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500hp WRX advice

22K views 31 replies 22 participants last post by  Scooby_newbie  
#1 ·
So I literally just bought my wrx. It's a 2014 WRB sedan. At work there's a guy with a 2013 wrx pushing 280-300. I'm new to the whole car scene, but I'm pretty handy and a quick learner. So is there anyone out there with a 08+ 500+hp WRX? What are the parts I'll need and so forth. Any help is appreciated.



And yes I know it's going to be a
20k+ project.


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#5 ·
Sell your WRX and buy a Supra.

I drove my friends STI made 490 at the wheels. It defiantly was fun but not practical as a daily driver.

but if you really must have that much power talk to a tuner and let them know what you want and have them build you a motor
 
#6 ·
This. Talk to whoever is going to be your tuner and let them know your goal.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I'm at something like 330hp/385tq on the dyno, and there is no way forward now without a full turbo, motor and tranny build. So, my advice comes from my car & experience, and you'll obviously have to talk to a tuner about getting to 500 hp at the wheels.

All that being said, my car (a 2013 WRX hatchback) realistically struggles to handle the power level I'm at now on the stock clutch, brakes and tranny (particularly the rear diff), and I barely ever get into fully boost below 3rd gear. A lot of this has to do with the rear diff and transmission in general, so I would strongly suggest you drive/ride along with a car that's at the 300 hp/350tq mark, and see if that's enough for you. The jump from there to 500hp is a big one. I suggest this, because you're going to be in for a serious bill once you build the motor, turbo, clutch, tranny, fuel system, and other supporting mods to get there (brakes, suspension, cooling, tires... the list goes on and on at that power level). Only a tuner can get you the real info you need to make that power.

Now, assuming you have the cash to get there (I'd plan on $15k minimum to do it right, which it has to be if you are going to DD it - and you seem to understand that), awesome. Do it and enjoy if that's how you want to spend your money (and make sure you show up at my place to give me a ride!). And plan on a motor rebuild every 50k, and you should get your fun and money out of it. However, from my point of view, the sweet spot for power/money ratio for these cars staying primarily stock is stage 2 with a EBCS and a good protune, with small supporting mods (all done for around $1k). All easy modifications, and it really opens up the car. Past that, I think you end up changing out so many parts that you might as well have started with a different platform. If you are serious about it, I'd suggest starting with an STI over the WRX as well.

So, if you are serious, here's a build that he daily drove. Make sure you read the whole thing:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2078765
 
#12 ·
the sweet spot for power/money ratio for these cars staying primarily stock is stage 2 with a EBCS and a good protune, with small supporting mods (all done for around $1k). All easy modifications, and it really opens up the car. Past that, I think you end up changing out so many parts that you might as well have started with a different platform.
This. The WRX just isn't that kind of car... I'd look at an EVO, 5.0 or a Boss mustang, an STi...stuff like that. Brakes, diffs, transmissions, are all probly going to be problems for you with a WRX, you may as well start with a car that matches up better to that power goal.
 
#9 ·
+1

...Or consider reading around a bit before asking people how to dump 10-20 grand into a car.
 
#13 ·
No.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Look at my build thread
then do that.

(my 430whp was on a low reading dyno without correction. My build was a 500whp build)
 
#22 ·
Every new member wants that 500+whp monster right away. Get to know your car better start doing small mods read more up on these things yourself. If you are having to ask how to get 500whp you are not prepared for such project. I'd advise you to go with stage 2 then start slowly moving up a 500whp monster is gonna have to be built properly with thousands and thousands of dollars thrown under the hood and transmission (which I hope you know that)

Sorry if this sounded a bit harsh it's not meant to be.

The only bit of advice I can give you is you need to read up do hours of research on your own before you plan to do such a extreme build a 5 minute write up from a member posting on your thread is not going to benefit you in any such way.
 
#24 ·
Every new member wants that 500+whp monster right away. Get to know your car better start doing small mods read more up on these things yourself. If you are having to ask how to get 500whp you are not prepared for such project. I'd advise you to go with stage 2 then start slowly moving up a 500whp monster is gonna have to be built properly with thousands and thousands of dollars thrown under the hood and transmission (which I hope you know that)
I'm going to agree here.

I started with stage 2. And it kept not being enough. But the nice thing was, every part I put on was quality, and worked fine with the next step... and the next step... and the next step. So as long as you do your research, you can keep pushing until it's enough power!
 
#23 ·
If you have the money to spend on a build like this and the determination/will power to spend said money then there is no reason why you would not be able to reach you goals. Anything is achievable through determination. GO FOR IT! and post a build thread while your at it :wiggles:
 
#25 ·
I am going to commit heresy here:

If 500hp is what you want and all you are going to do is throw money at a car, start with a car that you know can handle that much power to begin with.

You should look at a Shelby Mustang 500 GT. 600 hp and build to handle it.
 
#27 ·
If hes really enthusiastic about having a 500whp monster it can be done I just advise to do countless hours of research to do it right..


Back to skimd there's plenty of people on here that have over 500 to the wheels it can be done. Some people prefer having a 500whp monster wrx over a muscle car myself included.
 
#28 ·
I love my WRX. There's a LONG way to go to safely get it to 500HP. But you start with the love of the car.

Maybe I misread his original post. It seemed like he just wanted to buy a car and then throw down 20K in mods to get it there. I did not feel the love of the Rex in the post.

You can get the WRX to 750 HP. But I think the research, the steps, the evolution is part of the fun.

I stand by my statement-- if you just one 500 HP from a car by throwing money at it, the Shelby GT 500 is the way to go./
 
#30 ·
Wait, I got it!

818 S & R | Factory Five Racing

Sure it says 2004 wrx, but you'll have an extra 10K to convert it to the new version of the wrx. You can do it (and post a build thread).

This might, or might not, be what I was thinking about doing, and want a guinea pig before I jump in.
 
#31 ·
Wait, I got it!

818 S & R | Factory Five Racing

Sure it says 2004 wrx, but you'll have an extra 10K to convert it to the new version of the wrx. You can do it (and post a build thread).

This might, or might not, be what I was thinking about doing, and want a guinea pig before I jump in.