But to do the VF turbo I would need an upgraded intercooler. I think I'll do the intercooler before the turbo upgrade.
Go fast mods and $1,000 to spend.
('03-'05)
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Why waste the money on 2 tunes or are you thinking of running a ap stage 2 with the sti tmic as I would not. Just do it once just save up for the vf and sti tmic and get a protune and enjoy. I always kicked my self for not just doing what I wanted the first time and I have changed my setup 3 times and a lot of money on tunes down the drain.
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Oh and I was not saying not to get the upgraded tmic I just saying its not worth running on the tiny td04.
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I was planning on doing the Stage2 AP tune once I had the TMIC and down-pipe installed. What are the reasons I wouldn't?
Ap ots maps are not that safe and pretty much crap imo and are not meant to have extra parts thrown in. The pressure drop and flow of the larger tmic could make things even less safe then they already are. But for all I know you could be fine I would do a hit load of logs to and save up for a protune at least a etune when you get the vf turbo.
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$1,000 won't get you anywhere, let's be honest here. If radiator and timing belt have not been done, address that first. If you are ready for more power, start saving more. STi TMIC, BPV with hose, turbo and a good tune is all you need, but a grand will not get you there.
If your plans involve running off the shelf maps and doing upgrades in stages just stop now and do not touch the car. These cars will blow up if you look at them wrong, that's why I'm being blunt. It is not overbuilt like a BMW.
Stan
If your plans involve running off the shelf maps and doing upgrades in stages just stop now and do not touch the car. These cars will blow up if you look at them wrong, that's why I'm being blunt. It is not overbuilt like a BMW.
Stan
I have separate budgets for maintenance items, such as timing belt. I do plan on getting a protune or at least an e-tune. I definitely want more power, but I don't want to take a risk of blowing up the car with off the shelf tunes. I appreciate the honesty. This is my first experience with the subaru engines so I am trying to learn as much as possible.
Oddly enough I am used to BMW's. I love the idea of actually getting more power from small upgrades with the Subaru's! haha
$1000 is not enough to run a turbo swap.
I'd do:
-Cobb Access Port ($500-600)
-Used downpipe ($200-400)
-STi Axle back.
That'll get you some good power at Stage 2.
Then get a used cat-back exhaust and open it up. That'll be about another $200-400.
A VF39 should run you around $300-350. An STi TMIC with BPV will run you around $300. You'll also need the hose that replaces the XT hose in front of and below the TMIC. That's like $15. Plus some extra coolant, the STi boost pill, and some extra washers for the turbo (that ran me like $18 + coolant).
Then you can run the OTS tune from Cobb, gut honestly? A good solid custom tune for another $400 will make your car scream.
Took my car from around 17.5 to 19psi, and it really flies now.
I'd do:
-Cobb Access Port ($500-600)
-Used downpipe ($200-400)
-STi Axle back.
That'll get you some good power at Stage 2.
Then get a used cat-back exhaust and open it up. That'll be about another $200-400.
A VF39 should run you around $300-350. An STi TMIC with BPV will run you around $300. You'll also need the hose that replaces the XT hose in front of and below the TMIC. That's like $15. Plus some extra coolant, the STi boost pill, and some extra washers for the turbo (that ran me like $18 + coolant).
Then you can run the OTS tune from Cobb, gut honestly? A good solid custom tune for another $400 will make your car scream.
Took my car from around 17.5 to 19psi, and it really flies now.
Sorry for any confusion...I already have the Cobb and downpipe and have an extra $1,000 to spend on performance mods. So maybe I should just do a TMIC and a custom tune for now.
Thanks, I am sorry if there was confusion. I have planned for maintenance items and most of any problems that may arise. This "mod money" is separate from that.
Not worth it IMO. STi TMIC is fine but the stock STi elbow hose is too short to fit over the TD04. New hose is $100. Then, you'd need a tune. So, $300 TMIC + $100 hose + $400 tune + $80 on downpipe gasket/coolant/etc. Almost all of your budget for a stock turbo with a downpipe setup you'd have to stick with, but the car will still suffer from choking at 4,500 RPM due to small TD04.
Add $400 for a VF turbo to the above and you will have a totally different car. All of a sudden, you'll have as much pull in 5th as you would in 3rd with the TD04 and powerband will be more broad. Completely worth it.
To make the STi TMIC work properly you'll need at least a different splitter, and a bugeye STi taller scoop would be nice too. This will put your cost of upgrade way over a grand, people rarely take this into account for some strange reason.
Stan
Add $400 for a VF turbo to the above and you will have a totally different car. All of a sudden, you'll have as much pull in 5th as you would in 3rd with the TD04 and powerband will be more broad. Completely worth it.
To make the STi TMIC work properly you'll need at least a different splitter, and a bugeye STi taller scoop would be nice too. This will put your cost of upgrade way over a grand, people rarely take this into account for some strange reason.
Stan
Ok, sorry for the preachy tone of my previous post. It's definitely worth the cost of a professional tune. The TMIC won't do much for a TD04. VF turbos can pack a wallop of mid range torque if that's your thing. It's a lot of head snapping fun with a 5 speed.
Just want to change what I mentioned before (STi TMIC, VF and tune); it didn't click that you have the catted up pipe and I didn't know the STi TMIC needed extra piping to fit the Foz...my bad
With $1,000 (again, assuming you have at least a 19 mm RSB! you need this), catless up pipe (the later SGs in Aus come catless, if this is the case in the US, visit a wreckers) and a pro-tune. I know there are e-tuners around that do a custom tune for around $120-150...
Even though you have "just" a TD04, there is still plenty of power to be made with catless UP, and a good DP. I've seen a late-SG ('08) go from 142 whp to 190 whp with even bigger gains in torque in the mid-range. Absolutely transformed the car completely. IMO, very much worth it; not only was power substantially increased, but fuel use dropped too because the car at cruising speeds, wasn't running as rich as the factory tune was. It was far from lean, just not as rich anymore. The fuel savings alone paid for the DP and tune (factory catless up pipe) in about 8 months...
With $1,000 (again, assuming you have at least a 19 mm RSB! you need this), catless up pipe (the later SGs in Aus come catless, if this is the case in the US, visit a wreckers) and a pro-tune. I know there are e-tuners around that do a custom tune for around $120-150...
Even though you have "just" a TD04, there is still plenty of power to be made with catless UP, and a good DP. I've seen a late-SG ('08) go from 142 whp to 190 whp with even bigger gains in torque in the mid-range. Absolutely transformed the car completely. IMO, very much worth it; not only was power substantially increased, but fuel use dropped too because the car at cruising speeds, wasn't running as rich as the factory tune was. It was far from lean, just not as rich anymore. The fuel savings alone paid for the DP and tune (factory catless up pipe) in about 8 months...
Based on your model year, you need to ditch your stock catted up-pipe in favor of a catless up-pipe.
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What is a good Catless up pipe brand to look for?
Cobb, Perrin, or Grimmspeed. I like the Cobb for OEM turbos because it maintains the small inside diameter for fast spool.
I have a my catless oem uppipe for sale if you want let me know. It has 15k miles and has the heat shields and is practically brand new.
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How much Nate?
$55 shipped and paypaled and its yours I will even throw in a new uppipe to turbo gasket.
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