vf39 on 06 wrx

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by BBsRS, Nov 9, 2006.

  1. BBsRS
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    BBsRS Well-Known Member

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    Friend of mine is upgrading his 06 to a vf39. I was wondering what is required to make this work other than just plan turbo swap. does he need to up the injectors, intercooler and/or ecu??? or would it be fine the way it is(turboswap) 2 cents and info would be very much appreciated...Thanks.
     
  2. bikerboy
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    bikerboy Subie GOD Staff Member

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    All of the above plus a fuel pump and a BOV if he plans on running over 19psi. You will want to remove all the cats as well.
     
  3. Sogonerg
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    Sogonerg Anteater

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    ^IMO, Should've just bought an STi in the first place...or why not just get a 20g if your going to do all that upgrade...
     
  4. AWDimprezaL
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    AWDimprezaL has more posts than you

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    because the 06 wrx is cheaper, and can make better use of a vf39 then an sti, it has bigger injectors.
     
  5. bikerboy
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    bikerboy Subie GOD Staff Member

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    Guess that doesn't make sense. If the STI is maxing out the stock injectors with a vf39 why wouldnt the WRX do the same thing with a VF39? They are the same motor, with the same injectors. So how are they bigger?
     
  6. SKullman
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    SKullman Well-Known Member

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    Don't for get the insurance...all those punks crashing their STi's really jacked up the costs.
     
  7. w_o_t_boy
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    w_o_t_boy Well-Known Member

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    I think he meant bigger injectors than an 02-05 has.
     
  8. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    ^Yes, it has been tested that the 06 injectors actually flow a bit better than the STi injectors.

    I also want to restate what's needed: STi ECU, Engine Management, VF39, STi IC+BOV/BPV+Y-pipe, fuel pump & turboback (to maximize the 19+ psi).
     
  9. AWDimprezaL
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    AWDimprezaL has more posts than you

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    Thats what i meant, thx fong ;)
     
  10. Nuke
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    Nuke Well-Known Member

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    sti turbo, tbe, sti tmic, and engine management
    cobb has a map to use the 'sti' setup
     
  11. bikerwriter
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    bikerwriter Well-Known Member

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    That's what I thought. I read "STi ECU" and was like "huh?"
     
  12. Dream
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    Dream Well-Known Member

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    I did some searching and supposedly they flow close to 565cc, which is right around what the pinks flow.
     
  13. WagonsRock
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    WagonsRock Well-Known Member

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    Why is a new BOV needed?
     
  14. esperunit
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    esperunit Well-Known Member

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    lol, my 06 WRX wagon will end up faster than an STi, with the same tranny/IC/Turbo for less money than an STi costs. The value proposition of the STi only matters in you want those seats and brakes. I don't need the brembos with the 4pot subraus anyways.

    I would recommend that if you know something about subarus NOT buying an 05+ STi and just making one yourself out of any 06+ WRX you like.

    Also, my insurance is retarded cheap. =]
     
  15. Shibbs
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    Shibbs The Daywalker

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    +1. Same reason I just bought my 07 wrx.
     
  16. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    You're right, but it was under suspicion on NASIOC at one time that the 06 STi came with lower flowing injectors. Don't quote me on it, but that's what I have understood.
     
  17. Sogonerg
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    Sogonerg Anteater

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    Cons: 06+ WRX and 06+ STi

    Seats and Brakes (Zach)
    Also: HID, 6sp. tranny, DCCD, Suspension, Gauges and shift indicator, Intercooler Spray, BBS Rims and Tires, etc.

    Pros: If you just planning on upgrading the Motor, yes u'll save on Insurance and some $$$. But if your converting the whole car into an STi, you'll spend more $$$ than what a new one cost and have your warranty voided.
     
  18. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    ^^I realized I don't have them STi parts either but at least I have heated seats on my FXTi! :biggrin:

    Yes, if a warranty is what you need, do not modify your car. A warranty is only good if you can prove (or vice versa) that what broke wasn't related to your mods.
     
  19. w_o_t_boy
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    w_o_t_boy Well-Known Member

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    An '06 with a VF39 will make well over 300ft-lbs at the wheels, right? Doesn't that mean new gears, too?
     
