Hello,
I'm just curious as to what everyone is planning their first mods to their WRX to be.
In my case it will be some type of cat-back exhaust.

I would suspect straight pipes would be in order since there are 3 cats...exhaust and chip also come to mind http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Oh trust me, I would love to ditch those cats..but up here in CT...we have to pass the ole sniffer..so now good there...tho I'm thinking some high flow cats might be in order...http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif
James

I agree with the exhaust, a sweet exhaust note really adds alot to the driving experience. 17" wheels that don't cost $650 each would be cool too. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

1) 3" diameter off road exhaust (no emissions in FL)

2) some form of bleed valve to increase boost (will have to research this one)

3) high flow air filter and/or air box (I can machine a MAF housing if I need to) http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

4) cut weight out of car

Thats all to start with.

Florida has horrible air quality, as does most of the water surrounding it. Nice to know you'll be contributing. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif

17" wheels (Euro/Australian takeoffs or Oz's)
S-02 PP tires
4 pot 298mm brakes or perhaps Alcon from Prodrive
new Prodrive PPP (250BHP ECU/exhaust)
STi suspension kit
aluminum control arms
STi gauge pack
tint read windows like the STi
maybe a WRC spoiler

17" P7's (Speedline/Prodrive)
Cat-back exhaust (if someone make one soon)
Turbo timer
Boost guage of sorts (not the SOA guage pack)
Jun eyeliners

Hehe, here is what I already have:

1. 17x7.5 +48mm Bronze TE37's w/ 225/45/17 Yoko's AVS Sports
2. STi Engine and Tranny Mounts
3. 4 Pot STi Brakes with SS lines and lightweight 2 Peice slotted rotors
4. CUSCO Equal Length Tubular Manifold
5. IHI VF22 Ball Bearing Turbo Upgrade
6. 3.5" Turbo Back Exhaust System

Here is what is coming in the second half of February:

1. CUSCO 4 point Bolt-in Roll Cage
2. CUSCO Rear Carbon Fiber Strut Bar
3. CUSCO Rear Lateral Link Bar
4. CUSCO Rear Trailing Rod Bars

This will be awesome!!!

Just to add to the mod list...I am also going to look into some 4-pot brakes for the rear wheels...and maybe a turbo timer..tho I'm going to try to be somewhat stealthy..I want to try and KEEP my warranty..
James

18x7.5 P1 o.z.'s and BPM twister muffler or scoobysport catback, and enjoy the car untilw wife gets out of nursing school this spring !

Cuppster, whatever. You're not important enough to bother arguing with.

the first mod should be taking off the S U B A R U emblem

I am going to get header back exaust system. It is from Down Under. I have dyno quotes for 16 hp and 16 tq to the wheels with a 30% gas mileage increas. It will cost 1200 though. The only downside but thats not real that big of one. A short-shift kit. C-WEST body kit. Sparco Seats. Thats all within the first month.

[This message has been edited by Lord-Atak (edited January 23, 2001).]

In my converting from RWD case..it involes a launch without breaking anything...buying the Scooby is all of the negative cash flow I can handle...LOL

Just curious, why would you want 4 piston calipers for the REAR brakes when not even the front brakes on the US model will have 4 piston calipers. If anything, you'd want 4 piston front calipers, wouldn't you? Am I missing something here? http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Steve

[This message has been edited by Steve Theodore (edited January 23, 2001).]

I'm going an entirely different direction. My first mods will be replacing the junk speakers, and adding a decent amplifier. Then getting the DRL lights defeated, as well as the warning buzzer for seat belts and door. Then disconnecting the driver main airbag. And installing a built in garage door opener and the Valentine radar detector.

After all I need something to do while I get the car broken in and while I wear off the OEM tires!

Security system and radar detector the first weekend after getting it.

Haven't planned out further than that yet.

Philip

How about a turbo timer.

what types of speakers u puting in ALAN

I thought the fronts would have the 4-pot brakes...I guess not..

James

ardvark--

what 'ya gonna do to cut weight of the car?

