There are many examples on this forum and others of disasters relating to engine modifications carried out by so called specialists. Its probable that these examples are only the tip of the iceberg.
In my own case I have had work carried out to my 56 plate Hawkeye wrx and come away disapointed both with the work carried out and the resulting improvement in performance.

Yesterday it went into Zen Performance and my faith has been restored.
Its time to say thanks to Sam, Paul and particularly to Tim and young Sam who worked on the car. Not only did they fit the turbo that others couldnt fit in no time at all but they corrected some of the results of previous work carried out by others.
When it came to payment the amount charged was below the amount quoted without question as the time spent was less and some parts not used.

Simon (JGM) arrived as arranged and the car was mapped. Its probably only fair to say that Paul at Zen does mapping but Simon had mapped the car before and I worked on the theory that as I was very happy with what Simon had done before I would stick with him. The theory worked, the car is brilliant, the sometimes optimistic result of delta dash will be tested at Powerstations rolling road next weekend. If it gets close to the 394 bhp and 380lb of torque i'll be very happy.

Once again thanks to all at Zen and to Simon.

 

So Zen really can make a silk purse out of a sows ear!

Congrats on getting a ride you are now happy with!

Simon

 

Exlnt paul you deserve it mate hope you have more luck than i did, i was searching for 500 and GOD just didnt want to give it me i think it was god not wanting me to drive a 500-500 on the road,zen says something to do with the way i drive lol...

Im so happy for you as i stated you deserve it all the way and what a great looking car, ive drove this car around the ring when it was standard can't wait for next year bring it on lol....

 

Glad to hear you have confidence again. Told you that you would be in safe hands all round, and the end result speaks for itself. Very well done to the 2 companies involved.

 

Zen were spot on with mine too,price for work came bang on quote,no hidden extras.
Not used JGM,but had some very good advise from him on here lmany times.

 

Have not used Zen as of yet but I can vouch for Simon being a legend in his work. A really nice guys as well which helps and doesn't just do his mapping and sod off with the money.

Well done Simon and of course Zen. Enjoy the new car mate . Hope it makes the results your looking for.

Steve

 

Yep a big thanks to Zen from me as well, Paul stayed behind last night to get my parts sorted. Glad the mapping went ok and was nice to meet you Paul

Mel

 

I,m looking for someone to map my Spec C in the next few weeks, would you recommend Zen then folks??

 

Oh yes!!!

 

Nice one , what turbo did you fit? Let us know how you get on at powerstation .

 

Hiya scooby401, i watched your mods on here with great interest and inspiration. Hows it going? The turbo is a td06 with 49lb compressor.

 

Hiya mate , all is well engine wise exept for a minor issue with the actuator failing on my turbo, the actuator is currently with Andy F being sorted so no scoob for a week or two, Are you running a std 5speed box? my box seems to be holding up after its second rebuild but have put an ap racing clutch in it,the oe clutch only had 5k on it but was slipping if i went throgh the gears quick but ok if reved to the red line, 405ft.lbf @ 3000rpm, looking forward to seeing how you get on next weekend.

 

zen are spot on, sorted out my engine mounting a treat!

 

Yes have standard 5 speed and clutch, have done nothing to headers to keep torque under control and that seems to have worked as had 288/323 on rolling road with td04. If i get 370/370 next weekend i'll be well happy. Am looking for sti 06 6 speed medium term and saving for a clutch. Will do headers at same time and see what torque goes to. Until then hoping with a bit of care the clutch/gearbox holds up. 400/400 remains the target eventually.

 

Spoke to David at API on the clutch and we decided that the oe preasure plate was plenty strong enough for my power figure especially with the milage being so low and that the material of the oe friction plate was the weakest link thats why i just went for an AP racing organic friction plate, Andy F recons a 6 speed box will be stronger than ours but he wouldnt recomend it when you get to circa 400/400 the 5 peed box would make for a quicker car "6 speed box your constantly going through gears"

 

about time Paul glad you finally got the car as it should be, Top work by zen & jgm again!! So my intercooler/pipework fitting still doing the the job then

 

Its still there

 

Update
Just got back from Subaru-Central rolling road day at Powerstation.
Despite problems with over boosting, oil catch can being fitted tomorrow to stop problem with avcr boost solenoid being affected by oil from breathers, with patience managed to get 394 bhp and 362 lb torque.
Thanks again to Zen and Jolly Green Monster.
Intend to enjoy car till next phase next year.

 

Top marks for Zen every time Iv been there. I havnt had Simon map my car but everyone rates him very highly not just on here, but on other forums also.

 

Simons the man. Not just after your money like some, and will help out when he can.

Maps the quickest wagon in UK aswell

 

Can almost smell 400

 

Hi Paul,

Only just noticed this thread..

oil catch can sorted?

interesting the bhp matched deltadash but torque slightly lower.. perhaps spooling slightly later on the rollers.. but then torque was always a slight concern with regards to gear box so I tried to be nice to it


can you possibly post powerstation graph or email me it for my interest.

Many thanks
Simon

 

Oh dear, that's a dangerous statement

The best result for your wallet would be to get 401. That way you wont be able to smell 450 etc etc.

Good work Zen and JGM.

 

Hi Simon, i'll email you graph from powerstation and yes catch can fitted and avcr now holding boost as it should. Going to try and get to powerstation open day at end of november and put it back on rollers so i can have a complete graph ie one over 5740 rpm when over boost kicked in last time!!!
With standard headers i'm happy with 360 torque figure and hope the gearbox is too although powerstations torque figures are known to be conservative....

 

"With standard headers i'm happy with 360 torque figure and hope the gearbox is too although powerstations torque figures are known to be conservative...." Where is your peak torque mate (rpm) i've been waiting ages to see your graph, my peak is at 405lbs.ft 3650rpm with std headers at powerstation

 

jolly green monster is great he mappted my car and it is so quick now

 

Another vote for Zen here. Out of all the tuners and specialists i have been to over the last 3 years, i would only ever go back to zen, Couldn't fault them. Paul mapped my car and set up my AVCR, and i love it

 

no complaints with zen service all ways good people all ways friendly+only live about 4 miles away!!would definatly recommend them

 

 

See graph above and now i know how to upload images heres one of car