mark6

i've just recently purchased a 2001 wrx and it has an itg panel filter and prodrive springs,centre decat+backbox and headlights,i'm wanting to improve the all round performance and the ppp ecu seems ideal as it increases torque and power and is an approved mod so i know i shouldn't have any problems with it,but as my car doesnt have any warrany left on it is there any other mod i can do that is just as reliable as the ppp and wont give me any hassle if it is all fitted properly,i don't want to go silly with lots of mods i just want it better all round without having to sacrifice anything like poor low power or rough running,any advice anyone??

scoobyDAZZA

full de-cat then re-map ;-)

Brun

Yep - Decat and Tek3. If you wanna keep things sweet for the mot though then a Tek3 will be nice on it's own

Prodrive_Eddie

Sorry to hi-jack guys - just wondered if a full de-cat with Tek 3 on a MY02 STi Type UK would require a knocklink or other monitoring device as well?

Just trying to weigh up all the costs at this stage...

Cheers,

Ed

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

For any sort of remap id suggest something that can montior whats happening under the bonnet, the knocklink is a useful tool in this area and not too expensive, so yes, id personally recommend it

Tony

MichaelH

Ed, sounds like you're in the same boat as me. Got an 02 Sti-uk, currently with the benefit of PPP which I'm looking to ditch for 3rd party upgrades to get more horses.

Decat and Tek3 are high on my list. Also had an induction kit (prob HKS) and equal length headers recommended to me.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Michael,
Why do you want equal length headers?
Unless your going for really big power and a complete rebuild you wont benefit much, if any from it. If your sticking to the basic infastructure of the standard turbo, then a remap should do you well enough, but you have to take into consideration that you will loose your warranty (or remaining warranty) if you go for 3rd party modifications.

Tony

MichaelH

Hi Tony,

Not knowing an awful lot about how cars actually work (apart from plant right foot and you go forwards, hopefully pretty quickly) I'm trying to pick up as much from others as possible. I'm looking to build my car up over time into something with a fair amount of welly.

Longer term I was under the impression that it would be worthwhile haveing equal length headers?

I'm not planning on having a complete rebuild, just trying to be selective about the parts I upgrade here and there over a period of time. First on my list is a full decat, induction kit and remap.

Do I sound knowledgable yet?

Probably not!

Cheers,

MichaelH.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Michael,

What sort of power are you looking for (bhp/torque)?

Tony

MichaelH

Tony, before I forget, I knew about the warranty thing, but worth mentioning on the off chance I didn't, so cheers for that!

Got an initial figure of about 400bhp in mind, then take it from there really. Want to keep it drivable and reliable as its my daily car, but got a bit of a bug for the 1/4 mile thing when I went to the jap car show this year.

Michael

PS Didn't do very well at the 1/4 mile but thoroughly enjoyed it!

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

LOL

You want to speak to Andy F and see what he can do for you to start with, but your definately looking at a bigger turbo and a change in the brakes (upgrade the discs/pads to something like AP and you should be ok with that ) exhaust, remap, though i still say the equal length headers wont work well at this sort of power, they give more torque, but with a bigger turbo you sort of defeat the object as its more low down torque you want which is part of what they give....
There is always the 2.5 way but the 2ltr is probably good for the 400bhp you want, but as i say, have a chat with Andy F and see where he points you

Tony

PS, it can get quite expensive, just to let you know

MichaelH

Cheers!

400bhp is probably an initial target, hope to move on to bigger things after that.

Would prefer to stick with the 2.0 as long as possible, got the impression that the 2.5 isn't really proven reliability wise yet.

Expensive? Thats what equity release loans were made for! Just don't tell the missus

Prodrive_Eddie

Michael,

You do also realise that you will loose that characteristic flat-four burble if you go this route? My mate had equal length headers fitted to his Stage 3 (?) PE wagon and whilst it was shockingly fast, it just didn't seem the complete scoob for my liking. Still, each to his own.

Just my tuppence worth...

Ed

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Mine sounds like a jet fighter but it comes with equal length headers as standard

Tony

PS i dont miss the flat 4 sound one bit

john banks

Turbo, fuel pressure regulator, remap should get you to 400 BHP Michael. I would keep your Prodrive exhaust for refinement, PPP fuel pump may be up to the job but check. Induction and an exhaust manifold (doesn't need to be equal length just freer flowing) will help achieve your target at lower boost with a smaller turbo, perhaps resulting in a bit less lag. Forged pistons on the 2002 STi UK, but check, they are strong, but don't get them too hot (keep it rich and don't run excessive boost) for risk of picking up in the bores = kaboom.

