Hey Guys I'm sorta new to the forums (browsed topics before but never decided to register till recently). Well my name is Mike and I live in Jersey City, NJ. I own a Silver 02 WRX with the following mods

Greddy Turbo timer (Bought the car used and it was already poorly installed)
HKS Hi-power exhaust
HKS Super SQV BOV
Invidia V3 Downpipe (not yet installed, stock broke off the mounting plate to the turbo)

I'm a newb when it comes to working on cars but I am willing to learn. Best way to know your car is to do the work yourself, right?. I did successfully change my spark plugs, only took me 3 hours but w/e.

What do you guys think I should do next? I keep hearing about EM but what does that mean? New ECU, get it tuned?

My ultimate goal is to swap out the engine with an STI engine and work on that but that won't be for a while since I'm sorta tight on $$$

 

Best way to learn is to search because most threads are covered already. Em = engine management. There are different types, but most people go with Cobb's Access Port which is a little handheld device you plug into your car and you can upload maps or have it protuned. With a downpipe, you want to go with engine management or else you'll get boost creep or it'll mess with the engine somehow. Of course the best way to learn is to do it yourself. It's always good to have someone who knows what htye're doing helping you. What do you want to do with the car? Drag race? auto-x? track? daily driver? mountain craver? It all depends.

After EM, i suggest you go suspension because turning is fun! But thats up to you and what you want to do. With power, after all bolt on's...like downpipe, catback, uppipe, intake, headers, inlet hoses, fuel pump...and i thikn thats it, you can go with bigger turbo. Also the BOV probably won't give you any gains but the cool sound.

 

3 hours is good for your first time

i can do it in one hour after doing it 6 times haha