'05 STi now what???
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 410
From: San Francisco, CA
Car Info: 2012 Mazda 3 Hatch
would an ALK be a good addition to this list?
Originally Posted by BAN SUVS
No blowoff valve needed. Stock is best until you change turbos and want to run >18 pounds of boost, and then you still want a 100% recirculating bypass valve.
MBC's are BAD. Don't do it. Get a reflash from Cobb or EcuTek or a Vishnu Xede instead. They range from ~$500-900. I personally recommend EcuTek.
Turbo timers are entirely unnecessary, but won't hurt anything. This includes your warranty, despite what your dealer might say. Get one if you want the bling factor, but it won't help your turbo last longer.
As for first mods, here's my list if I were buying an STi:
*Whiteline Steering rack bushings. Best $30 mod ever.
*STi pink springs. Tailor made for the US STi struts, and sooo much better than stock
*Adjustable rear sway bar. I like my Whiteline, but a lot of STi owners like Perrin and Cusco too. And endlinks also.
*One of the aforementioned ECU options
*Turboback + wastegate porting (see the boost creep sticky in the EJ25 forum)
*STi control arm bushings and strut tops if you autocross/open track
*winter wheels and tires if you get a lot of rain or snow where you live. The stockers are GREAT for autocross/track days though. Mayeb get some different daily driver wheels/tires to save the RE070s.
Those mods will give you a car that will beat up on any lightly modded Mustang, and you'll only be a memory when it comes time to turn left and right.
Here's what I would avoid until farther down the road:
*intake mods of any kind. See the EJ20 forum intake debate sticky for reasons why.
*downpipes without either divorced wastegate routing or bellmouth design. Flat flange designs give little to no power gain over stock
*MBCs, SFCs, etc. None of that stuff is safe for Subaru's adaptive ECUs.
*Anything else that doesn't actually make the car faster.
MBC's are BAD. Don't do it. Get a reflash from Cobb or EcuTek or a Vishnu Xede instead. They range from ~$500-900. I personally recommend EcuTek.
Turbo timers are entirely unnecessary, but won't hurt anything. This includes your warranty, despite what your dealer might say. Get one if you want the bling factor, but it won't help your turbo last longer.
As for first mods, here's my list if I were buying an STi:
*Whiteline Steering rack bushings. Best $30 mod ever.
*STi pink springs. Tailor made for the US STi struts, and sooo much better than stock
*Adjustable rear sway bar. I like my Whiteline, but a lot of STi owners like Perrin and Cusco too. And endlinks also.
*One of the aforementioned ECU options
*Turboback + wastegate porting (see the boost creep sticky in the EJ25 forum)
*STi control arm bushings and strut tops if you autocross/open track
*winter wheels and tires if you get a lot of rain or snow where you live. The stockers are GREAT for autocross/track days though. Mayeb get some different daily driver wheels/tires to save the RE070s.
Those mods will give you a car that will beat up on any lightly modded Mustang, and you'll only be a memory when it comes time to turn left and right.
Here's what I would avoid until farther down the road:
*intake mods of any kind. See the EJ20 forum intake debate sticky for reasons why.
*downpipes without either divorced wastegate routing or bellmouth design. Flat flange designs give little to no power gain over stock
*MBCs, SFCs, etc. None of that stuff is safe for Subaru's adaptive ECUs.
*Anything else that doesn't actually make the car faster.
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by andyf
would an ALK be a good addition to this list?
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by godai
Except he has a 05, so the steering bushing wont fit or needed, and STi pinks are probably not needed as well. Also reflashes don't works on 05 yet.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 66
Originally Posted by BAN SUVS
Springs still can use upgrading. Steering rack bushings will be available soon (are they even different?) and reflashes will be out soon as well.
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Posts: 410
From: San Francisco, CA
Car Info: 2012 Mazda 3 Hatch
So none of the before mentioned mods (even the engine tuning) will bump up SCCA class? I'm planning on various chassis reinforcements... rear sway, endlinks, bushings, maybe pink springs, strut bars and cusco v2 lower arm bar.
