Looking to possibly dump my long time VW build for a WRX. Some of the questions I need answered is at what level does stuff start to break. Stock bottom end, Transmission, Drive shafts, Axles, does the stock head flow enough for 500 hp? I would like to build a 4-500hp AWD car instead of my torque stear machine I have currently but need to start budgeting the build vs my current car.
welcome to the site broken 01. I'd highly recommend you do some searching here and on nasioc.com. A somewhat reliable 400-500hp car, regardless if it's a WRX or STI will cost you dearly. However, quick run down for ya 400+ horsepower on WRX...everything needs to be replaced (motor, transmission, etc etc etc 400+ horsepower on STI....possibly shortblock internals (pistons for sure...for reliability and longevity) not to mention the $$$$ in mods just to get there
There is a few people that are producing number near that amount IIRC and I'm sure they'd be willing to run down the numbers for you. Readymix, Fobia, and Fuji all have some huge builds. Welcome to the board!
The thing I don't like about NASIOC is the sheer amount of posts that you have to sift thru to get any tidbit of information. Dave (broken01) knows a heck of a lot about cars/turbos/tuning and most of his questions couldn't be answered by the people on the Vortex. Final drive gear ratios, blah blah blah. I told him to post 'er up on here because he would likely not get super flamed and actually get to pick the brain of a Fobia or ReadyMix or Fuji and get some worthwhile information.
Also KSAL, Bikerboy, 6mtizzle, Dream, Discopope, Snbrd4evr, Ron (at RS), ... I'm sure you'll find what you are looking for from any of the above guys.
I have tuned stg2 wrx's that have ripped the trannys out of them within weeks after the tune. It has more to do with the driver than part failures. The last stg2 tune I did for a guy, I told him when we were tuning the car that he was going to rip the tranny out of it if he kept shifting like that. Week later he let me know that 2nd gear was just a round spot in the tranny.
Cliff notes: -The EJ255/257 engine can take around 400-450 if you crack it open and replace the pistons. They are most certainly the weakest link. -The WRX 5MT is not great. Depending on the "driver mod" it can take anywhere between 250 to 350 WHP fairly reliably, over that, you almost certainly will run in to problems. -The STI 6MT transmission is very very reliable up to 500 WHP.