-initialWRX

I had heard something about a 16 hp exhaust from down under as well, but 30% mileage increase seems like a pipe dream ... which doesn't help the hp and tq claim much...

17" rims.
Spoiler.
Brakes.
Turbo timer

That is, if I have any money for them http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

I must admit I'm going to take a more cosmetic approach at first. I requested the spoiler and the ground effects kit be installed at port. Once I get the car, its going to be so much faster than my POS escort I'm driving now, I won't need to make it faster for another year http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif So I'll install a stereo in it first (already have most the stuff from my current car). Probably the next mod will be snow tires on the stock 16" rims.
Next year will be the fun year http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif 17" OZ Prodrive wheels, exhaust, and chip (which should be out by then). And I'm sure that's just the start!
Have fun everyone!

Ditto Briank. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Debadge
K&N Filter
Speakers and Amp
Exhaust
Window tint
Snow tires/rims (or summer tires/rims)
Chip???

JDM HID lights.

Debadge
FATT
DSBC
17" Wheels
Tein Sus

Glenn you telling me the car don't come with Alum control arms in the front.
I am getting pissed.
4pots for the front with SS lines.
I will wait for engine upgrades. I want to see what comes down the pike before I start buying ****. That way I can get what I want the first time, and not compromise and just get whats out.

Ken

apex-i boost controller,
apex-i turbo timer,
blitz blowoff valve,
i want that guage pod that replaces the clock (but without gauges, i'll put those in myself)..

yeah yeah, apex is a "ricer" brand, but they have a COOL digital boost controller (and the finish should match the silver trim on the dash) and i get it at cost.. in FACT, if anyone's interested, we could set up some group buys on boost controllers and turbo timers (ESPECIALLY turbo timers)... www.powerfactoryauto.com (http://www.powerfactoryauto.com) (sorry if plugging is bad here, we just would like to get to know the subaru market a bit better!)
dan

Apexi is not ricey. Apexi makes top quality stuff. The only reason I am not going with those is because I dont want to have to hunt for a place to mount those large digi screens that come with their boost/fuel controlers. I would love it if they cam out with a Power FC for the car. They have one for the JDM cars already.

~If~ I get a WRX, I'll change the darn headlights to the one Prodrive uses.

Hmm what do I plan on doing. I would like to do a 3" exhaust from the cat back, dump all 3 cats and get a high flow cat, bigger up pipe and down pipe, some sort of intake (gonna wait for rallispec/cobb tuning). But all that stuff is going to wait for a while, I want to break the car in first, and let the aftermarket catch up.
So first thing I am going to be doing is taking off the subaru badge, painting sideskrts, installing my stereo that I have now, and looking for other DIY things. Once the aftermarket has some options, I am gonna playhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif
Keith

Re: JDM HID's - they are RHD beam pattern. Unless they are "switchable" like my beautiful Cibie CLCs, then you don't want to use them here. The "flare" of the pattern will be pointing into oncoming traffic.

Wait and see if they offer them in a LHD market.


And hardware V1 and cell phone kit/antenna
And the STi subframe connector!!! (??)


Why does everyone want to remove their badges?

Glenn

[This message has been edited by Glenn Wallace (edited January 24, 2001).]

Yea, I say leave the badges on to let that Mustang owner know it was a Subaru that beat him from the stop light. Or that Porsche owner know its a Subaru that left him behind on a twisty mountain/canyon road.

So does the new WRX have front aluminum control arms or not. Glenn please speak to this.

StonGARD!!!!!!!!!!
Actually I'm gonna wait 'til 2003 when all of the good stuff is comin' to the US. Subaru makes major changes each year to their cars-I'm not gonna get "stuck" with the first year car--been their done that with the RS and the GT. Or, better yet I'll wiat for the STI. What stinks is I've got cash for one right now!!!

My name's not Glenn, but I believe it's been repeatedly posted that NO, the wrx (both sedan and wagon) WILL NOT have the Al arms.
I wonder though, how much of a loss is this in real world driving vs on track performance?

InitialWRX, I'm not real sure where I can cut weight in the car. I don't have one yet, and haven't ever ridden in a Subaru for that matter. Well, actually I did ride in a WRX while in Taipei Taiwan last year, but it was only for 5 minutes. Thats pretty much what made me want one.

