WRX to STi (04) Conversion...WTK

Redeyeblueeye · Street 2NR Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Tech posts: 51 My 2NRide:

Tell meh...

What I need to get besides the VF30 Turbo and the STi TMIC?

Any thoughts on upgrades too that make sense outside of the spec STi that add value for money?

Oh and where can I get these stuff to buy...?

(I was told upgrading makes sense since my turbo is burning oil and making siren and bearing noises) Confused

Knight1 · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:21 am Post subject:

You have PLENTY more work than just that.

STi and WRX engines are different to start with.

See my post here (WhiteGDA):

http://scoobytnt/forum/viewtopic.php?p=48177#48177

Knight1 · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:27 am Post subject:

THe STi differs in not only engine setup, but suspension, braking, drivetrain etc etc.

So all you'll be doing is something like a Stage 2.5-3 upgrade...involving a turbo swap w/ associated parts.

As for other mods outside the "STi" lineup... there are TONS of them.

Turbos from 300 hp-600 hp, water injec, FMIC, forged kits, and that's just the engine.

You have to decide WHAT you want from your car, and where your priorities lie, in terms of power and/or handling.

RESEARCH is your friend. Start reading up on int'l forums (give better advice as they have a larger base of tuned WRX's/STi's) like clubwrx.net.

Also, start browsing sites like vividracing.com, and aftermarket sites like Perrin, Agency Power, Deadbolt turbos etc.

JWT · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject:

you will need the following

engine:

injectors
intercooler
turbo
gearbox 6speed
diff for the 6speed

or you can leave your car like that and just do some mods that may see you run down a sti

Knight1 · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:50 am Post subject:

Redeyeblueeye · Street 2NR Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Tech posts: 51 My 2NRide:

Whats ur view on this knight 1 ... if indeed I am needing to change out the Turbo, go with the VF30? or back to the original turbo.
I thinking if the bolt up is straight fwd I can buy the bigger turbo and piping and Sti TMIC set up...and settle with the decat, injectors (pinks) and a good tune for now until I get this car working properly...???

My mechanic talking bout haltech piggy back, boost controller bigger intercooler...starting sounding $$ expensive too me now

I don't really wanna 'play' with car too much if u know what i mean...its my everyday driver NOT my 'project'

Advice...?

http://scoobytnt/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3625

Knight1 · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject:

First off....you should be doing an ECU reflash if you want to tune for those upgrades.

Who uses boost controllers and piggybacks in Subarus anymore? Tell your mech to update his information on the superior ways to tune these cars. Rolling Eyes

Haltech and Standalone EMS are nice...but a bit much for the mods you're doing IMHO. Besides, the majority of the Suby community (and Evo) are moving away from EMS's into ECU-tunes. Both markets have ECu tuned cars well over the 400 whp range running as daily drivers.

If you mods are done properly, you won't have any problems with your car (once it's tuned properly also). Not to judge, but the mods your mech is suggesting sound like a nice way to rake up some extra cash ...for him.

As I stated before, if you want to have a reliable car, you'd need to do all the mods that I (and others) listed in the thread on TSOC.....and it'll be a great daily driver.

Injectors, Fuel Pump, Turbo, TMIC, decat DP. And I think you should change the hood scoop splitter as well to ensure proper function of the TMIC.

Those are the bare minimum stuff you'd need if you put in for that turbo swap. We haven't even talked about Uppipes and catback exhausts yet.

OR....

Just get a TD04 turbo (stock) and put it back in. Pretty simple. And tune the car to ensure you aren't detonating anymore. (will cost you alot less, seeing the other problems you've been listing).

P.S. Ecu tune is alot cheaper...and may even be free if you choose to DIY once you have a laptop, tactrix cable, and can download a generic "VF30" map for your car. Or you can have a specific tuner do it for you also (for a cost of course).

equipped2ripp · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:10 am Post subject:

JWT · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:

Knight1 a wrx box is weak

putting power on that makes no sense

if he wants do the VF30 and injectors and tune but 310 is small power people does use that on their bmx now Laughing

16 cycles · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject:

^ allyuh go make the man spend more in the long run than buying an STi ...lol

Sti 6 speed + paraphanelia or price a PPG straight cut / dog box Shocked

i say save the pesos yes........have the wrx running efficient and safe and sell it to upgrade a few yrs / months later

Knight1 · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 5:30 am Post subject:

^^My point exactly. 6 speed is un needed. And the 6 speed's synchros can also fail with much abuse.

riderz · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:29 am Post subject:

Hey Knight1 is right about the tuning options.

When I hear mechanics advising to put boostcontrollers in a Subaru then I know he in the 90s. Subys work better withou them. You want boost control, the stock ecu can be patched to accomodate it. Soon to be available.

Other than thet get a UTEC and plug it in.

Secondly with those mods listed and the budget you are observing, you could easily stay with a 5speed. I would not venture pass 320Whp with the 5spd. So you safe.

If you looking for an extra something sumthing, get a perrin EBCS or proodrive EBCS, get the taxtric cable and reflash connectors, and read as much as possible on romraider.com. You could tune the car yourself. You can even buy some maps at xpttuning for you specific application.

The stock ecu has full control of the vehicel, and you have all the maps in side like whats available in most aftermarket management systems. Subies and evo alike. Now there is launch control and some other sutff.

g unit · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:46 am Post subject:

is bess u save urself alllllllll that drama and buy a used one. might turn out cheaper and less stressful.

civcdrvrinwrx · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject:

excellent stuff good read Knight 1
thanks for the info by the way (on scoobytnt I mean)

b18b_turbo · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 10:35 am Post subject:

sell d wrx and buy an STI...it makes no sense...

wen u done, this converted car will have a VERY poor resale vlaue as well

JWT · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 1:34 pm Post subject:

civcdrvrinwrx · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject:

STi-N · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject:

civcdrvrinwrx · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject:

riderz · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject:

The 5 speed box have been known for failures. Not from launching though. The box itself doesnt provide enough fluid circulation to keep the gearsets cool and lubricated. The constant changes in hightemps causes some of the gears to develop hairline cracks over time. These cracks are further exploited to complete failures during excessive power transfers between the both shafts.

One of the teeth just lets go and makes that particular gear unusable. This is a normal thing with these boxes. Most WRX racers would either change the gearsets to a set cryo treated or to the 6spd box

Cryo treating gives about 30% more strength but they have been known to break in 400hp cars