[Xanliel]

For the guys/girls that are performance modding their 15+ WRX. Are ya'll doing anything to prevent the rod failures or clutch slipping? I personally feel that I purchased my WRX with the wrong idea in mind. I purchased the car with the intent to upgrade it a bit to have a bit more power, but after reading various posts regarding engine failures I have decided that modding is not such a great idea.

Do not get me wrong I am perfectly contempt with the car and I actually have no application that the extra power is necessary I guess it was just a I wanna go fast thing. Which leads me to my next point. I wish the WRX were built with modding in mind like the STI. Over built motor over built transmission and clutch overbuilt suspension and tuning. Guess the point is I should have bought a STI. Will be looking at the 2020 STI when it comes out. Of course waiting a few years to work the kinks out first. Probably going to get roasted over this

 

[Xanliel]

Ahh I guess I should have done even more research. It was my understanding that big gains were available to STI's without supporting mods. For instance it was my understanding that you could slap on a bigger turbo a EWG fuel injectors and fuel pump with a tune you're looking at 400HP. and the block and internals as well as the transmission could handle it. Now I am sure all of the above costs quite a bit though.

In order for the FA20 to be at 400 requires full bolt ons and e85 or e50 blend. Now you're running in the grey area though. Tranny could go the clutch will be slipping and rods which is the weak point may go at some point. I'm over it though. I love my WRX for what it is.

 

[Xanliel]

The important bit here is that manufacturers are not motivated to produce engines that can sustain higher-than-OEM power levels. In fact, the opposite is true here... emissions and fuel economy regs are to blame (as well as economics).

Every car design has a weak link. Subject that link to enough additional (and not designed for) force, and it will break.

The STI 6MT -- for some odd reason -- is quite overbuilt. The engine, not so much. In any event, once output is increased, there is a greater risk of failure.

Yeah a misunderstanding of the STI platform on my part. I thought for sure the motor in the STI was quite strong. I do not want to dissuade others from buying the WRX as a modding platform because it is good for what it is.

 

[Xanliel]

Yeah it's not every day you will see a post regarding their modded engine and it still going strong after 100k. Right now i'm running the OTS 91 tune from COBB. Heard many great things about the MAP tune. I also have just cat back exhaust and that's where I plan on leaving it.

FWIW I was searching for my next upgrade. My local tuner at CORR performance found me a sweet deal with Grimmspeed for their Stage3 kit. J pipe, intake, TMIC and charge pipe, 3 port EBCS then adding to it the TGV and EGR deletes and an AOS all seem like great products. Just afraid to gamble I guess. Knowing I would need a good stage 2 clutch for a daily then taking the gamble with the rods just keeps putting fear uncertainty and doubt in my mind.