I have a completely stock '02 WRX, and I've always wanted to mod it a little over the past 3 years I've owned it but never had the time/money. I'm looking at starting to upgrade now, and was originally thinking to go with a CAI (either K&N or Injen).

But after reading through some threads (The CAI Debate, and the Intake FAQ) I've been starting to get turned off to the whole concept of a CAI, since the stock one apparently is pretty decent.

From the perspective of someone who's looking to get into modding and I assume I wont get too crazy with upgrades, what would be a few decent upgrade jobs to start off with?

Of course I thought about an exhaust, which I might do down the road, but I'm looking to install some parts that might give decent performance for the buck. I'm not particularly knowledgeable with car engines and working on them, but I have some friends who work on their Mustang GT's and Trans Ams, and also I'm studying engineering at school.... I can figure it out haha..

Any help or feedback would be appreciated since I had my heart set on a CAI and now have no idea what to install from here.

 

Exhaust is a fine start,

since you just got an 2002, I would start by doing all recomended maintance, make sure she's "firing on all cylanders" as they say.

after that, EM (engine management) pick up a used Cobb AP V1 or V2, flash stage one, its great bang for your buck

after that anything you add, you can adjust your flash, or get a protune, its a mod that keeps on giving...

 

I agree with catching up on all maintenance and make sure the car is running strong stock. An intake is pointless on a stock car, unless you really just want to go for the sound, and if you want to do that, there is a mod that removes the silencer on your intake. The Accessport is a great mod and something like an accessport will be needed if you ever start to go crazy with mods. You could look into some springs and front/rear sway bars if you want the car to handle a little bit better. If you wanna go for power mods, I suggest an accessport and full turbo back exhaust eventually. You could start with the accessport then get downpipe, then get the catback. As minimal as those mods sound, it will end up costing a couple thousand so it could keep you busy for awhile lol.

 

I definitely agree with Karis119

just to specify, the mod Karis is referring to is the "snorkus delete"

Its easy to do and free!!! if you want to go uber fancy on it, you can get a $2 part (thats right, two dollars) from subaru to cover the hole. It basically takes the resonator out of the intake ducting. allows faster air flow, some say slightly faster spool up, and a nice WOOSH noise...

search is your friend

and...

keep your eyes peeled on the local classified on this forum, you can do the exhaust and EM for under a grand if you catch some good deals

 

Thanks alot for the responses... So the accessPORT will just optimize my engine's output and even though its all stock, it will still jump me up in performance? What kind of benefits will I see from this, as far as average hp and torque? I read over some instructions for how to install and how they work and it seems pretty simple.

 

go to www.cobbtuning.com (I think thats right) and check out the stage one maps, it tells you all about the pros there.

 

Front and rear sway bars. That'll be something you'll notice.

 

You will love EM once you get that cobb ap2...best 500 bucks I spent(got it used)...you will seriously feel the diffrence when u go through the stages...

 

Ok, so if I have a 100% stock wrx, and I throw in this AP I should see decent gains? It's just bothering me a bit since I would think Subaru already had tuned it to be very efficient. Or are you guys saying that I'll see greater gains once I add parts like a turbo back. I guess I'm just confused that my car wouldn't already be tuned to maximum efficiency, since I haven't made any upgrades yet.

 

And as far as sway bars, I mean my car feels so tight and sticky to the road since I always have really good all season tires. What exactly are the gains on going this route? I know my car isn't the tightest on the road, but it still hugs corners like LaDainian Tomlinson jukes linebackers.

 

Honestly, sway bars make a difference, i wasn't convinced either till i purchased a whiteline rear sway bar, its brilliant. I would also recommend a short throw shifter. I know it gives no performance gains, but in terms of cheap mods its one of the best. I just installed a kartboy shifter and im loving it.

 

yeah, I just helped my buddy install a short throw on his Mustang GT, so that might be another upgrade. I was doing some more research and came across intercooler hoses, these were some I found on ebay. I read up on Unabomber's Manifesto and he mentioned new hoses can make your turbo spool quicker and add roughly 8HP.

Just curious on people's opinions on those hoses, since it does seem like a fairly cheap upgrade.

 

Changes handling dynamics. That's really about it. If you are happy with your current set-up, then leave it as it is. Suspension is really a preference thing.

 

the way i see you have about 200+ hp so thats more than enough, just do some weight reduction, get a good spring and strut setup or coilovers and youll be on your way to tuning yourself a good car. but if you just into looks and sounds i dunno hahaha i gues do whatever you feel when your just starting out just dont go all out on your engine like many people, you lose the balance every car should have.