matth76

Hi
I recently bought a 2006 STI Type UK ppp, and am about to make my first mod, replacing the centre section and resonator with a straight through centre section (standard bore at 2.5") by Hayward and Scott. I've been told that Prodrive removed the second cat and replaced with a small silencer, so I just have the one rear cat, plus Prodrive backbox. PPP advertise my bhp to be ~316 but this will never be dead on.

However my next mod, which I'd like to get done sooner rather than later, mainly to ensure my car is running safely, as well as potentially getting more power, is to get a custom remap. I have done searching on this and the kind of power I expect from a straight remap on top of my PPP is around 330 to 340, maybe a bit more. My main aim is not peak hp but rather low down increase in torque and power as that is where I feel the car lacks, especially under 2800rpm. Here's my first question (done a fair amount of searching but not found proper info on this): will a remap on my current ppp (such as one by Ecutek or similar) be able to reduce this turbo "lag" by around 500rpm, so coming in around ~2300rpm?

I know my car has already been remapped by Prodrive but I assume it is fairly simply to get an ECUtek remap on top, and this is a custom remap, or is Ecutek an "off the shelf" remap (like Superchips), as I want a custom map, to suit my car?

Also, does the 2006-2007 STI Type UK have any kind of boost controller as standard, to ensure I get no boost spikes?

Finally, I have heard of Jolly Green Monster, and all things seem very positive about them, so am tempted to use them. Are there any other tuners in the south east area people can highly recommend, who really know their stuff about Imprezas? Im based in Sussex but can travel.

Thanks for any info and help.

skinner

Bob Rawl mapped my 06 hawkeye he is in Swindon he is very helpfull.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Hi there if you replace standard catted downpipe with decated Downpipe you should be have around 330-350bhp..

Really i would advise to get car checked before adding more power,due Hawkeye are known with HG problems,chocolate pistons etc.

Your car have just fitted/mapped with Prodrive generic map which can be without problem remapped like EcuTek or Open Source(cheaper option and same results like Ecutek),every mapper must customize mapping to suit car/cars which mapped.

About the boost controller,don't waste money,your ECU have good OEM boost controller,if you are not running more than 1.7 bar,you will not need..

About the mapper,i'm using only Neil@Slowboy Racing,which have fully equipped workshop,here is website http://www.slowboy-racing.co.uk/index.php and Neil tel.number 077821 06604


Jura

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

Most tuners on here will get similar results, maybe consider a panel filter and possibly a 3 port boost solenoid before remap, not sure if you will gain 500 rpm on spool though as it depends on the turbo type, my twinscroll spools very fast but think full boost on that is near 2800 rpm from what I remember when it was mapped, decat could help spool but unsure if by that much. But what you will gain is low down torque but depending on what you are used to don't expect miracles, when my car was mapped it gained about 20bhp but maybe it's just me but it isn't that noticeable as they are quick already, I just had mine done to make sure safe on uk fuel. But I was impressed by the commitment by the mapper and knowing that my car was running safe and at it's best. Defo worth doing though.

greatgonzo

iTrader: (1)

I can help a little as I too have a 2006 sti with similar mods, If you have PPP your car will already have the small cat removed although it might not look like it as the heat shield (box) are left in. Removing the resonated section is a good move as it will sound great but not give you any power gains but a cheap mod. I had a SAFE mapp on mine by JGM which made 333bhp and 360 torque and the turbo spooled 500rpm earlier but I had a decat, I am told tho that the hawkeye downpipe cat is very good and free flowing proberly why prodrive leave it be. a good panel filter would be a good move as well. JGM will travel to you so know problems there, what else did you want to know
The 2.5 litre is not the strongest of engines so be careful what you want from the car as you easily get carried away, I'm sure mine would have made anything up to 370 bhp ish on the rollers but its my every day work horse so was after something that would last, I have now done 60000 miles with no issues.

Pramas

i do agree with getting the car checked out but that goes for every car u buy, however i keep hearing about all these engine failures and the vast majority seem to be due to faulty/agressive maps or am i wrong.
Yes there will always be some failures but from what i saw it was due to the rev limit, have it lowered slightly and most seem fine

skinner

My head gaskets went at about 38k at 335bhp it was nothing to do with the map i then put 1.1mm cosworth gaskets and had it mapped again to 355bhp.

matth76

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the help as Im still learning . I had heard of the newer "hatch back" shaped 2008 onward year having engine problems due to incorrect mapping from the factory but none on the earlier hawkeye. Although both from what I understand use the same lump but it's the mapping on the newer ones which I have heard caused their issues. I hadn't read of any head gasket issues. I wasn't aware of that. How much would it cost to have some proper steel head gaskets put in (if the worst happens, or as a preventative)? Is this a widespread issue?

Aren't the STI pistons on the hawkeye forged just like in the earlier bug/blob STI, and if I'm not mistaken actually stronger than the JDM pistons (but this was only something I read so not sure). Is the ecu on the 2.5 (hawkeye or later models) more prone to boost spikes, causing these issues?

Either way, all these potential issues are the main reason I want to get it remapped, so importantly the fuelling and timing can all be checked as well as the boost, as part of the mapping session, to make sure it is all running safely. Extra power is just a bonus. My car is supposed to be running 316bhp so an extra 15 or so bhp almost doesn't seem worth it but the extra torque must make up for it. I didn't realise the standard ecu had a built in boost controller. This must be different to the earlier classic imprezas as they required after market boost controllers to keep things safe.

