump
WRX-type upper coolant reservoir
WRX-type steering rack and lines (RS line are too close to WRX uppipe)
bigger radiator
probably a couple detail things I've left out
It's definitely not the cheapest way, but if you want more power than a stock block car can give, it's the easiest since you don't have to tear apart your car to swap wiring, or even worse, try to splice hanresses all over the place.
The "cleanest" way to get turbo power is to do a 100% swap like most shops advertise, but the easiest way is with a Hydra or link combined with the path of least resistance with the mechanicals to get the power you want. For me, that list would go like this:
Hydra Nemesis
EJ257 short block
WRX intake mani, TB
STi topmount
turbo crossmember
WRX-type header, UP, TBE
bolt-on turbo (something in a GT30 would work for me!)
WRX compatible fuel rails and injectors (may be the only thing that requires rewiring) and larger fuel pump
WRX-type upper coolant reservoir
WRX-type steering rack and lines (RS line are too close to WRX uppipe)
bigger radiator
probably a couple detail things I've left out
It's definitely not the cheapest way, but if you want more power than a stock block car can give, it's the easiest since you don't have to tear apart your car to swap wiring, or even worse, try to splice hanresses all over the place.
06-22-2006, 10:57 AM
#82
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Right. That turbo kit was $3500ish... most WRX swaps run $5-6K, or $9-12K for an STi swap. Which would be nice, but overcomplicated for me. I'm not sure what all the stuff you've mentioned, plus materials, time, etc. would come to. Hmm.
I'm very likely not going to turbo anytime soon though, if I ever do at all. Mid-powered N/A may do me well, until I can afford something like a newer Legacy GT. The N/A mods I mentioned would make my car very, very nice for what I need.
I'm very likely not going to turbo anytime soon though, if I ever do at all. Mid-powered N/A may do me well, until I can afford something like a newer Legacy GT. The N/A mods I mentioned would make my car very, very nice for what I need.
06-22-2006, 11:13 AM
#83
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Heh, yeah, thats true. The cheapeast AND easiest way to turbo Subaru power is to just go buy a turbo Subaru. 
But, that's not always what it's about.
Depending on how patient you were with getting deals and willingness to use secondhand parts, that stuff would run $4-6k, but could all be done in a garage in a single weekend.
But, that's not always what it's about.Depending on how patient you were with getting deals and willingness to use secondhand parts, that stuff would run $4-6k, but could all be done in a garage in a single weekend.
06-22-2006, 12:05 PM
#84
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Yeah but for that much money, Andrewtech Automotive in MD or someplace similar could do an EJ20 swap. I prefer the EJ255, but it's newer and costs more.
By the time I was ready though....
As much as I'd learn doing it, no sense bloodying my knuckles for the same price I can pay a pro to do. Plus I'd need to buy a lift and probably extra tools!
By the time I was ready though....
As much as I'd learn doing it, no sense bloodying my knuckles for the same price I can pay a pro to do. Plus I'd need to buy a lift and probably extra tools!
06-22-2006, 12:36 PM
#85
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After watching dozens of friends go down the mod path with an EJ20, I wouldn't take one for free.
Okay, yes I would, but only for the free wiring swap. The motor itself would go away soon after.
Okay, yes I would, but only for the free wiring swap. The motor itself would go away soon after.
06-22-2006, 12:39 PM
#86
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I hate the loss of low-end torque, but it is still 227hp. Which beats 165hp. By a nice margin.
Plus, a 2.5" catback adds a huge lump of power to it. Which is really all I'd need, for starters.
Plus, a 2.5" catback adds a huge lump of power to it. Which is really all I'd need, for starters.
06-22-2006, 12:45 PM
#88
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HA!
Well, look at it this way. Six years on, I have a car with an STi suspension, lots of other things, but the engine's stock other than a K&N, PDM intake, and a cobbled-together catback that sounds like ****.
It's a slow process with me. 227hp plus the 25 or whatever that the catback gets you, yeah, that'd do me for a loooong time.
Well, look at it this way. Six years on, I have a car with an STi suspension, lots of other things, but the engine's stock other than a K&N, PDM intake, and a cobbled-together catback that sounds like ****.
It's a slow process with me. 227hp plus the 25 or whatever that the catback gets you, yeah, that'd do me for a loooong time.
06-22-2006, 12:48 PM
#89
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Catbacks get nothing on an EJ20, it's the downpipe that steals all the power.
and I understand, it's a path I once walked pretty far down. I'd take my RS the way I had it planned over any STi.
and I understand, it's a path I once walked pretty far down.
I'd take my RS the way I had it planned over any STi.
06-22-2006, 01:00 PM
#90
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Ah okay, maybe a full exhaust then. One of 'em gave you a lot of power. (With the turbo EJs, anyway.)
If I were loaded, I'd buy a new one. The newer cars are better in just about every way, except for maybe looks and weight. but get into a debate with me over it, I'll sacrifice the weight thing in a heartbeat, for all the structural improvements and the better interior.
But since I'm NOT loaded..... (yet) ....
For $1500 I could probably complete my exhaust, and get an SRS-20 ECU reflash from i-Speed. Yep that'd do it.
Problem is I want to swap out my STi suspension, which now has 100K miles on it, with the Prodrive WR set, which is $1400.
Plus Group N tops.
Though I am trading, even Steven, with someone for P1 springs this year. I just like the way the car sits on P1s much better, plus the progressive action vs. linear.
Now we're wayyy off topic.
=S2=
(Thread wh0r3.)
If I were loaded, I'd buy a new one. The newer cars are better in just about every way, except for maybe looks and weight. but get into a debate with me over it, I'll sacrifice the weight thing in a heartbeat, for all the structural improvements and the better interior.
But since I'm NOT loaded..... (yet) ....
For $1500 I could probably complete my exhaust, and get an SRS-20 ECU reflash from i-Speed. Yep that'd do it.
Problem is I want to swap out my STi suspension, which now has 100K miles on it, with the Prodrive WR set, which is $1400.
Plus Group N tops. Though I am trading, even Steven, with someone for P1 springs this year. I just like the way the car sits on P1s much better, plus the progressive action vs. linear.
Now we're wayyy off topic.
=S2=
(Thread wh0r3.)