Just bought a scooby wagon 1997, any advice on upgrading etc for more power

Hmmm....... a 97..... the easiest way to get power from this is a full decat exhaust, an ecu for this car will cost you in the region of 1400 quid mapped (the likes of a Link ecu) as the 97 and 98 year cars are in a bit of a dead spot for tuning cheaply (ecu wise)
A Prodrive performance pack chip is available for these and can probably be sourced second hand for around 400ish quid, but some people say its not as good as the MY99/00 chip for power.

Your best bet is fuel, run the car on super unleaded or optimax, this will gain you some power (upto 10bhp in cases!) and induction kits/filters are freely available for the MY97/98 cars, the exhaust as ive stated is possably the best modification you can do for less than 500 quid and gives some of the best results (power can be upped by upto 35-40bhp with a full decat! exhaust dependent though).

Tony:D

Broon, as a 98my owner, I'd go along with all that - I've fully decated and fitted an ITG panel filter. Well worth the money !

Next step engine wise is Power Engineering ECU and re-map, but its 750 quid !

I must add that you MUST replace the brakes, it'll feel like you've added 50 bhp :D ! The standard two parts are CR4P !!

I've replaced mine with 4 pots of the 00 model, upgraded the disks and pads and fitted braided lines - Its much better.

I'll warn you though - the modification bug is a real nasty one once it gets going - I've spent about 2.5 Grand on mine in the last 12 months .....

Springs, Full de-cat, filter, brakes, lights (front and rear), sti6 spoiler, p1 front lip etc....

GOOD LUCK,
;)
Mark