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Old 09-11-2012, 11:54 PM   #1
preppy325
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: NW King County
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Satin White Pearl

Default Easy Modder

Hello fellow Subie's. I have a few questions.

So I have had my WRX for about 2 years now. I have finally saved up some money to be able to start making some mods to it.

I have a few questions.

1) Should I wait til I have enough money to get a Stage 2 kit and can afford a dyno tune?

2) If I were to buy in pieces, let's say a cat-back exhaust, should I get a dyno tune after each piece is installed?

3) If I live in Washington, is making the trip down to Cobb Surgeline worth it if I'm looking at Cobb parts?

I've searched and haven't come up with any relative material to this.

Any help is appreciated.
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Old 09-12-2012, 12:04 AM   #2
Dena
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Call surgeline and get a price quote for the parts you want then search for parts online and find the best deal; search the local classifieds located on top of the NWIC page; or look in the national classifieds HERE just scroll down to the middle of the page.

I'd also wait until you have everything before you get tuned; tuning seperately will cost you too much green.

Look into getting an open source tune also; Dom @ Maxwell is up in Marysville or drive out to Auburn and talk to John @ Outback Auto; they both do dyno tunes.
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Old 09-12-2012, 12:10 AM   #3
Felonious Monk
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I started a thread that could help answer one of your questions anyway. I understand a cat-back only exhaust requires no tune.

Does exhaust upgrade require tune?
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Old 09-12-2012, 11:06 AM   #4
SuBK
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Location: Mill Creek, WA
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2000 2.5rs sedan STM

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You should be able to find a good downpipe and catback used for fairly cheap. If you plan on installing pieces slowly over time, you dont need a tune for just the catback so you can start there. But do not install the downpipe until you are ready for a tune or at least get a Cobb Accessport with Stage 2 map on it. If you plan on doing more mods than just the basic turboback exhaust/Stage 2, then I would wait until you have everything you need so you dont keep paying for tunes. Like everyone else said, talk to a tuner if you are unsure. +1 for Dom and JohnJohn
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Old 09-12-2012, 11:40 AM   #5
kuneefay
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I suggest buying an accessport first and foremost. It will allow you to do base tunes as you add your piping and intake. If your going to want the full potential of your mods or if you decide to upgrade your Turbo, intercooler and injectors then you'll need a tune. But for just the pipe work an accessport should cover basic stage II mods.
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Old 09-12-2012, 11:52 AM   #6
preppy325
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Cool, thanks for the help guys. I have always had a hard time buying used parts. Although, buying new is always expensive. I'll talk to Cobb and see what they can do for me.
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Old 09-12-2012, 01:24 PM   #7
preppy325
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Ok, I ordered just the Cobb cat back for now. Stage 2 is so expensive. Getting it installed on Friday. I won't be driving down to Cobb so that saves me time and gas.
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Old 09-12-2012, 01:30 PM   #8
Amnizu
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Default

Definitely go used, especially on things like exhaust components EG Up pipe, down pipe. They don't have any moving parts, they go under the car so how they look does not really matter and as long as they don't leak they'll perform at 100% of the new part for half the price.

Same goes for Access ports. A used one of the current generation for your car will perform exactly the same as a new one and save you $$$.

You don't need a tune or dyno every step of the way. You'll be fine going with out a custom tune and running OTS maps until you get enough $$$ to complete a custom tune. Yes, the trip to Surgeline is worth it for the custom tune. However, there are others closer that also do good work. There are plenty of shops locally that can wrench on your car. Or you can DIY. Honestly the exhaust system from the turbo back on this car is a fairly simple job, if you're at all competent you can DIY a DP and Catback exhaust. Check the engine and exhaust sub forum for how to guides.

Finally, cat back exhausts don't make a huge difference in performance gains. You'll see 2 to 3% gains tops. They are mostly noise makers, choose the based on sound and looks more than performance. They do not require a post install tune.
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Old 09-12-2012, 01:51 PM   #9
norazi-j
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Quote:
Same goes for Access ports. A used one of the current generation for your car will perform exactly the same as a new one and save you $$$.
Just be extra careful buying used accessports...make sure it's not married. I made that mistake...
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Old 09-12-2012, 07:30 PM   #10
preppy325
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is there an easy way to check if it's married?
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Old 09-12-2012, 08:21 PM   #11
hillsboro
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Follow the directions and plug it into your car.
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Old 09-12-2012, 11:42 PM   #12
tobigforhisshoes
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Old 09-13-2012, 12:53 AM   #13
preppy325
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ahhh yes, i remember this. Thanks!
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Old 09-13-2012, 04:31 PM   #14
tobigforhisshoes
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Quote:
Originally Posted by preppy325
ahhh yes, i remember this. Thanks!
Any time!
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Old 09-14-2012, 02:32 AM   #15
TOlsenAK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by preppy325 View Post
Stage 2 is so expensive.
Run now, run away from modding your wrx....

almost said it was about 2 grand, but then saw you have a 2011....exhaust is probably more than a grand for a new turbo back im guessing.

on my 07 STI I think it was about 1700 to go stage 2.

Last edited by TOlsenAK; 09-14-2012 at 02:34 AM. Reason: Saw OP's year for his WRX
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Old 09-14-2012, 12:33 PM   #16
justbise
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Default Good places in washington

There are some good places to go in Washington, I had a friend go to nameless they do really good custom exhaust they did his '12 sti he got quad 4 inch tips 3 inch turbo back they did all the fab work there good quality, and for tuning english racing does really good work
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Old 09-14-2012, 02:05 PM   #17
SuperScubi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TOlsenAK View Post
Run now, run away from modding your wrx....

almost said it was about 2 grand, but then saw you have a 2011....exhaust is probably more than a grand for a new turbo back im guessing.

on my 07 STI I think it was about 1700 to go stage 2.
this...
once you start modding... you're not going to want to stop.

I told myself... just an exhaust, coilovers, wheels, and a CAI... I'm well over ALL of that!

Stage 2 cost was about 800 bucks for me. I got a lot of things used and got a tune to just have the car run.

If you're going to go stage 2, do it all at once. It'll save you time and money. I would look at the classifies and see what is FS there. As for tuners, I would drive up to Marysville and have Dom tune your car.
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Old 09-14-2012, 02:06 PM   #18
SuperScubi
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and if you really want to buy new and go with Cobb

http://www.rallysportdirect.com/COBB...Hatchback-2011
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Old 09-14-2012, 03:09 PM   #19
VamonosPest
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+1 for JohnJohn @ Outback Automotive. good guys and good prices
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