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Old 03-25-2004, 10:14 AM   #1
tjthorson
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Member#: 49545
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: IL
Vehicle:
2004 WRX Wagon 5sp
Rally Blue

Default Questions about my 04

I have a 2004 Wrx 5 speed wagon that I got last November.
I am not new to turbo cars, but new to the import thing.

The WRX is an OK car so far, just some wierd quirks that I want to be sure is normal. Car has 5200 miles on it, I thought some of these things would work their way out by now.

1) It is sometimes fairly difficult (warm or cold) to get the car into first gear at a stop or slow roll. If I back the clutch out in neutral and then hold it up against the synchro, it will slide into first after a second or so.... normal?

2) Power is not as smooth as it should be (I think). After 3000 rpm, its almost like a slight surging or bucking up to 6000. Boost seems to hand around 8-9 lbs in first, 10-11 in the other gears. It never goes above 12. I tried the 3/16 mod and pulled it back out because it seemed to spike the boost, and settle back down to 12 anyway. Sometimes it is smooth, most times it kinda almost bucks. But its slight (maybe drivetrain AWD tension?).... normal?

3) I took it in for warranty because I had a nasty gas smell upon startup in cold weather. I figured the fuel line recall, right? Dealer kept it over night, said they couldn't reproduce it and they "know where to look" at the fuel lines and mine are dry. Have a nice day....

The turbo cars I am very familiar with (84-87 Turbo Regals) had the power come on fast and steady - with steady power. Is this just a manual trans, AWD thing and its normal? Or is there something wrong and I should bring it in? I am afraid if I go in too many times for "nothing" they will start charging me.

I read another post that talked about 04's having loose uppipes. My gas smell on startup, unsteady power might be a symptom of a before turbo leak, right? I don't hear any exhaust leaks, although this seems to be a pretty noisy engine compared to the others I have worked on. Any help is appreciated......

Todd
04 WRX Wagon 5 speed (blue, of course)
http://www.toddsplace.com
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Old 03-25-2004, 10:25 AM   #2
heffergm
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Member#: 34672
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northern VA
Vehicle:
2003 wrx
WR Blue Pearl

Default

1)Yes, normal. Cold tranny fluid and old-tech synchros = can't get it in first. Live with it.

2)Please put the restrictor back in. Stock boost is about 12psi, give or take depending on conditions. It'll never hit that in first gear. Your car is fine. The lack of smoothness is the way the boost comes on under part throttle. Mash your foot to the floor... it'll go away.

3)Don't know what to tell you. If your car explodes, sue the dealer.
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Old 03-25-2004, 10:25 AM   #3
Cronos
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Ignot Silver Metallic

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You're feeling the Open/Closed loop ECU tuning. These cars take a little getting used and require a different driving technique than say the GN/Turbo Regals you're used to.

I too have experienced the GN and the WRX is very different. You have to roll the throttle on and be at or above 70% throttle by the time you're at say 3K for the close/open loop transition to smooth out.

An ECU flash like Cobbs will improve this and make the car much more drivable. I noticed that just an up-pipe and down pipe helped the power delivery and engine smoothness under 3K.
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Old 03-25-2004, 02:01 PM   #4
zosima
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2002 WRX sport wagon
WR Blue

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Quote:
Originally posted by tjthorson

1) It is sometimes fairly difficult (warm or cold) to get the car into first gear at a stop or slow roll. If I back the clutch out in neutral and then hold it up against the synchro, it will slide into first after a second or so.... normal?
You can improve the situation, although it is common. Double clutching and rev-matching are your friends. Mechanically, some people report much better shifting performance with other gear oils. Neo Synthetics 75W - 90 HD is something I have heard good things about. I have bought some but am yet to flush with it. Other people like Royal Purple or Motul or ... search the drivetrain forum for more.
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Old 03-25-2004, 02:19 PM   #5
subieworx
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I have an 04 sedan and have no problems shifting into first. I autox my car on a regular basis and opften shift from 2nd to 1st at around 15-20 mph and it just slides in. I have about 7000 miles on my car.
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Old 03-25-2004, 02:52 PM   #6
White_Rex
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Location: Scotland
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2.0 Diesel R-Design

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I have an 04 also with no problem shifting into 1st, mind you i rev match before i try. I also can shift into first in -40 deg C weather.

I have uppipe and downpipe and i highly recommend getting your ECU done at the same time. I have my accessport on order but i can definately feel the open/close loop in my car now and it sucks.
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Old 03-25-2004, 06:50 PM   #7
tjthorson
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2004 WRX Wagon 5sp
Rally Blue

Default

Thanks for the replys. I do have the stock restrictor back in.

I did the silencerectomy and installed a high flow green panel filter.

This hesitation/surging IS at full throttle. Its like power on/off/on/off as it runs up the tach.

Ill have to get out the stethescope and check the uppipe.

I am planning on a stock 93 octane reflash - COBB stage 1 OK?

Boy I used to reflash my Proms for the Buick for free myself...... this $395 thing is gonna get old quick. I only wanna do it once!

Its a lease for my business so I am not going to go too nuts.
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