Hey what should i do?

[unrulyaardvark]

i just bought a 2003 wrx and im wondering what i should do to it
to make it sound better and handle better and a bit faster.

and i dont want it to sound the the crappy civics with oversized exhaust pipes

[SD_GR]

Start with the part of the car that touches the ground and work inwards and up until you're happy with the result.

Keep in mind that there is little, if any, reason to increase power, as the car already makes adequate power. Those who do not believe me might be well served to consider how many bends they take with their foot off the throttle, and how soon they do lift off. The dynamics are slowing the car, not the motor.

See the link in my signature for a post with info articles.

[spt wrx 2k8]

Depending on your overall goal for the car - sound, handling and power will VARY.

[99STM]

Start with the part of the car that touches the ground and work inwards and up until you're happy with the result.

Keep in mind that there is little, if any, reason to increase power, as the car already makes adequate power. Those who do not believe me might be well served to consider how many bends they take with their foot off the throttle, and how soon they do lift off. The dynamics are slowing the car, not the motor.

See the link in my signature for a post with info articles.

I would kinda have to disagree haha. I've had my bugeye for about a month and it doesn't feel fast to me very much anymore. It's completely stock.

[SD_GR]

Try braking later and then accelerating sooner and I think you'll see what I mean.

[unrulyaardvark]

yeah the engine is perfectly adequate but what about intake and exhaust or a short throw shifter

[SD_GR]

For your model an exhaust can be fitted without the need to remap the ECU; however, you will see the most output increase with a remap.

Look for threads describing the up pipe catalytic converter as that's the place most people start.

The shifter bushings will be an improvement regardless of the shifter throw length. If you can drive a car with a shifter fitted, try it and see what you think.

An intake is not necessary and not what I'd be considering at this point.

[Sinister]

and i dont want it to sound the the crappy civics with oversized exhaust pipes

It won't... there's a difference between a 2.0L boxer engine, and a 1.6L or 1.8L inline four.

[unrulyaardvark]

i am new to this so whats remapping the ecu is that like cobb stage 1 or 2 tuning

[Heide264]

You should spend some time reading some stickies, or if you want it all in one place:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533787

or

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/2135638-post2.html

Sound wise, you won't sound like a civic as long as you don't replace your headers. If you replace your headers with equal (I'm pretty sure, could be unequal) length headers, you'll get that classic 4banger/weedwhacker sound. Add a fart can and ya got yourself a torquey honda, haha.

...I'd look into turbo back exhausts and maybe an up pipe while you are at it. Cat-back will get ya sound but nothing performance wise.

Keep in mind, a lot of mods with these cars don't get you much if anything at the wheels without a proper tune. Cobb stage 1 is pretty much just factory with a smoother power band. Stage 2 is a turbo back exhaust I'm pretty sure. There are alternatives to Cobb... if you are tight on the buck might want to look into open source. Just check out the engine management forum stickies for it. Remapping the ECU refers to a tune, so yes cobb stage 1/2 or whatnot is a type of tune.

This stuff is really expensive to play with. I'd spend a long time doing some reading before ya cough up your credit card number. For plug and play reasons, I'd look into fixing the exhaust up, getting a decent tune, and then going more into suspension and handling modifications =)

[Sinister]

If you've listened to a subaru with an equal length header... it still doesn't sound like a civic. more like an old dsm IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCqvN...eature=related

here's a before and after:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrLas...eature=related