The difference in price between a regular WRX and an STI (in this area) is about $6K.

My question is - What would it take and could I come out cheaper (and maybe faster) to buy a WRX and upgrade it intead of buying an STI?

Looks like I can get a used VF39 turbo for maybe $400 to $600. Will that bolt right on the WRX or do I need a different header? What other turbos will bolt right on? Maybe I could get something better for just a little bit more?

Then get some 720 injectors for about $450 and a Walbro 255 LPH for another $80, throw on some up and down pipes and a turbo back exhaust - put an STI flash on it (to be fine tuned later) an run with it.

Isn't that about it or am I way off? Would that work?

 

so far, you have the turbo and fuel system. You also need the engine tuning, full exhaust, and after all is set and done, you've got an wrx with a upgraded turbo. You're forgetting the extra .5 litre in the engine, the transmission, the brakes. Basically it would be much cheaper to start off with the sti...imo

 

with a STi you'll still have your warranty too.

 

You can't make a WRX into an STI for anything less than $10,000.00 and you'd end up with a modded WRX with little or no resale value and no warranty. Go STI or accept the (perfectly fine) WRX.

 

If you have the money for an STI, get it.

 

Thanks everyone - you've all pretty much answerd my question.

Well, I don't really NEED a complete STI (who does, right?) -- just as fast as an STI would be fine by me. I'm not a speed freak so much as I am an acceleration junkie.

But it sounds like (from what everyone is saying as well as what I guessed in the first place) it's far more of an out-of-pocket expense and headache than the $6K difference.

I agree the WRX is perfectly fine and is perfectly fast enough. But I know me, if I bought a WRX I'd be wishing everyday I had the STI and obsessing on how to make it faster. But then I'll probably be obsessing on how to make the STI faster after I get that.

Why can't I just drive normal?

 

BTW - I cannot believe I just saw this ad here on the bottom of this page...

 

i'd say get the STi. i'm gonna be selling my wrx soon as i find an 05 STi in the color i want. i've gone over it a bunch of times, and it's much cheaper to shell out a few thousand extra for the STi, than to go mod crazy on the wrx. not to mention all the work you'd have to do with the transmission swap, etc.

plus you get a sweet interior, haha

 

+1 on STI

STI the better car out the box. I comes fully loaded as the WRX, but with better and stronger transmission, bigger engine, DCCD, etc.

 

If you already owned an older Impreza or a WRX and were looking at modding to STI, then I'd say go that route (especially if warranty was not an issue)

But seeing that you are looking at buying a WRX and upgrading to STi or buying an STi....I'd have to agree with everyone else. Just save yourself the heartache and time and get the STi.

 

sti= insurance rape ... wrx = you dodge that insurance rate.. and still get a fast car.
but... if your rich.. then it doesnt matter.. but.. for the average poor american...

 

Get a Subaru STI if you can afford it because they are one of the
nicest cars you can get.You will spend alot more than 10K to convert
a WRX into a STI.The great part about buying a STI is you can get a
nice warranty with it.Also Subaru's are one of the top five automarkers
to hold their value over the years.