someone wanna explain the "stages"

[Wookie]

so how do these stages work?
what mods are done
does the dealer do this you its your own work

[Integra96]

There is no hard rule about what the various stages mean. Different manufacturers or tuners have different parts that go with each stage. Dealers are usually NOT involved in this.

Do some searching and visit turboxs.com for a start...

[YBNormal07]

Generally (and this is very general)

Stage 1
-----------
Catback,
intake, (WRX responds better to this mod at this point)
BOV (although this is not a performance mod at this point).
Possibley some boost control
Stage 2
-----------
All of the above +
Downpipe, upipe (WRX only)
Possbly some engine management/boost control

Stage 3
----------
All of the above +
(here is where it can get a little more vaque as to the line drawn in the sand)
Engine management
upgraded turbo

Stage 4
--------------
All of the above +
Upgraded IC
Upgraded fuel pump
Upgraded injectors

Stage 3 and 4 are virtually interchangeable IMHO, since if you upgrade your turbo, it is necessary to provide the support mods to ensure a safe running vehichle that won't detonate, etc.

Also, it is feasible to have engine management from the point of stage 1.

[RayfieldsWRX]

^^^ Stage 3 is a turbo upgrade? What mod path is that, just out of curiosity?

TurboXS and Cobb are basically the same for Stages 1 and 2:

Stage 1:
Engine Management

Stage 2:
Engine Management
Turboback exhaust
May or may not include uppipe for Cobb.

Stage 3 (TurboXS)
Above, plus upgraded top mount intercooler and different map for EM

TurboXS Stage 4 and Cobb's Stage "2.5" is:
Upgraded turbo
Bigger Fuel Injectors
Fuel pump upgrade (optional with Cobb)
Uppipe
Everything that went into Stage 2.

[YBNormal07]

It's an amalagmation, since many stage 3 upgrades are merely tweaking of the stage 2 installs. Notice I said that once you are at Stage 3, the line becomes very vague. After intake/exhaust/EM (stage 2), with the exception of a turbo upgrade, any new installs are minor performance enhancers IMO. I'm addressing performance only, not tuning issues such as A/F (injectors, better map, bigger IC, fuel pump, etc.) which is essentially what non-turbo upgrade installs do for you.

The one upgrade I didn't mention that is actually a pretty good performance enhancer with good tuning is water injection, but his is a somewhat rare install.....which one day I'll do also!!

I'm not a big believer in naming these "stages" to begin with, since there is no prescribed or agreed to path in the market....which is a good thing since you don't want the exact same thing everyone else has...or at least I don't (in the long run).

[RayfieldsWRX]

Yeah, there's a segment of people on the forum that don't like the stage thing. I can respect that, but the TurboXS path has kinda been taken as the baseline for quickly explaining how modded your car is. With the exception of the Vishnu guys, Stage 1 and 2 are pretty well understood by most people that travel in WRX mod circles.

[WRC_Obsessed]

Check out this thread. Read this and you should have an good understanding if you don't already.

Stage understanding?