I'm sure there is sound deadener under the carpets and in the plastic panels that can be removed though. There are probably components which can be removed. Lightweight panels. Carbon driveshaft and half shafts, etc. Really, I don't KNOW what can be done because I haven't seen the car yet. I can say that my 5.0 Mustang was 3210 lbs from the factory, and now it's roughly 2860 lbs the way it sits now. I'm not expecting to cut 350 lbs out of a WRX, but I'm hoping I can cut between 100-150 lbs.

Here we are, yes lucky to be getting the car, and it is great. But look at all we a getting screwed out of.

No Alum control arms,
No 17s stock
No 4pot front 2pot rear breaks
No Side markers

We pay the same as everyone else, Why do we get F-cked?
I wish they would take back the damn AC,and double din head unit. Im only going to chuck them anyway aswell as those crappy breaks.

Ken

1. C-West body kit
2. 18x7.5 volk racing daytona speeds
3. tein adjustable suspension
4. JDM HIDs
5. down pipe back exhaust
6. sparco torinos
7. chip
8. system with cool fiberglass box
http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Im gonna wait untill i see all of the good and bad from what all of yall put onyour cars. Besides i want atleast 10000 miles on it before i start messing with the engine. But after that i will go with exhaust, cobb stage 2 with intercooler water spray kit. I guess the only thing im gonna do is change those **** wheels in the first week. probably go with a nice set of 17's with pilot sports

if i were to get one: straight pipes to cut cats 2&3, an exhaust, and a BOOST CONTROLLERhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif oh yeah turbo timer too...

BTW- to the person knocking on the florida dude about emmsions stuff.... ill pull the 3 stage reaction a cat catylizes for you. its all but common knowledge now that cats actually cause more harm to the environment than good. the govt just wont lift the ban because they dont want to look stupid. PM if you want the chemical reactions.

[This message has been edited by Silver_Fox (edited January 24, 2001).]

Isn't it an exaggeration to call the brakes "crappy" if you haven't even ever experienced them? I have seen "excellent" and "exceptional" used to describe them in automotive journalism... just wondering what the basis is for thinking they're so bad.

I'm new to the Subaru world, so I'll sit back and see what's good, and what's not...http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

-TTR-

I was just asking, since I have never driven the new car and you obviously have, what the problem is with the brakes. Do they fade badly, I can't see how a 4pot design would affect that... do they warp the rotors... are stopping distances too long... I wasn't disagreeing, just curious what you found crappy about them.

mbs

ps I usually do mountain driving with no one else around but yes I have, in a car with "1" piston calipers that stops from 60-0 in 114 feet.

[This message has been edited by micah (edited January 24, 2001).]

WRC Headlights

Yeah, by all reviews I read the brakes are excellent. Not everyone is going to be driving the car to the edges of cliffs http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Damian (edited January 24, 2001).]

Yea, I don't think the brakes will be a big deal either. Brake fade is what kills stopping power. 4 piston calipers simply provide for a more even pressure pushing against the brake pads and that doesn't really effect fade that much(that has more to do with the rotors). Don't get me wrong, the 4 pots would be better, but not that much. Is it worth the price in order to gain a foot or two in stoping distance. Also, you'd be moved out of stock catagory in SCCA with that type of modification.

Edit, and the S4 has 2 pot front calipers, and they do fine for stopping that 3600 lb car.

[This message has been edited by Eby (edited January 24, 2001).]

Instead of complaining about what we don't get (4-pots, 17s std, aluminum control arms), why don't you be thankful that we got 227 hp (instead of ~214 everywhere but JDM) on a car that still classifies as a LEV. Also be thankful for an MSRP of $23995 instead of $26-27k.

-- ConeMasher

DOn't get me wrong folks, I am thankful, And damn glad to have one on its way.

I just think it is unfair that we pay the same $$$ yet get less for it.

What are your thoughts about that?

Also, I love to drive mountain roads (any twisting roads really). You havent lived until you've pushed yourself in the twisties. Brakes are a must if you are going to dive your car agressively. We are enthusiasts arent we?

