looking at getting an ESL ecu fitted and mapped by jollygreenmonster and was wondering what mods i should make sure i have fitted to get the most out of it.

its a 97 UK turbo fitted with a full exhaust inc up pipe and a K&N induction kit as it stands at the moment.

im not going silly with mods and i dont want to change the turbo, so im after about 270-280ish BHP, so is there any other bits i should get fitted first.

 

Intercooler maybe?

I think your about there buddy, you could always try spark plugs but its not going to give anything but a smoother ride.. have you heat wrapped from the manifold back, I have had mappers comment on that before as is gets the gas out quicker.

without changing the turbo you should be hitting those figures

 

you should go for front mount intercooler, 4branch manifold, apexi power fc or apexi avcr electronic boost controller, bigger injectors and thats about it really because your not looking for really big gains on remap..

Good luck
mahir

 

Take advice from your mapper and determine what boost you are going to run as that will influence what else you do beforehand. Subject to the boost level you are going to you probably don't need a separate electronic boost controller. Ported headers and matched uppipe will make a big improvement and these already come DEI heat wrapped. If you don't plan to exceed 280 bhp in this round of mods you can stick with your TMIC but an FMIC will be high on your list of priorities if you are going further.
I just happen to sell ported headers, matched uppipes and Hybrid GT intercooler and as much as I would like you to buy an FMIC, on your particular model you don't need one until beyond 300 bhp.

 

ill bear that in mind harvey.

as it is im pretty happy with the power even without the remap but i would be happier getting it mapped so i know its running safely with the added mods.

i spoke to jollygreenmonster and he said that he cant fit an esl onto a 97 so looks like im going to have to go for either a power FC or a simtek.

regarding the mentioned 4branch manifold, the previous owner told me he fitted one but how do i tell to be on the safe side as i cant find a reciept for it.

 

The original car has cast header branches coming from each cylinder head coupled with a cross pipe and on the standard car this lot is shrouded in heat shielding. A four branch manifold sounds like another name for tubular headers.
Open the bonnet and look down between the radiator and pulley belts and you will see if you have a tubular crosspipe in which case you probably have tubular headers. The originals will have heat shields and if they have been removed there is a concertina expansion joint in the middle of the pipe.

 

If yours was produced in 1997 then that means tis a MY97/98 (Sep 96 - Aug 98) and the ESL board isn't currently available for those model years. Apprently though, it's being worked on and is, allegedly, imminent for release anytime soon . I've heard that it could be MAFless too.

If, however, you have a pre-Sep 96 MY96, then, yes, the ESL board does exists... AND ESL have, indeed, just launched a MAFless version of it!

 

if you want to change turbo then id say if your wanting 280-300 then change it to a vf35 with a walbro fuel pump, pink sti injectors, fuel press reg, full decat with downpipe heat wrapped and a good ait filter, bigger top mount ( sti v7/8 with custom brackets ) and remap also maybe a boost controller. if you have the money then put some headers heatwrapped also and you will see the 320 mark with equal torque

but if you want 270 then with a wrx all you need is... turbo back decat with up pipe and heat wrapped, air filter, bigger top mount, walbro fuel pump and a remap and you will see 270 bhp and can make 300 or more torque

 

????????????
Pink injectors are top feed and can run up to near 400 bhp without an FPR. This is a Classic so runs side feed injectors.
The O.P. is happy with the power and wants to run around 280 bhp so a VF35, 550cc injectors and FPR are totally unnecessary expenditure for him to achieve his objective.