Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Monday March 18, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Normally Aspirated with bolt-on Forced Induction Powertrain

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-21-2003, 02:45 PM   #1
mycarsux
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 32049
Join Date: Jan 2003
Chapter/Region: International
Location: Osaka, Japan
Vehicle:
2010 sti

Question Turbo my 2002 2.5 RS

i want to turbo my 02 2.5 RS and i have no idea what to do, or what turbo to get. i looked up the VF11, and that looks good..but is there others thats better for the same or cheaper price?? i also need to know about other things i need to mod outside of the engine like tranny and stuff like that.

heres info about my car (which sux):

Year: 2002
Engine: EJ25
Suspension: Whitline springs
Tranny: i have an automatic... i want manual...

so ya...if u guys can help me, cuz im kinda confused
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
mycarsux is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 01-21-2003, 02:51 PM   #2
milla
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 29361
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Allentown, Pa
Default

i have a 2003 and i am also interested in turboing my car too what is all out there besides the wrx swap and the ludespeed stage 3 kit??


Eric
milla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 02:56 PM   #3
wcbjr
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 4001
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: I love spherical bearings!
Vehicle:
2006 Legacy GT
Obsidian black

Default

wcbjr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 03:00 PM   #4
kastle
Frank Army
 
Member#: 1457
Join Date: May 2000
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle:
1999 Outback Sport
Steel Blue Mica

Default

kastle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 05:02 PM   #5
Jaxx
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 177
Join Date: Aug 1999
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Vehicle:
The 93 W/EJ20K-sold
Subaru-less :(

Default

step 1 sell your car
step 2 buy used WRX
step 3 party


your car(s) is too new

you should be able to find a used wrx for less than a propperly configured trubo kit
Jaxx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 05:18 PM   #6
milla
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 29361
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Allentown, Pa
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by Jaxx
step 1 sell your car
step 2 buy used WRX
step 3 party


your car(s) is too new

you should be able to find a used wrx for less than a propperly configured trubo kit

Boo Why be like everyone else and drive a WRX i want to be differnt and drive a car that not many people have!!!!
milla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 05:22 PM   #7
wcbjr
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 4001
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: I love spherical bearings!
Vehicle:
2006 Legacy GT
Obsidian black

Default

Quote:
Originally posted by milla



Boo Why be like everyone else and drive a WRX i want to be differnt and drive a car that not many people have!!!!
:werd: Got torque?
wcbjr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 05:28 PM   #8
BOY
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 232
Join Date: Sep 1999
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Ft Wayne, IN
Vehicle:
99 RS-T RIP
02 Forster-S

Default

Quote:
Originally posted by wcbjr


:werd: Got torque?
Funny how the WRX guys always say "you shoulda bought a Rex" but when they need real power they drop in a 2.5L... hmmm
BOY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 05:41 PM   #9
milla
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 29361
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Allentown, Pa
Default

look at the new STI what engine is in that?
milla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 06:24 PM   #10
balyndraks
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 28678
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Ware, MA
Vehicle:
2003 Legacy L-SE Wgn
Mystic Blue Pearl

Default

um, the only thing the new sti engine shares with the 2.5 in the RS is displacement. that's about it. yeah, the 2.5 makes one hell of a torque-monster though with a good low-boost turbo kit. the problem is that all that torque does not always agree with the drivetrain. oh well. i just may go that route with my new leagacy anyway. now i'm almost happy (well, not really...just trying to convince myself that i'm ok with this) that the wife made me get the auto...i hear they hold up much better than the 5MT. can't wait to see what cobb comes up with.

jay
balyndraks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 06:29 PM   #11
balyndraks
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 28678
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Ware, MA
Vehicle:
2003 Legacy L-SE Wgn
Mystic Blue Pearl

Default

i know i spelled legacy wrong. oops. also, who says that when wrx owners want to make more power they drop in a 2.5? they drop in a bigger turbo, turbo back exahust, an up pipe and better engine management. the wrx can run 12s pretty easily and somewhat reliably. we'll never get that from our ej25 powered machines. we just need to get over it. another thing you could do is stick to normal aspiration. something like cobb stage 3 (new headers coming soon, as well as ecu reflash to match) can make equivalent power to the wrx...something to think about.

