Updated: Plans for the STI :)

[arctic_blue83]

UPDATE: Plans have changed slightly

So I finally did it... I bought an Accessport for my '06 STI

I'm cheap. True story lol, so there was no way I was going to spend $695 for a V2 AP brand new, instead, I picked up a used V1 for an '06 STI over on Nasioc for $250. Which was an awesome deal, according to the Fedex tracking number, it should be here tomorrow! The guy had a pretty high trader rating, and said it was unmarried, so I REALLY hope I didn't get ripped off, and that it's not still married to another car, I guess I'll find out tomorrow lol. It should be good for an extra 10-15whp with just the Cobb base Stage 1 map it comes with. So that will be nice

Anyway, I've made up my mind as to what I'm going to do powerwise to the STI, which really isn't much. It's a pretty short list:

1. Cobb Accessport. Which I'll eventually have Protuned, probably this summer. For those who don't know what an Accessport is, it's a flashed based tuning device... you connect/marry it to your factory OBDII port, which allows you to access/tune your factory ECU. On a Subie, it can control/modify fuel curves, timing and boost. It also, just so happens to come with a couple of OTS (off-the-shelf) maps from Cobb- Stage 1 (for stock cars, supposed to be good for about 320hp & 340tq on 91 octane, at the crank not wheels lol) & Stage 2 (for cars with a turboback exhaust, supposed to be good for about 345bhp & 385tq on 91 octane at the crank). For more info, here's the new V2 AP from Cobb:
http://www.cobbtuning.com/products/?id=3256

2. TurboXS Stealthback exhaust, catted version. This will replace every part of my car's "turboback" exhaust EXCEPT for the rear axleback section... so basically, from the back, you won't be able to tell the car has an almost complete full exhaust. It's a huge 4" bellmouth downpipe, tapering down to 3", into a 3" high flow cat, to a 3" mid-pipe, where it will connect to the 2.5" factory axleback. The beauty is, with the cat in place, it should pass emissions, and sound almost exactly like stock hehe. I've heard sound clips, and it's hardly louder at all, so it should be the ultimate "sleeper" exhaust. After doing research, I'll probably be leaving about 5whp on the table going with the catted version, and maybe a couple ponies with the OEM axleback, but not too noticeable. Here are pics of the exhaust:


Here's the stock DP vs the TXS DP for comparison:



3. Walbro 255lph fuel pump. For insurance. It's not really "needed" per se, but there have been a few STI owners who have had their stock fuel pumps die when pushed hard for a while. They're only like $89 with an install kit new, so it's really just for cheap insurance.


Overall, from what I understand, on Revolutions Performance's Dyno Dynamics dyno, "Stage 2" tuned STI's (full turboback exhaust & Protune), put down between 250-290whp, with catted cars on the lower end of that. Although, since I will be leaving in the factory axleback & running a HF cat, it will probably be on the lower end of that. Depending on a number of variables, I'm thinking/hoping after tuning, I should be making about 250-270whp on a Dyno Dynamics, which would be about 305-330whp on MAC's overinflated Dynojet. We'll see though.

I'm definitely robbing myself of a few ponies by running a cat and OEM axleback, but I shouldn't have to worry about boost creep with those 2 restrictions & tuning, which is important to me. No worries about emissions either. To me, it's worth it. Maybe if I get bored in the future, it's always easy to find a higher flowing axleback & race pipe, but I'm thinking I'll be happy with this setup.

Overall, I spent $250 on the AP, and will probably pick up the exhaust components used on Nasioc as well, as I can easily find a TXS stealthback on there used for about $350-$400, and will buy the fuel pump new, for about $90. Then, I'll be paying for a Protune, which should set me back about $300. Overall, only about a $990-$1040 investment total. Not bad IMO.

From there... well, suspension (JDM STi pink springs on stock struts & Cusco sway bars), tires (haven't decided on a tire yet, something wider than stock 225's though), brake pads & lines (most likely Goodridge lines & Ferodo pads) will be the only things I do to the car, which, I'll probably spread out over the next couple years.

This is just a short list the plans I have in store for my STI, and I felt like sharing them. Hope everyone is having a great day! Happy modding!!

-Brandon

[MazdaTom]

Very nice. Something to tune my fuel curve is on my short list as well.

[RX-7 Chris]

Sounds good. When are you getting the rest?

[Huzer21]

Cool, sound like good plans to me. The DP and exhaust look good.

Now that I'm nearly complete with Stage 1 of my mods (suspension, which took the first 6 months of ownership to get that done), I'm figuring out where I'll go next with the RX-8.

[arctic_blue83]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RX-7 Chris @ Mar 19 2008, 02:30 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=33747]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Sounds good. When are you getting the rest?[/b]

I should have the rest of the wife's engagement ring and our wedding paid off in May, so probably this summer

[rx8ghost]

Very nice. Definitely looking to get an AP soon but obviously there aren't any used ones I could find so I could spend the $695

[arctic_blue83]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Mar 19 2008, 02:38 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=33752]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Cool, sound like good plans to me. The DP and exhaust look good.

