Got about 20K miles on my 05 WRX wagon and loving it. But I want more power. Interested in the Prodrive Stage 3, and have read on these forums that it's a good choice for guys like me who don't want to 'tinker' with the car.

Question 1: Is the Prodrive Stage 3 a good choice for me and my 05 WRX wagon?

Question 2: What other upgrades would be best in addition to the Stage 3? Prodrive springs? Something else?

Thanks, guys. Yes, I'm a Noob, and I've probably lost points for admitting that I don't want to wrench the car much, if at all. But I do appreciate your expertise around here, for what it's worth.

1. Prodrive power packages are over priced, you can do much better using EM such as utec or cobb's accessport. They are simply ecutek flashed ecu's with off the shelf maps on them.

2. You're opening up a huge can of worms with this one, you have to decide what you want out of your car and how you want it to perform.. so you need to research that a bit more and make your car into what you want it. I could say a hundred things, some you would love and some hate depending on your preferences and what you want/expect out of your car.

I'd say visit www.cobbtuning.com and see what they have to offer. While I LOVE me some Prodrive, they just don't have the support in the USA for their products that they should. It's a damn shame too as they make some killer stuff, but it's nice to have a phone #, email, forum, or something to refer to if you have questions.

If you are a n00b, that's 100% fine. I'd recommend you ask in the Mid West Forum as you will get better help from locals than you will from people here in the technical forums. For problems locals can't help with, come here, otherwise, get to know locals as they offer the best advice.

over priced.

a full exhaust + a tune = ppp3 + $$$$$$$

but any exhaust and tune is definitely worth it....I think you will be very satisfied.

1) The PPP3 is an excellent choice. It is more expensive than other options, but they have some very nice quality parts, and everything is designed to work together as a package. I'm running a PPP3 and it is exactly what I wanted - better driveability, much smoother, and a lot more power.

2) An EGT gauge and a boost gauge are always a good idea and not too expensive. Everything else is up to you.

Prodrive changed their prices recently, Stage III isn't as expensive as it once was, and it does include an up-pipe and Y-pipe, which Cobb just allows within the limits of their stage maps. There was also some talk of making the ECU tuneable by anyone, you might want to look into that.

Thanks for the feedback. I've sent a follow-up email to Prodrive that spans a few questions, including customer service reputation. Looking forward to their feedback.

And, yes, it has come down in price. $1900 for the Stage 3 (not including shipping).

Sometimes it is better to call Prodrive. I have received responses to only a few e-mails that I have sent to them.

I've had a prodrive stage 3 on my car since they were available, and have no complaints. As far as further upgrades, I believe simon or dan recommended an STi intercooler. I run the stock intercooler, but added a vishnu underdrive pulley kit.

I have an 03 with

Prodrive stage 3
gp moto short ram intake
fidanza aluminum flywheel
prodrive blue springs
sti scoop
IC water sprayer
(Jun eyelids which add 400 hp lol)

otherwise its stock down to the tires

70k miles on it.

#1 reccomendation, youll love the kit goes in well high quality and runs great. lil pricy but i got a really good deal on mine.

#2 add an intake... use a CAI... or if you want to use a short ram use the k&n (gpmoto is great but doesnt have a heat shield... i made one for mine) it helps with det probs when its really hot out. The difference with to without was 12.8 hp.

#3 the flywheel makes it insane but dont go as light as i did... too many issues with cel's...but if you can deal with it... so not necessary but fun.

#4 the prodrive blue springs are incredible worth every penny.

#5 Get the STI SCOOP... big big big help with engine bay heat buildup...(you run a lot higher boost stage 3 and youll want this plus it has bling)

Only dyno score is with Auterra which is supposed to be fairly accuarate...
But with the above setup i was pushing and average of (3 runs with it) 251.2 Hp 249 lb/ft to the wheels. @ 5900 rpm (ran out of road before it peaked...real dyno and track results in a few weeks)


Only downside is don't expect much in the way of customer service from Prodrive... if you do have to contact them.. talk directly to Horacio and he will get done what needs to be. Dan is always WAY to busy to help which can get really irritating...and they never answer emails.

Oh and i get an average of 26.8 mpg.. and i usually dont drive politely.

Scott

I have a question for those with the stage 3 kit: did anyone notice a drop in max boost over time? My boost maxed out in 4th gear around 19 psi when I first got the kit, but after a few months it dropped to about 17 psi. I even replaced the boost gauge thinking that may be the problem. Other than that, the kit has been on for about 50K with no problems (except 17 psi of boost instead of the original 19!). Any ideas?

Mangoman, I do recommend the kit, just be prepared for a painful customer service process most of the time.

Mike

silverwrxmike:

Hey man, you're right down the road from me. I'd love to see your setup sometime, although we've probably passed each other on 71 or 315... Thanks for the info about the ProDrive (thanks to eyeballs, The Phenx, and others, too). I'm still thinking it over. Meanwhile, I ran over a huge stretch of blown truck tire last February, which cracked a bunch of stuff including the front 'bumper.' Might just put the immediate cash into repainting a new bumper panel...and tricking it out a bit. Prodrive after that... (where's that #$@% money tree?)

Shoot me a pm and we can discuss where to meet, anywhere is fine, just not under the watchful eye of my wife who thinks the car is still stock!:)

Mike