Aloha guys, I have an 06 wrx with a few mods. HKS BoV, Invidia divorced wastegate catless DP, and n1/HKS muffler. The car hasn't been driving as smooth as id like it to recently. I'm guessing it's because I'm in need of a tune and or tune up. Also any suggestions on maintenance or what I should be keeping in eye out for would be helpful. Don't have much knowledge but I'm willing to learn and take criticism. Any recommendations on where I should get my tune done? Mahalo for all the input and advice! -Josh.

 

What kind of engine management are you running? Choices are limited here on Oahu, sadly enough

 

Well from what i have read/heard. The newer model WRX's do not take well to mods as the older 02-03's do. The BOV is probably #1 issue with running like crap. If you don't really plan on going too crazy get an AP, they will get you a decent base line till you can get a tune. If you just got it, i would recommend oil change, plugs, coolant, trans/diff (Research oils!), check your grounds, put a factory BPV back on, check your timing belt if it has over 105k on it and has never been changed might want to look into that asap. Other then that READ READ READ and when your tired.... READ SOME MORE lol. There is TONS of great info out there just gotta read about it! Good luck and welcome

 

Thanks for all the input, sorry I couldn't reply back fast as I was at work. As of now I bought the car with 27k miles on it, garage kept. Supposedly dealership said a mechanic owned it(1owner) and replaced all the wiring before sale, which I didn't quite understand as the car had only 27k miles. Anyway, I change oil every 3k miles and I run full synthetic (Eneos from streamline performance 5w-30). I haven't changed any other fluids and I'm sitting at about 38.5k miles. I get a hesitation from the car when I'm in 1st gear with a pull at about 4500-5k with a lot of vibration to the wheel. I'm gonna change the spark plugs next because it hasn't been changed since factory. A friend mentioned one of my motor mounts is ripped and I also need a tune because the car hasn't got one with the aftermarket exhaust and BoV. Not sure what else I can do to improve the driving. I also get a slight bogging or jerk in 1st gear at 3k when I let off the gas for a rolling stop. As far as the AP goes I don't have the money for it right now so just seeing my options for what I can do in the mean time or save up for my next purchase. Mahalo for the feedback and the welcome!

 

Put a stock BPV on the car, disconnect the negative battery terminal, and press on the brake for 30 seconds. Reconnect the battery terminal and never think about it again.

Your car is running like crap because you are not allowing it to correctly measure the air going through the motor ( because of the Blow Off Valve which vents to atmosphere ). Fix that, and everything will work.

Also, fix your motor mounts. That is what is causing the vibration.

A smart man would also simply put on a stock exhaust, bpv, replace motor mounts, and then promptly forget about a tune. If you can't afford the tune chances are there are other things you need to spend your money on, but hey, that's just my 2c.

 

Thanks for the help I'll try it soon. As for taking off the exhaust I don't think I'll be doing that, I love the unique subie growl even though it's not that loud. After I buy my AP I'm going to be looking into unequal length turbo manifold to really get that deep growl.

 

Running without a tune is dangerous.... Krang is right.

 

You guys recommend any reputable place I can get a tune?

 

just run it like it is, get all the mods you can. keep that awesome growl, no need for a tune, just have fun with it. you have to hear her at 8000 rpm, wot = MEAN GROWL! mashing on the throttle for a long period of time and ripping through all the gears at high rpms should fix the issue of hesitation. you got clogged fuel line, the pressure from mashing on the gas at wot will free up the clog.

 

Free the clogs!

 

Are you being sarcastic? As far as I'm concerned red lining her is at 6500 Rpms or around that general area. I'm not trying to blow up my car.

 

You can get open source tunes with a tantrix cable, just read around ALOT. That's one of the cheaper ways....

 

Yes we are being sarcastic, I blame the internet.

Seriously though, take off the BOV and reset your computer using the method I explained and you should be fine as far as motor health is concerned. However, having a damaged engine mount is kind of a big deal and can cause all sorts of important stuff to fail, so that would be my personal #1 priority.

 

As stated get that car tuned asap +1 on the open source tune.I ran the Cobb AP for a bit but did not like the OTS Map could have a got a tune but decided to sell and try open source after running a stock open source map i was very happy and now run a "stage 2" open source.Also if you are going to run more boost i would recommend a after market EBCS/MBC then take it to tune.

 

Thanks for the input. I'm also trying to figure out how to get a deeper growl? I have a full exhaust with no cattlic converters. Any reason why the stis are much louder than the wrx? Also a friend suggested an unequal length turbo manifold but that's a big job. As far as an open source tune I'm still looking for a reputable tuner that does subies. Any suggestions? Mahalo for all the help and feedback