Ive got a 2003 WRX, with full 3" system, equal length manifold, pink injectors, k&n cone filter and an uprated fuel pump.

What is going to be the best turbo option?

And are there any other mods which will be worth doing, bearing in mind im on a budget?

Cheers Neal

 

Hi Neal - I take it you've already had the car mapped for the mods thast you have?

Depending on your goals cheapest turbo upgrade may well be the VF35 from the sti-I sold mine for £300.00 so not that much of an outlay.

Plenty of info on andy forrests web page re turbo chargers which might give you some idea of what will suit you best.

AndyForrestPerformance

 

I will be getting the remap when i fit the turbo!

 

Have a look at this thread on NASIOC
It will probably create more questions than answers but is a good read.
Subaru Turbo List - NASIOC

 

IMHO it has to be either a TD04 hybrid of a VF35, excellent response and good for ~330x330..

 

its not mapped now?

 

no, all is getting fitted and mapped at the same time. I have everything except the turbo! Any more advice would be greatly appriciated.

 

VF 35 conversion info here mate.

https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...xperience.html

In short, I'd loose the cone filter, replace with a decent panel filter, get your headers ported to improve response and spool up from larger turbo and consider a 3 port boost solenoid (can get em second hand hand for peanuts) for better boost control. Also, a samco turbo hose kit would be a good ideal; the std WRX hoses can split under increased boost pressure.

You WILL need a remap for that lot. Bob Rawle is who I'd suggest if you're in the south. Andy F in the North and Paul from Zen performance if you're erm....in the middle!

Will be a properly quick car with that lot. Very drivable too!

Have a word with David at API and say hi from Ns04

Ns04

 

Ns04, Ive just bought a TD05-16g! Was that a bad move?

 

no you will probably get slightly more horses and a stonger turbo than a vf35

 

I was looking for a vf35 until i done a search on here, it seems the td05 16g is the preferred turbo, so i brought one. Ns04 did get a good result but doesnt necessarily mean the vf35 is a better turbo. Do a search on both turbo's

 

A better turbo is all in the eye of the beholder, it all depends what you want and how you drive, if you want top end power and rev the car a TD05 will be better than a VF35, but if you want response the VF35 will be better.

I read all the reviews and went for a VF35 as I think it suits my driving style and usual roads I drive better.

Damo

 

Well ill try the TD05 for now! Is it worth upgrading it to the 18g variation?

 

As Damocel says, better turbo depends on what you want. If 320 is ok, then VF35 prob better owning to better spool characteristics. You should pick the smallest turbo that offers the best response for your power aspirations.

If you're going for 340ish (and have the right supporting mods), then TD05 would be the safer choice; it's a stronger turbo with a better top end, but you do loose out in the response stakes. TD05s need careful mapping too as they have a reputation for eating WRX gearboxes when tuned to their potential.

Ns04

 

Excellent turbo, but best check the limitations of existing parts, like gearbox etc, as i've read 350 is a kinda limit on a WRX and the 18g is a 370 turbo.

 

Indeed! TBH At that power level, I'd be budgeting for a 6 speed gearbox. With sympathetic mapping and an equally sympathetic driving style it may hold together, but you wouldn't want the car out of action for months whilst you saved up for a new gearbox.

Doing this modifying properly costs £££ eh!!

Ns04

 

Anyone got a gearbox then?

 

You got £2k ?

 

My experience is that the 2003 onwards WRX (maybe all newage) have a stronger box.
My old MY03 WRX is running just under 400bhp and 360 lbft(on a 20G) and has been over 370bhp for a year now. The new owner was taking it to Crail and running approx 10 x 1/4 mile runs every second weekend His best time was 12.4 so it was getting a hard time ! yet no gearbox worries so far.

Andy

PS For what its worth, over quite a considerable sample size, I find there is a greater difference between 2 cars of the same year on the same turbo than there is between the VF 24/28/29/30/34/35 or TD05-16 and even 18G on the same car.
I attribute this to the manufacturing tolerances stacking up in your favour or against you within the engine and the turbo.

 

whats the best turbo to upgrade to on my 96 wrx import?

 

Unless you are already over 340bhp then you don't need to upgrade yet as you have a TD05-16G

Andy

 

I was looking to upgrade to get around 400 - do you not recommend this?

What sort of extra power would I be looking to get from using a front mounted intercooler?

 

10 year old car! How many miles has it done? What's the condition and service history like, any uprated intenals?

You'd be looking at a good FMIC to keep temps down sufficiently to acheive and safely maintain that figure. You'd also need a big turbo. I think some people are getting around 400 with a TD05 20G, good supporting mods and a bit of OB! Personally, unless you have deep pockets, I think 400bhp would be pushing it on your car!

Listen to Andy though, NOT me!!

Ns04

 

When buying a used TD05 / 16 for conversion to front entry, be sure to check it carefully for cracks. That will render it useless.

They crack inside the stainless clamp that holds the two ' halves ' of the turbo together. Take the clamp off and look closely at the area behind the clamp if the crack is there you'll see it. It cannot be welded - don't even try.

OR; take of the wastegate actuator rod from the wastegate ' button' and lift the button off its seating, look for cracks around the seating. Sometimes these can be lost by opening out the port with a dremel to a finer seating for the button, carefully - and then making sure that the wastegate is properly clamped to it.

Only when you are satisfied that there is no cracking - pay up. OR ask that it can be returned should you find the cracks. Some of the TD05's have been on cars since 1992/3 and that's plenty long enough for a turbo.

You should pay a max of say 250.00 for a used one with a guarantee of quality from a trader such as us. In the land of buyer beware [ Ebay etc ] pay as low as you can.

David APi

OR if you can afford to; buy NEW at about £850.00 plus VAT for a ported, polished, ready to use item, with years of life ahead of it.,

 

It's done 64 k, it's in really good nick, but I don't really know whats been done to it - I'm pretty sure that it's been decatted though.

Having spoken to a few people, I've sort of made the decision to just get a new ECU for the moment.

Going to the Autosport show on Sunday though - might change my mind after that!!