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Old 11-03-2009, 04:21 PM   #1
garceau
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I originally posted in the motorsports section and was told I may get more responses here.

OK - Editing this for a mid 11 second combo - seems my original thoughts arent aligned with reality

A little insight. I have built, raced and been involved in drag racing at some sort for over 20 yrs. Going very fast in some bracket , and also being competitive in others going very slow.

This past weekend I was down in Texas bracket racing ( I live in Wisconsin, drove down there in wifes 02 WRX, race car already there) and I had seen a WRX that drove in and was running some very impressive times.

Of course it couldnt repeat a number, popped and banged all the way down the track and numbers could have been better. But on the long drive back I got to thinking.

Wifes car (WRX) is at about 130k, she is looking at a and doesnt have much use for this. Since I like to be different I was wondeirng about adding an auto to the WRX and bracket racing that.

I figure a budget of about 6k for the build. I have no issues running race or alky (all our current cars are on alky) No issues pulling useless weight out but I would also add a cage to stiffen it up as well. Exhaust isnt a concern as no need for anything emissions or which adds weight.

But I would be giving up some HP with the older model . Pulling and rebuilding motor is not an issue at this point within the 6k build.

So adding the auto, selling all the stuff I dont need, can I make this car
1. run mid 10s again race isnt an issue.
2. can it be consistent
3. are there any companies out there doing converter work for these cars?
4. Will axles, shafts, and tranneys hold up to launches?

Remember 6k budget..... in reality its a cost of about 10k as Im losing about 4k on But do-able..... If 6k budget isnt realistic - what is?

thoughts? other links? - I have one other car sitting here which would be my next race car, if this doesnt work. But really thought it would be something different for sure. have done a couple RWD conversions, and really dont want to go that route, a few other cars would be a better platform than this for that.

thanks in advance.
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Last edited by garceau; 11-03-2009 at 07:56 PM. Reason: Change ET hopes....
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Old 11-03-2009, 05:33 PM   #2
Turbo_Mike
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I run consistant 11 flat RWD on pump, mid 10s on race, but just my turbo kit alone was over 7 grand. I dont think your budget is reasonable for anything thats going to hold up to repeated drag racing. Good axles that are going to hold up are over a grand, the amount of motor work to have a reliable 10 second 2.5 pretty much takes up your whole budget, and you still havent touched the fuel system, turbo, drivetrain, or safety equipment.... these are very expensive cars to drag race...

Can it be done with stuff thats "just good enough" with your budget? Yes. Absolutely.
Will it last or be reliable? Nope. Been there, done that, broke that. :-)
Will it be consistant? Eh when its working yes.. but obviously an overbuilt/down tuned setup is much more consistant

For 20 grand including tranny, thats more reasonable/possible.

I'm all about budget builds, but it adds up real quick on a late model jap car.....
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Old 11-03-2009, 05:52 PM   #3
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There are plenty in here with $20k+ in and can't run consistent 10s. Good luck though!
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Old 11-03-2009, 05:52 PM   #4
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Rallispec motors for the win
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Old 11-03-2009, 05:54 PM   #5
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Do you have to run 10's?
A nice 20G build would net you upper 11's for much cheaper and be more reliable. Then if you want to get faster start cutting **** out
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Old 11-03-2009, 05:57 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve.804 View Post
Do you have to run 10's?
A nice 20G build would net you upper 11's for much cheaper and be more reliable. Then if you want to get faster start cutting **** out
This is along the lines of what I was thinking too. Mid 11s are MUCH easier.
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Old 11-03-2009, 06:35 PM   #7
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It's definitely possible, 6K probably won't do it unless you can really stretch a budget. Just the nature of WRX/STIs isn't exactly bread for drag racing. Being all wheel drive, turbo 4cyl, and primarily all manual transmissions they tend to attract more road racing / auto crossing.

That said these there are cars in the 8's...its just what it costs to get you there.
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Old 11-03-2009, 06:36 PM   #8
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It's definitely possible, 6K probably won't do it unless you can really stretch a budget. Just the nature of WRX/STIs isn't exactly bread for drag racing. Being all wheel drive, turbo 4cyl, and primarily all manual transmissions they tend to attract more road racing / auto crossing.

