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Old 23 January 2019, 01:29 PM
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MatrixProtein
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Default WRX STI 2014 onwards

Hi guys,
my very first post here! I have my heart set on the WRX STI 2014 onwards (last model) but have read so many horror stories about the engine.

It's really somewhat put me off but unfortunately there's not much else that appeals to me. I've lost taste of hatch backs and really want a performance saloon and it was either between the WRX STI and the Evo X. But of the two, I'd prefer the WRX STI.

Does anyone have any experience of this particular model of the car and how there's is holding up? Initially I'd keep the vehicle stock but eventually go for a remap and exhaust upgrade provided it's safe to do so.

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
MatrixProtein
Old 23 January 2019, 05:18 PM
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sivo
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Last edited by sivo; 15 April 2020 at 11:42 AM.
Old 23 January 2019, 05:43 PM
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MatrixProtein
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glad to hear it mate.

i was thinking to go for Tuning Developments stage 1 - which has replacement air filter, exhaust and map for 30 bhp and 70 torques which seem reasonable but havent really heard much from anybody who has used them - they are more popular on the gt86 brz platform.

though yours is stock, who are the more reputable tuners for subarus? travel not an issue!
Old 23 January 2019, 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by MatrixProtein
glad to hear it mate.

i was thinking to go for Tuning Developments stage 1 - which has replacement air filter, exhaust and map for 30 bhp and 70 torques which seem reasonable but havent really heard much from anybody who has used them - they are more popular on the gt86 brz platform.

though yours is stock, who are the more reputable tuners for subarus? travel not an issue!
scooby-clinic - chesterfield
thwaites - warwick
chevron motorsport - stafford
engine tuner - plymouth
roger clark motorsport- hinckley
Old 23 January 2019, 06:09 PM
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Last edited by sivo; 15 April 2020 at 11:42 AM.
Old 23 January 2019, 06:09 PM
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Old 23 January 2019, 06:46 PM
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MatrixProtein
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ill probably steer clear from scooby clinic based on reviews.

thwaites looks quite good
Old 23 January 2019, 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by MatrixProtein
ill probably steer clear from scooby clinic based on reviews.

thwaites looks quite good
i thought like that so i went over to have a dyno run and the guys were fantastic,they treated my car like it as one of their own and put my worries to bed. i went home eating humble pie

thwaites are awesome mate only a small team but very very helpful
Old 23 January 2019, 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by sivo
Fitting a Hayward and scott decat downpipe and an open source map by Andrew Carr should see you around 340 bhp.
Personally i would stick with the stock cat back at this level of tune but thats just me.
k & N panel filter.
On the previous model, MY11 WRX STI saloon, I still have both OEM cats and run 340bhp/360lbft with H&S cat back exhaust, K&N panel filter and Pro-R 340R map - just saying.
No need to go catless at this level of tune and stay MOT compliant.

Last edited by Don Clark; 23 January 2019 at 07:21 PM.
Old 23 January 2019, 07:43 PM
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Old 23 January 2019, 08:51 PM
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Thanks guys for replies. In my budget is probably get a MY14-16 so it's unlikely to have any decent warranty or at least not a very long one.

​I did read slot about hg and ringland problems and ofc at this MY I'll be buying second hand so I wouldn't know how the cars been treated before hand. I thought maybe it would be a good move to upgrade the pistons and/or rods just to be on the safe side.
Old 23 January 2019, 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by MatrixProtein
Thanks guys for replies. In my budget is probably get a MY14-16 so it's unlikely to have any decent warranty or at least not a very long one.

​I did read slot about hg and ringland problems and ofc at this MY I'll be buying second hand so I wouldn't know how the cars been treated before hand. I thought maybe it would be a good move to upgrade the pistons and/or rods just to be on the safe side.
If I were you I wouldnt want one in warranty, they will only replace it with another **** 2.5 engine and you will pay a premium price for it aswell. Not much else goes wrong with these cars so I would buy private for less outlay and budget £4k ish for a rebuild at some point. You may get lucky and it will never need one..............

There has also been issues with subaru honouring the warranty so that's also a risk.
I wouldn't want them to replace it with another standard 2.5.
Old 23 January 2019, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by the shreksta
If I were you I wouldnt want one in warranty, they will only replace it with another **** 2.5 engine and you will pay a premium price for it aswell. Not much else goes wrong with these cars so I would buy private for less outlay and budget £4k ish for a rebuild at some point. You may get lucky and it will never need one..............

There has also been issues with subaru honouring the warranty so that's also a risk.
I wouldn't want them to replace it with another standard 2.5.
thats a good point actually haha. thanks, ill keep the extra £4-5k in mind when budgeting =D
Old 23 January 2019, 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by sivo
Excellent, so just a filter and a remap then Don??
Siv
plus..
The H&S cat back removes the resonator from the Y pipe and the back boxes are more free flowing than OEM

https://www.scoobynet.com/members-ga...ti-saloon.html
Old 24 January 2019, 09:19 AM
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Had mine for 6 months now and absolutely love it. Yes mine has had a full engine rebuild already, but don't let that bother you. They are fantastic cars.