And yes, fade is what spoils the party, how does fade creap up on you? With small rotors (Low amount of surface area), bad pad material, and lack of claping force to put it all togeather.

Thanks for listening,
Ken

We are getting more standard horse than europe. "always look on the bright side...."

I'm a firm believer in not modifying a car until you earn the modification. This means when you are eeking out 90% of a car's performance at a track day, you have earned the right to modify your ride. I'm always amused at guys with huge mods who cannot keep up with basically stock cars.

The limits on the WRX are so high right out of the box, I want a few days on the track before I earn the mods. Heck, I may not change a thing! However, I will replace the RE 92's with something I have much more faith in - T1s's. Will 225/50 16's fit on the wagon?

>And yes, fade is what spoils the party, how does fade creap up on you? With small rotors (Low amount of surface area), bad pad material, and lack of claping force to put it all togeather.

Hey Ken, this is one area where I think we might want to reserve comment until we've actually driven the car. By my calculations, there's only about a 1/2" difference in diameter between the US spec WRX rotors and the 298mm STi 4-pot rotors. If you're talking about surface area alone and how it relates to brake fade, we're only looking at about 9% difference in the total surface area of the rotor. I'm not sure that this is going to make as big a difference in the fade-resistance of the braking system.

Don't get me wrong, I've got the STi 4-pots on my 98RS, and custom made ducting too, but both are artifacts from when I used to spend a lot of time doing 100-50 brake jams in 115 degree heat at Streets of Willow Springs, Big Willow, and Buttonwillow tracks.

Sure, clamping force of the 4-pots is a whole other issue, but if you're talking about straight fade resistance, I don't think there's going to be much difference, especially if you factor in that the WRX bumpers now include some functional ducting where the RS bumpers did not.

Just my $0.02

4 pots don't actually increase your clamping power. You still have the same master cylinder applying the pressure to the pistons. Like I said before, 4 pots are only benificial for applying a more spread out/even pressure onto the brake pads, but its not actually any higher of a pressure.

[This message has been edited by Eby (edited January 24, 2001).]

HIDs
17" BBS wheels
Daytime running lights disable

Glen, has Subaru said anything to you about a LHD version HID becoming available?


[This message has been edited by skibaru (edited January 24, 2001).]

Thanks for the input guys, I will upgrade, you keep the stock set-up.

The Streets of Willow, Buttonwillow tracks, and Laguna Seca are tracks I have enjoyed a lot, though in a Honda. I am new to the scooby scene yes, but I know how I like to drive. And I break late, and I mean late. So I need All I can get and then some. I am one who tends to go heavy on the brakes. I don't want to be caught in that ops shouldn't have been cheap and paid a little more for better brakes and my car wouldn't be in that ravine. Or my favorite, Shoot I would be alive if I wasent cheap and got that extra breaking power.

I happen to be owner of one dead friend because of the last ops. I am married, no kids.

Just my pointohtwo,
Ken

Prodrive would be the best people to ping about LHD HID's - as they sort of serve the European market.

SOA said "no HIDs as option or accessory, too hard to get by DOT".

I am sure they meant the arrangement and reflector setup they have, not the fact they are HID. Saab had a lot of trouble getting their revised 9-5 lamp past DOT but were able to come up with a QH lamp that met DOT but far exceeded usual specs (Valeo France was OEM) and in fact they're so bright people flash me all the time (in my wife's car).

STi haven't actually been known for serving the LHD market very well, so maybe the big <FONT COLOR="Blue">P</FONT c> has something in the works.

Glenn

[This message has been edited by Glenn Wallace (edited January 24, 2001).]

18's & Exhaust (no cat's) w/ ECU mod's.http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lildevil.gif

If they are so great, why then does the rest of the world get 4pot?
Have you ever been road racing before? Have you ever gone out into the mountains just you and some friends and just driven your car to the brink, looked over and laughed? Has your life ever depended on you stopping a 3100lb car very fast? That damn car needs at least four piston calipers. When you need to stop there can't be any maybes about it.