jay
balyndraks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 06:31 PM   #12
milla
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 29361
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Allentown, Pa
Default

besides the engine theres no other difference between the wrx and the 2.5 well i am mean nothing really major that is.
milla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 06:42 PM   #13
mycarsux
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 32049
Join Date: Jan 2003
Chapter/Region: International
Location: Osaka, Japan
Vehicle:
2010 sti

Question my tranny

would my auto tranny hold up to 4 to 5 psi of boost???? and which way is the way to go (n/a or turbo) for more power per dollar? i dont want to deal with NOS even tho it is tempting...
mycarsux is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 06:57 PM   #14
balyndraks
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 28678
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Ware, MA
Vehicle:
2003 Legacy L-SE Wgn
Mystic Blue Pearl

Default

n/a has a reputation for being more expensive. for example...cobb's stage 3 na package is just shy of $4k (and that's assuming you get full core charge refund) they claim that their turbo kit will be less than $3500. they are supposed to make similar power. i think your transmission would likely be fine with 4-5 psi of boost. it's the RS-T guys that have gone nutty with the boost that have had lots of problems. you need turbo pistons (way lower compression) to handle more boost.

jay
balyndraks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 07:16 PM   #15
PunKidd
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 8533
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Austin TX
Vehicle:
2002 2.5 RS-T
LudeSpeed S. III W/ FMIC

Default

Your auto tranny should hold 5 psi like it was no big deal.

Quote:
besides the engine theres no other difference between the wrx and the 2.5 well i am mean nothing really major that is.
The WRX does have an LSD rear dif wich us RS guys don't.

Quote:
who says that when wrx owners want to make more power they drop in a 2.5? they drop in a bigger turbo, turbo back exahust, an up pipe and better engine management.
Yeah but when they want BIG power a built 2.5 is still going to be better. There is not replacment for displacment.

Quote:
the wrx can run 12s pretty easily and somewhat reliably. we'll never get that from our ej25 powered machines.
It may not be as easy, but my goal is 11s by the end of the summer '03. We'll just have to see how close I can get before I have to upgrade my internals
PunKidd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 07:20 PM   #16
wcbjr
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 4001
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: I love spherical bearings!
Vehicle:
2006 Legacy GT
Obsidian black

Default

Quote:
Originally posted by PunKidd
The WRX does have an LSD rear dif wich us RS guys don't.
Auto?
wcbjr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 07:27 PM   #17
AaronsRS
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 20493
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: O'Side, CA
Vehicle:
2004 R32
Deep Blue Pearl

Default My Outlook on the Situation...

If I may put my $.02 in on the current discussion:

Mycarsux : As much as you hate to hear it, If you wanted to go Turbo you should have just bought a WRX. I myself were also looking into installing a Turbo on my RS. In the long run it's just not worth it. I did alot of research on the subject and the best thing to do is if you want to go Turbo, get a WRX. The big thing is the Warranty. Not only are you going to have to spend 3k to 4K on the kit itself your going to need someone to install it. Throw your warranty out the door. If your not a car enthusiest with alot of wrenching skills than your going to have to pay for the upkeep. Dont think that gas and oil changes are the only thing in your future. Trust me, you modify a car to that extent, things will break and problems will occur. Unless you can fix the problems or even have the knowledge to identify the problems your going to be paying alot of money to a shop to keep the car running smoothly. With a Rex you have that warranty and its in the dealer hands.
If Im correct and your car is brand new you probably paid around $18,000. for it. Right now you can get a Rex still under warranty for less than that. Just a thought.
If you want to be original than stick all motor and build it to be faster than a WRX. It is possible. Until then enjoy your car for what it's worth and trade it in when your ready. Start saving now and drive home an STI when they come out.