That said these there are cars in the 8's...its just what it costs to get you there.
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Old 11-03-2009, 06:46 PM   #9
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I know of at least 5 or 6 people running 10's, that started with an STi, that have more than $30k in there builds and that doesn't include the car...$6k buy a fox body 5.0 mustang, drag slicks and have at it.
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:21 PM   #10
WREX88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hauntedwrx View Post
I know of at least 5 or 6 people running 10's, that started with an STi, that have more than $30k in there builds and that doesn't include the car...$6k buy a fox body 5.0 mustang, drag slicks and have at it.
Dont get me wrong, I totally agree on the fox body mustangs...cheap as hell, perfect drag racing car...and thats about all theyre good for.

but the people your talking about who put 30K into a STI, NOT including the price of the car...seems like theyre not spending the money in the right place...even a top of the line Cosworth motor with a billet crank etc...is 15 grand...slap a 2K turbo on it, tune and you should be good.
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:24 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WREX88 View Post
but the people your talking about who put 30K into a STI, NOT including the price of the car...seems like theyre not spending the money in the right place...even a top of the line Cosworth motor with a billet crank etc...is 15 grand...slap a 2K turbo on it, tune and you should be good.
You should tell that to the people actually doing/trying this. I'll give you another for the hell of it.
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:25 PM   #12
garceau
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Well thats what I was expecting to hear, but hoping it wasnt the issue.

I was hoping that maybe with race gas and some weight out of it a few grand on a new turbo set up would get me some HP I needed.

My biggest concern the entire time was the axles and driveline.

It MUST be an automatic. Im not bracket racing a stick, just not where I need it to be consistency wise.

I guess it doesnt have to run 10s I mean it is a bracket car..... so lets adjust my ambitions some.

Say 11.75 ET with auto, and reliability as well as consistency...... Remember I really know nothing of these cars. So saying my F38590se9v G does this. I have no idea what your talking about.... Im not afraid of learning new things and this would be part of it.

No fox body mustangs for me....I have other race cars.

Here are some pics

Me racing on pinks last year we built this car from nothing, as stated done the RWD conversion thing already this one is alky injected big block



My small block Daytona



My old firebird



My old NMCA Beretta



some of our interior work





So as you can see I go through alot of cars......LOL we either build them and sell them, buy them half complete and finish them etc....

Dont really even know why Im thinking of the WRX, just want to do somethign not seen all the time.

So say 11.75 - remember all additional weight will be removed, but cage would go in. Actually at that speed I dont think I have to do that? I gotta look, long time since I ran that slow.
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:37 PM   #13
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How much of a handy man are you(can you build tranny mounts and bellhousing adapter), how many connections do you have. Were you planning on custom mounting a th350/400 or trying to run a built wrx auto? Trying to stay awd or go rwd? Making this a full on race car or does it need to be streetable?

IF...you were handy with a plasma cutter/welder and have the knowledge and ability to make alot of the stuff necessary to run a rwd th350 set-up and it doesnt need to be totally streetable and can do some nice weight reduction. 6k is a very budget way to go but yeah its possible.

-used rotated set-up
-used 35/30r
-you fabbing a bellhousing adapter plate and trans mounts
-used th350/400 with a valve body upgrade and some used dana rear out of some truck
-fab up everything needed for the rear end
-ebay fmic(buddy on drag fwd civic maxed it out at 590whp, not bad for $300)
-set of drop in forged pistons and a nice head gasket
-some nice port and polishing on alot of the stock parts for free
-the stock wrx wheel wells will fit enough sticky tire to easily take you 10's if your setup is dialed...no need for a tub.
-open source software, free tuning software ftw!
-mod the stock injectors to flow 720+cc's for free and throw a walbro in

But, i cant tell you how long an open deck 2.0 is going to stay happy makeing over 450 whp on race. Plus, going to th auto is going to sap some extra power, so i dont think the 3076 is going to quite make enough hp to get you to your mid 10 goal.

With the right person and the right knowledge, this is actually pretty doable...especially after selling some stuff off the rex.

EDIT, just saw your above post.
Mid 11's all day would be easy on the set-up above, i would also stick with a big 3076 turbo.
Or if you didnt want to do the rear end work to make it straight axle and custom suspension work and what not...you could adapt a th350/400 and run a custom driveshaft to an sti rear diff and some upgraded axles. Not completely sure how reliable the sti rear dif would be at that power level being rwd, but im sure it could be done with some research if you are serious. Alot of info is easily and readily available if you know the right questions to ask.

Last edited by Swine; 11-03-2009 at 07:48 PM.
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:39 PM   #14
drummerboy827
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With 6k and a lot of fab work you could prob swap a V8 and new drivetrain. You'll still have the WRX shell.

