First Post...be gentle.

I lost my SRT on Tuesday due to a lady running a RED light so now I am on the lookout for a new car.

I like the 02-03 WRX but had a few questions on it.

How is the motor holding up and what is it rated at HP/TQ to wheels?
What would it cost (ballpark) to get the car to 230WHP?
I heard rumors that the Trannies like to grenade, how well do they stack up to hard driving (no 5k launches)?
What should I look out for when searching for a used or new WRX?
Whats the powerband on the car? AT what point does the power kick in?

I loved my SRT4 and its plenty quick I dont really need something that damn fast but wouldn't mind a car with some kicks like the WRX

First Post...be gentle.

I lost my SRT on Tuesday due to a lady running a RED light so now I am on the lookout for a new car.

I like the 02-03 WRX but had a few questions on it.

How is the motor holding up and what is it rated at HP/TQ to wheels?
What would it cost (ballpark) to get the car to 230WHP?
I heard rumors that the Trannies like to grenade, how well do they stack up to hard driving (no 5k launches)?
What should I look out for when searching for a used or new WRX?
Whats the powerband on the car? AT what point does the power kick in?

I loved my SRT4 and its plenty quick I dont really need something that damn fast but wouldn't mind a car with some kicks like the WRX

:) I'm nice (some people here aren't, but i am)

The motor is pretty much a tank unless you irresponsibly mod (i.e. Manual Boost Controller turned up without proper engine management will burn out your motor really quick). Most dyno charts show the wheel HP to be about 175 give or take a bit.
To get it up to 230 wouldn't be too hard. Depending on how much you care for your environment, you could easily get up there with a catless uppipe ($100-200), a high flow catted downpipe (i.e. prodrive or helix, about $200), a good exhaust ($200-400), some silicone intercooler hoses ($100), and some engine management ($400-700). All without needing to put on a bigger turbo or bigger fuel injectors (even more costly). I personally like the stock turbo since it spools relatively fast (better throttle response).

The 5MT Trannies are fine (even in cars with increased HP), just a bit notchy for some people, as long as you don't shock load the gears (i.e. no dumping the clutch EVER!). The AWD gives so much traction that dumping the clutch will rip the gears apart. It's only common with people who are used to driving 2WD cars where dumping the clutch will just make the wheels chirp and break free and not stress the gears. Slipping the clutch when you want to launch (hopefully not too much, it's not the WRX's best trait, the Handling is the WRX's best trait) will save the transmission and proper shifting and rev matching will save your transmission too (and make you a better driver overall). :)

When getting a used WRX you may want to ask about or look for signs of modification (potential for abuse, not always, but potential), ask if they've kept a maintenance record, test drive and see if the transmission feels good (a little notchy isn't bad, but grinding with normal shifting is bad). Look around in the regional forum near you and see if there's any used WRX's there for sale. If you want to go through a dealer you can ask around for reputable dealers too. Alot of people also recommend doing compression testing to check for signs of abuse and potential problems (i.e. improperly increasing boost pressure).

The powerband is between 3000-6000 rpm, usually peaking right above 4000 and boost pressure will drop off a bit between 6000-7000. Once the needle swings past 3000 rpm it's usually :banana: time. :D It's easily drivable under 3000 rpm if you want to be fuel effecient too. If you mod the uppipe and exhaust though the turbo can be fully spooled at 2700 rpm even.

Any more questions just ask. I also suggest posting in the Newbies/FAQ forum, you'll get way more responses there. :)

-Henry

[almost forgot, the WRX is way more fun on the dirt/gravel/snow too] :D

Okay well I test drove the WRX as I had mentioned in the other thread (that dissapeared, thats a shame had some damn good info). Anyways I test drove a 2005 WRX the car felt solid but I never felt the turbo kick in. I tried several rolls in 2nd and slammed the gas and nothing... the car moved but didnt snap your nect back like my SRT-4 did.

I know its due to the AWD but im curious if the Cobb Stage 2 will give you that neck snappin feeling?

Please I am not trying to start shiyat so please dont bring any. If you have driven both cars you know what I am talking about.

I've never driven an SRT-4 before, so I can't comment on a comparison. All I know is that they're supposed to be pretty darn fast ;)

However, the difference between stock and Cobb Stage 2 -- especially with the latest Stage 2 map -- is like night and day. Stock, you'd need to keep it at 3000 rpm just to be drivable. With the Stage 2, you can keep it at around 2000 rpm just to scoot around, and once the tach hits 3000, it's like a whole new beast. Power mounts copiously -- and fast.

I know its due to the AWD but im curious if the Cobb Stage 2 will give you that neck snappin feeling?

Please I am not trying to start shiyat so please dont bring any. If you have driven both cars you know what I am talking about.



I've driven both cars. My setup right now is catless, and, 240whp. My setup is about 10-15whp more than the Cobb stage 2, probably since I'm dyno tuned. It is definately faster punching it in 2nd gear than the '04 SRT-4 I drove. (and definately faster than the '03 I test drove when I was deciding between a wrx and an SRT-4)

However at the time the deciding factor for me was that I go snowboarding a lot during the wintertime.


To get 230whp? Well that's kinda hard territory. 220 whp is easy to get cheap without a tune, then you jump to ~240-250 whp.

Stock WRX has around 168-175whp, but is mod friendly. Engine management and turboback exhaust yield around 50whp ($1500), which should put WRX around 220-230whp range. I highly recommend getting Borla header, which in my opinion, is one of the best mod I've ever got. It improved high-end power noticeably. Good luck with your decision.