Hope I helped out somewhat
Aaron
AaronsRS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 08:05 PM   #18
balyndraks
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 28678
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Ware, MA
Vehicle:
2003 Legacy L-SE Wgn
Mystic Blue Pearl

Default

the other thing he could do is just put in something like cobb stage 2 n/a. for about $2k installed (should only take a few hrs to do the entire thing) you are looking at darn near 200 hp (at the flywheel). that with no real sacrifices. you'd even have a leg to stand on for warranty work. this would also free up some cash for other mods if that is a concern.

jay
balyndraks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 10:42 PM   #19
DoctorNick
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7022
Join Date: May 2001
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Evanston
Vehicle:
2001 Forester
Arcadia green

Default

Hey guys, I am waiting a final quote before my car goes in for the big sleep. It will come out with a turbo kit, ecu and a new motor. I just felt like mabye since for A YEAR I went every possible direction anyone could have gone. I feel as though I might give some insight.(I am also an automatic)

Custom supercharger kit: its worth a try if you got time and patience. Considering the torque the RS has, you could enhance it with a properly tuned supercharger kit. You will have linar power with some paracidic loss but less shock to the trans(considering how rought you drive and if you drive standard or auto)

Custom low boost turbo kit. Cheap, can be reliable, lots of parts to aquire and lots of custom fabing. While this was my initial idea, I started to move away from this. Why? Well I decided that I wanted more relibility and I also started to think I would want more in the perfromance area in the long run.

Buying a turbo kit. expensive, can be reliable, mostly bolt in, still need some parts. This idea works well for me. IMO. I can get an ecu, FMIC and get a stage 1 kit (sans intercooler,ecu) and basically be able to run 6-8psi and have it tuned by GOOD tuners who will give me relibility over and power but without forgetting about power all togeather.

insanity custom kit. I don't know exactly what is going into the kit that is going into my car. It sounds like a hybrid of wrx and rs parts also including my 9:1 low compression 2.5l motor. With plans to run 1 bar and a motor & trans to handle it for everyday driving. It will be intresting to see how it turns out.

good luck, hopefully you can decide better then I did. If your looking for supercharger parts, random custom turbo kit parts. I bet i have them
DoctorNick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2003, 11:06 PM   #20
PunKidd
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 8533
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Austin TX
Vehicle:
2002 2.5 RS-T
LudeSpeed S. III W/ FMIC

Default

Some of us can't afford the insurance on a WRX (me) If I could afford it then I probably would have driven home w/ a WRX rather than my 02 RS. I'm not complaining now though, I'm spank'n even slightly moded WRXes and I'm still just under what I would have paid for a stock WRX almost 2 years ago when I got the RS.
AaronsRS is right tho. If you don't have skills when it comes to auto maintenance I would not recommend such a serious mod. Personally I love to work on my car so I don't mind, and I have yet to run into any issues that caused any “unplanned” maintenance.
PunKidd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2003, 09:26 AM   #21
BOY
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 232
Join Date: Sep 1999
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Ft Wayne, IN
Vehicle:
99 RS-T RIP
02 Forster-S

Default

Quote:
Originally posted by balyndraks
um, the only thing the new sti engine shares with the 2.5 in the RS is displacement.
Actually, the bore and stroke are the same. The block is semi-closed and the cylinders are sleaved but that's standard engine build up.
Quote:
the 2.5 makes one hell of a torque-monster though with a good low-boost turbo kit. the problem is that all that torque does not always agree with the drivetrain.
Neither does the WRX tranny, its a matter of OE quality rated for 165hp or 227hp (respectively). They're not designed for 400+ lb-ft period. WRX guys have blown more trannies stock than RS guys and they make crap torque before 3k.
Quote:
who says that when wrx owners want to make more power they drop in a 2.5? they drop in a bigger turbo, turbo back exahust, an up pipe and better engine management. the wrx can run 12s pretty easily and somewhat reliably. we'll never get that from our ej25 powered machines. we just need to get over it.
Actually Tony Rigoli, who has 3 10 sec WRXs (aussi) uses 2.2 and 2.5 strokers. Conebasher runs an EJ25 (US spec) at 19-ish psi. Jun has several 2.5ts in their stable. Need I go on?
Quote:
another thing you could do is stick to normal aspiration. something like cobb stage 3 (new headers coming soon, as well as ecu reflash to match) can make equivalent power to the wrx...something to think about
Actually, not only is going N/A more expensive (hp/$) but you'll still need to build the tranny and block. You'll need to close the deck, run 11.0:1 or higher compression, run crazy cams, built (if not dogbox) tranny and have a horrible daily driver to even think of competing with an equivalently built turbo.

