[Legacy]

I've been stockpiling the parts for the upgrade, some for as long as 2 years now. This will be a big upgrade to me, I have all the suspension where I want it and its more for fun than anything else that I'm adding a little power.

- 08 STI TMIC
- VF48
- Cobb DP (already have 3 inch WBR catback)
- Protune from our local Subie tuner
- Fumoto valve
- 07 STI steering rack

The steering rack isn't a power mod, since its going into the shop I'm having it all done at once. I've purchased a set of Whiteline steering rack bushings to go in since its all already off the car.

Should be ready for Wednesday, I'm sure it will be a whole different beast when I pick it up. I've been logging my fuel mileage religiously since the day I bought it so I'll easily be able to see how these mods affect fuel economy, not that its a concern for me as modded XT's still return reasonable mileage.

 

[good dog]

subscribed.:biggrin:

 

[Vinnyd]

I thought only the 04 sti racks worked

 

[Legacy]

05+ STI racks require the updated crossmember.

 

[BAC5.2]

So you have an updated crossmember?

 

[Legacy]

^^ No, we're going to use a prybar and make it fit :chair: JK, yes I do it just wasn't in the pic since its a big piece of ugly pressed metal.

 

[Tussen]

^^ No, we're going to use a prybar and make it fit :chair: JK, yes I do it just wasn't in the pic since its a big piece of ugly pressed metal.

LMFAO

 

[Vinnyd]

that turbo is so little and cute!!!

besides the cross member anything else needed to make the 05+ rack fit

 

[Tussen]

Nope, just the labor to fit it.

 

[Vinnyd]

how bad is the labor?

 

[BAC5.2]

It's a pain in the donkey to do, and a pain in the wallet to pay someone to do. You have to do most of it from under the car, because you need a hoist to hold the engine in place when you unbolt it.

Then you need to do an alignment.

 

[Legacy]

It's a pain in the donkey to do, and a pain in the wallet to pay someone to do. You have to do most of it from under the car, because you need a hoist to hold the engine in place when you unbolt it.

Then you need to do an alignment.

^^ Yes , its more work since the crossmember has to come out. Regardless I wasn't going to install one myself as I'm not at that skill level but yes it adds a good 4hrs labour. The positive side is the 05+ STI racks are better (tighter handling) than 04 so there's some benefit to having one. It all evens out in the end, I was able to pick this low mileage piece up for cheap and I'll just pay more to install it. Prices have really dropped on them since I bought mine 2.5 years ago.

The alignment is a freebie for me, that's something I've done a few times already.

LOL Vinny. Sure I'd love to go rotated and all that but the name of the game here was to produce more power while remaining perfectly reliable so I can go on long road trips and not worry "what if" scenarios.

Good news is the shop said they would have it ready tonight :woohoo:

 

[Duderotomy]

Can't wait to see the results... how much power do you anticipate with the VF48 setup?

 

[Legacy]

Based on other's simular setups I would expect a minimum 300 hp/tq and would be pleased to end up somewhere in the 325-350 range. Of course slapping it on a dyno today will produce 20-50hp difference from tomorrow so those are really "just numbers".

My tuner says his software can perform a road dyno test that has proven to be very close to the numbers a dyno produces with the same car. I'll probably still do a dyno day , more for the fun of having attended one. While I wanted to do a pre-tune dyno run, we already know the approximate power levels a stock XT produces so it wasn't really necessary.

I'll also pay a visit to the drag strip for more of a "real world" result. I believe last year launching lightly @ 3500rpm I was able to pull a 15.2-15.4 as my best time. If I can break into high 13's I'll be very happy, that's where Tuned2000 is with a simular setup + autobox.

 

[toddlamp]

Looks good Alexxi! Man I want a Cobb downpipe. Looks like the DP comes down to a 2.5" diameter where it meets the Cat-back. You might want to consider cutting that off and have a 3" adapter installed. That's what I ended up doing with my Cobb cat-back. In addition I had a 3" flexpipe added cause I was getting consistant leaks where it mounted up to the Helix downpipe.

 

[Legacy]

Thanks ! What are you running for a DP then ? Word is, with the Cobb DP the 2.5 flange isn't a restrictive issue until you're pushing 400+hp.

 

[Duderotomy]

You've got a good chance of hitting high 12's if track conditions suit...

 

[toddlamp]

Thanks ! What are you running for a DP then ? Word is, with the Cobb DP the 2.5 flange isn't a restrictive issue until you're pushing 400+hp.

Helix catted DP. I hated how Cobb advertised it as a 3" system when that wasn't true. But it's a really easy hack/weld job to "fix".

 

[bluesubie]

IMO, the 20W-50 is too thick. Unless you're having a major engine rebuild, I would stick with a robust 30 grade or 40 grade.

Amsoil DEO 5w-40 comes to mind. And their AFF PowerSports 0W-40 for winter. HDD, ACD, RD30, or WCT would be my recommendations for robust 30 grades. You definitely want less drag at the drag strip.

I know you didn't ask, but that's my two cents. :biggrin:

-Dennis

 

[scubadoober]

IMO, the 20W-50 is too thick. Unless you're having a major engine rebuild, I would stick with a robust 30 grade or 40 grade.

Amsoil DEO 5w-40 comes to mind. And their AFF PowerSports 0W-40 for winter. HDD, ACD, RD30, or WCT would be my recommendations for robust 30 grades. You definitely want less drag at the drag strip.

I know you didn't ask, but that's my two cents. :biggrin:

-Dennis

HAHAHA What?