Usually don't post, just a passive reader.. But I have come to a cross road, and again the question in my mind is whether to trade in for a STI/EVO or keep my black beauty..

I have read countless threads but not having had any track experiece I am limited in my knowledge.. In November I am heading to Lime Rock to test out the Scooby, in a novice class.. Pretty excited, even though its stock.. Might have a chance to upgrade pads and fluid prior to going..

Now for my question.. Being a slight perfectionist, and an addict for autos, my initial inclination was to turn in my WRX 2002 for a new STI.. After doing the numbers I realized that without having 10,000 to put down with my WRX, I am out of luck.. With a Home, Mortage, and wife.. that kind of cash don't come easy.. Could take a year or three , but for that kind of cash I may sway towards a M3 or AUDI.. Being almost 30 need something my age and work.. These leaves me with a practical solution of upgrading my WRX at my pace, which would not leave me broke.. My guess is that many of you have encountered this same issue.. I am in it for the long haul, and as it stands this is my primary driver, my project car is an air-cooled superbeetle.. So I think I can learn a lot about driving and understanding AWD's..
Granted it would be cheaper to buy a STI/EVO in the long run, I don't have that kind of cash.. So my route is to upgrade and learn what each of the different upgrades do on the track.. I personally don't think those that have STI/EVO's actually use them to their full potential (Except for a distinct few), my guess is that people with WRX's don't get them to the limit to justify anything better.. (Bold statement, but referring to those who upgrade for looks, and don't track there vehicles..) Not that I have come to that cross road where I think I will need more, looking for a solution to stay on point with STI/EVO's..
With so many STAGED KITs not sure which way to go.. My first inclination is to go with SCOOBY SPORTS STI HUNTER package.. 5000 grand plus wheels... Figured I would add for lookes, Morrett's (Spelling) and Scooby sports wing and WRX OEM front lip.. This package, may not include a Reflashed ECU, so may need that done.. To increase handling, looking at one of those Front Diff from COBB or Quaife.. Seems like a solid package that can play with the best of them.. Only real weakness is tranny..
Other thoughts were Vishnu stage 2 with Upgraded coilovers, and brakes, and a front oneway diff.. Lastly the PPP.. from prodrive with similiar mods.. I believe that these setups will be more car than I can handle till I learn to master taking the right lines and get some autocross under my belts.. Hell a couple of driving classes won't hurt..

Sorry to be so long winded, but my guess is that plently of people are in the same boat... Would appreciate so kind words from the experts.. Incidently, I have been sitting on these thoughts for months.. So I am very eager to get some feedback.. On course of action to take..
Thanks
ALex

 

i havent heard too much about the scooby sports STi hunter package...please link to it or give some info on it if possible...im guessing its a stroker kit, turbo, and some bolt ons? well, you can either buy a package or do the mods urself. i would do the latter. here are my first 10 mods:
pullies-rev faster, more hp
aps/perrin uppipe-stock pipe is restrictave
vishnu/hks cat back exhaust(duh!)
gutted midpipe(no cat!)
silencer mod w/ k&n filter(nice sound, reusable filter)
aps/perrin downpipe (no cat, or better flowing cat-not very necessary under 300 crank hp)
cusco front & rear strut bar (handles better obviously)
whiteline anti-lift kit(better handling, slightly better acceleration
tein coilovers with driver controlled dampening(makes me drool)
cobb/vishnu ecu reflash(if you are planning to get a new turbo/intercooler, then get that stuff and the reflash at the same time if possbile)(unleashes the power)

 

Well I'm not 100% sure about all the kits n' moddin' that you want to do with your car. Either way it'll end up illegal drivin' around the city.

But about thinkin' of trading your car in for a "long term car" or somethin'. You COULD tell yourself not to mod the Evo or STi, but the urge is there. When you're lookin' around the boards and learnin' more about your new car, I'm sure $$ will end up going in there. For long term I'd say stick with what you have. You'll have it nice lookin' with about spendin' the same amount of cash on your stock Evo or STI.

But just on a basic point of view of modding. I'd suggest suspension first, with springs/shocks, sway/tower bars, endlinks, etc. Some will be illegal, but the cops really don't look at your suspension when they're checkin' your car out to see if they want to impound you. So I think suspension is safer first, because you'll likely get less tickets when they're checkin' for illegal performance parts.

For performance you gotta get the Uppipe done first.
Then you'd probably want to finish it off with a turbo back, with less/no cats, especially if you're thinkin' about rallying and low end torque on tracks. Just the beginning, it's been on the board already, so if you're lookin' for ideas, just search up on 'em.

Have a nice day

 

the mods i listed arent in that order necessarily :-) im sure u have some questions?

 

Also, Awns... as an FYI, aftermarket downpipes replace the whole section from the turbo to the catback, eliminating the need for a midpipe. A complete exhaust system would be an uppipe in front of the turbo, a downpipe behind the turbo and a catback exhaust.

 

isnt there a midpipe after the downpipe and before the catback? the downpipe replaces everything before the 3rd cat (to the turbo) and the cat back is everything after the car(which, i thought was in the midpipe)to the muffler...that was my understanding ...i guess that only applies to a stock wrx. am i right on that? and all aftermarket downpipes replace the midpipe? ok then...forget gutted midpipe as a mod....my last mod is silicone intercooler hoses...thanks for clearing that up for me nvubl...lol im embarrased about that mix up...but i did know what a complete exhaust sytem was

 

Hey Van Exel, who says WRX's can't take down Rx7's? And Awns, no big deal, you're right about a stock WRX but aftermarket downpipes replace the stock downpipe and midpipe, the uppipe in front of the turbo has one cat and then the downpipe has two, and the midpipe has a resonator... all restrictive. And don't feel embarrassed, it's not bad for a 14-15 year old.