Now that I'm nearly complete with Stage 1 of my mods (suspension, which took the first 6 months of ownership to get that done), I'm figuring out where I'll go next with the RX-8.[/b]

Thanks man. I don't like ricey shit, or cars that stick out too much, this setup will be perfect for me.

Are you thinking you're going to stay NA or go forced induction? FI will yield much larger gains, but then there will be much greater risk involved... either way, can't wait to see what you do with her!

[arctic_blue83]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RX 8 Ghost @ Mar 19 2008, 02:39 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=33754]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Very nice. Definitely looking to get an AP soon but obviously there aren't any used ones I could find so I could spend the $695[/b]

$695 is totally worth it IMO for your application. Some full standalones can cost MUCH more... but when people post up used AP's on Nasioc & IWSTI almost daily, for me it was just hard to justify the cost of a new one when I could go used for a fraction of the price. Although, the new V2 AP has more data logging features than the V1, so again, $695 isn't bad for everything you get. For the uber-sensitive RX-8, and your turbo setup, I think AP is the way to go, combined with a good protune, whenever Cobb releases Pro & Street tuner licenses.

[jdmsp]

Very nice. Oh and for 1200 not bad at all my exhaust alone is going to run me about 1200-1300 TBE by GHL. I'm turning into such a brand whore lol anyone want to buy my rotas so I can get my advans?? lol jk.

[Huzer21]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ Mar 19 2008, 02:43 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=33760]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Thanks man. I don't like ricey shit, or cars that stick out too much, this setup will be perfect for me.

Are you thinking you're going to stay NA or go forced induction? FI will yield much larger gains, but then there will be much greater risk involved... either way, can't wait to see what you do with her![/b]

I haven't decided on which route to go yet, which will mainly be dictated by $$, I'll have the same expenses you've got a little bit down the road. Right now, I'm looking at staying NA, but none of the mods I do will have to be reversed if I went FI down the road.

[arctic_blue83]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jdmsp @ Mar 19 2008, 03:02 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=33786]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Very nice. Oh and for 1200 not bad at all my exhaust alone is going to run me about 1200-1300 TBE by GHL. I'm turning into such a brand whore lol anyone want to buy my rotas so I can get my advans?? lol jk.[/b]

You're not alone in the brand whore thing though lol.... I'm only saving money because I'm going to buy used parts, as I learned my lesson spending WAY too much money on new parts for my WRX, that I just ended up selling anyway. If I was uber-cheap, instead of spending the extra money on a shorty catted DP by Perrin, I could probably pick up a used full length cat-less downpipe like HKS or Helix for about $100 on Nasioc, or $175-200 brand new lol. I could also pick up a no-name cat-back for around $250 or so used on Nasioc, and instead of spending money on an AP & Protune license, could borrow a friend's laptop, and use FREE Open Source software to tune my ECU, and just pay for dyno time. Most of us are brand name whores

[rx8ghost]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ Mar 19 2008, 03:20 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=33792]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

You're not alone in the brand whore thing though lol.... I'm only saving money because I'm going to buy used parts, as I learned my lesson spending WAY too much money on new parts for my WRX, that I just ended up selling anyway. If I was uber-cheap, instead of spending the extra money on a shorty catted DP by Perrin, I could probably pick up a used full length cat-less downpipe like HKS or Helix for about $100 on Nasioc, or $175-200 brand new lol. I could also pick up a no-name cat-back for around $250 or so used on Nasioc, and instead of spending money on an AP & Protune license, could borrow a friend's laptop, and use FREE Open Source software to tune my ECU, and just pay for dyno time. Most of us are brand name whores [/b]

What is this FREE Open Source software you speak of?

[RX-7 Chris]

I know all about those expences, our one year is in a month.

[arctic_blue83]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Mar 19 2008, 03:05 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=33788]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I haven't decided on which route to go yet, which will mainly be dictated by $$, I'll have the same expenses you've got a little bit down the road. Right now, I'm looking at staying NA, but none of the mods I do will have to be reversed if I went FI down the road.[/b]

I see... well, I should ask, what are your horsepower and/or 1/4 mile goals? Not sure if you're into drag racing, so 1/4 mile might not be applicable for you... if not, what kind of car(s) would you like to be able to keep up with on the straights on a road course?

I imagine staying NA would be easier if you were at sea level.... but rather than adding power for now, have you considered just swapping to a shorter final drive? IMO, for a car with a 9000rpm redline, the 8's gears are way too tall.

[rx8ghost]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ Mar 19 2008, 03:24 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=33795]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I imagine staying NA would be easier if you were at sea level.... but rather than adding power for now, have you considered just swapping to a shorter final drive? IMO, for a car with a 9000rpm redline, the 8's gears are way too tall.[/b]

I'd love to do that but more I'd love to swap out my drivetrain for something that doesn't lose so much power. Anyone have any ideas?