FXT vs. STi

bugeye-brawler · 09-01-2008, 02:46 PM

i am planning a complete swap into my 02 wrx and i have recently discovered the FXT ej257 would i get the same amount power as if i would have used an STi donor?

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marcmtb35 · 09-01-2008, 05:17 PM

What year FXT?

Jaxx · 09-01-2008, 06:18 PM

eventually yes

supposedly the sti handles knock differently than the fxt .. but as a whole no

drftwell · 09-01-2008, 10:57 PM

From my understanding, different turbo and tune

bugeye-brawler · 09-02-2008, 11:32 AM

i could run the 300 hp of an STi with just a simple tune then... or would i need a bigger turbo as well?
i was thinking 05 XT sorry i just don't know alot about foresters that's why i asked the question

WRXINTX · 09-02-2008, 11:50 AM

You will need a VF39, VF43, etc turbo, and an STI intercooler and a Tune to get to the power level of an STI....

Otherwise, yes, they are very very similar in strength and power output once tuned,

bugeye-brawler · 09-02-2008, 01:24 PM

while we're here can we compare the suspension and brakes too... would it be better to buy a wrecked STi or save some money and get a wrecked FXT...
my plan to swap includes everything which is best for the swap?

WRXINTX · 09-02-2008, 01:34 PM

anything with those three letters on it usually raises the price of the parts to at least double or triple any other setup....

STI stuff is just downright expensive....

If you want suspension, the STI suspension is great, but, there are some people who complain of jounce with stock springs and struts, so, it may not be the best combination for you either...

The FXT suspension will do you no good, because it will raise your car up about 2 inches+!!!!

Unless you are wanting to rally race and or off-road, stay away from a FXT suspension swapover....

The STI has the wonderful/love them or hate them brembos.....

I like them, but, for the majority of the time, you will never need more than a good set of brake pads on your stock WRX calipers, or you can always do the newer model 4 pot front, two pot rear brakes off an 06+ WRX.....

These clear the wheels much better than the BREMBO brakes do, so you can really pick almost any wheel you want to run as long as it is 5 x 100mm pattern...

that is another point about the brembos, they require swapping everything out, and, unless you get a 2004 STI setup, you will also have to change wheels for sure to a 5x114mm pattern....

bugeye-brawler · 09-02-2008, 04:46 PM

thanks that gives me something to think about... as for the 04 everyone says to stay away from them but it seems the conversion would be easier to an 04 STi would the extra work in an 05+ be worth staying away from the 04 STi's?

ciper · 09-02-2008, 06:22 PM

AFAIK the 04 is preferred if you don't want the trouble with an immobilizer. Either way an 04 and 05 are identical except for the immobilizer and 5 wires on the ECU connector which have been moved around. (the 04 might have less ram on the ECU which is a non issue)

I know someone who is using an 04 ECU with a complete 05 STI swap because the used engine supplier didnt include one of the original keys with the engine.

Defiant Autospeed · 09-02-2008, 06:47 PM

If you have an 04-05 FXT, you can have EXACTLY an STI motor/power level by picking up an up pipe, STI tmic, VF39 and an 04-05 STI ecu. Its all plug and play, gives you 300/300 just like the 04-05 STI. Its the exact same motor and such otherwise. I guess you have to change some wires on the 05 ECU, but I am 99.9% sure the 04 STI ecu just plugs in with no changes.

ciper · 09-02-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defiant Autospeed

Its the exact same motor and such otherwise.

Nuh uhh, the FXT doesnt have a red manifold. That adds at least 10HP

Would he really need the STI ECU? If he took the time couldn't he copy all the settings in the stock STI ECU image into his FXT ECU essentially converting it to an STI spec? Or if he was really brave it might be possible to flash the STI ECU image... (dont try this)

Also the FXT and WRX ECU has gear determination thresholds setup for a 5 speed transmission while the STI has 6 positions. If he stays with his WRX 5mt and uses an STI ECU he should adjust those values so that 6th is set for 1 revolution per mile and and the others match the gear settings from the original WRX ECU.

With that said - does anyone have an idea of how the gear determination values are used?

bugeye-brawler · 09-02-2008, 11:10 PM

but with all the so called "disadvantages" of the 04 would it better to swap that since it seems so close to the bugeye (and as for the immbolizer what extra labor goes into that?)
or am i cheaping out and the 05+ STi's will just boost my performance?!

also what about the Legacy Spec B or just the GT they could do the same as the FXT and STi since they run the same motor and the Spec B's are even 6MT

09-01-2008, 02:46 PM	#1
bugeye-brawler Scooby Specialist Member#: 182337 Join Date: Jun 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 1997 Impreza Outback Sport -- White	FXT vs. STi i am planning a complete swap into my 02 wrx and i have recently discovered the FXT ej257 would i get the same amount power as if i would have used an STi donor? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-01-2008, 05:17 PM	#2
marcmtb35 Scooby Specialist Member#: 171151 Join Date: Feb 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Gold's Gym Glen Burnie Vehicle: 2008 FXT Sports Aspen White on pink sprgs	What year FXT?

