OK, I have got a 2004 WRX, all stock. I would like to get to stage 2 cheaply, dont care if I get max horsepower if its cheaper (to a point anyway). I bought the tactrix cable and downloaded software but havent put it on a laptop yet. I am a little scared to start messing with that but I will take it slow. I remember seeing something about the stock ecu running too lean on the 2004's and that it was bad to do the exhaust without engine mgmt right away, couldnt find the details now though. I would like the exhaust to be fairly loud when I get on it but it has to be pretty quiet at idle as I work next to a police station. 1. do I really need a uppipe - sounds like the install is no fun 2. is it worthwile gutting the stock downpipe or not
do you have an exhaust yet? talk to Nathan (wrxboy) about a custom exhaust he can hook you up im sure. And for tunning with open ecu i would talk with Tom (wallofTv's) dont gut your stock downpipe just have nathan make you one
In dyno proven results there is no difference in a stock up that has had the cat taken out and a $300 aftermarket, atleast not at stage 2 power. I bought a sti up, it's catless, and if I ever had to return my car to legal and stock it would be nice to have the catted up, so I bought one. Gotta do the up, I think better spool and no chance of the cat material comming loose and destroying your turbo. I'm running stage 2, with a catted dp, all in all I've spent $600 to get here including labor, do the labor yourself, skip the catted dp, and I think you can reasonably do it right for $300 give or take, since you already have the cable. Ideally I'd atleast get a wideband if ou plan on doing your own tuning. add in another $300, give or take depending on what you chose to do it with.
erz up and dp combo $200ish... catback exhaust - ebay or I can make one with a magnaflow muffler.. depending how pretty you want (polished or not) is what makes the pricing higher... installation for up/dp etc.. I usually do for $150.... you need to work out what CHEAP is for you... stage 2 for under $600 is do-able with installs etc...
This is sounding pretty good, I could handle $600ish installed I think. Wouldnt need polished. I wouldnt need the catted dp but I would like to leave the regular cat in there just so it dosnt stink. How does the magnaflow sound?
if you are ever aroud Shakopee come by my shop and listen to my 3in turbo back.. my math may be a little off... but you can definitely get a stage 2 wiht open ecu and cheaper stuff for well under $1000.... all depends exactly on what you ultimately want..
02-05 wrx's run really rich stock so you will be ok running exhaust without em. IIRC my 02 wrx wad right around 9.5-10:1 afr's stock. Thats how you get more power out of a stg1 car, is that you bump the boost a little bit, but the main thing that takes place is that it leans out the fuel. Now if you want to get the most power out of the mods, you will want some kinda of em or tune. Russ
The 04-05 are known for an issue with the open loop/closed loop fueling that's different than the 02-03. Running an 04-05 with a turboback/uppipe without EM will cause you to run dangerously lean. This is part of the reason why the Accessport is different between the 02-03 and the 04-05. Here is the main thread on the subject on Nasioc: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=671294
The up-pipe install is not hard if you do it when doing everything else. It adds maybe 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your skill level and speediness. The up-pipe does make a difference, and you can pick up decent used ones for $50-$100. Don't bother gutting the stock downpipe. Sure, the stock one is of a small diameter and has a cat, but gutting it doesn't solve the blockage where it mates to the turbo. The stock downpipe has a flat plate where the wastegate exits. Get a bellmouth downpipe and do the up-pipe at the same time. You can get decent used stuff for cheap, or go on ebay for the same price.
Well, the 04-05 has a different crossover delay, but the afr's are still really rich. I have yet to tune a 04-05 that was lean from the factory. Russ
good example bikerwriter.... and yes I could make downpipes (I made my own catless) but it aint worth the time, money or headaches trying too... and it wouldnt be a mandrel... although buying mandrel bends would be the way to go and welding them together like what fobia has done with his build.. although that can get pricey... I say buy one thats made by a reputable company then you will have way less hassles and issues.... (or at least I will hahahaha)
Thanks Brian, that was the link I was trying to remember. So could I download a safe map to take care of that problem? Are there used up/dp out there?
I managed a 13.8 with a turbo back exhaust and up pipe. I ran a vishnu unichip that was pnp back when it first came out. It was tuned to what ever spec my car was set up for running 93 octane. It all cost me about $1000.00 to shave a sec off. That was lame. I don't see why you would want just an exhaust if you can't gain anything from it. Just get an axle back exhaust if you want sound. If you dont care about gain then forget the tunning your car.
Yes, there are safe maps out there that you can download, and there are plenty of used uppipes and downpipes out there. I'm currently running a used Prodrive downpipe that I got for 80 bucks. There are plenty of new and used options for downpipes, the ERZ pipes are pretty inexpensive and have some good reviews, including by some people on here.
I do care about gain but I dont want to spend the money to get the maxium gain if that makes sense. Arent the ERZ full catless and loud?
Aftermarket up-pipes and downpipes will allow you to hear the turbo better (no shielding) but you won't get obnoxious sound until you replace the muffler. Catless downpipes will allow you to smell the wonderful scent of gasoline. Only you can decide if the smell is too much. Go to Firestone on Friday and smell for yourself. Used catless downpipes are plentiful for a reason.
yes the ERZ are full catless.. they are only loud if you dont have an exhaust that takes the pop and loudness out... like I said, come by th eshop or see mine if I ever come out to FS or the minnetonka meet anytime... almost stock sounding (almost) but it growls pretty good on throttle... 3in CATLESS!!!! and I have never even been looked at by a cop or State Patrol....?!?!?!
Even my catless invidia system isn't too loud, I've gotten on it right by a few cops just to see what would happen&they just left me alone...it dosn't smell bad either, just different.