My turbo appears to come on boost at around 2800rpm and above 3k the car is a rocket. If a remap could bring the boost in earlier that would be good. I'm not sure what the make of turbo is on the standard STI Type UK hawkeye. I think it is a vf43. I assume quicker spool up time (less lag) would require a smaller turbo or one with lighter blades.

Is Bob Rawles a subaru specialist - ie he can fit parts to the car, service it, as well as the remapping? As I will be looking at getting my car serviced at an independent specialist as opposed to main dealer

Thanks again for all your help.

skinner

They are semi closed deck blocks in the 2.5 hawkeye the cylinder walls move around a little causing which can cause headgasket problems .The cylinder walls are thinner than the 2.0lt.Bob Rawl just does mapping he stocks a few parts but nothing majour.He maps from home but will travel.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Hi there your car don't have forged pistons,only JDM cars have stronger pistons or older 2.0 STi,about the HG is big job(engine out etc.) and you will looking in around £800-£1200,plus if its engine out i would advise fit stronger forged pistons(Cosworth,Wiseco,Wossner,Mahle etc.)..

If is car mapped correctly you will also get extra torque,power and sometimes MPG went up...OE ECU have good boost control,i would recommend fit also 3 port boost solenoid,you don't need really boost controller,older classic which cannot be mapped,these need Boost controller..

You have fitted VF35,TD04 has been fitted only in WRX models not on STi.

Slowboy Racing is fully equipped,he can fit for you parts,service your car and also remap your car,he's independent specialist and he is located near Brands Hatch..

Good luck matey


Jura

matth76

Thanks again guys. What does a 3 port boost solenoid do? Importantly is the PPP map a safe one, and on the Hawkeye is the 316bhp figure they quote conservative or sometimes overrated?

jura11

iTrader: (7)

3-port boost controller allows you to raise the OEM boost levels in a quick and efficient manner. If you try to raise the boost on the weak OEM boost solenoid it will start to become unpredictable and unable to maintain proper and safe boost levels. Using 3port solenoid you are able to spool your turbo quicker and maintain a rock solid boost level.


Jura

Pramas

are u sure ? i couldve sworn the hawk sti's used a vf43?

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Not sure,but first STi(blob and bug use VF35) and Hawkeye use as you are said VF43,sorry




Jura

skinner

The 06 cars have a diffrent number to the o7 cars i think the vf 34 is fitted to the 07 cars

jura11

iTrader: (7)

VF34 has been fitted only on V7(bugeye) Spec C RA-R,some Hawkeye has been fitted also with VF35 or VF43,VF48



Jura

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Yup the 2.5 sti's run a vf4x turbo, have the weakest pistons (not recommended going over 330bhp but you take the risk after that), and can suffer other issues...

Tony

skinner

just had a look and my car had a vf43 fitted by previous owner think this is what they fit to the 07 hawkeyes to stop boost creep

Pramas

confused now, most the well known mappers say these engines good for 400bhp, but can tune to 380bhp for reliabilty.
Geniune question because iam about to tune my hawk, is 330 really the safest it can handle?

matth76

My car is a 56 reg so late (Dec) 2006 model (STI Type UK ppp). Which turbo would it have (VF35, VF43, or VF48) and which one would spool up quickest?

Sounds as though the 3 port boost solenoid is a safe precaution. How much are these and how much time approx to fit?

Thanks for all the info.

Pramas

should be a vf43, unfortunately no idea about spool up but harvey who is on this forum sells 3 ports for £60 and its a 5min job to fit, however dont do it until u have your remapper present

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Hi there you have VF43 or VF48 these turbo's are good for 350-370bhp with good mapping and supported mods,but for safe reasons i would say 330-340bhp will be good for you and safe..
These turbos are really good and have good spool,if you want spool,you can also contact here Harvey which selling Up pipe,from some reports very good Up pipe which helping spool.

3 port boost solenoid cost around £60-£95 and i would recommend for known reasons(he must mapped),this must fit your mapper(fitting will cost around 1/2 hour maybe less)


Jura

haroldhettaturbo

iTrader: (2)

Mapping wise the only way to go is the jolly green monster.

Drop him and email or pm and he will explain anything you need to know.

Mapped my classic and I couldnt be happier.

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

It is VF43 on the Hawkeye STi - cracking turbo and can deliver up to 370bhp with supporting mods. The engine will take everything that the turbo can supply and the pistons are good for up to 400 ish if mapped det free and to the right AFR.

I would not bother with a 3 port solenoid on it as spool up is not an issue, it will not improve it as most of the mapping is trying to keep the turbo under control in the lower rev band where it just wants to go ballistic. This is in contrast to the earlier 2.0 cars where you have to persuade them a lot more lol. There is marginal benefit at the top end in fitting the 3 port but forcing the turbo out of the comfort range at the top end will possibly not net any extra power, just make the turbo blow hot air.

Great car and have loved mine.

Lots of travelling mappers ... i know of one that is in Sussex this weekend

dr jim

iTrader: (1)

Dynamix, PM sent

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

380~400 is fine.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

the standard map usually..

matth76

Thanks for all your replies. Some really good info here. It sounds as though a proper remap will ensure things are all safe and extra power is a bonus. Safety and reliability is my main concern. Which mapper is in Sussex this weekend? Are they referring to you Simon? I'm up in Essex at Hayward and Scott having the centre section fitted early sat morning but this won't take long and am around Sat arvo in Sussex. Although it may be short notice.

Thanks again guys. Really appreciate it as I'm new to all this.

Shaun

That made me laugh at least.

matth76

How come?