Reliable at 500whp on a 4 cylinder? Not a chance.

Hope your pockets are deep. Very deep.

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Sell the car and buy something else.

 

If you don't care about AWD take a look at a new Mustang GT 5.0. Close to 500 HP, can be had for around 40 - 42 ish k loaded. Really nice car and the engine doesn't need to be modified one bit. Could last 200 or 300k miles before you need an overhaul.

I would have gone with one if it was not for needing that pesky AWD due to my driving style and where I live.

 

I have a 19 mustang gt with a bunch of suspension mods it's true bhp is 460 but you can buy them brand new with a warranty and a supercharger putting out about 650whp. I know that will float your boat for sure. Probably gonna have to change drive axles and driveshaft if you don't load it up with options you have a car that will have a factory for warranty for about 45k Happy motoring oh I forgot without the supercharger and the 10 speed automatic it turns 11.9 @ 119. I bought the wrx as my winter or rainy day car & I enjoy it as much as the Mustang.

 

Okay, your probably right about reliability none existent with 500 whp..

So I do realize that this is not a cheap road ahead and it’s not all about whp for me (but it’s always fun to have more). 500whp in a Subaru vs a mustang are two very different things and I like the control ability and grip that wrx or sti have over most muscle cars unless the new generations have improved on that and I am open to any suggestions.

I have herd that 2015 wrx are not as built in their transmissions diffs and engine and i am on the fence about keeping this stock wrx given that I want to make this a machine not for daily driving. Is this a fair statement? What are the limitations on power with the stock fa 20 engine and transmission / differentials? Am I better off getting an sti and starting from there?

Idk, I feel that if I am prepared to spend 50-70k on a track/street car, what kind of similar performance can I get from other platforms for my money? I am open to suggestions.

 

Okay, your probably right about reliability none existent with 500 whp..

So I do realize that this is not a cheap road ahead and it’s not all about whp for me (but it’s always fun to have more). 500whp in a Subaru vs a mustang are two very different things and I like the control ability and grip that wrx or sti have over most muscle cars unless the new generations have improved on that and I am open to any suggestions.

I have herd that 2015 wrx are not as built in their transmissions diffs and engine and i am on the fence about keeping this stock wrx given that I want to make this a machine not for daily driving. Is this a fair statement? What are the limitations on power with the stock fa 20 engine and transmission / differentials? Am I better off getting an sti and starting from there?

Idk, I feel that if I am prepared to spend 50-70k on a track/street car, what kind of similar performance can I get from other platforms for my money? I am open to suggestions.

look at some of his videos - he seems to have done it "reliably" enough

 

Audi S7

Can make 500whp from just a reflash.

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A cra

 

To exceed 400 safely you need a better block like a Crawford block itll handle 1000 atleast but its 10k but for for the rest of your drivetrain its questionable to

 

A built block will not last like an OEM block. There are exceptions, but that's the rule.

 

Look at the 2020 CLA 45 AMG Benz. The S model puts out 416HP. It is AWD and has a track valid warranty. It is a 4 door with a trunk. ~$55K-60K depending on options.

Now for ~$62ishK you can have a C8 that will be a strong performer.

Of course, my favorite is the ZL1. 7:2X performance at the Ring. Upper 10s to low 11s quarter mile. 202MPH top speed (at Volkswagen's track in Germany). 1.15 G cornering. Putting your foot into 650HP and 650 pound feet of torque is good for the soul.

All of these will be less money and be far more reliable than any 500HP hand grenade WRX.

 

Look at the 2020 CLA 45 AMG Benz. The S model puts out 416HP. It is AWD and has a track valid warranty. It is a 4 door with a trunk. ~$55K-60K depending on options.

I imagine the 45 AMG S is going to be great fun to drive despite the lack of a left pedal, but even that isn't making 500whp. Probably 330-350whp on most dynos. That's just there to illustrate just what the OP is asking... 50% more than an AMG S.

 

Is that the one where the rear view camera is hidden behind the Merc star emblem on the boot lid? I followed one recently, thought that touch was cute but the rest of the car looks a mess. Spats, veins, ducts, a sour look on the nose. I suppose none of that matters when one is driving the car though and the price isn't all that wrong so I'd have a look if it were me. Plus, did I mention the camera is hidden behind the star? Absolute Dan Dare-level stuff there.