Ken




[This message has been edited by DeliciouSpeed (edited January 24, 2001).]

Well, I won't be getting mine until a year or two after the wrx debuts, I'm still paying off my y2k RS, Hopefully by then subaru will have made some tweaks to the new wrx, (maybe new fascia, body kit,accessories, POWER). After all, with the RS, subaru made each year model better than the one before it (with the exception of the 2001, which was just a hold over so subaru could release the wrx as a 2002 model.

Once I do however, I'll go to town, (after 10-12k with the normal intake headers exhaust, then on to chip, boost turbo upgrades, etc.

First upgrades however, would be some good tires, I love my bfg g-forces, and some suspension work would be great too..

Actally, if the four piston caliper has a larger piston area than the factory caliper, then the clamping force on the rotor WILL be greater. I can't see how a four piston caliper wouldn't have a larger piston area than the factory caliper. The pressure maintained by the master cylinder will be constant, so long as the master cylinder isn't changed before and after the installation of the new calipers. That being true, the same pressure acting on a larger piston area will most certainly yield a larger clamping force. If it didn't yield a larger clamping force, why bother upgrading brakes? The load distribution over brake pad's contact area is less of a contributor to overall braking than clamping force.

you guys better be posting some pics of your cars when they are done. I am going to have to pass on getting the new version, since I just bought my 2000 last may and can't justify the purchase.

Imprezer- Do you seriously already have all of that stuff? Right on top of thangs aren't ya?
Jason

this isn't about any mods i will make to the car. indeed, i know little enuff about cars that i'll probably just keep it the way it is for quite a while. stock will be such an upgrade from my civic dx hatchback... and from '89 to boot!

anyways, what i want to ask is if anyone is getting the diff protector.

The first mods I did were window tinting and a Blitz FATT. Oh..and a nice sweet air freshener..with a lemon scent. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

I was thinking a big "Powered By Subaru" sticker....Just kidding, really...just kidding.

This car is so perfect as it is I think the only mod I'm going to do is a K&N Air Filter, just like my '98 OBS.

I don't want any cosmetic mods because I want to see the look on people's faces when a Station Wagon blows their doors off!

aardvark, yea now that I think about it it would be more force. However, you'd have to get one of those devices(forget what they're called) that regulates how much fluid is sent to which brakes. Thats because there would be more fluid needed to fill the cylinders for the front brakes.

However, clamping power isn't the biggest thing. The rotors are the most important part, and the US brakes already have pretty good rotors. The two pot calipers will do alright. Simply upgrading to the Europe 4 pots won't do that much.

You mean a proportioning valve.

wow looks like a lot of you are already fixing up your cars like crazy, maybe you can show them off to some of the guys on www.clubwrx.net (http://www.clubwrx.net)

ScoobyWRX

On the wagon:

DMS Golds w/STi top mounts
P1s with Dunlop SP9000s
Goodridge SS lines w/SuperBlue in the system
KVR carbon fiber front pads
nicer floor mats from Pam at iSR http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif
STi engine and tranny mounts?? (anyone notice if the WRX mounts are as flexy as the RS mounts?)

This should do me. And note the heavy bias in the handling/braking department, hewing to my "gotta have whoa to match the go" credo. You guys wanting power mods are nuts! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif These cars are so danged fast...

Kevin

Kevin, Im sorry bro, but I sold a Civic N/A that would hand my WRX its ass. I gotta at lease get as fast in my WRX.

Ken

Are WRXes the fastest things on the road? Nope. Are they a legitimately fast car? Yep. Anybody who wants to wring more power out of them can do whatever they want, but there will always be something faster. Big ball bearing turbo w/exhaust and boost controller? There are still those turbo 911s and stuff like that.

I saw a Viper get its ass handed to it by a 360 Modena. I imagine the Viper dude went off to Hennessey Motorsports. But I confess to not getting it. And yet there must be more to it than speed, because you sold the Civic.

I intend to enjoy mine to the fullest, once I make it brake and handle the way I'd like. Of course, I also admit to not caring that there are faster cars out there.

Call me weird...

Kevin