2.0 turbo or 2.5 turbo

[bigcheese2321]

I am looking to buy my first wrx and am looking at a 2004-2005, I dont know much about these cars to much but am curious if its worth the extra cash to get the 2006 with the 2.5 turbo. I do plan on modding the car later either way. maybe someone can shed some light. better fuel mileage, more reliable, more power etc. thanks in advance.

[bigcheese2321]

It will be my daily driver for now, even though I only live about 5 miles from work.

[EJ257]

The additional torque from the 2.5L makes it a better DD, IMO

[bigcheese2321]

whats the comparison as to how much power I can get out of the two, are they both pretty close minus tourqe on the 2.5? I kind of like the 2004 2005 body style better.

[MainFrame]

The 2.5L will make more power every where throughout the power band, and will be capable of handling more power after modding as well.


If you like the 04-05 body style, maybe look into a 2005 STi. It will be more conducive to modding with the 2.5L, and you won't have to worry about the transmission as increase the power.

[RayfieldsWRX]

Some people enjoy the higher-revving character of the 2.0. When I put a new engine in my 2002, I went to a 2.5 (with 2.0 heads), and have no regrets. The difference in low-end torque (prior to turbo spoolup) is noticeable and welcome. I don't get the same fuel economy, but that likely has more to do with my mods.

Welcome to the Club!

[Ruh Roh]

welcome! thats what id like ^^^. but i cant complain with my little 2.slow. she does well but next car will be 2.5

[Anub1s]

Having owned a WRX with the 2.0L and one with the 2.5L... 2.5L all the way. It's just overall better for almost every concievable way.

The only thing I miss about the 2.0L is it felt like the power hit a little bit harder, in a way that was just fun. Probably because it took so damn long to get into the usable power range. The 2.5L is by far smoother on power delivery, though.

[RayfieldsWRX]

My 2.5 hits waaay harder than my 2.0's ever did...but that's because 18gracecar.

[zax]

The 2.5L will make more power every where throughout the power band, and will be capable of handling more power after modding as well.


If you like the 04-05 body style, maybe look into a 2005 STi. It will be more conducive to modding with the 2.5L, and you won't have to worry about the transmission as increase the power.

I disagree about the power ceiling. 350whp puts both motors into the danger zone *cue music*

[MainFrame]

I disagree about the power ceiling. 350whp puts both motors into the danger zone *cue music*

You're going to have to push a 2L harder to make the same power as a 2.5L (especially torque wise).. be it more timing, more boost, bigger turbo, leaner mix. Based on that alone I would expect a 2L on average to give way sooner. Of course that's not always the case. And if you're serious about modding and keeping it drivable I would hate trying to spool a 35r on a 2L ej.

[bigcheese2321]

thanks for all the input, I think Im going to go with a 2.5, I will try to find a 05 sti in my price range that hasnt been thrashed, but its looking like a 06, 07 is all im going to be abkle to afford at the moment, Im getting out of my 5mpgs in my gas 96 350 so I can start saving more money again. lol. I am curious though, down the road, would a sti 6spd tranny bolt right up to the 2.5? I know the sti's use a 2.5, just not sure what the differences are. or is it even worth it. I would like to get a lil over 300hp eventually out of it. probabley a couple years down the road.

[zax]

You're going to have to push a 2L harder to make the same power as a 2.5L (especially torque wise).. be it more timing, more boost, bigger turbo, leaner mix. Based on that alone I would expect a 2L on average to give way sooner. Of course that's not always the case. And if you're serious about modding and keeping it drivable I would hate trying to spool a 35r on a 2L ej.

Agreed. 400whp on a 2.5L will be much more driveable on the street compared to 400whp on a 2.0L.

Beamed at your face at approx. 186,000 miles per second via DROID BIONIC