The WRX was never designed to be a drag car. Even getting 11s out of a 2.0L engine w/ awd is a huge undertaking. Do some searching in the time registry forums and see what kind of mods on a 2002 WRX it takes to 11s...plus u want to run all day. Drivetrain mods alone would probably cost you your budget.
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:44 PM   #15
garceau
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Does NOT have to be streetable one bit. I have no intentions of it being streetable if I choose to bracket race it. I would basically part out most everything. I would probably keep the interior stock appearing with nothing more than a shell for the dash, lighter seats, and get rid of all the heating/Ac under dash etc.....

I dont want to do a V8 conversion, that would take too much away from what it is.
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:45 PM   #16
garceau
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I should add, some of the draw to it would be the AWD using the WRX auto tranny.
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:47 PM   #17
48mpg
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I never really understood bracket racing. Why is there an et requirement on the build? Is it just personal preference and the fact that driving a 14 sec. car is boring?
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Old 11-03-2009, 07:49 PM   #18
garceau
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Personal preference is some of it. But in reality being the faster car of the bracket race is a HUGE advantage. The slower car leave first, which means they get the chance to redlight and the race is won already, its also easier chasing when judging the stripe than looking over your shoulder.
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Old 11-03-2009, 08:09 PM   #19
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Old 11-03-2009, 08:22 PM   #20
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Lower your expectations to about 12.0 and you could have a good reliable wrx bracket car for $6000. Switching to automatic is going to be a bigger deal than you think. You need a complete chassis harness along with the TCU and some other bits like the rear diff. BUT, you can probably find somebody to trade you straight up for all the 5 speed parts if yours are in good shape. So asuming you get an auto trans in good shape, here's how I would do it for bracket racing.

Get rid of anything not needed to get car to 2700 lbs $free
4500-5000 stall Tourque converter and valve body $1500
New sti 2.5 shortblock $1800
Modify stock injectors to 820cc $free
Gut stock up pipe $free
Delete TGV valves $free
20G turbo $300-$1000 depending on brand
Manual boost controller $100
3" turbo back exhaust $200-$1000 depending on brand.
Front mount intercooler $300-$1000 depending on brand.
Walbro fuel pump $100
Open source tuning $100 for the cable.
4 15" lightweight wheels that clear brakes $500
4 26x8.5 slicks $800

For the exhaust and intercooler, you can use Ebay parts, the SSAC intercooler is fine and any of the Ebay exhausts work fine. Running the car hard on a regular basis you might want to invest in a high quality turbo. These are just the basics, seach more in the proven power bragging section, this is where you will find the most info on drag racing subarus.
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Old 11-03-2009, 08:29 PM   #21
garceau
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See thats some of the things I didnt know. I wasnt sure what all needed in the mt to at swap. I didnt know what was all involved. I didnt think it was as simple as a trans swap.

Hmmm...... entire deal looking to be more work than back half, and tubbing my 66
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Old 11-03-2009, 08:57 PM   #22
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Check out the Aussies. They have been killing it with Subaru for years.
http://www.tonyrigoliperformance.com.au/bestets.htm
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Old 11-03-2009, 09:00 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lagunga View Post
Check out the Aussies. They have been killing it with Subaru for years.
http://www.tonyrigoliperformance.com.au/bestets.htm
They sure have, but Rigoli gets HUGE money for the awd autmatic transmissions they sell. Well over $10K.
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Old 11-03-2009, 09:04 PM   #24
garceau
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LOL Geezus... 10K.... my old dragster was capable of running in the 6s yes, quarter mile and didnt need a 3k tranney let alone a 10K one.

Damn.... I have been studying that rwd WRX - but man I would be gutting up a very solid reliable daily driver still worth a few K.

Might be easier finding a bad Impreza and adding the motor/trans and rwd set up? Probably cheapest route and build the engine as I want.

Ah.... bummer really thought the AWD would be the hot ticket and very different.
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Old 11-03-2009, 09:08 PM   #25
WREX88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aaronmsadler View Post
You should tell that to the people actually doing/trying this. I'll give you another for the hell of it.
your telling me that your STI that which a turbo back and an AP can go 12.9 cant hit 10.9 with a $30,000 budget. If you can't do that I'm ing at you. I know people in the high 10's with 2/3rds that in the car in terms of power adders.
I mean unless they have no know how what so ever, are paying FULL retail for every part, and have to pay $75/hr labor rates then yeah...I can see that.

Last edited by WREX88; 11-03-2009 at 09:22 PM.
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