 

I'm new hear I know..Planning on buying a sti soon. Mostly been browsing the forums lately using the search button. But I've had my fair share of decently fast cars. 1 dodge stealth TT and a Mitsu 3000gt vr4. Both bpu to the max. But I agree with your statement about a modded wrx but consider the fact that these other cars could be modded. Never asume. It'll embarass you. Treat em like the next guy. Not saying you didn't consider this but it is good to mention the possibility.

Matt

 

Thanks Guys for the kind words.. Based on suggestions and own research, had similiar thoughts as far as upgrades..

As far as STI HUNTER.. here is the link from the distributer here in the US.. http://www.rallyperformance.com/scooby.shtml

Was curious as to how you all fair up with other autos on the track.. Not to interested in Drag Racing.. but more of the road type racing.. with the above mods..

I guess I will never own the fastest, best handling car with the most low end torque ect.. but I could not image a well equipped wrx to be taken for granted ( assume competent driver).. Once you go beyond the upgrades mentioned above, I figured I would look into One way front Diff.. as well as turbo upgrade... But beyond bolt-ons what options are there.. I have read of stroker kits.. that increase displacement to approx. 2.2 liters how are the torque curves on these strokers.. reliablility.. cost per hps.. Also read on people bullet proofing their wrx engine with different piston/rod combinations, better gasketing as well as, cam gears and better bottom end.. This would not be my first choices, but trying to consider where I could go.. (again STI/EVO is cheaper) but being a auto guy, would not mind having something different.. I guess other options would be JDM STI 2.0lt engine as well as USDM 2.5lt from a the new forrester as an option with some tuning.. and ultimately the STI engine..

Obviously, I am focusing to much on horsepower, and that alone won't make you successful on the road or track.. Just unsure as to where the wrx block can be taken.. (Thus is there a real need to swap engines).. Three Hundred HP would probably more than I can handle, and realisticly need.. But looking at options..
As far as handling, and other areas.. FMIC, yes or no.. Will this increase Drag on Turbo, or should I invest in a better TMIC.. My goal is to be around 225 to 255 WHP maybe a little more.. with a matching suspension package..

If anyone has stories about how the faired up agains AUDI's, SHO's, and FWD would be interested..
I again appreciate your comments..
Alex

 

the aftermarket downpipe thing makes sense...i cant belive i didnt realize that after seeing so many pics...im embarrased cuz im on this board so much and have soo many posts and i still didnt know that. in the stock exhaust system theres at cat in the up/downpipe and ive heard the 3rd cat is in the midpipe. the dpipe one is not very restrictive so u dont need to replace it for under 300 hp. and the resenator is a little after the cat...when u said the dpipe has 2 cats were u talking about some aftermarket systems or the stock one? cuz like i said before i heard the 3rd cat is in the midpipe before the resonator....ok now to the topic at hand, loaf...you have to start with basic bolt ons first, like you said...after that you have a few options...you can get at STi bottom end for 1500$(very good deal)...or forged pistons and rods, or do an engine swap. this would be after bolt ons, brakes, suspension, etc. personally i would get and STi bottom end and a ihi vf series turbow/upgraded FMIC and vishnu tuning or UTEC.

 

I went through the site Loaf provided and they had a lot good info to share. They recommend if you're not tuning to over 300hp to take out the uppipe cat and the downpipe cat and leave in the stock cat in the front center pipe. They recommended this because the stock cat is more reliable push you can still pass emissions testing on the single cat. Seems fairly logical to me get more power, retain reliability and pass emissions.

 

This is insane, and way out of your budget, as well as most people's budget for that matter. But you can wet your taste buds with it, and maybe check out some of their smaller kits.

http://www.xcceleration.com/esx-740.htm

 

Jerry
Your right.. Way out of my price range.. Interesting though...

I was curious if anyone else has thought of or runs the Scooby Sports STI package.. Seems very similiar to the Vishnu Kit. plus inhouse JIC coilovers, as far as performance.. I have read the reveiws in the mags on this comparision.. but never seen or heard of anyone outside UK with it..
As I previously mentioned I am looking from a complimentary package or modifications... for all around track performance, not just straight line acceleration.. One area that never gets talked about is the front Diff.. replacing it with a limited slip.. Why? I believe our cars has a limited diff, but its in the rear. (Not sure)..

Also trying to understand the weakness in the 5-speed that the WRX has.. most problems seem from people drag racing them.. With the HP rating that I would like to achieve, is this even an issue since I am not drag racing (reving engine to 5000 and releasing the clutch). I would think that the strain from road racing is much different.. Looking for input on this..

Obviously there are to many variables to create an STI/EVO hunter.. and my original thoughts were just that, to find packages that compliment the already sturdy package and make it competitive on the track.. Got some good insight from you all.. I think with some real training and experience under my belt, my knowledge on racing will increase.. I feel that good/clean driving coupled with the proper chasis/power modifications my little subaru can stay and play with the big brother.. Just trying to tap into that knowledge on what has worked, and still allow me to pay the mortage and bills..
Thoughts welcomed
Alex

 

start reading stuff here, ask a lot of questions...mod it yourself ...part by part ...IMHO