I am about to pick up an 03 WRX. I don't know exactly what to buy first for my car. I know I want the Turbo RFL BOV just for the noise, but other than that am very undecided. I was hoping that maybe some of you guys could help. I am lookin to spend about $200 or so, so I am open to any suggestions. Thnx, Kal.

 

From what I have seen so far, I think that the best bang for the buck is a ECU. Vishnu has one for $750, but Cobb Tuning has one with similar gains for $400. Going from 227 to 255HP is pretty good for $400. If I were you, I'd drop the BOV and get the ECU. Going faster is a lot better than sounding faster.

edit; Just want to make it clear that this is just from window shopping. I do not have a WRX yet, and do not have first hand experience with the product. However, from what I see, if I were in your position, the ECU would be my first mod.

Anybody had first-hand experience with these ECU upgrades?

 

Cool, thnx. Yeah goin faster is better than soundin faster but I've been set ever since I heard it. Will look into the ECU and where is the cheapest place to buy? Any more suggestions, anyone?

 

I'm also lookin for an exhaust. Pref. somethin w/ the whole burnt tip look and everythin. Anyone know where to get a deal?

 

try cobbtuning.com, little over 400 i thnk for a ECU reflash, good for like 30 hp.

vishnutuning.com

xcelleration.com

^^ provide different packages n stuff, do some research.

also, you more into the look of stuff rather than the performance?

http://www.mattrandolph.com/wrx/cat-...omparisons.htm

^^ for catback exhaust comparisons...doesnt give looks really i dont think, but gives a great idea of performance increases (whp/ftlbs) and weights and prices etc etc...invaluable resource IMHO.

oh and check out www.gruppe-s.com for alot of great deals on stuff...havent heard anything but good dealing with them, and they got stuff REALLY cheap

 

i went with a power pulley from Perrin for 140 and had $$ to save for the ECU.
Alternately, you could do an uppipe mod(about 200 give or take a few bucks) and then do the boost control mod in Scoobymods.com for free.

 

boost controller

 

bov does do something for power. it takes it away if you dont have it recycling. it takes away for the response.

 

Steedsta
That is a false trueth. You have too look at a lot of variables to determine that. You might loose a bit of responce but your not blowing hot air back into your turbo......

But i do agree on the skip the BOV thing though. Save the money and get the ECU upgrade. and then doo some freemods like a vacume blead or a cheep manual boost controler. If your handy it will cost you maby $20. Ill teach you how to set one up if you dont know how. And maby a simple extra injector from a saab coldstart system after we override your overboost cutout. You would be saprised what you can do from some referbed junkyard parts..

 

why do wrx's boost so high stock
it seems like it doesnt leave much to play with. WRX's are basicly boosting a 1 bar stock

 

The overboost cutout is a safety feature that basicly shuts down your engine when you hit unsafe boost levels. Just incase your wastegate fails for some reason or you suffer from a majior boost spike.
Not shure where the cutout is on a new WRX, but all turbo cars have them. Most US cars are usualy at 14.7psi. but the wrx boosts higher than most stock cars. The old J-spec cars were at 15.2 if im corect.