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Old 09-08-2013, 12:05 AM   #1
toyotanick
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Default autocross with eventual road course

have been searching around for a few hours and couldnt seem to find anything that straight up answered my questions so i figured i would have to just bite the bullet and ask. first off, i seem to have killed my factory turbo today some how and am looking into upgrading but i am looking for a proven combination that will get results and be a great autocross car with eventual hopes for road course.

since i have to replace my turbo i would like to possibly upgrade a little bit since it may not cost much more but am not sure what to go with. my pockets arent very deep at the moment and am really looking for bang for buck. i do not want to have to do any fuel mods either because frankly i cannot afford them. i know i may want the impossible but i am looking for suggestions so please dont tear me apart.
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Old 09-08-2013, 12:16 AM   #2
HinshawWRX
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16g, 18g, 20g are the most popular. Without a specific budget, we can't help much else. A GOOD turbo alone will run you upwards of 1k. Then factor in tuning, fuel pump, and injectors at least (also start thinking intercooler) to support that turbo.
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Old 09-08-2013, 12:19 AM   #3
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How many miles are on your car? Have you done any other preventative maintenance on the car as well? Timing belt, spark plugs, all fluids, and water pump may all need to be done as well.
What is your budget like? Are you doing the work yourself? It's $1-200 for a new stock turbo, you should probably replace the fuel injectors while you're in their as well and maybe the fuel pump. If you want to upgrade, you're going to need to replace the injectors and do a custom tune as well.
Personally, if you're in a bind and don't want to spend much money, putting a new stock turbo back on makes the most sense, then when you have money down the line, dive into mods.
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Old 09-08-2013, 12:38 AM   #4
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the car has 106 on it. i have a few hundred to spend, and i have receipts for quite a bit of maintenance but i dont know exactly. i know water pump for sure but dont remember the rest. im thinking im just going to find a stock turbo and do exhaust like i planned for now.
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Old 09-08-2013, 01:21 AM   #5
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a vf43 is a slight upgrade for a 2006sti correct? will this turbo bolt on with no mods? also, what about a vf48? sorry if these are stupid questions, i just need answers quickly bc i need my car on the road asap!

thanks again guys!
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Old 09-08-2013, 02:10 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toyotanick View Post
a vf43 is a slight upgrade for a 2006sti correct? will this turbo bolt on with no mods? also, what about a vf48? sorry if these are stupid questions, i just need answers quickly bc i need my car on the road asap!

thanks again guys!
Buy a vf43. It won't be any better performing though. Any vf will be about the same as your stock turbo.
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Old 09-08-2013, 07:38 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toyotanick View Post
a vf43 is a slight upgrade for a 2006sti correct? will this turbo bolt on with no mods? also, what about a vf48? sorry if these are stupid questions, i just need answers quickly bc i need my car on the road asap!

thanks again guys!
The VF39, 43 and 48 won't be much different power wise. Any of these turbos are direct bolt on. Technically if you get a 43 or 48, you should get a tune since your car came with a 39. If I remember correctly, the 43 and 48 have revised wastegate actuators. I'm not really sure because the information about the differences posted here is scetchy... it seems no one knows for sure. Some believe the 48 is capable of holding boost better up top, possibly as a result of the revised wastegate/actuator.

If you're primary use is autocross, then I would stick with a VF turbo. If you must upgrade, the 18G-XT is about as big as I would go. You'll want injectors, pump and tune with that at minimum.
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Old 09-08-2013, 09:51 AM   #8
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If you are talking about upgrading and some sort of sanctioned motorsports, you need to consider the impact changing the turbo will have on classing. If you go with a stock turbo, you can still run in the stock based classed (ie stock, st etc for scca autox). If you swap turbos, you start getting into classes where you will be horribly underprepared unless you are prepared to spend considerable sums of money. In classes like sm (again scca autox here), a baby turbo like the vf39/43/48/etc isn't going to cut it.

