hi all, i brought my 03 wrx back in november and am getting the urge for a bit more power, ive read loads of posts on here about the routes to take but am unsure of what i have to start with, i brought the car under the impression it was standard apart from a backbox and a dv, i since found a receipt for a centre pipe, ideally id like someone in the know to have a look at the car and tell me whats been done, my mate said its been de-catted but i dont think so, also i read that boost should come in about 3500rpm standard and im sure mines about 2500? is there anyway of telling if its already been mapped, sorry for all the questions but being my first scooby im unsure and dont want to waste cash if stuffs already been done, also its done 120k (with fsh ) so dont want to go mental but 270-280bhp would be fine, thanks!

 

260-280+ is what you'll get on a maxxed out TD04L (the turbo it's fitted with).

Just need a remap by EcuTek - lots of mappers offer the service.

Before remap, best to fit:-

* Decat downpipe/centre section (still leaves a cat in the uppipe but I believe the other two are the more restrictive -- uppipe can be a bit of a ballache to change and prob isn't worth doing at that level)
* Replacement panel filter (K&N would be my choice - but Green, Cosworth, etc. all fine).
* New/uprated OEM-style in-tank fuel pump
* Uprated sparks (1 grade 'colder' than OEM)
* New OEM fuel filter

 

- fully decated exhaust system including up pipe
- panel filter, dont buy an air filter it will just suck in hot air and isnt needed for the power you want
- STI TMIC
- walbro fuel pump
- NGK platinum plugs
- EcuTek remap and you will see 280 bhp and similar torque figures

 

newage wrx top mount is fine for the power levels he wants, surely.

 

better breathing for the engine just and the wrx tmic is very tiny compared to the sti tmic

 

Without doubt.

If my previous MY93 WRX can make 282 on its poxy, tiny slanty thing.........................

 

The MY03 WRX and STi TMICs are the same size/pattern aren't they.

Just the WRX is black and is fitted with a plastic Y-pipe (rather than the STI's more robust metal/silicone affair). Also the STi's might have slightly bigger endtanks.

Regardless, athough the STi one is however more efficient and can flow about 450bhp, the WRX one ain't gonna be troubled at 260-280 odd....

 

personally i think sti top mount is a waste of money until he goes for bigger turbo.
Mine happily put out 280-290bhp ish on wrx top mount.

His is a blob not a classic

 

The STi TM is way bigger on New Ages.

However, mine runs with standard plugs/TMIC/fuel pump - 285bhp/342lbft.

They aren't going to any harm (just in case!!), but you don't have to change fuel pump/TMIC/plugs at that power.

 

Agree


I know that.

My point was that if a MY93-96 Classic's tiny TMIC can manage enough air for 280 odd, then the MY03 WRX's one is gonna have no problem.

 

Cheers - never seen 'em side by side lol. I just assumed.....


But the std MY03 WRX TMIC is fine for his power target as we've all discussed.

 

I didn't know either, but I was having mine compression tested the other day and was discussing the top mounts:





Not the best pics, but they are the same width - the STi is a lot deeper as you can see.

 

Ahhhh, yes much deeper (and fair do's to uk300scoob. )

As a result, significant extra surface area/volume - hence its "up to c.450bhp" capability....

 

thats what i mean the height is alot bigger and the difference in size beside each other are night and day, just saying might help with breathing but isnt really a big major thing to go replace when getting that power but it does just help out abit

 

http://el.crichon.wrx.free.fr/040910/wrx_sti_tmic.jpg

size difference in sti tmic and wrx tmic

 

and the size difference between a hawkeye wrx tmic with black plastic top is far smaller than an sti tmic and its a huge difference

 

Panel filter,
Fuel pump (just to be safe),
Full de-cat exhaust,
Plugs (again for safety),
Mapping session.

Forget about changing your topmount, really not needed at the level your wanting.

The above mods will see a healthy increase in power.

 

If you want to know if its been mapped get it to a mapper! They should be able to tell reasonably quickly what you have. You location is listed as Birmingham so plenty of choice your way, API in Warwick, Rodger Clarke in Hinckley, I'm sure theres more.

I would consider a decat upipe, the gains you would get won't be massive but there is a 'precat' in the upipe which has been known to fall to bits when boost is raised and usually wrecks the turbo with it. Not saying it would happen at your level but remember its 9 years and 120k old. Joz is right though, can be a complete pain the rear end to get the bugger off!

 

cheers for the replys, think getting it to a mapper first would be my best bet then and go from there, just wasnt sure if there was anyway of telling, thanks

 

Give me a call or pop in and l'll tell you what is what.

David APi

01926 614333

 

Rodger Clarke..... Who's he Matt ?
I've heard of Roger Clark,

 

What? as in " Rodger the cabin boy " from Captain Pugwash?

Along with " Seaman Staines" and " Master Bates "

I kid you not - all those years ago that was quite risque.

David

 

lol at Captain Pugwash

Obviously as a little kid, I had no idea!

 

I suppose its too late to claim the spell check did it

You know what I meant you picky bunch

 

Read all the above with great interest; I have a 2001 WRX; and had the same question about modding.
- not wanting to hijack the thread but - does all the above apply to the 2001 and do both cats have to be in place for the MOT, or can the 'precat' be binned completely, to make things easier as its the hardest to take on and off.
thanks and apologies if this is off topic!

 

You have 3 cats on the new age, up pipe , down pipe and centre section and I believe you can remove the up pipe and centre pipe (still running down pipe cat) and it will pass the emissions test

 

Except they never had characters with those names in Captain Pugwash.

 

Nah, only two. 1 in the up pipe and one after the turbo the centre pipe one is a resonator box with a sensor wire fitted which confuses people intio thinking that it is a cat.

Lose the up pipe one altogether and fit a downpipe sports cat if you are worried about dolphins and trees.

If you want a fast car take off the downpipe cat too and find a helpful MOT-er.

Most Subaru and Evo and Skylines are decatted, so there must be many around .....

David

 

Oh really? it must be my 60 year old memory playing tricks, just the same as my 60 year old mates that l was talking to who remembered it with me.

Just googled it - apparently it is a modern myth and was created by some comedians much later.

http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/pugwash.asp

Sorry to confuse.

 

thanks to the lads at api for putting me right this morning