I am contemplating buying a uk 2003 on wrx and was wondering what sort of boost can be run on the standard engine, considering the correct mods have been carried out to insure the fuelling and charge temp is correct.

I would also like to know what the differences are between the sti and wrx engine turbo setup is it a case of a different turbo and ic or are the pistons and rods etc different..

thanks dan.

 

STI has uprated internals.

 

Best to get an '03 Sti instead. I would if I were you and I have an '03 wrx. You'll only start transplanting Sti bits into the wrx anyway.

 

I dont agree!!

Its down to personal choice and what you prefer to drive!! Wrx's are cheaper!! And a little less understated if you dont want the "In Yer Face" Presence on the road! Some people do which is fine! But they can easily be tuned to an STI's addittional standard 40 HP and a whole lot more depending on your wallet.

And the money you save you can easily match the STI's Power with plenty more left over!! And Without the embarrasment of Gold Wheels

My MY03 WRX with a Decat, Panel Filter, Walbro, headers on the "standard map" is pushing 285HP and the only bit from an STI it has transplanted is an Intercooler! And thats coming out soon also.Andy Forrests WRX with similar Mods and a remap has 320HP !! As for the internals yes slightly different but like any car its all how its driven! Any WRX or STI above 380 HP would be limiting OEM powerplant and transmission life! Unless youre really hard driving day in day out the WRX internals are plenty strong and capable.!

Like most mods the parts are usually aftermarket and not OEM taken from the STI !

Martin Ninnybobs is running a 400+ HP MY03 WRX I beleive also!!

 

thx for your advice guys... just to clarify what you are saying is the wrx can be taken up to 400 hp without changing the pistons or engine internals and that yours is 285 bhp with a walbro 255 ltr gss341? std turbo, sti ic and a panel filter, and your friends is 320hp with simular mods and a remap, I would expect to fit a fmic alongside a 3.5 inch zorst induction kit, and ecu or piggyback, but i was wondering would it be then be possible to fit a ATP turbo gt28rs kit to a uk wrx, as i am after around 350 bhp out of the wrx what other mods would i need to consider to keep the car reliable.

http://www.atpturbo.com/root/releases/release063005.htm

also what sort of boost do you have to run to get 285 bhp and 320bhp are you currently at the limit of what the std ecu can fuel to without a remap, and is your freind with simular mods + a remap on the limit of the std turbo or IC?

 

My WRX is now running 385bhp on an 18G turbo, Sti TMIC, injectors, 3" exhaust and still with std intake and cast headers. No engine reliability issues and I wouldn't expect any based on quite a number of similar spec cars out there.
First item to give trouble I suspect would be the gearbox. Certainly the earlier UK 5 speeds started to fail at much over 340bhp.

Andy

 

Nothing wrong with the wrx, mine is running 286.1 bhp ( don't forget the .1 ) all standard apart from decat exhaust and green filter. Standard fuel pump too. Plenty more potential but it all costs.
My point is that if you are looking 2nd hand and can buy an Sti for a good price, you already have the six speeder, reasonable size vf34 turbo, stronger block and internals, better brakes and drive train. You can always tone down the cosmetics with different wheels and sell big spoiler for a few hundred squids!.