Old 24 January 2019, 09:44 AM
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out of interest. what's the difference between the 6 speed trans and driveline gear on an MY14~ , and the 2.5 engine, when compared to a Hawk for example? Presumably it's still an EJ257? I know turbo different etc.
I know Subaru haven't changed much over the years, but how different is the driving experience? Is the clutch still quite heavy? Is the NVH more refined? I must admit, I do like them.... but I'm leaning toward a more daily (round town) friendly DSG/DCT vehicle next with similar power.

Last edited by Ste333; 24 January 2019 at 09:46 AM.
Old 24 January 2019, 09:48 AM
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There is no difference in the basic engine block, just some of the ancillaries in the bay have changed a little. The MY15 new shape shares most of it's components with the 08 onwards hatch model to be honest and I believe the gearbox is the same. I was lead to believe the 6 speed setup was slightly different to the hawyeye DCCD version too. Drives fine, clutch not heavy either.
Old 24 January 2019, 09:49 AM
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@BrownPantsRacing you would say that after a rebuild! haha

but yeah i think it'll be ok as long as i budget for this. there are alot of 30k mileage examples out there. seems like people drive em out of warranty and get rid
Old 24 January 2019, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by MatrixProtein
@BrownPantsRacing you would say that after a rebuild! haha

but yeah i think it'll be ok as long as i budget for this. there are alot of 30k mileage examples out there. seems like people drive em out of warranty and get rid
haha. Thankfully I didn't pay for the rebuild, but I am paying for all the upgrades following this.

I've owned modified 2.5 engined Subarus for the last 12 years now and loved every minute. As you say, mentally budget £3.5-£5k for an engine rebuild just in case, but otherwise just enjoy the car. They really are fantastic. You'll love it!
Old 24 January 2019, 10:09 AM
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Old 24 January 2019, 10:14 AM
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I know someone who still has a pair of very nice rear box deletes for one of these cars!!!!!
Old 24 January 2019, 10:17 AM
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Old 24 January 2019, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by sivo


Ok, removing the resonator would free up a bit more noise but would it improve flow?

Are you saying that changing the rear boxes ONLY can yield a 40bhp increase with a map tweak?

I’m intrigued, are you sure the standard system will not flow well enough for 340bhp?
would be interesting to see a map/graph of the standard car and one with a cat back?
Siv
The OEM system reduces in size at the Y and into the boxes.
The H&S system is a larger diameter.

Post #1 of my thread...........
https://www.scoobynet.com/members-ga...ti-saloon.html

The complete Subaru supplied "340R package" has a 2nd cat delete pipe and revised backboxes.

Last edited by Don Clark; 24 January 2019 at 11:57 AM.
Old 24 January 2019, 11:58 AM
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My standard MY15 exhaust system with the Japspeed decat downpipe was running 335bhp & 420lb/ft just fine.

I've now swapped to a full H&S system though.
Old 24 January 2019, 08:55 PM
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Old 24 January 2019, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by sivo


Who put the 335bhp map on your car BPR ?

Spoke to Mark at Thwaites and he said there would be no point mapping if both the cats were in place, little to no gain whatsoever I think he said.
His first step would be a decat downpipe with the standard cat back.

Siv
Jamie at Evotune in Durham open source mapped my ECU mate. Most mappers don't want to open source these models as it's nowhere near as easy as earlier cars, but he managed it and it's fantastic. Drives 100% perfect, no issues at all.

I'm going Syvecs soon though.
Old 24 January 2019, 11:32 PM
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My current decat downpipe will be up for sale soon once I've fitted the new system.
Old 25 January 2019, 06:47 AM
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Old 26 January 2019, 07:49 PM
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I see quite a lot of questions about the 2015+ VAB STI.

In October 2017 I bought my own, with 15,150 miles on the clock from the local Subaru dealer. I'm currently on 54,000 miles less than 18 months later and the car is doing incredibly well.

I check the oil and coolant levels every other fuel fill. It makes people stare to see a modern man checking under the bonnet, but the car is a dream come true to me. I do predominantly motorway miles and long-distance driving - but the car's taking the miles pretty gracefully.

If I need an engine rebuild in future, then that's part of the course and i'll take it as such.

I intend to start a thread on the car at 100,000 miles and i'll see how it goes from there. That, in my eyes, is when it begins to get interesting.
Old 26 January 2019, 10:49 PM
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Glad to hear yours is doing well! Tempting me haha. What sort of mpg do you get with your travel. Not that it's a car for mpg bit you get what I mean.


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