nickyprice1982ss

hi just got my first impreza been after one for ages.iv got an 04 wrx prodrive sportswagon been told its running at 275 bhp.iv heard about remaps would this increase it more or are the a waste of time.iv got no clue about engines especialy turbo engines iv always had bmw's.iv also been looking at them turbo gauges are the easy to fit and do they serve any real purpose.any replys would be great thanks

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I assume you mean a boost gauge?

Yes, they are RELATIVELY easy to fit.
Yes they are useful but only really if you have, or are going to, mod the engine. Otherwise not so useful.

What is useful is a decent oil PRESSURE gauge and likewise oil TEMPERATURE, with senders fitted in the correct places* are VERY useful. Much better than the oil warning light, which can be named the "engine is fukced light".

* Oil pressure sender: uner alternator in place of, or as well as oil warning light switch.
* Oil temperature sender: In the tappings above cylinder No3.

If you are going to fit these, do it right, as above, don't fall for the 2sandwich plate" nonsense

nickyprice1982ss

cheers for that im looking a triple pods now.iv seen a post on here were the lads got step by step pics. il let you know how i get on

ace1981

As Alcazar says, they are relatively easy to install - but be prepared to invest time and, more importantly, patience.

You don't need to have a fantastic working knowledge of the engine, but you must be confident enough in navigating around the inner parts (i.e areas that aren't instantly visible on opening the bonnet). It is not just a case of plumbing it in, and away you go.

I have got the triple pod, along with gauges for boost, oil pressure and oil temperature; I plan to take off two or three days from work over Christmas and the New Year to take my time and get them in properly, using the photo step-by-step thread you've already seen.

If you get stuck, don't be afraid to ask questions on here. Someone will always have the answer and will be prepared to help.

nickyprice1982ss

yous have put me off now think il just tell the garrage to do it while its in getting a service and belts done lol

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Nah, don't let him put you off, all he's saying is don't expect to chuck the gauges at the car and walk away with a fit.

There are loads of posts on here with photos etc to help you, plus people with no lives to sit at the other end of our computers waiting for your question, LOL

Just take your time and make sure any electrical connections are made properly, they are the ones that cause intermittent faults later, which are hard to trace. Do it right first time.

ace1981

Haha - I am definitely not trying to put you off; I'm merely saying is that it's a job that needs to be done properly.

You can see in the "how to" thread that the actual processes are simple enough, but it does require you to reach normally inaccessible parts of the engine. What you need to ask yourself is whether you are prepared to pay for several hours' labour at a mechanic or specialist just to remove, install and refit the very same parts that you would be removing, installing and refitting if you took it on yourself.

It might take you a few hours more than a mechanic, but against the thought of keeping a few hundred pounds in your pocket, it's probably the better option. You don't need to be a grease monkey to do it.

nickyprice1982ss

iv been watching videos on you tube aswel.gonna do it my self after the xmas hollidays so im not rushing the job along. ordered some prosport evo gauges.but cant decide on pillow mount pod or trip dash pod.what would yous pick

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

Not being the most confident person in the world, I'd say the oil temperature sender and the boost gauge were a cinch to fit.

For the oil pressure sender, I gave in and got my local specialist to plumb it in as I didn't have the confidence to move the alternator out the way (looked like I'd need to in order to get at the existing sender).

However, all worked, and although they're no DEFI's my Prosports seem to do the job fairly well - the boost gauge worked great with a TMIC - not quite so accurate on a FMIC though IMHO, but then again could just be the sender's knackered - the Prosport wires are ridiculously thin

ace1981

If you're looking for a cleaner, tidier look for the interior, the dash pod is the way to go. Put in properly, it will look quite natural.

I've got Prosports to plumb in too, and it'll easily be the most in-depth work I've done under the bonnet so far; like you, I'm not overly confident about it, because it's the unknown, but if several members on here have managed to do it successfully (whilst admitting to having very little mechanical and technical competence), it can't be that difficult to do.

Out of curiosity, Noisy - did you link the gauge colours to your headlight switch?

nickyprice1982ss

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these are on ebay look just like prosport evo's good value if they are up to the same standard as prosport ones but they are 60mm think that be a bit big?

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

I didn't know as at the time I bought mine, the boost gauge didn't support this - only my oil pressure and oil temperature gauges, so they're hooked up to be constantly white.
Annoyingly, the two which supported 3 colours have faded a bit on white and I'm considering investing in a new boost gauge and having them all green or red but its such a pain to re- run the wiring and senders once they're in place.
However, doing what a headlight colour change ask is simple as you can simply splice into the existing clock wiring for power, earth and headlight feed

Oh, and I wouldn't buy unbranded eBay gauges, most I've seen look crap in the flesh. Hth

ace1981

Valuable advice for the OP.

MrNoisy

iTrader: (28)

Well, in fairness, it's true - cheap parts are normally cheap for a reason when it comes to these cars!
Ask Jura - he and his brother bought a lot of eBay stuff when they first got their Impreza only to find a lot of it was just cheap crap and a waste of cash.
Same as the "equal length headers" that are GT Spec copies and normally perform worse than OEM items.

DEFI or Genome gauges are obviously the "ultimate".

The Prosport LED series are nice. The Prosport stepper series look really good in red or green illumination.

ace1981

Agreed - I like the LED digital layout, rather than the much more common analogue dials, and they seem a good quality, cheaper alternative to the Defis. I went for the white/green displays, and will wire it up to display in white when the lights are off, and green when the headlights are on, to match the green backlighting on the dash clocks.

But as a rule, you get what you pay for. If I'm investing in parts for the Impreza, I certainly wouldn't buy cheaply off Ebay - particularly if they are being plumbed / wired / bolted to the engine in any way.