I have an MY97 with full decat/dawes/induction and have decided on the following upgrades:

VF34 Turbo
FMIC
Uprated fuel pump and reg
550cc injectors
HKS/Denso iridium spark plugs
Greddy Profec E-01 Boost Controller
Owen developments mapped Unichip

I estimate this lot will see me to around 340ish bhp, is that a close estimation?

Also, is there anything I have missed out that I really should be getting? (I already have a knocklink etc. and my Brembos are more than up to the power )

Also what guages should I get (I'm going with Defi's BTW)? I was going to get EGT and Oil temp and a new boost guage, do I really need EGT at this state of tune?

 

Don't know anything about UNICHIP.
But think your power should be achievable (Just)Turbo is limiting factor
Also depends on where you run to get Power figures.

Had VF34 fitted to my car as replacement for VF28.
Just managed to push to@320 on 440s with FMIC and standard fuel P/P

Steve

 

you are better off going for NGK PFR7B plugs over the HKS as they have been known to fail causing engine damage!

 

Drexel,
Where bouts you based? About time you went for a power run isnt it?

 

How much abuse will the stock tranny be able to take with that much HP?

Is the VF34 a top end turbo?

Has anybody used the Garrett GT turbo made for XS Engineering? Or is the IHI turbo's better?

 

The VF34 is fitted to some of the STi type UK cars, id suspect that its not too magnificent over 300bhp but you would have to ask the likes of John Banks or Bob Rawle for that (possably one of the reasons that Prodrive didnt get more than 300bhp out of their PPP on the STi?)

Tony

 

I will get a power run when I get everything fitted and setup.

 

The VF34 turbo is the standard turbo on a Spec C, so i think you can draw your conclusions from that about the power it can/cant handle.

 

DreXel

I dont think Owens are going to be doing any Unichips for a little while with the exception of their motorsport commitments.
I think they are focusing on their Motec work for the next 6 months.

Worth checking with Dino to be sure..................

 

---- "The VF34 turbo is the standard turbo on a Spec C, so i think you can draw your conclusions from that about the power it can/cant handle."-----

No its not its the twin scroll roller bearing VF37 turbo (a far better unit)

 

Bollox I'll give them a bell on Monday to make sure.

Oh well, Powerstation have a good reputation for their Unichip mapping don't they?

 

Ok, I'm going to ditch the EGT guage, and get some Gruppe S headers und uppipe. That should get me closer to my 340bhp target shouldn't it?

 

VF34 is, however, standard on an STi7. Several people with STi7, full decat and ecutek have reached 330-340bhp as indicated on PE rollers, although you won't see as much on powerstations.

 

Yeah if I get it mapped at Powerstation I'd be happy with 310-320bhp on thier rollers.

 

Drexel,

You speak about 340bhp as your target. You dont mention torque figures. Would you be happy with 340bhp and say 280 lb/ft?

Just to let you know my 1995 wrx made 303bhp and 340 lbft at Powerstation on 440 injectors and slanty topmount and a unichip.

I have now made many changes inc turbo changes, headers, scoobyecu, injectors, fpr etc etc.

Would be happy to discuss this matter with you in more detail. Im no expert but have certainly thrown a few ££££ trying to acheive similar results to you. Perhaps i could save you making same mistakes as me.

Mail me anytime on smellyvag@hotmail.com

Even have before and after rr figures for certain mods to assist you along the way..........

 

DreXel

Yep the powerstation would be my only other choice for anyone doing a Unichip.
Still worth giving Dino a call at Owens as they may be able to find a slot

 

As long as I have more than 300 lbft of torque and more than 300bhp at Powerstation I'll be happy. I'll catch you on MSN if that's OK mate.

 

Well i thought it was a VF37 but thats a sleeve bearing turbo, the VF36 is the roller bearing turbo thats actually fitted to the Spec C (twin scroll) as i had a look a few weeks back

Tony

 

I'd say you'd get a better drive if instead of headers you used a slightly bigger turbo. I couldn't say for sure but i think a VF34 wouldn't flow enough air for a car with FMIC and Headers to drive well. If you wanted to go this route what about porting the standard headers? i'd say that would give you the power you need.