If money is really tight, just get a used stock turbo, especially considering the stance on fueling. Even if it isn't and you care about becoming competitive in your chosen form of motorsports, carefully consider your turbo choice.
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Old 09-08-2013, 11:21 AM   #9
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wow, thank you for the awesome answers! i found a vf43 on the classified section. hopefully i will be able to get it and be driving my car again!

once again thank you all for not tearing me down like what would happen on many other forums!
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Old 09-08-2013, 11:26 AM   #10
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also, shortly before this turbo issue i had cel 0021 and 0011 pop up. would these codes have anything to do with this turbo issue? also, is there anything i can upgrade to prevent this issue from happening again?
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Old 09-08-2013, 01:58 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toyotanick View Post
wow, thank you for the awesome answers! i found a vf43 on the classified section. hopefully i will be able to get it and be driving my car again!

once again thank you all for not tearing me down like what would happen on many other forums!
I hope you know any turbo besides the VF39 that is on your car will REQUIRE a tune to run properly.
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Old 09-08-2013, 02:03 PM   #12
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crap, so a basic tune from an accessport wont support this? also, what do you guys think about this rebuilt turbo? http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUBARU-WRX-S...5d890c&vxp=mtr
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Old 09-08-2013, 02:06 PM   #13
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****, didnt realize that i have to ship them the turbo and wait... but i do believe i have read that these turbos are almost impossible to rebuild completely so would this even be worth it?
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Old 09-08-2013, 02:58 PM   #14
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With those rebuilds they replace the chra and that's the only part that can't be rebuilt. Good 6starspeed they rebuild at a good rate and there trustworthy
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Old 09-08-2013, 03:31 PM   #15
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so, better off rebuilding my 39 or buying a used 43 with 15k miles
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Old 09-08-2013, 03:32 PM   #16
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basically for the same price
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Old 09-08-2013, 04:06 PM   #17
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Rebuild the 39, overall it will be less work and less money spent in the short term. Then you can plan out mods and the best way to approach the motor sport you want to run in.
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Old 09-08-2013, 06:55 PM   #18
toyotanick
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ok, well looks like im pulling out my turbo tomorrow night...

also, it seems to have locked up completely today when bringing it to the shop to park it. since i noticed that it locked up my car has started smoking pretty badly. how bad is it??? im ****ting my self now!
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Old 09-08-2013, 09:11 PM   #19
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Find a used VF39 on the forums, it'll be cheap.

An accessport tune can cover a bigger turbo. It won't be an off the shelf tune however, you would need a custom tune.
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Old 09-09-2013, 01:02 PM   #20
toyotanick
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im able to find a 39 for 100bucks less than a 43...
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Old 09-09-2013, 03:21 PM   #21
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so i fixed my truck after shattering an inner axle shaft so i am driving it, which will allow me a little time to fix this the right way and i will have a pay check this friday which will help alot! so here is the question, do i find a vf43 and tune it or do i throw a 39 in and tune it lol? either way i will be getting the car tuned
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Old 09-09-2013, 03:32 PM   #22
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^^ since you're getting a tune regardless, then just get whichever is the best deal (assuming both in good working order/condition)
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Old 09-11-2013, 02:32 AM   #23
toyotanick
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vf43, cob catless downpipe and full cobb exhaust, accesport v3... is there anything i should get that would be a helpful addition? also, i want to do a 2step and was told that the accesport has this built in. is it worth using or should i do a standalone?
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Old 09-11-2013, 03:32 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toyotanick View Post
vf43, cob catless downpipe and full cobb exhaust, accesport v3... is there anything i should get that would be a helpful addition? also, i want to do a 2step and was told that the accesport has this built in. is it worth using or should i do a standalone?
Someone else mentioned this but i want to drive it home...those mods are going to put you in a class that will be extremely difficult to compete in without some serious skill, tires, and suspension work.
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Old 09-11-2013, 06:56 PM   #25
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2 step is practically worthless at all the autox I've been too. All my local ones set the restart with an immediate 90* hairpin to discourage people from launching hard. And anything that modifies boost level knocks you into street mod so unless you want to be running against r compound heavily modified cars your gonna be best to stick with minor suspension mods
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