and it was a Cobb AP stage 1. It was an absolute breeze to install. I am very impressed with the result. It runs much smoother (especially at idle) and pulls noticeably harder at about 4000 RPMs. It seems like I have a little bit more low end when I tried some accelerations in 60 MPH in 5th on the freeway. My gas mileage is even about 2 MPGs better over the first half a tank. Any other new guys looking to mod since look no further. I see stage 2 in my future much sooner than I thought. On a side note, I was just driving down spring street and three dudes on crotch rockets passed me and then hammered wheelies from 14th all the way to 10th. Pretty good entertainment.
I went cobb stg 2 first and wasnt really happy with the tune, it would overboost. I then went to Perrin's stg 2 and it was so much smoother and stronger. I would strongly recommend perrin maps.
If you get to stage 2 you should consider a Protune by one of the many tuners around you. A protune is substantially better than any off the shelf map.
If you are in Atlanta you are surrounded by many many of the best tuners there are. I personally prefer Topspeed but there are many in and around you. Just read up and make your own decision. NOTHING beats a good PROTUNE by a professional that knows what he is doing.
If I don't have a blown tranny (see thread in drivetrain section), I am sure that I will be going stage 2 sooner rather than later. I have checked out a bunch of threads around here and it looks like some pretty good numbers have pulled out of some pretty basic setups with a good tune. If I have to drop major bucks on transmission repair, it might have to wait (or I might have to buy a used STi!)
I think in the long run you will most likely spend less to make a Sti go fast than a WRX. This is coming from someone who decided to go the other route. Don't get me wrong, it can be done, but usually at greater expense.
Just give it lots of thought as to what your end goal is. If you have a 2.5 motor with AVCS to start with then you just need to swap the tranny or gears, but starting from a 2.0 motor with no AVCS, 5 speed grenade box and smaller differentials, there are a lot of upgrades to do to make serious power reliably. Just something to think about. If you have the means to get a Sti, by all means it is a better beginning platform. If not, work with what ya got