99 replies to this topic

[AlexB428]

Buying a WRX has been the general consensus by WRX and STi owners, and I just don't know why. It just looks like that's the general consensus because 2.5 owners tend not to be enthusiasts and therefore tend not to post online. Yes, the turbo models are built for boost, but it seems that the N/A model makes much more power out of a much smaller amount. The N/A is also lighter, and is MUCH cheaper to insure. I'm 19 and live in Massachusetts. I believe Mass has the highest insurance rates in the country (its well up there at least) and is not easy on young drivers at all, so the difference in insuring a 2.5i saves me a lot. My insurance is already double what my parents pay. My parents drive a new Audi A5 and a 1 year old Cadillac Escalade, I drive a 3 year old Impreza N/A... I don't see the math in that.

There's actually a technical thread on Nasioc that is for N/As with bolt on forced induction. There's a lot of people there who have done this and still have reliable cars. Obviously, it can be done.

And no, the ECU will not be able to handle the boost. It will need at tune to run. It honestly needs a tune for everything, even the exhaust (butt dyno says a loss in low rpm power). That's why it's holding me back. If my tuning options don't change in a year or two I'm going to have to assume that they won't change, then a swap will by my only option.

Whatever, I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see. Until then, I'm going low-n-slow

P.S. I got stuck on my first speed bump last night

EDIT:

forgot to mention this, but there is mod support, it's just not N/A specific. Subarus are like Legos for big boys. You can use Legacy parts for the engine and WRX parts for the body and interior. They're all pretty much the same. My suspension and exhaust are both for a WRX.

Edited by AlexB428, 11 September 2012 - 12:26 PM.

[derpan]

It seems fine for older Subie owners though, I've seen Subie Legacy Wagons being boosted using WRX turbos out of all things. It's sad that there's no love for the new N/A engines anymore, apart from the 86/BRZ boxer. But yeah, N/A has a huge benefit for insurance. In Australia, the premium goes up astronomically when you install forced induction, especially when you're just off the probationary license (21 years old) and male. When you're in that particular crowd they automatically assume that you're an idiot with a thousand dollar 'death machine'. But obviously they favour experience over what car you drive.

Ah, sad to see the engine might be going, would've had quite some potential. But at the end of the day if you're not satisfied with the build then do what you must. I would personally avoid the trouble of swapping the engine though and buy a new car. How much does a new engine cost for an Impreza anyway?

I've always wondered what those hellaflush guys do when they encounter a speed bump, like in a fast food drive though where there's sometimes a speed bump (I have no idea why) or they get trapped within a popular street. Seems pointless to me, it almost immobilizes your car to plain flat roads of a drag strip. But hey, whatever floats the boat.

Yeah, I think that's pretty usual with most cars since the manufacturer is a little "lazy" to change their technology. I can see why though, why change a formula that works? AE86 parts bolt directly into the KE70 and the AE71. 3 Cyl. Daihatsus run the same K frame ect.

Edited by derpan, 11 September 2012 - 01:03 PM.

[Gt2871r20thGTI]

Small world Alex I'm in MA also!

Yea to get the most gain from a car need to add a power booster (SC,turbo)

Ofcourse one could bore out there engine and change all the pistons Rods rings ex with out adding a turbo to give it more power but if you do that mine as well get a turbo for it also.

As for chipping or flashing cars most makes a dn models have something available for them to do so.

After some simple modification some cars do need a tune to run properly (stock ecus done like BiG performance changes, it won't auto adjust for the need of the engine to support any mods.

Thanks for everyone adding in there builds and projects!

Keep them comming

[AlexB428]

I'm not sure how much an engine would cost. I haven't done my homework on that because it a path that I really don't want to take. Also, I have thought about bore and piston rings/rods, but I'm going to wait on that until after the sc. That, and since its an engine-out job I want to do a port & polish and cams at the same time. Might as well get them done at the same time.

As for my ride height, its far from hella-flush. That is when the wheel pokes out past the fender. Mine are sunken a bit (very little) and the fenders aren't even rolled (although I do want to do that). that, and my tires are fitted to the wheels correctly (225/45 on a 17x8.25" wheel). I usually don't have a problem anywhere, but this speed bump was a bit high to begin with, then had a pot hole on the other side.

~starting to think about stealing another stop sign and making a skid plate out of it

[Gt2871r20thGTI]

I hate pot holes and speed bumps... One thing I hate about new England that's why I don't get bags or coilovers YET!

I hve seen some use a stop for a skid plate before kinda cool since the one he ganked was brand new and he left the stop logo down so u could see it!

[Gt2871r20thGTI]

Ok an update in the GTI,
Broke a stud on exhaust manifold to the turbo... Too much power!
So removed the turbo and all lines and pipes in the way. Tapped and dyed the whole for a bolt but ran into problems with bolt fitting into turbo side flange housing was in way so made it into a stud by buying a longer bolt cranking it into exhaust and hacked off the head. Ok so ready to bolt it back up and did so then after I connected everything back up and decided to snug everything completely and F*cking broke another stud on the last bolt I had to tighten...

