I am looking to maybe make some simple additions to my MY95 Turbo 4dr.
I was thinking
1. Strut brace
2. Air filter kit
3. Superchip
How harshly does this lot affect my insurance, is it worth it, what are the best, and will it affect the life of my engine?

I can't see that the strut brace on a scooby does anygood, as it is supplied bent to fit over the bulging engine. For best performance, using basic physics, it should be straight. Basically, it will just flex when pushed.

Suggest that you contact your insurer with regard to the filter and chip.

[This message has been edited by MikeP (edited 30 December 1998).]

Forget the chip, what the Turbo Subaru engines want is to breathe more easily. Get a performance backbox (preferably Scoobysport) and a Ramair. For about £400 expect to realise 20bhp or so.

Leave the cat in place to provide back pressure, removing forfeits lots of useable lovely midrange torque for high end power.

In my humble opinion:

1. Strut Brace: Waste of time. The Impreza already has a superb chassis.
2. Air Filter: Probably the best value for money upgrade (Freeflow Ramair or K&N etc). Regarding a backbox only replacement, this will add little in real driveability terms apart from noise - which if course some/most of people like! The power increase is only really at high rpm when the volume of air flow is significant. Little effect on engine wear and insurance.
3. ECU Mods/"Chipping": Depends a lot on who you use. The Superchips one is fairly simple. This type of upgrade really does gives a noticeable improvement in performance - especially acceleration. Will wear the engine more so - but only if you continually floor it! Also a more significant effect on insurance premiums usually requiring a more specialist insurance company. See an earlier thread where I wrote a lot more about it.

Dont know where Miles got 20bhp from.

On our last Rolling Road session we saw 12bhp from the following

Super Unleaded, Scoobysports back box and Ramair Filter.

I agree with Miles that this is the first mod. The engine picks much up better. From what I've seen the only ECU upgrade I would consider is the GGR one. They are usng a closed loop system and therefore no crude bleed valves like Superchips.