Well, it's getting to be that time. I'm ready to start modding - and I want to start off with an AP. I have a 2004 4EAT WRX. Is there anyone with a 4eat that has an AP? Were the gains pretty noticeable (stage 1)? How about anyone with a 5sp?

$600 is a lot for a poor college student, but I already have a nice summer job lined up - so I'll be able to afford it (and only it). :D

Well I have it with my 4eat and like it, but if I were you I would first get an uppipe, since it takes away a lot of lag!

my wrx was an automatic and i went from stock to the equivalent of cobb stage 2.5, then downgraded to equivalent of stage 2. tuning does good things for the automatic. the stage 2 setup was very torquey and quick spooling.

it's never a bad idea to get engine management, whether it's the first thing you get, or after some exhaust upgrades.

I have a 2003 WRX with a 4EAT and AP Stage 1. The change in power is very noticeable and worth it, plus you'll be able to get that downpipe with your next summer job and Stage 2 AP map is free. I plan to go to DP and uppipe plus Stage 2 soon. I'll let you know how great it is when finished!

I had an MBC and a Vishnu EMI adapter previously, I like AP much better.

thanks for the posts guys. :)

I have AP stage 1 with the 4eat. it nocked 4/10s off my 1/4 mile time

I didn't realize Subaru made so many 4EAT WRXs ;) I kid, I kid..... the AP is well worth it on any stock-tuned car. Definite power, go for it! I'm also a poor college student, but planning on a downpipe in the near future :)

a local guy has an accessport on his 4EAT and loves it.

Can Cobb AP (or actually any brand of EM) modify the shift response for 4eat? Or it is purely mechanical thing so EM won't help? The downshift time I mean, is not how the gearbox react with the pedal, but the duration it needs for the gear shift process.

I think 4eat WRX is good, but can be better if the downshift response is made quicker. Normally when cruising at 4th and I accelerate, it has to first go to the high pressure mode, then downshift to 3rd if necessary...the whole process need what... 2 seconds?....

Well I don't have the accessport yet, but my '04 has the 4eat with _no_ cats. It handily beats my stock '02 with it's manual. :D I can't wait to see what it's like when it's properly tuned.

By all means get the AP first, then down pipe and up pipe if you can swing it. The AP is good first mod. if you are stock, and, if you are upgrading later. :banana:

I have a 2004 with a 4EAT and I think it's well worth it as a first mod. Below is a list of my performance mods so far:

At 2,000 miles:
Cobb AP Stage 1/93
Borla Hushback - catback

At 2,500 miles:
PDE Uppipe - flex style
Perrin IC hoses

At 3,000 miles:
Cobb AP Stage 2/93
Cobb Downpipe - catted

At 4,000 miles:
ProTorqe Torque Converter
Hayden 767 Tranny cooler

I think if your short on $$, the AP makes an especially good first mod because even on an otherwise stock car, you'll feel it. Plus, you'll be much more likely to be able to still get some warranty work done than you might with some other mods (should you need it).

(Having said that though, if I had only about $600 and no more for a long time to come, I'd use it for better tires on the stock wheels. I did that when mine had only 100 miles on it and I've never regretted it!!)

WRXDan2002-

Just wondering, wat is ur 1/4 time now?

I have it on my Forester xt and it is very noticeable improvement. I agree the shift responce is too slow but thats the stock TCU(tranny control unit). Mine waits about 1/2 second to downshift and a full second many times to shift to 1st at a dead stop otherwise it shifts very well thru the gears. Does that sound familiar to your shifting experience? As a side note I'd like to add that it doesn't take long to get used to the power. I'm trying real hard not to upgrade to a bigger turbo, cold air intake and a new map.

I wonder if anything out there can shorten the downshift time on WRX 4eAT? Other auto manufacturers such as Audi has aftermarket ECU which crazily modify the reaction time on their tiptronic-equipped cars. I know one of those ECUs can shorten the gear shift time to less than 0.3 second (that is, almost instantaneous response)... lol

thanks for starting this thread....best information I have come across regarding the 4EAT's and AP's. Now I know what I am doing for my next Upgrade.