I just got my first Subaru this week, an '09 WRX STi. I have a couple buddies with STi's, but that's about all the experience I have with them. I bought it because it's a friggin' sweet ride and it fits my needs perfectly. I had an Acura RSX that was all modded out, but dropped a cylinder last week and decided it was time for a new set of wheels. I'll repair the RSX and sell it, then the money from the sale can go into STi mods. The problem is, because I haven't been around the Subaru crowd at all, I don't know what the good/popular mods are for this car. Is the SPT stuff good, or is the other aftermarket stuff better? Here's what I'm thinking about doing: First thing will have to be another set of wheels and tires for the winter. Then probably exhaust, intake and tune to match. After that would be the handling stuff; suspension and stiffeners. Who makes the good stuff for these cars, and which local businesses does everyone use?
Welcome and nice car. If your looking for info that pertains to the newest gen STI, head over here, 3GWRX.com. A lot of the old info does not apply the the new wrx's and sti's, but a lot of people do not know any better. Exhaust, intake, and tune is a great start for your car, just don't drive it with the exhaust or even a intake without getting it tuned.
Thanks. As far as getting a tune goes, is it more common to get it flashed or get an aftermarket interface. Not sure what the terminology is for Subarus, but in Honda-talk you can buy a Hondata aftermarket reprogrammable ECU interface. Is that something common for the WRX's?
Yes. You have a few choices. You can get something like a Cobb AccessPort with bundled maps, or you can do a custom tune with something like OpenECU. Talk to Bullwinkle on here, he can point you in the right directions.
Any pics of the new ride? Are you planning on keeping the factory warranty intact because many of the fun mods and tuning void it. I have heard the spt exhaust is ok for sound but not the best for performance. If your going to get a tune I would suggest getting an after market turbo back exhaust and get a stage 2 tune. Its a nice first step. Good way to research how it will sound is to search youtube although its best to hear it in person. Here is a link to a good site for parts with good prices http://www.importimageracing.com/c/WRX-STI-Parts-08.html
For Subaru's, the most common tuning solution is "flashing" the stock ECU with new data. There are a couple solutions, the most popular of which are the Cobb Accessport and OpenECU. I do OpenECU road tuning for the local crowd, so if you decide on that, you can just shoot me a PM. However, currently, the 09 STI is not supported by the openecu definitions. There is a definition update slated for this Fall sometime, but I don't have an ETA. Otherwise, you're on the right track for mods. Be sure you get a tune after replacing the exhaust parts, and I would recommend against an intake, unless you really do your homework and ensure the intake you buy is a quality one that is nice to Subarus. Your car is MAF based, so changing the intake size/dimentions/diameter/bends can negatively effect about everything the ECU does. Lastly, do not get a short-ram style intake, as they virtually all actually cause a loss of power. This is primarily due to them pulling higher intake temps as they pull air from the engine bay vs the fender well.
The AEM cold air intake has been proven to be a good intake for the third gens, as long as you get a tune for it. Who would have thought I would ever say AEM and good intake in the same sentence.
I have been a little apprehensive about upgrading my 3g. Its my first car with a Warranty and I would like to keep it that way for a bit. Things such as intakes that require tunes I have been staying away from because tuning voids warranty?
