So Ive got a long way to go before I start actually thinking about upgrading the engine stuff but Im going to ask anyway because Im bored at work :) So how do you get more power?

The first thing I can see is upgrading the IC piping and IC itself.. This plasic pipe coming from the turbo is pathetic and the IC is tiny. Can you swap this out with a larger IC from another car? Then it seems youd have an issue because theres really not much room for another IC there.

I found a bunch of people in the UK offering daughter board addons to the ECU with different boost/ignition/fuel maps I guess. Anyone know anything about these are they reliable? I imagine we would have to ask for a different map since we use lower octane fuel..

If thats not a good idea what about LINK ecus? I know they make a ECU that plugs right into the stock location. I guess you can change all the parameters of the ecu with a laptop I guess?

Im going to be upgrading the exhaust but what about the DP? Should I eventually do the catless thing? Sounds like people have trouble with the CEL caused by catless dp..

I dont have insane goals of 400whp or something.. Id just like to know maybe what I could get out of the td05 with some other goodies included..

#1. a forester XT+IC silicone Yhose + a bit of pipe +block off plate is the cheepest (i have one sitting if your interested pm me) look at the thread titled "wrx intercooler doesn't fit" in the pre 2002 forum

#2 the vos chip is the one to have seems to have decent research behind it

#3 depends on your local tuners familarity with the link .. find a tuner you trust and ask what they like. link,autronic and apexi+datalogit, all make plug in boards

#4 go catless now ... since there is only 1 sensor it won't throw an 0420 cel

1) Try to find a STi ver1/2 slanty IC with the alloy feed pipe. I found mine used for $100. From Autospeed tests, the combo outflows all other WRX/STi ICs up to Ver7. It is smallish, but I think the slanty gets a bad rap. If you can't find the STi replacement you can order an AVO alloy feedpipe from Aus for about $200 (not cheap for sure). I think a used STi slanty with the optional addition of a cheap IC sprayer is the best bang for the buck.

Autospeed article:
Part1: http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_1618/article.html
Part2: http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_1619/article.html

AVO part WRX-1000-300. Contact SPO for sourcing from Aus: spomotorsports@earthlink.net

2) I have a VOS chip, but to date have not installed it. Supposedly it's good for power bump, but a side effect of running the LibertyRS code base is that you get nonsense CELs. I don't like that solution so much and plan to do my own eprom reflash based on the Z4 ECU code base. The UK ones look good but spendy. They have very recently added a live tune option! This is a project I have had on the backburner since I couldn't find anybody willing to sell me a cheap ECU for prototyping. Check here: http://www.polarperformance.co.uk/index.html

3) Always prefer to stick to the stock ECU if it can be reprogrammed. Ask Jaxx how much fun programmable EMS can be (I have my own experience as well)

4) Full catless 3" all the way back. I'm running the cheap ebay TBE for ~$350. It functions very well. You will have no CEL problems, even with removing the stock JDM EGT downpipe sensor.

5) Don't forget to follow my coil conversion instructions :D

6) Apexi makes a nice filter kit, but it's a bit of a pain to source. See this thread for details;
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1100975&highlight=apexi

If you still have money left over, buy a full Defi gauge set. Consider it engine insurance (water temp warning saved my engine at the rally-x last weekend!)

-Rob