  20. AWDimprezaL
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    AWDimprezaL has more posts than you

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    an 06 with a td04 and a custom tune can get 300TQ at the wheels EDIT: TOM RULES
     
  21. wall of tvs
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    wall of tvs Well-Known Member

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    ^^^ that's 300wtq @ the wheels to clarify. I would imagine that 250whp would be doable.

    I just went through some stock ROMS to clarify some things.

    04-06 STi: 503cc injectors
    07 STi: 550cc
    06 WRX: 550cc
    02-05 WRX: 420cc :(
    05-06 LGT: 520cc

    IMHO, if you are going to upgrade to the VF39 in an 06+ WRX, the only thing you're really going to need is a reflash. If you plan to upgrade the tmic, I'd skip the stock STi one and get a larger one to justify the money spent. Otherwise use the money towards for the STi tmic towards some modded stock injectors.

    If I end up finding a really cheap VF39, I'll probably pick it up just for something to play with. I think my ultimate goal for my '06 is either a super16g/evoIII16g or some variant of an 8cm 20g. Right now I'm leaning towards the 20g simply because I've never seen an 8cm 16g turbo. Boost creep is a bitch, hehehe.
     
  22. Dream
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    Dream Well-Known Member

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    Great info, Tom!

    Ide highly reccomend a 20G for the 2.5 FOR SURE! :biggrin:
     
  23. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    ^^only if it was affordable. Usually when you purchase a 20G or similar turbo, you have to upgrade everything else. It's like climbing a hill with a concrete wall to climb over. Gotta have the dough to play like the pros.
     
  24. bikerwriter
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    bikerwriter Well-Known Member

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    While it might be cheaper to start with an '06 WRX, I can't figure out how anybody can tolerate the front end of the new Imprezas. Ick! Ick! Ick!

    I think ugly styling is affecting all Japanese companies. First their bikes (new R6 = vomit), and now their cars. I bet the new PS3 will come in fairy pink or puke orange...
     
  25. wall of tvs
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    wall of tvs Well-Known Member

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    It took some getting used to (just like every other USDM WRX/STi), but I like the new end.

    To each their own, I guess.
     
  26. Nuke
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    Nuke Well-Known Member

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    also the 18g route just requires an 18g, tbe, bigger tmic, and e-management
    cobb also has the 18g map, FP's 18g

    i think having it protuned with fuel pump should be good enough for this route
     
  27. Dizmal
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    Dizmal Well-Known Member

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    Its kinda sad the STI isn't quite the big brother it once was.

    The other features are definately nice. But for most of the kids out there, its more about money to power than anything else.

    Wonder why the japanese versions never had this problem? They both used the 2.0l engines. The wrx never dethrowned the STI over seas.

    That said, if I had the money. I would still take an STI over a WRX any day of the week. Its so much more refined. But as it stands right now, I would have to choose a WRX do to liking extra money. But I really am annoyed with the NASIOC 06 WRX owners. Its almost like they took on a teh f4st3r mentality. "You wasted money on a STI, should have got the WRX, its as teh f4st!":roll:

    IMO
     
  28. esperunit
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    esperunit Well-Known Member

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    WHAT?

    no accounting for taste I guess. new r6 and r1 are gorgeous. Can't keep making everything look like it did last year forever.

    And for my lengthy final word on the 06+ wrxs: I have priced it out and it is still possible to convert a WRX TR into an STi replica using NASIOC parts for less than an STi costs.

    Turbo + IC = $500, tranny=3k, rear diff and rear brembos and hubs = 1k, Interior 1k, gauges $350, spoiler = $500, EM anywhere between $300 reflash to 1100 UTEC

    thats about 7k. considering that 21-22k can get a TR, you're still paying less than STi prices. And if you;re willing to live without some things you save even more. The STi just isn't a significant value proposition anymore, I think that on top of that you can add components you prefer over the stock STi stuff and customize as you build up.

    but the lure for me is of course that you can get an STi wagon that way, which subaru still refuses to sell us. If you dont like comfort you can go with the whole TR interior thing and keep in basic and save your moeny there.Also gives people with less money an option to build to an STi in stages rather than buy the whole hog for 34k. I think that is an important factor which will motivate a lot of other people.