Is it because the ALK changes a mounting point of the suspension?
Is it because the ALK changes a mounting point of the suspension?
Originally Posted by BAN SUVS
Absolutely, unless you participate in SCCA Solo 2 autocross. That particular mod puts you WAY out into very expensive, purpose-bult racecar classes. If you autocross, go with the STi hardened control arm bushings instead (they're cheaper anyway).
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 556
From: We are the all singing, all dancing, crap of the w
Car Info: '09 Black Audi S5
Originally Posted by bassplayrr
BAN SUVS is 100% on the mark in everything he said.
But, do your own searching do solidify ANYONE'S opinion...of course, that's just my opinion
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by andyf
So none of the before mentioned mods (even the engine tuning) will bump up SCCA class? I'm planning on various chassis reinforcements... rear sway, endlinks, bushings, maybe pink springs, strut bars and cusco v2 lower arm bar.
Is it because the ALK changes a mounting point of the suspension?
Is it because the ALK changes a mounting point of the suspension?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 34
From: Modesto, CA
Car Info: 2005 Impreza WRX STi
You guys ROCK!
I also recently got an 05 Sti and am a newb to Suby's. I was a hardcore BMW driver until Chris Bangle took over design. I think that this is some of the best info for us newbies and it would be great if this was made a sticky for a while for anyone who is just getting into the world of Sti's.
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Posts: 7,783
From: rightBehindYou, HI
Car Info: 1973 Huevo Ranchero
first let me say congrats to the new owners!
i myself am a previous mustang owner-
having being forced to get a 4 door car(family) i am glad to have gotten the STi.
i have not much more to add except is this...
ask yourself what your goals are. do you plan on racing your car or... just use it as a daily driver. as for me i am happy with my 300 ponies(4 now) so i am starting to work on my handling and braking 1st. then possibly improve on the cooling systems. i plan to race my car once i think its ready.
i agree with you on the mustang mentality issue it seems like a lot of the mustang owners have a different focus in terms of performance improvements.
it definitely does take a little more to understand turbocharged engines.
aloha from the summit of *-^-Mauna Kea-^-*
i myself am a previous mustang owner-
having being forced to get a 4 door car(family) i am glad to have gotten the STi.
i have not much more to add except is this...
ask yourself what your goals are. do you plan on racing your car or... just use it as a daily driver. as for me i am happy with my 300 ponies(4 now) so i am starting to work on my handling and braking 1st. then possibly improve on the cooling systems. i plan to race my car once i think its ready.
i agree with you on the mustang mentality issue
it seems like a lot of the mustang owners have a different focus in terms of performance improvements.it definitely does take a little more to understand turbocharged engines.
aloha from the summit of *-^-Mauna Kea-^-*
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by bassplayrr
The weakest link in what you were used to was the traction between your tires and the road; drop the clutch too hard and all you get is smoke, drop the clutch in these and all you get is a used and abused tranny.
I have a friend who is a service advisor at a Subie dealer. He tells me stories of "kids" who go out, dump the clucth at 5K rpm, and shear all the teeth off of first gear. Not something I care to participate in.
Launching suggestions?
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Your luckey you found I-Club first....some forums are out there, first mod reflash and tunable that is were you make you money. Welcome V8 Brother to THE SUBARU WORLD, we have a few World Ralley Campaigns (3)
This a Great site, good folks a lot of good info.
This a Great site, good folks a lot of good info.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 462
From: Arcade, NY
Car Info: 2004 2.5TS manual
Originally Posted by 05STiChef
thanks for all the help.. i do get alot of snow where i live and will be looking for a winter snow wheel/tire package probably.. is it best to get a 16'' package rather than 17s or will this have adverse affects on the speedometer and what not?
No I don't drive an STI, just a 2.5TS.
BTW I used to live in Schenectady myself.