My 2004 WRX, chime in!

[ballmode]

This was in Texas where its super hot. I mean its not bad, it happened maybe once the whole trip. Just little things annoy me, for having no torque the S2000's F20 was the smoothest sport 4cylinder I have driven. Maybe I associate smooth with throttle response.

As for the TMIC, it's not my favorite place to put it, but if I get in a minor fender I wouldn't smash it up like on an EVO (a reason the insurance is high for them)

I guess the only way Id truly be happy is getting a 2.0T A4 Quattro and modding it. Sure I'd get a quieter, more solid car, but I'd also get a few hundred pounds and lack of steering response.

I've never driven those 2.5L Subaru engines, maybe they have a smoother torque curve with bigger displacement... I do like how mine redlines at 7k and those at 6.5

 

[RGUN]

Heatsoak just from idling???

Damn that must suck to have a TMIC.

Idling would be the worst condition. No air movement over any cooling surface, all the heat rising. When I had my bike that was the absolute worst conditions. As soon as you are stuck in traffic or idling your legs would get HOT fast.

 

[RGUN]

Ahh you mean your RPM drops (indicates maybe 500rpm on the tach), it stumbles briefly,then recovers back to 700-800rpm? Mine did the same thing..I found a broken vacuum line and fixed it. I haven't noticed that again lately (other than the ECU re-learning after a new flash).

I also noticed that with the VF39 and OTS Cobb map, power came on much smoother than it did with the Stage 1/2 OTS maps. Once I get to AZ, I'll get a real tune (unfortunately I'll be stuck with pisswater gas out there ) and see what happens then.



You mean a VF-series turbocharger on a WRX is unique? Nothing against that combo (I have a VF39 on an EJ255), but it's not too far out of the ordinary.

Regardless of the use of OEM parts, his car is still unique. Just because it may be common among enthusiasts certainly doesnt mean it is common among the WRX population at large. His mod combination makes his car unique. Besides the point was related to cooling, and his car has definitely been pushed past the design point of the original vehicle - so in that respect it is unique.

 

[ballmode]

I'm no turbo genius, but when I found out the VF34/39 spool better and are more efficient than the stock Mistubitchy unit in mine, I was like yeah no brainer

 

[DivideBYZero]

Idling would be the worst condition. No air movement over any cooling surface, all the heat rising. When I had my bike that was the absolute worst conditions. As soon as you are stuck in traffic or idling your legs would get HOT fast.

This is why many JDM STi came with water spray. Some owners have retro fitted water spray systems to help with stop light heat soak.

 

[RGUN]

This is why many JDM STi came with water spray. Some owners have retro fitted water spray systems to help with stop light heat soak.

Not just JDM, as far as I know all STI's had it.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Not just JDM, as far as I know all STI's had it.

Not to my knowledge, especially the gen 1's. I've only seen it on a '99 JDM STi 5 coupe. US Spec may have been different.

 

[zerocool84]

Idling would be the worst condition. No air movement over any cooling surface, all the heat rising. When I had my bike that was the absolute worst conditions. As soon as you are stuck in traffic or idling your legs would get HOT fast.

Yes but you'd get heatsoak after doing some heavy runs at the track, not just idling on a hot day at a stoplight. I guess it's because I've never owned a TMIC before.

 

[RGUN]

Not to my knowledge, especially the gen 1's. I've only seen it on a '99 JDM STi 5 coupe. US Spec may have been different.

Im not certain of your location but mine has it, and every other US spec and Canadian spec STI I know of has a water spray button.

 

[jlee]

Regardless of the use of OEM parts, his car is still unique. Just because it may be common among enthusiasts certainly doesnt mean it is common among the WRX population at large. His mod combination makes his car unique. Besides the point was related to cooling, and his car has definitely been pushed past the design point of the original vehicle - so in that respect it is unique.

I guess my dictionary is different than yours - typically "common" and "unique" don't go together.

 

[RGUN]

I guess my dictionary is different than yours - typically "common" and "unique" don't go together.

While it may be common among enthusiasts, I would consider it unique compared to the hundreds of thousands of stock examples that would likely never post on any forums. Not that it matters anyway.

 

[ballmode]

When I go to NASIOC, it's quite common for the tuners of WRX's to do what I did. That's the reason why I did it. I do see alot of people putting HELLA horns and Rota wheels on their Subie's... odd...

When I was driving my integra, seems everybody tended to do the same stuff... it's just a hobby, I guess

I went different this time by purposely trying to tighten and make the WRX sporty, but put DD as goal 1

 

[jlee]

When I go to NASIOC, it's quite common for the tuners of WRX's to do what I did. That's the reason why I did it. I do see alot of people putting HELLA horns and Rota wheels on their Subie's... odd...

When I was driving my integra, seems everybody tended to do the same stuff... it's just a hobby, I guess

I went different this time by purposely trying to tighten and make the WRX sporty, but put DD as goal 1

Because Rota wheels are cheap and look nice, and the stock Subaru horn is weak?

I pretty much did the same as you - STi-stuff swap, exhaust, AP tune, and Rotas. I am very happy with it as a daily.

 

[ballmode]

got pics of yours jlee?

PM me if you want my subie partner

 

[jlee]

got pics of yours jlee?

PM me if you want my subie partner

 

[ballmode]

how much ground clearance those things got stock?

 

[ballmode]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfTP2Uri9xM

 

[jlee]

how much ground clearance those things got stock?

7.5".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfTP2Uri9xM

Ahh nice, I think I read that article in their magazine the other day.

 

[razor2025]

Congrats on the subie. I got my bugeye 02 few months ago, and it's soaking up my time and money (along with heat LOL).

I've only done the Cobb Stage 2 package for power on mine + GR-2/Epic Spring combo for suspension for now. I bought the gold BBS wheels locally instead of going the Rota route. Right now, I'm working on upgrading the interior with console swap and switching the STI seats for WRX seat.

If you're looking to do alot of DIY, IWSTI has better written guides than NASIOC.