    I think that the brembos are nice, but I seriously think they hold no advantages for street use over the subaru 4 pots. they do have adantages: weight and fade. The brembos have less unsprung weight and are much less prone to fade, but fade is not going to really be an issue for 95% of WRX or STi owners. It makes it nice to have on the track, but the subaru 4 pots have been used on subaru track cars before with success (remember the 22B? ) and are very capable, but will definitely fade earlier than the brembos.

    I think what it comes down to is having a warranty and having a nice stock car or screwing warranty and making a customized version of the same thing for about as much money, or less if you do want certain things and don't want others. There are also other compelling options to the WRX for certain segments. If I were a drag racer I'd consider that an 06 WRX tranny with PPG gears is equivalently priced to an STi tranny and will hold large power, so they have that option for the same money. an auto WRX is also an good bracket racer that can take big power and presents an option that isn't available on an STi.

    The japanese had this exact same problem years ago. then the STi moved to the first gen air to air intercooler and the WRX retained the AWIC the WRX's were commonly faster on the street. STi owners at one point complained that the WRX's were beating them.

    Funny thing is on nasioc there are just as many "your WRX will never be equal to my vaunted STi" people there too. The whole argument is getting played there but the honest truth is the WRX got a lot closer to the STi and it made people irrational and defensive on both sides, usually depending on which one they happened to own or be shopping for.

    There might be another person here defecting from an older STi to an 06/07 wagon... the lure is strong...

    as for where I stand on the whole thing, well I bought the WRX. But i can honestly say I would have bought a used STi rather than an 06 WRX if only it had come in a wagon (and well insurance is a big factor too).
     
  29. Dizmal
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    Dizmal Well-Known Member

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    I agree about it being more about people defending their purchases over on NASIOC.

    It sure would be nice if Subaru added a little more something to the STI to really set it apart again.


    Then again, you can buy an 02 for as low as $9k. Do a complete motor swap, PPG gears and probably own on both all day long for much less money than buying either. Or you could turn to the dark side and buy a mustang and own again for a lesser cost than a new WRX.

    Once you start modding its not apples to apples.

    Stock for stock, the STI does hold its value over the WRX.



    Edit: Were you also including the cost of labor for installation for those parts? Not everyone is as fortunate to have the great mechanics we have inour small community who do work for cheap. Labor for all of the things mentioned can cost the average Joe enough to put it over the cost of an STI.
     
  30. LVT
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    LVT Well-Known Member

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    wait! so why would subaru give the wrx bigger injectors and not the STi when one has a bigger turbo than the other?????
     
  31. bikerwriter
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    bikerwriter Well-Known Member

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    Probably to save money. By using the same injectors in both cars they lower the cost when purchasing. And if they meet the requirements for stock use, it makes even more sense.

    And since when has Subaru ever overbuilt anything on our cars? :hsugh:
     
  32. wall of tvs
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    wall of tvs Well-Known Member

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    NASIOC is gay. I hate that place, lol.

    And yes, there is no stizzle wagon (yet). I'm happy with my purchase, and will be even more delighted once I get past this @$$%^$%@$^ break-in period, hehehe.
     
  33. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    In addition, what's probably needed is a porting of the wastegate and the metal oil drain hose that bolts onto the turbo. ;)
     
  34. Sogonerg
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    Sogonerg Anteater

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    corrected ;)
     
  35. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    LOL! Ray, you know you're jealous of my ass-warmers.
     
  36. Sogonerg
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    Sogonerg Anteater

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    hehe...Arsh Warmers
     
  37. LVT
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    LVT Well-Known Member

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    i meant it as in...as they stated....the 06 WRX injectors have a higher flow rate than the STi injectors....if one flows better, they cant' be the same...and the one with the higher model has the better injectors???
     
  38. T-REX5000
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    T-REX5000 Well-Known Member

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    I guess for me it came down to insurrance, they were going to rape me on an STI. I need to be a few years older dammit.
     
  39. bikerwriter
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    bikerwriter Well-Known Member

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    If you look at Tom's reply, the '07 STi has the 550 injectors. The new 2.5 WRX (labeled '06) also has the 550 injectors. The model years may be different, but that's just Subaru. Model year labeling has no bearing on when a car was built or sold. For example, try and buy a 1983 Corvette.