 

Zack: I know that 500WHP is up there. I know the 45AMG S has fittings for a second set of plugs and much of the plumbing is already in place. It would look to be tuner friendly, not that I would want to take on that risk.

SD: Ours in the 2018 so our camera is just like everyone else's camera. The 2020 does do that hide and pop out. Pretty cool. I like the looks, too. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Most A10 ZL1s dyno in the 550-565HP range. The 6M models in the 560-580 range. The C8 has some questions, much more around what the heck was wrong with that dyno or who setup what. 550+RWHP on a 495HP crank rated engine. C8 is not likely in my future.

 

Zack: I know that 500WHP is up there. I know the 45AMG S has fittings for a second set of plugs and much of the plumbing is already in place. It would look to be tuner friendly, not that I would want to take on that risk.

With the way Merc builds their engines, I have no doubt.

It would not, however, be emissions compliant or claim the level of reliability you would expect from a $60k vehicle.

 

Stupid Questions:

Just how fast would a 500WHP WRX/STI be? Would it be a sub 10 second quarter mile car? Would it be a sub 7:30 Ring (Green Hell) car? You can substitute VIR for The Ring. For roughly ~$45K you can get a Camaro SS 1LE. For ~$60K you can get a CLA 45AMG S. I am fairly familiar with their times.

 

So you don't think a GT350 will have the 'control' you want over an economy box with a 2.0 liter transmission and 500 whp that has to have a trailer and a tool shed follow it around? It's not the 90's, anymore. Cars like the GT and SS handle pretty well, especially when you start getting into the track packages. I recently equipped a Mustang GT on Ford's website with the full track package, Recarro seats, and other options 50k. Another 10k gets you the GT350. A car like that comes with a full warranty and no headaches.

If you're planning any of this for the 1/4 mile then I'd drop your WRX off at the dealership now and take an Uber to another car manufacturer's lot.

 

Personally, I am a bit leery of the Voodoo engine in the 2016, 2017 and maybe 2018 cars. There were / are lots of engine replacements due to high oil consumption (1 quart every 250 miles in some cases). I applaud Ford for just sending a new motor and not letting the dealerships touch the engines. This allowed Ford to engineers to investigate the problem and come up with a fix. There were several fixes (valve assembly and piston enhancements) that were incorporated into the 2019 engine. Also, the GT350 does have serious over-heating issues on the track. Some of this was addressed in the GT350R with additional radiators and heat exchangers. FWIW, this is still an issue on the GTs to this day. About 1 hot lap and red zone gauges. Just to be fair, the Z06 has its share of cooling issues till 2018, too. I wouldn't track any C7 Z06 without some after market cooling, to this day.

For the record, I have seen 2 - GT350s oil the track in two different HPDE Time Attack events.

 

From what I've seen from 2019 reviews, I 'thought' the cooling issues on the 2019 GT350 had been addressed. The front air duct and a larger oil cooler, maybe? I still think you'd have far less problems than trying to make that kind of power in a WRX, especially since you'd have a warranty to fall back on. You also may spend more money in the long run with that kind of a project. I'd assume not only is the engine going to need to be reworked, but you'll have to have suspension and brake modifications to support the extra speed and power. I don't think the transmission will be up to the task in stock form in a WRX (non STI).

I also still think you're underestimating the handling capabilities of a modern GT350, a Vette, or whatever the Camaro's track equipped model is called. All of this is coming from a guy who was never an American sports car fan until I started paying more attention. Granted, I won't go and drive one, because I know what will happen and that will be premature at this point.

 

When I drove the Camaro SS, my WRX was toast. Chevrolet did not play fair, either. In 2017, at CamaroFest in Bowling Green, they had the ZL1s and were unveiling the ZL1 1LE. Reports of the ZL1 with the 10L90 (10A) transmission were coming in. They picked my pocket, right then and there.

The refreshed Mustang with the PP1(2?) package is good. The SS Camaro is good. The SS 1LE is great. The ZL1 is just your, everyday, common, ordinary variety, world class supercar. The ZL1 1LE (ZLE in Camaro parlance) embarrasses supercars. I wouldn't want to live with that DSSV suspension on a daily basis. However, on the track, they are monsters.