Dave

 

340 bhp from your initial spec is very unlikely. First thing you need is protection so:
AFR guage eg Autometer for around £50 from Scoobymania or similar.
Knock Link from BRD or Jap Innovations.
A combined oil temp and pressure is around £60 completefrom Mocal/Burton/Deemon Tweeks. Similar boost guage -1bar + 1.5 or -1bar + 2bar for under £40.

Fuel pump, Walbro 341 flowing 255lph and FSE fuel pressure reg £195 delivered from A.S. Performance info@asperformance.com, all as part of our group buy. This assumes you do not intend to run over 1.5 bar boost.
I assume you have a 3" D/P and exhaust. If not then D/P from RCMS or H+S and system from Revolution or Scoobymania. Must be 3" all the way.
Porting your headers will show good gains. Alternative is Gruppe 'S' headers and up-pipe but you need a turbo that will move plenty air to get good gains with the Gruppe 'S'.
FMIC. Hybrid is lots of bangs for your £s. Whatever you do, go for bar and plate.
NGK PFR 7B plugs.
I have no direct experience of a VF34 and in your position would compare that against either a TD05 front entry or TD05-06 20G F.E. Both can be very cost effective and more info available if you want to mail me off line. It really depends on what your priorities are and your preferences. Ported headers with TD05 and Gruppe S with the TD06.
440 injectors can get you to 350bhp with all the supporting mods and 550s to well the other side of 400bhp with a TD06 or similar turbo. Induction: After 320+bhp ditch the pannel for a large K+N,either parallel or cone but you need to improvise a cold air system/box. Venting the breather pipes from cam covers and crankcase is a good idea too.
I have no experience of the Unichip and my preference would be a Link which would delete the MAF. The advantage then would be that, properly mapped you did not need a separate boost controller. You could also look at the Apexi Power FC and a couple of their variants but they rely on the MAF but seem able to control boost satisfactorily if set up properly.

Do not be in a rush. Have a proper, well thought out plan at the start, stick to it and make sure all work is done correctly.

 

OK, it's like this.

I have a Boost gauge,knocklink and AFR already, and I have an Oil temp guage and oil pressure guage on the way so that's sorted.

I already have the VF34 here, ready to fit, and I have the Walbro and FSE on their way from A.S performance as part of the group buy.

I have 550cc injectors on the way aswell, at quite a good price.

The Greddy boost controller is also on it's way.

I already have a K&N induction kit fitted to the car.

My exhaust is a 2.5" Magnex item, with a TSL Firestorm backbox.

I'm going to go with an Apexi Power FC now instead of the Unichip.

So would I be better off porting my headers rather than buying some (I've found some for sale over at 22b.com for a nice price) now that I'm definately using the VF34 with the Hybrid FMIC, and my 2.5" exhaust?

OK my 340bhp may be optimistic, but can I expect 320bhp bearing in mind the points I've outlined above? And what sort of torque can I expect?

Or should I just forget it and send every thing back.......

 

Drexel
As mentioned before in Post, I have experience of VF34.
Think you are wasting your time fitting all these power mods as this turbo will only flow enough to give you @320 and you could do that with mapped standard ECU and Dawes v/v controlling boost on 440s (I've been there STI 5 Type R).

Now have similar mods you are proposing 'cept Turbo and am running, well see for yourself Check Members gallery Type R corner.

 

But I can't get my standard ECU mapped (it's an MY97 remember), so a replacement ECU is the only option, with a Power FC being one of the cheapest. Also a UK '97 only has 380cc injectors, hence the need to upgrade them to break 300. I'd be happy with 320bhp TBH.

Will I reach 320 with the VF34, ported headers and FMIC? Or will I need to buy the headers?

 

Any thoughts?

 

get 150 shot of nos that should do the trick

 

Thanks for that