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Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon
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Comments
purely in theory though I'd replace that first but not openly discuss it.
~c
JB
-Dave
One good thing is that the low end is so weak that abrupt high stress to the drivetrain can only be done intentionally.
Highest modified wrx mileage I know has over 50K of not so kind treatment (the owner thinks clutches are items that last about as long as tires) and is holding up great.
Other forums mention clutch/trans problems which should be more a factor of the operator. I don't think I have heard of a motor blowing due to reflashes or just up/down pipes.
For those of you on the fence due to reliability concerns, I say go for it if it's just stage 1.
Don
there are no inspections whatsoever here in Kansas.
definitely do not throw on a manual boost controller and cold-air intake, though.
~c
The suggestion on the OEM uppipe and turboback from an STi sounds like a good idea. As Dave mentioned, it's still Subaru parts so it might not get scrutinzed too much. But how much performance gain would this have compared to the stock WRX? Has anyone here gone that route?
Thanks!
JB
However, you'll notice some improvement at the lower band and quicker spool [less lag].
The MT will yield better results over the AT
-Dave
Also, how does the reflash affect emissions?
~c
I won't be going the reflash route to know.
I do know from others who have that a reflash and one cat have passed NYS emission. California? I'll put up my antenna at the other boards.
Here are some details from someone that has a reflash and one cat.
You could compare the result numbers with CA's requirements.
mods: catless up pipe, catless downpipe (Bosal), stock 3rd cat, stock resonator pipe, JDM STi muffler, EcuTek reflashed ECU (RalliSpec). I had 93 octane from Shell in the tank.
Emissions Test Limits NYS
HC 220 CO 1.20
Emissions Test Results
HC 102 CO 0.22
-Dave
I did a lot of research on up-pipes and have a stock (catless) Sti on the way. They add about 10 peak WHP, but more important, move the torque/rpm curve about 4-500rpm lower. That push you start to really feel at 3200rpm now starts at 27-2800. aka better low end grunt.
I would not have any concerns about adding 25 HP to a Rex, the JDM's come with that much stock. How you drive it will be much more important than 250 crank HP for potential damage.
Nicholas
True if it's a USDM STi turboback, as I do recall seeing a cat under there.
It's the aftermarkets without cats or a single highflow one in the mid-pipe that really boost power.
The JDM STi turboback would do just as good.
but more important, move the torque/rpm curve about 4-500rpm lower. That push you start to really feel at 3200rpm now starts at 27-2800. aka better low end grunt.
That's what I'm looking for, the where the HP/torque is improved rather than 25 or 50 more HP @ 6000 rpms.
-Dave
I am not sure if the catless uppipe is legal, but if so obviously that as well.
those are the only things, short of installing a different (higher tech) turbocharger, that will make the turbocharger spool faster.
well, besides nitrous. that's less feasible than swapping in a 2.5L shortblock IMO.
~c
-Dave
I did 2" custom headers on the SVX then a 2.5" exhaust with high-flow cat.
-mike
~c
~c
-mike
Was accomplished doing mostly highway driving. About 100 miles through Indiana on my way back from the Formula 1 race doing 80-95 with the flow of traffic. Spent about 90 minutes sitting in Chicago in stop & go traffic, and the rest cruising at around 70 on the interstate.
Toward the end I took it easy, but I didn't set out on the tank trying to get good mileage. When I filled up I was at 400.4 miles and it took 14.7 gallons to fill the tank. I averaged 27.2 mpg on the tank. Looks like I could have gone for 425 pretty safely.
JB
~c
JB
Auto climate control
Better security
New muffler (or tip?)
Better security
Different steering wheel
New interior
Did I mention better security? :-)
http://www.subaru.com/servlet/research?model=IMPREZA&trim=WRX- _SPORT_WAGON&command=photos
-Dennis
Added security?
Muffler - thought this was just a different tip, but could be wrong.
I rarely have occasion to park on hills, so I don't know how long this has been going on.
Anyway, out of habit, I never put the e-brake on because once a long time ago in the winter, my ebrake cable froze up and got me stuck, so I vowed never to do that again. Anyway, I put the car in first, turned off the engine, disengaged the clutch and slowly let off the brake to let the car slowly lean on the transmission/engine.
and the car stopped, then it started moving a few inches then stopped and started, and kept rocking forward like that.
really really weird.
it was facing downhill. Anybody ever heard of such a thing? I can't see it being a worn clutch, the thin only has 22K on it, and it's mostly highway, and I'm not hard on clutches (my mitsubishi had 114K on the original clutch)
any ideas?
But why put that stress on your tranny? Parking brakes are a lot cheaper.
-juice
use the handbrake and turn your wheels toward the curb facing downhill, and away from the curb facing uphill. ...just like you were taught many moons ago.
~c
TIA.
in 1993 the Impreza debuted. in 1997 the hood, grill and headlights changed.
in 2002 the Impreza's second generation finally arrived. initial reaction to the styling was at best lukewarm but it won many fans due to the impreza turbo / WRX finally coming to North America. in summer 2003, 2004 model year WRX STis arrived with a refreshed grill and headlights. fall 2003, the regular 2004 Imprezas had the same look.
so how long until the 3rd generation Impreza arrives? well, it could be a long time if history is any indication. speculation and rumor point at it arriving in 2006 or 2007, though I personally doubt it.
~C
Bob
Subaru typically gives their models a fairly significant upgrade on the 4th year of their 5-year product life cycle. That happened with the last generation Forester. With the current generation Impreza that came last year (3rd year, not 4th year) because of the heavy criticism of the bug-eye look of the 02-03 models. This year the Impreza got a mild interior upgrade, nothing more.
Bob
-juice
As for putting pressure on your tranny, erm, exactly what are you doing when the car is in first gear at 5000 rpm. I daresay there's a lot more stress on the tranny at moments like that...
I see your point, and on steep hills, I do use my ebrake, but like I said, I was just moving cars around and it wasn't a terribly steep hill. I didn't hear anything, but it was like some part of the tranny was catching then letting off then catching again. Maybe it's some part of the slipping differential and it's supposed to do that, I know my clutch doesn't slip, this isn't like slipping, it's freefall until it catches.
I was wondering if anybody here had a moment, they may want to try it. I'm going to try facing uphill instead of down and try the opposing gear like you mentioned.
Nobody else finds this curious behaviour?
I think it is your engine turning over. The catch release sequence may be due to the compression cycle of certain cylinders. If you turn a motor by hand you will feel there are sections of more resistance. Our lower compression engines along with small displacement in a relatively heavy (for 2.0 liters) car may make it easier for gravity to turn the engine.
I do not think the ebrake will freeze unless it's cold and wet outside...if it does in warm weather, there is something wrong with the system.
Don
-Frank
Lube it up!
-juice
I had a 71 VW bus that froze the ebrake whenever it got wet and freezing. Turns out the freeze can happen on the cables.
Don
As for the ebrake, yeah it was winter and an old rusty cable.
~c
You have to remove the headliner to get to the bolts and after taking off the rails, you have to oder some parts to cover up the holes left over. Can't tell you the part number now because a certain forum is done, but when it comes back up, you should be able to search for it there.