New to subbies, coming from DSM

[Impreza_T00ner]

Hey whatsup guys, a buddy of mine has a 03 WRX and something about it just made me love it. I currently own a DSM (99 GS-T) but after it sells Im gonna be looking into an 03-04 WRX. Anything major I need to know? Any info is appreciated im looking forward to getting involved in the community!

[mycologist]

Welcome. The best advice is once you get it forget basically everything you learned about how to modify your DSM.

[Impreza_T00ner]

What do you mean exactly =O

[SD_GR]

What do you mean exactly =O

They are very different cars. The mods appropriate to a DSM will simply not work, or be safe, or either for a WRX. In any case since you are in CA, do NOT buy a car without a smog certificate. Also, avoid a modified car anyway. Please see the how-to-buy threads in the purchasing forum for any/all info about what to look for in a used WRX.

[Impreza_T00ner]

Well yeah I mean the main things I look for when buying a used car, rust, fluids, mileage, close as possible to stock, and smog ready!!

What are some BPU's you guys would start out with..

[MainFrame]

A good start power wise would be a new uppipe, TBE, 3-port EBCS, and a custom tune. You could throw a good TMIC in there, and port and polished exhaust manifolds to squeeze a little more out of the tune, but beyond that you're looking at significant $$ and reduced reliability.

[Impreza_T00ner]

Ok I think you guys use some different terminology... Uppipe, would be Upper intercooler pipe? Or no?

TBE=?
EBCS=?
TMIC- Top mount intercooler?

[T0rque]

up pipe is a pipe coming from the manifold to the turbo, 2002-2005 wrx with 2.0 liter had a catalytic converter in that pipe.. Best mod hands down for power.

TBE=TURBO BACK EXHAUST
EBCS= ELECTRONIC BOOST CONTROL SOLENOID
TMIC= TOP MOUNT INTERCOOLER

[Impreza_T00ner]

So you guys dont use Manual Boost controllers?
and im confused on what the stock intercooler location is, my friend said that top mount is stock on the WRX, was he wrong -_-?

[T0rque]

NO WE DO NOT use MBCs

stock intercooler on any turbo subaru is TMIC

[Impreza_T00ner]

So your just saying to upgrade the Top mount?

Also seems like everything you do to the car you need a tune... Exhaust.. Intake.. is this true?

[MakeItRoar]

The TMIC is stock on the WRX. Here's a diagram of air flow from the intake hood to the muffler, to clarify the intercooler as well as an earlier up pipe reference.



I was kinda late on the draw for the TMIC question, but I'll leave this up.

[T0rque]

So your just saying to upgrade the Top mount?

Also seems like everything you do to the car you need a tune... Exhaust.. Intake.. is this true?

basically.. We usually do things in stages because of that very reason.. I suggest finding a tuner that you like and has a good subaru reputation. You can easily go stage 2 without replacing the TMIC. Stage 2 consists of Up pipe, downpipe, cat back.. Some like to also throw in the EBCS.. If you want to be a little bit on the plus side of things you can do a TMIC, injectors, UP, DP, CBE, EBCS and the custom tune, that way your only saving up at that point for a bigger turbo

[mycologist]

First Modifications - what to do and not to do

[MainFrame]

So your just saying to upgrade the Top mount?

Also seems like everything you do to the car you need a tune... Exhaust.. Intake.. is this true?

Not everything, but anything that will make a significant difference to how the car runs. Besides, more aggressive tuning is where all the power comes from anyways.. upgrading parts basically just makes it easier/safer to run more aggressive tuning, which in turn makes more power.


I personally wouldn't go away from the top mount until you've got a 20g or larger turbo.. and I had my entire engine built and blueprinted before I did that.