09-01-2008, 06:18 PM	#3
Jaxx NASIOC Supporter Member#: 177 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Boise,Idaho,USA Vehicle: The 93 Imp W/EJ20K flat black	eventually yes supposedly the sti handles knock differently than the fxt .. but as a whole no

09-01-2008, 10:57 PM	#4
drftwell Scooby Newbie Member#: 182244 Join Date: Jun 2008	From my understanding, different turbo and tune

09-02-2008, 11:32 AM	#5
bugeye-brawler Scooby Specialist Member#: 182337 Join Date: Jun 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 1997 Impreza Outback Sport -- White	i could run the 300 hp of an STi with just a simple tune then... or would i need a bigger turbo as well? i was thinking 05 XT sorry i just don't know alot about foresters that's why i asked the question

09-02-2008, 11:50 AM	#6
WRXINTX Scooby Specialist Member#: 96712 Join Date: Sep 2005	You will need a VF39, VF43, etc turbo, and an STI intercooler and a Tune to get to the power level of an STI.... Otherwise, yes, they are very very similar in strength and power output once tuned,

09-02-2008, 01:24 PM	#7
bugeye-brawler Scooby Specialist Member#: 182337 Join Date: Jun 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 1997 Impreza Outback Sport -- White	while we're here can we compare the suspension and brakes too... would it be better to buy a wrecked STi or save some money and get a wrecked FXT... my plan to swap includes everything which is best for the swap?

09-02-2008, 01:34 PM	#8
WRXINTX Scooby Specialist Member#: 96712 Join Date: Sep 2005	anything with those three letters on it usually raises the price of the parts to at least double or triple any other setup.... STI stuff is just downright expensive.... If you want suspension, the STI suspension is great, but, there are some people who complain of jounce with stock springs and struts, so, it may not be the best combination for you either... The FXT suspension will do you no good, because it will raise your car up about 2 inches+!!!! Unless you are wanting to rally race and or off-road, stay away from a FXT suspension swapover.... The STI has the wonderful/love them or hate them brembos..... I like them, but, for the majority of the time, you will never need more than a good set of brake pads on your stock WRX calipers, or you can always do the newer model 4 pot front, two pot rear brakes off an 06+ WRX..... These clear the wheels much better than the BREMBO brakes do, so you can really pick almost any wheel you want to run as long as it is 5 x 100mm pattern... that is another point about the brembos, they require swapping everything out, and, unless you get a 2004 STI setup, you will also have to change wheels for sure to a 5x114mm pattern....

09-02-2008, 04:46 PM	#9
bugeye-brawler Scooby Specialist Member#: 182337 Join Date: Jun 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 1997 Impreza Outback Sport -- White	thanks that gives me something to think about... as for the 04 everyone says to stay away from them but it seems the conversion would be easier to an 04 STi would the extra work in an 05+ be worth staying away from the 04 STi's?

09-02-2008, 06:22 PM	#10
ciper Scooby Guru Member#: 15543 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: san francisco, ca Vehicle: 90BJ Legacy LS ABS AWD 946 Rio Red Jpn built	AFAIK the 04 is preferred if you don't want the trouble with an immobilizer. Either way an 04 and 05 are identical except for the immobilizer and 5 wires on the ECU connector which have been moved around. (the 04 might have less ram on the ECU which is a non issue) I know someone who is using an 04 ECU with a complete 05 STI swap because the used engine supplier didnt include one of the original keys with the engine.

09-02-2008, 06:47 PM	#11
Defiant Autospeed Vendor Member#: 155450 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Austin/Beverly 2 of us now! Vehicle: 2007 FXT WRB	If you have an 04-05 FXT, you can have EXACTLY an STI motor/power level by picking up an up pipe, STI tmic, VF39 and an 04-05 STI ecu. Its all plug and play, gives you 300/300 just like the 04-05 STI. Its the exact same motor and such otherwise. I guess you have to change some wires on the 05 ECU, but I am 99.9% sure the 04 STI ecu just plugs in with no changes.

09-02-2008, 11:10 PM	#13
bugeye-brawler Scooby Specialist Member#: 182337 Join Date: Jun 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 1997 Impreza Outback Sport -- White	but with all the so called "disadvantages" of the 04 would it better to swap that since it seems so close to the bugeye (and as for the immbolizer what extra labor goes into that?) or am i cheaping out and the 05+ STi's will just boost my performance?! also what about the Legacy Spec B or just the GT they could do the same as the FXT and STi since they run the same motor and the Spec B's are even 6MT