Hello, I am new to Subarus. I am thinking of getting a 2012/13 wrx sti saloon. I feel like there is less information about this model around. I have read things like the 2.5 is weak for a tune. Is this true? Is the ECU even remappable without a standalone? If I get this model of the wrx sti I would like to tune it a bit higher than the stock 296 bhp. I have also read that it is a high maintenance car i.e. 3500 mile oil changes and keep an eye on the oil levels as well as not boot it when cold or put it under high load at low RPMs which is fine by me. I do tend to drive the car hard but not until its fully hot. What else do I need to know? Are the older or newer 2015+ models better? cheers.

 

2.5 engine is ****, buy a cheap wrx sti and throw £4k-£5k at it and have an engine capable of 450 bhp. once built right its a stonking fast road engine due to low down grunt.

yes you can get them mapped

i wouldnt say its a really high maintenance car, i change my oil and filter every 12 months regardless of mileage. its only £100 to have it done so worth it in my opinion.
diff oil around £12 and a tiny bit of labour
gearbox oil around £50 plus labour
brake fluid every 2-3 years
spark plugs are around £40
air filter element £15
coolant change every few years
cambelt kit every 4 years or 40k whichever comes 1st

the main thing is fuel, you must use decent fuel (v-power etc)

subaru's build rugged well built cars its usually people mis-treating them that kills them.

any engine modifications need mapping to suit so best collecting all the bits you require (de-cat/filter/bigger turbo etc) and have them fitted and mapped all at once.
no car should be thrashed until its warm anyway.

a decent set of brakes/tyres and a good suspension set up will transform the way it drives and equally important as a power upgrade.

 

why is the 2.5 engine cr*p?
When you say buy a cheap wrx sti are you talking about an older model? How old?
At the moment I’m not really looking to modify it much, a remap already limits the number of insurance companies for me, adding more modifications reduces that list even more.
Do you definitely have to use v power or can you get away with 95 from shell? Thanks

 

95RON will kill the engine, at a minimum you need 97 (I have to use it as no 99 Available in Northern Ireland) and also use some octane booster.

what he mean is go buy one with 120k+ mileage rather than a 40k mileage one meaning you can then afford an engine rebuild or search for one that already forged.

 

From official Subaru workshop manual




Not just 2008-2010 models -mapping the standard engine for more power or running low octane fuel increases the risk.
https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...-failures.html

 

 

Hi.
Please feel free to give us a try for insurance if you haven't done so already.
Regards,
Dan.