No reports from friends or owners, yet ..... on the GT500. More or less even money if it will be faster on the track than the ZLE.

Bottom line: There may be a swan song for cars in the next 10-20 years. What a finale!

 

I think it’s insurance premiums that may save the day.

 

From 16 year olds, I sure hope so. Most of these cars will be Hagerty or some other type of limited miles garage queen type of insurance.

I'll take some pictures on Thursday night. We are doing a car club cruise / dinner / special showing of Ford versus Ferrari. We have 3 or 4 Ford GTs (the first iteration) and at least 2 of the newer EcoBoost models. There is one 260CI Shelby Cobra (1963 or 4) that will be there. There is at least one 427 side oiler / top loaded original that may be there too.

There will be the usual 458s, 488s, 430s and such, too.

 

No manual transmission for the GT500.

 

manual transmission in itself is dying out :/

 

^ The channel (and other conjoined channels that post videos from both groups) show that the vehicle is able to hold the power down and maintain it. I'm not saying a built motor is reliable. Heck, even the stock motors have issues from time to time. But what I am saying is that it CAN be done and CAN be reasonably reliable in holding that power and enjoying it.

I personally wouldn't do it though. I only posted that video and channel info because the OP was curious. I think if anyone is dreaming of 500+ horsepower they should look at other options such as American Muscle. At least then when you can have 500+ horsepower you have a warranty to back it up.

Good luck OP!

 

Calling something "reliable" because it can hold together for one dyno pull is a stretch, regardless how you frame it.

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You're right. I see what you're saying now.

Back to addressing the OP though. As several other people on this thread have already mentioned, myself included, go and purchase a vehicle that comes stock with your desired power cravings. That way you have a new car with a warranty and if properly maintained can be reasonably reliable, even with such power.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

The 2015 + wrx can only handle 350 lbs of torque. You MUSThave the car professionally tuned on a dyno machine for all wheel drive to safely milk the engine. If you daily drive this car, tune it low. To get more reliable power, you will have to replace the engine @ $3700 plus install...but you'll have 500 hp.

 

Buy a $6000 91 Ford Mustang 5.0 and visit summit racing. You’ll have the perfect platform to go fast and straight

 

I’m currently at 400/360 on the stock block and tranny. I have a 2017 Wrx. I’m planning to go for 500whp in the future but you’ll need a built block which is a little less than $5k, the sti tranny and diff which is about $4k. After you have those 2 assuming you are fbo and e85 you’ll need the IBR intake manifold for port injection $1-2k and the radium dual hanger fuel pump which is $1.2k. For labor me and a friend have access to a lift so labor is somewhat free. A tune is normally about 800. Fbo e85 is already about $4-6k. Honestly I would wait and trade it in foe the new 2022 Sti

 

Ik this is about 2 years too late but the wrx is actually a great platform. I am running 500whp in my 2017 wrx. Been at the power for about 70k miles so far without a single issue. This is something you don’t want to cheap out on tho. Built block and Sti trans swap are the keys to the reliable 500whp. Stock wrx trans is wack and weak. Can’t hold more than 350whp without it being a ticking time before bomb. Idc what anyone else says fa20 is a better engine than the ej257 and it’s not even close. Ofc people will go and buy the Sti because after all it’s the top of the line but really and truthfully the fa20 is better. Other than stock connecting rods, stupid reliable.

 

You are the exception to the rule.

It would have been cheaper to buy an sti as well and just as reliable.

 

Hell yes it's worth it. A HP goal is great but what the hell are you gonna do with it? If you want 500hp for the sake of having 500hp, then yes it's worth it. It will cost alot when those tight tolerances are unachievable but who cares. If you got it like that, fucking send it.

 

There just are not many places to really wring out 650HP errr 500HP. Doing anything approaching top end runs on any public street is just plain nuts. Even the really fast tracks that I've been on had stock HP limits of no more than ~160MPH for anything less than a Cup car. Just another point: Having a factory warranty that remain enforce once you cross the white line leaving the paddock is a nice thing, too.