So once again take it all back out and broke last 2 remaining studs out to ensure it won't happen again!

So 2 studs on one side and used 2 bolts on other side.
Bolted it all back up AGAIN and also installed an oil catch can and a new intake filter since the was oil buildup in intake and inter cooler piping.

Here is how it turned out.








Working good now and new oil and coolant for the winter

[Agent Arrow]

I returned to the parking garage to discover my car having a staring contest...

[AlexB428]

lol, not gonna lie, when it comes to staring you down the EVO wins every time.

Gt2871r20thGTI, on 08 October 2012 - 01:43 PM, said:

Ok an update in the GTI,
It's so powerful it broke itself.

Bragging rights!

And for an update on the 'preza. The halo still isn't fixed, I plastered the inside of the door cards with camper tape to try to get rid of the annoying rattling, but it only sorta worked, I have a brand new custom dent in the oil pan (highway construction + Low visiblility because of headlights that are aimed way too low + night time + 85mph), and the rear suspension is starting to sound like its falling out of the car. I think I'm starting to see the negatives of the low life.

Edited by AlexB428, 16 October 2012 - 07:44 PM.

[Agent Arrow]

Your 'preza is succumbing to the STI clunk

[Deadpoolv3]

Agent Arrow, on 16 October 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:

I returned to the parking garage to discover my car having a staring contest...
%20https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BAVH2qDt84c/UH2SgEcYfVI/AAAAAAAACLs/KLfEetqouCA/s1024/2012-10-11_14-14-04_608.jpg

go go impreza

[Agent Arrow]

While not showcasing mods or anything, a friend of mine just bought an MR2, so we were hanging out in Bloomfield last night taking pics and such.

[Deadpoolv3]

i'm sorry that Malibu looks so out of place

Edited by Deadpoolv3, 05 November 2012 - 02:20 AM.

[Agent Arrow]

That's why this particular group is so funny. It's really nice though, fully loaded '09 Malibu V6 complete with paddle shifters, leather interior, etc.

[Agent Arrow]

Today is a good day. My birthday gift to myself has finally arrived. I can't wait to put it on and hear how it sounds!

[Sp3edrac3r1]

derpan, on 11 September 2012 - 12:53 PM, said:

I've always wondered what those hellaflush guys do when they encounter a speed bump, like in a fast food drive though where there's sometimes a speed bump (I have no idea why) or they get trapped within a popular street. Seems pointless to me, it almost immobilizes your car to plain flat roads of a drag strip. But hey, whatever floats the boat.

most of them are on bags and air suspension, coilovers (or some would call it static) are a no-no for slamming a car Hella-flush low

Edited by Sp3edrac3r1, 08 November 2012 - 04:32 PM.

[Agent Arrow]

I saw an orange'91 integra with broken shocks. The car sat really low, but uneven and every time he hit a slight bump in the pavement the car bounced and swerved uncontrollably. It was terrifying to watch. To top it all off though, he had a hellaflush bumper sticker. This of course just made me facepalm "You're doing it WRONG!" But it was still worth the lolz.

[AlexB428]

I'm not Hellaflush, I'm Kindaflush (its between Hellaflush and Hellafunctional, but not Mexiflush) Also, I've only gotten stuck once so far, and it was in a friggin car wash .

That's gonna sound nice Arrow, Borla makes good stuff. I noticed its lack-of resonator tho

As for me, I recently had a flat and was driving around in FWD mode for a bit. I gotta say, when full front this thing has NO grip. I was doing mini burnouts at every light by mistake.

P.S. I'm sitting in my car in a parking lot right now and there's a cop that keeps staring at me. Its kinda starting to creep me out.

EDIT: He just radared an old guy on a motor scooter.

Edited by AlexB428, 19 November 2012 - 04:34 PM.

[AlexB428]

NECRO!!!!

But in all seriousness now, I went to get my wheels balanced today. About 5 min after they pulled the car in, they brought me out back and told me that 3 of my wheels were bent (I thought it was just a really bad balance issue). That's gonna be expensive to fix (considering the price. One looks like it would cost $100 more to repair than replace [I would just replace at that point {moar brackets!!!!}]) and the only place I could find that would do it is in NH (unless anyone has a better suggestion).

PRO TIP: light, strong, cheap. Pick two, and for the love of God don't pick light and cheap.

[LamboGTR]

AlexB428, on 11 December 2012 - 10:37 PM, said:

NECRO!!!!

But in all seriousness now, I went to get my wheels balanced today. About 5 min after they pulled the car in, they brought me out back and told me that 3 of my wheels were bent (I thought it was just a really bad balance issue). That's gonna be expensive to fix (considering the price. One looks like it would cost $100 more to repair than replace [I would just replace at that point {moar brackets!!!!}]) and the only place I could find that would do it is in NH (unless anyone has a better suggestion).

PRO TIP: light, strong, cheap. Pick two, and for the love of God don't pick light and cheap.

Strong and cheap. Because screw weight.

[Agent Arrow]

An old saying that a guy at the local racetrack preaches: "Taking a pound out of the wheels is like taking ten out of the body." Good words to live by if creating a performance vehicle