Ok, before this is carted off to the muppet forum, let me be more precise.

I've got a 97 WRX wagon, for which the majority of sources quote as 240bhp. So;

1. Was the power output of an equivalent STi wagon 280bhp?
2. If it was, what made the difference? Is it just the ECU, or are STi engines completely different from WRX?
3. Can i get 280bhp safely from my WRX just by changing the ECU?
4. Will it be worth it?

Ta in advance for any guidance.

Terry

 

Hi

If i understand it correctly all STI parts are put under more scrutiny for tolerances and so trusted to be hiked up in the power stakes, preparing to be muppetised .

Simon
Ps And you get extra brake by painting things red

 

Go to

 

The STi engine has lighter valve gear, better pistons and cranks etc. This is all put together to a better tollerance (blueprinting) resulting in a better balanced engine which can then be red lined 1000rpm higher than the "throw it together" approach the standard WRX and UK spec. models have. Add a larger turbo, different ECU, silicone hoses and you have the ability to produce more power. Even with the WRX engines putting out 280PS for the same year the STi had greater torque.

Remembering also that the 240PS (not BHP) is obtained by mapping for 100RON it is concievable that this is a very similar engine to the UK spec. car rated at 208bhp.

As well as the engines the chassis benefitted to STi enhancements also as well as interior additions.

The

 

I knew all that and more but I didnt want to confuse the man.
Regards
Kevo

 

Hmmm, and there was i being talked out of an STi because of higher insurance premiums and an over-stiff suspension (mine's used predominantly on family trips where that wouldn't have been desirable).
Sounds like i should have bought softer springs and coughed up the extra on the premiums.
So, apart from the aircon, electric mirrors and other detail changes, are we saying that the WRX and UK spec car are, at least in terms of performance, pretty similar?
Have i made a stupid mistake?

Terry

 

Terry

Ive drove a UK car, a WRX and an RA before buying mine im now the happy owner of a MY95 WRX circa 260bhp, same as there are happy owners of UK cars and STI's at the end of the day its what you want from it not somebody else's opinion .

Simon

 

Does anyone know what mods we can add to the wrx to improve the power to match the sti?

adrian (very new member)

 

STis cranks look VERY similar to UK......

 

I have a MY94 WRX which runs 291 bhp and 280 lb/ft (according to PE's rollers). To get this I have done (in this order)

1. Scoobysport back box and Ramair filter
2. Scoobysport downpipe
3. Blitz induction kit and PE Phase 1 remap (plus Sti head gaskets)
4. Scoobysport straight through centre section

Oh, and I upgraded the brakes to Brembo befor e I started, and changed to MRT anti roll bars, Anti Lift kit and Cusco suspension half way through.

Now drives like a go-cart, with strong power from 3000 - 7000 rpm

 

Use octane booster to get power rating back up near the 260bhp quoted...fyg I use millers octane plus.

 

Stuart,

Thanks - i'm beginning to cheer up a little bit.
I'd assume that if you've had 290bhp measured after just an exhaust, induction kit and filter upgrade, you didn't start with a number as low as 208bhp that Steve Breen was scaring me with. Phew!
I'm happy for Scoobysport to play around with the chipping, as long as i'm not going to reduce the life expectancy of the engine to 3 weeks. I'll have a word with them...

Trigger - how sure are you that one bottle of Millers is worth 20bhp? That seems a mighty big jump for one little bottle-full...?

Terry

 

Well, if using 97 octane reduces power from 240bhp down to 208bhp, then raising octane level back to 100ron, must have a similar effect in reverse ?

 

Telboy,
I think you must have missed the bit about the PE (Power Engineering) Phase 1 remap. This remaps the ECU for ignition, boost and fuelling. Pete at Scoobysport doesn't do ecu work. (but he knows a man that does!) I don't think that PE still do the remap, most people now seem to go to Bob Rawle for a LINK ecu and remap. An exhaust and filter/induction kit do liberate a bit of power (probably about 10 tops) but what they do improve more is breathing and throttle response. The turbo is kept spinning longer by having a less restrictive exhaust, therefore increasing response when you put your foot down again.

Stuart

 

Ok, but i'm not at all sure of the validity of the claim that standard WRXs put out only 208bhp on 97 RON. At least, i don't WANT to believe it...!

 

Stuart,

Sounds good. And you've had no reliability problems?
Did you (were you supposed to) tell your insurance company?

Terry

 

Terry

This should give you a nice indication

 

oops when I said 208bhp I was comparing your engine with the regular 208bhp which *everyone* knows puts out more than that (check out the dyno page mentioned above). Expect around 220bhp or even more as the "208" is also on 95 not 97RON.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

As all my improvements have been balanced ie more power, but better brakes etc there has been no loading on my premium!