400 BHP on a 2.0 is borderline driveable for road use IMHO, try before you make a laggy monster. Others disagree on this of course, but I have done it and lived with it and didn't like it for lag.

Andy.F

I'm not sure how quickly the PPP brings in the boost but certainly the original turbo and map on an 02 Sti will feel like it has more lag than a 400bhp turbo set up which is mapped to optimise response.
Typically full boost would be available from 3400 to the red line.

A knock link 'should' be a redundant item on a properly set up car however it is nice to have one for peace of mind and as an early warning of something going wrong such as a maf sensor or fuel regulator. The factory ECU's knock sensitivity can be compromised when fitting tubular headers but this can be considered during mapping.

Andy

MichaelH

Thanks everyone, lots to digest there!

I do like the traditional scoob burble, but would happily lose it for a decent increase in performance.

Was hoping a spend of about £1k - £2k would get me up to my initial 400bhp target, preferably without changing the turbo. I get the impression changing the turbo would make it a lot more expensive and be more likely to give increased turbo lag? Or I could have just made that up....

Was hoping a good quality full decat straight through exhaust, HKS induction and ECU remap (maybe uprated fuel pump?) would get me pretty much to 400bhp. Does this sound 'a bit' optimistic then?

Regarding ECU remaps, I've heard of TEK3 and GEMS, is the GEMS one worth the extra cost?

Cheers,

MichaelH

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Yup!

You will definately need to change the turbo for 400bhp, the one on your car is probably good for around the 350ish bhp mark.

Tony

MichaelH

Bugger

Take it the £1k - £2k is also 'a little' optimisitic?

May need to have a rethink, told the missus I'm not getting a good bonus in April so that I could spend some of it on my car, she'd never notice....

May have to tell her I'm not getting one.... butthen sh'd have to go without the Tenerife holiday she's been after. How's Filey these days?

MichaelH

Hi Tony,

Thanks for all your advice.

You suggested I speak to Andy F?

I have seen comments about Andy F on scoobynet before, and the remarkable scoob he owns, but is he just a top chap for advice and suggestions or also someone 'in the trade' as such?

IE Its obvious he knows what he's talking about, but do you know if he's in a position to help do upgrades etc to scoobs?

Andy F, if you're reading this, sorry to refer to you in the third person, you obviously know what you're talking about (unlike me...) but I'm looking for not only good advice (which is on no means invaluable!) on upgrades but also people that can help do them. I struggled to fit my crystal indicators! But thats another story...

Scooby place in Chesterfield has a lot of good references given what I've read on scoobynet, but I've heard the odd bad thing too. I guess giving up the warranty to make a few upgrades I would like to know I'm in safe hands when I do!

And when I finally manage to persuade the missus its a good idea....

Cheers,

MichaelH.

Andy.F

Yes Michael I'm "in the trade" as you say and can supply and fit.
Only potential problem for you is that I'm in the Edinburgh area.

Andy

MichaelH

Hi Andy,

Not just round the corner then?

Oh well, looks like I could have an excuse for a minibreak to Scotland!

Do you have any thoughts on how achievable 400bhp is for about £2k? And if no, what I could realistically achieve for that?

And how?

Its important I keep it driveable as an every day car and hopefully reliable.

Many thanks,

MichaelH.

john banks

Turbo - 20G £850
Fuel pressure regulator - SX £150
Remap - Ecutek £650
Induction - £100
Manifold - £350

£2100 + labour?

Better add a knocklink to that £140.

Other than that I think the PPP bits and the other stuff could be left as they are, but you are likely to be in the 380-400 BHP range on a sensible dyno? What do you think Andy?

MichaelH

Hi John, and thanks for your comments.

Sounds like this might be the way to go, I take it with these sorts of upgrades a later investment on a decat could be made for more gains?

Cheers,

MichaelH.

john banks

The PPP downpipe sports cat IIRC is said to be not very restrictive. I was trying to keep the cost down by reusing stuff that will be nearly as good, but nice and refined and which is already on the car.

p1doc

i thought the ppp downpipe was restrictive above 320 bhp?
martin

john banks

I've not looked into it. Might be worth trying it if someone else hasn't? Some APS data did show more back pressure with a catted system at a given pipe diameter and power level. But there was a vogue for everything being 3.5" based on this, when 400 BHP is quite easy on 3" pipework - with a turbo big enough. I suppose we are back at noise:emissions:lag:turbo size: power considerations again.

Andy.F

Looks good to me What was the manifold @ £350 ?
Just not sure on the decat downpipe as I have never mapped anything over 350 bhp on one. One way to find out though !

Andy

john banks

Gruppe S? Or are they a bit more?

Andy.F

A bit more I think if you include the uppipe, shipping and duty ?