Im thinking of turbo-ing my 99 2.5 RS and I was looking at the FAT Stage III Turbo Kit. ( http://www.forcedairtech.com/turbokits_gc8_stage3.html )

and I was wondering some things.


First of all, my goal is to get about 300 hp at the crank (if possible) and I want it to be still streetable. I hope to run 2 boost modes (first for about 5-6 psi, and second for whatever I can safely push to get me to 300 hp)

now my questions are as follows.

1. Which engine management system should I choose? I know the fat kit comes with some "piggy back" computer but people tell me this is not the way to go if im looking for reliablity and power.

2. How hard is it to actually do the electronics part of it? I read that even a simple S-AFCII "should be installed by a trained techinicain". Would I be able to instal my EMS myself, and actually tune it myself?

3. Is it even possible to tune without a dyno? I ask because all of the places I've called, do turbo instals , and do tuning, but none of them have a awd dyno, so is it possible to do it without one completely?

4. Do i really need a big expensive EMS like some people buy? Or will I be able to get what I want with just the "RRFPR" included in the kit , WRX injectors , and an S-AFCII for example?

Plz gimme all the info you guys got, im anxious to learn!

bump. . .

Having installed way to many turbo kits on the RS and tuned too many of them it always scares me to say anything.

If you want reliablity, you will need to get a standalone. The Hydra EMS should work decently for you, though will take some time to tune it. I am nto sure how many people will actually tune it also.

The most reliable approach is to just do the swap, PERIOD. I have been through ever stage you can imagine. Turbo kit with an AFC controller, it worked ok, but never that great, always would stumble a little bit and was never consistent. Then a Link Plus, more reliable for power, but starting, idle, altitude really messed with everything. Then I did the swap and was a LOT happier.

The RS is just a hard car to put a turbo on and expect good reliable power. If you want to do anything get the Hydra, that is probably your best bet.

Cheers,
Bill Knose
Lead Programmer
I-Speed USA

Thanks man thats really helpful. I talked to the shop about swaps too, and they said it would be better and simpler to turbo charge the 2.5 RS too. And they said its hard to get their hands on what they would need (We're in Canada) but thats bull****, and I dont want to pay a FORTUNE.

Hydra I was reading about and its cool. But you didn't answer if I would need a Dino for it. I mean this shop doesn't have an AWD Dyno, and they said they don't know where to find one here. Is it possible for a guy like me to tune it w/o a dyno with some sort of guide?

Or are there any good books about tuning systems like this?

and one last thing, do you think a big company stand alone like HKS or Greddy would sell, do the trick for me? Wouldn't it be easier for these guys up here to tune if i couldn't do it myself?

You're really not looking very hard for AWD dyno's. There are three that I've heard of in the GTA. There is also the Toronto Subaru Club forum that should help hook you up with someone local who's had a swap done.

Do the swap; you'll spend more, but it'll cost you less :lol:

Is it possible for a guy like me to tune it w/o a dyno with some sort of guide?

Possible, sure. But do a search for threads about the Hydra and read them. If you are starting from a very basic knowledge level, I think it's fair to say the learning curve will be quite steep.

Over the last couple years the conventional wisdom has shifted to favor an engine swap over aftermarket turbo for the RS by a wide margin. When you read about what some people have to go through to get their setups working and keep them working, it's easy to see why the swap has become such an attractive alternative.

Your right. I guess I'll keep looking into that. I know I can get my goal power without worrying about **** blowing on the wrx platform. Now to just find one around here, cuz I wouldn't buy off the internet.

Swap all the way!

The time/money/pain you will save is so worth it.