Get over your turbo-phobia, the WRX is a great car but its got a high price tag for some folks and high insurance too. A 2.5 can be just (if not more) fun for the money. BTW, only the 00-01 RSs got the LSD rear... the 98, 99, 02+ got screwed.
BOY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2003, 10:36 AM   #22
jdmimpreza
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 10644
Join Date: Sep 2001
Chapter/Region: International
Location: Chino Hills
Vehicle:
2001 impreza
Blue Ridge Pearl

Default

My RS has been turbo'd for about 40,000 miles. I've only had 2 bad breaks. 1st I had a turbo seize. The input shaft on turbo just stopped and caused all the fluids leading in to leak.( not a problem just got another vf26 and its all good, also got the old turbo replaced, got the repair kit from Turbo City for $138.)

2nd I had to replace my clutch, My stock clutch could not handle the upgraded power so it just slipped and slipped.

I would have to say the WRX would have these same problems.

Oh yeah I'm running about 6-8 psi for the daily drive and about 10-12 psi for full boogy.....no internals.....still need to get an afc to pull fuel, thats a common prob also for the wrx isn't it?
jdmimpreza is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2003, 11:07 AM   #23
Jaxx
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 177
Join Date: Aug 1999
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Vehicle:
The 93 W/EJ20K-sold
Subaru-less :(

Default

AaronRS hit the nail on the head

yes a 2.5 turbo kit has more torque
and yes it is torque that destroys trannys
its not an easy install and 3-4k is way to low more like 6k-7k

FWIW i am a WRX guy but WAS a RS guy and a legacy GT guy and an SVX guy before that

i have been watching people installig turbo kits in RS for 3.5 years .. guess what they almost all blow up sooner than later

Quote:
6-8 psi for the daily drive and about 10-12 psi for full boogy
this is just asking for it ..10 psi with no engine mangment i am guessing rrfpr

i also did a through examination .. decided to sell my RS buy a WRX and a project car that i can fool with ..its also gettting a ej20
Jaxx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2003, 11:13 AM   #24
wcbjr
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 4001
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: I love spherical bearings!
Vehicle:
2006 Legacy GT
Obsidian black

Default

Given enough time, this thread will reach hundreds of pages.
wcbjr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2003, 11:14 AM   #25
BOY
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 232
Join Date: Sep 1999
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Ft Wayne, IN
Vehicle:
99 RS-T RIP
02 Forster-S

Default

Quote:
Originally posted by Jaxx
i also did a through examination .. decided to sell my RS buy a WRX and a project car that i can fool with ..its also gettting a ej20
Jaxx, I almost went that route... sell the RS for a WRX and play with it a little and/or buy a cheap L for a project. Then I realized that I just didn't have the funds. So, I turned my attention back to the RS and realized (which you should too) that most blown up RSs are from people going boost-junkie and/or not properly controling the ECU. My project had several goals layed out before I started buying parts:

1. Can I keep this within my budget ($1k goal): Yes
2. Can I do this safely for my budget: Yes
3. Can I afford failsafes within my budget: Yes
4. Am I qualified to do this project: Yes
5. Will my wife kill me? If I blow my budget

If you do the research and take the lessons learned a turbo project is a lot of fun. If you're unsure, or don't like getting dirty please don't bother... buy a WRX.


edit: Charlie, I'm trying to PM you but your inbox is full.

Last edited by BOY; 01-22-2003 at 11:20 AM.
BOY is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
My 2002 2.5 RS dwnhillskater Member's Car Gallery 45 03-02-2004 11:05 PM
Turbo Parts for a 2002 2.5 RS SubaruRallySport Normally Aspirated with bolt-on Forced Induction Powertrain 2 08-22-2002 03:04 AM
ROAD TEST: 2001 2.5 RS VS 2002 2.5 RS WantaSubaru Normally Aspirated Powertrain 4 06-11-2001 09:05 AM
Hood for my 2002 2.5 rs dru2k1 Interior & Exterior Modification 4 06-05-2001 07:46 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:59 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.