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Subaru Impreza WRX - READ ONLY

11554 messages,  Last post on Nov 07, 2006 at 12:41 PM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Sedan

Messages Page 247 of 1156

#2454 of 11554 K&N/ Thoughts on further mods? by bedabi

Aug 09, 2001 (7:40 am)

I put a K&N filter in when the car was at about 3k miles (at ~8k miles now)and I think it's safe to say that I felt the turbo spool up a little faster. By now, though, the difference might be negligible because this engine definitely has smoothened out as it further wears in. Where the turbo previously didn't start kicking in till about 3800 RPMs or so at break-in time, it now starts pulling pretty hard by 3200 RPMs. Then again, I only use Sunoco 94 octane gas, and I think the ECU now allows the turbo to work a bit harder. (No other mods..... yet.)

As I've said before, prospective WRX buyers should be aware that the pre-break-in WRX's at the dealerships feel very stuffy compared to a WRX after 5000 miles or so. Try to get a ride with a friend, and you'll see what I mean.

Have any other owners modified your WRXs yet? Have you looked into it? I've been doing a lot of reading up in i-club, and a debate rages between two aftermarket kits by TurboXS and Cobb/APS:

http://www.turboxs.com/

http://cobbtuning.com/ssi/osb2/showitem.cfm?Category=27

Both systems basically feature a modified intake, new exhaust and a piggyback computer chip for the stock ECU. Cobb/APS is substantially pricier, but claims to have a more comprehensive system and more experience (APS is from Australia, and have tuned Impreza Turbos since aobut 1994). Turbo XS claims to boost power to 265 hp, and Cobb/APS to 280 hp.

On a side note, Prodrive of England, in conjunction with Subaru, is selling a performance package, FULLY WARRANTIED, that produces about 245 hp and 261 lb/ft torque (!). This car was similarly modified with a different ECU, exhaust and minor intake changes. You can take a look at the dyno curves here, where it's shown as a performance option for the UK300 version of the WRX:

http://www.subaru.co.uk/uk300/uk300.htm

Click "Special Features", then click on the circle above the hood for the "Optional WR Sport Performance Pack".

Unfortunately, even if this option does float across the Atlantic, I doubt the warranty will follow. :-{

#2456 of 11554 K+N by paisan

Aug 09, 2001 (7:45 am)

I run a K+N in my Trooper, I noticed a better pull in the upper RPM range (above 4K on that car) after the K&N Filter. I like it cause it's re-usable and gives slight performance gains.
 
-mike

#2457 of 11554 K&N caution by silver_bullet

Aug 09, 2001 (11:19 am)

When you wash and re-oil your K&N filter, be very careful to apply the oil correctly, and don't overdo it. It is fairly common for excess oil to contaminate the MAF sensor used by many cars today. Does anyone have data from an independent source that demonstrates a measurable benefit from fitting a K&N filter? I've never seen one.

#2458 of 11554 K&N performance by kostamojen2

Aug 09, 2001 (11:35 pm)

I think some dyno tests were run on cars with stock intake filters vs. K&N over on I-club... not 100% sure though

#2459 of 11554 Big money head/fog light replacement. by wildwildwest2

Aug 11, 2001 (4:03 pm)

I love my yellow WRX, it was well worth the search.
 
The other day I was admiring the front end and was wondering how much damage a rock or two could do to the large low fog lights or the much bigger target provided by the headlight assy. I priced out the cost of the parts at the dealer and found one headlight assy goes for $300, while one foglight is $150. I then started searching for some protection. I found some plastic film that sticks on the lights like a decal that go for something like $45. to cover all four lights.
 
I then found some hard plastic covers available from New-Impreza.com out of Australia. These would offer much more protection and the photos on the web site seem to show they don't detract much from the look of the car. Has anyone any experience with these or other protective devices for these lights? Please share your thoughts.
 
What I would really like to find for the fog lights is the aluminum or chrome mesh units like they use on many ORV but I cannot find anything that fit. Anyone found any of these??
 
Thanks for the help WRX-folks.
Mellow Yellow Bob

#2460 of 11554 Headlight protection by sychang

Aug 11, 2001 (10:11 pm)

I bought Stongard and had it applied to my headlights and front end of the car. It's otherwise known as a "clear bra" made of 3M clear plastic. Edmunds.com has an article on it. The pieces for the headlights are considerably thicker than the pieces that go on the hood and bumper - nearly 1/4 of an inch. The pieces can be ordered cut specifically for the WRX, and the full kit can be had for about $170. It's the installation that'll cost you. You should find a good tinter to do the job, and you'll be paying for about 5-6 hours labor.

#2461 of 11554 Foglight protection by kostamojen2

Aug 11, 2001 (10:55 pm)

Heres a nice foglight protector for ya

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22449

#2462 of 11554 Or by paisan

Aug 12, 2001 (5:43 pm)

Just wait for them to get smashed, and replace them with some good PIAA model 80 (if memory serves me correct) lights which will be far superior to the stock ones.
 
-mike

#2463 of 11554 Bridgestone 730's by pfiffer

Aug 12, 2001 (8:41 pm)

I've now got 450 sweet KM on a blue 5 spd sedan - put 730 potenzas with the 17 " BBS rims. Handling is top drawer!! rDoes anyone have a tire pressure recommendation for these? They were installed with 27 psi cold pressure and are a bit noisy at 120 kmph. Any feedback would be appreciated.
 
ED

Messages Page 247 of 1156

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