MrMagoo

Well lads

Ive owned 3 imprezas over the years and have never attempted to tune any of them, now getting a bit of a bug for tinkering with my latest one.

Its a 94 wrx totallt standard bar a k&n panel filter, and uprated brakes and suspension.
Now heres the issue:

I want to upgrade the power but as with many people, money is tight, have been reading a lot and im wondering if i got a z4 ecu and a decat system would it be safe to run in my car or will it go pop!

Im wondering is there any mods i can do that will increase power a bit but safely!

Cheers

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

z4 and decat will be fine,many people have used these www.polarperformance.co.uk chips with good results (it will fit into your standard ecu) but being generic maps the results do vary or you could fit a manual boost controller and get it set up properly (on a rolling road)

MrMagoo

So fitting a z4 and a decat would push my power to??

Should I also get a boost controller??
What about fitting an air filter? Will this need mapping?

What else can I do with the z4 without needing to actually map the car, run safe??

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Can't say what power as it depends on the car when i did mine the power went down by about 7bhp BUT was a nicer ,smoother drive.
I had an induction kit (with sheild and cold air feed) but tbh stick with a panel fliter.
I had a manual boost controller fitted ,set up on the rolling road and hit 270bhp

MrMagoo

Anything else i can do to help the car gain a bit more, that is safe??

Fuel pump?? What boost can i safely run??

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Fuel pump won't add any more power but is a good investment.
Think i was running 0.95bar (fuel cut is 1.05bar for the z4)

MrMagoo

Right lads, need to pick the techies heads one more time.

I was onto a Subaru rally mechanic and was talking through options, he was saying if i fitted the Z4 ecu, a fuel pump and a group a decat downpipe??
If I did this is it safe, or whats the story? Would I run rich??

Would I get boost creep, should i install a FCD??

Any other supporting mods needed?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

It would be safe ,if in doubt put it on a rolling road after you've fitted everything.

Didn't get boost creep when i was running mine

MrMagoo

@ myblackwrx You my friend are a legend!

Can always count on ya for an informed answer!
You think ill be safe, just keep an eye on the boost gauge?

bigsinky

on a 94 engine its gonna end in tears. just keep it standard unless you can prove service history. is it the original engine? how many miles on it. might be a very tired engine.

MrMagoo

Its the original engine and has 70k miles on it.
No piston slap or anything, mechanic is always saying how good an engine it is??

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Nothing like scaremongering is there.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Quite right.

The OP as said that money is tight and tuning Imprezas on not much dough is generally not a good idea!

With no disrespect intended, quite often those who run a 15 year old car are either a) enthusiasts who love em and can afford to keep em b) people with not a lot of cash to splash and want in on the action for not much bread!

With a 15 year old engine (even one with low mileage) if you increase the performance (even if you do it by means that are recognised as sound, such as those suggested above) you increase the wear and the likelihood that something will go pop (that includes the transmission).

It's only prudent to ask: if something does go pop, can you afford to sort it, or would that basically mean the end of the car?

If the answer is "yes", go for it as many of us have. If no, I would reconsider until things are less tight financially!

Ns04

bigsigh

iTrader: (4)

Now that is a well rounded and honest and helpful opinion , nice one NS04

MrMagoo

Cheers NS04

I see where your coming from, and to be honest i love this car, in fact i love it that much ive actually sold it on and then bought it back 3 times over past 4 years!

Its a mint car and no expense is spared in maintaining it or fixing it when things go wrong!!

I was under the impression a Z4 ecu was a very accepted mod and a safe one at that!
The issue i was having was the decat, and would it have a detrimental effect on the engine added to the ecu.

If it will ruin my engine due to????? then i will leave it
If it wont ruin the engine then ill run with it??

Someone tell me the answer!!!

I totally accept that things may go pop, but then again I may go pop before it so why not live a little!