I've decided that over the next couple of years I'm going to start saving up to turn my 02 WRX into an STi. I want to keep the bugeye look, but have a nicely modified STi in the engine bay. I figured I'd move to the USDM 2.5L STi engine, put on some sort of bigger turbo (ported), and then put on a black FMIC for the stealth look. I want to be able to make some really big numbers and put down some good times at the track, but I also want it to be street legal and driveable. The car is now mine, I'll be getting the title from my dad officially in the future. I think I'm going to get a part time job during college and split it into two accounts. One for the cost of the upgrade and insurance (my dad is willing to pay my insurance until I graduate but I want to pay for it myself, especially if I'm going to be doing all this work to the car). The other bank account will sort of be like an emergency fund account. I can use that for if something bad goes wrong and breaks on the car. It will also be there for other things that may arise, not necessarily on the car. I was just wondering what all I need to figure into the cost before I go ahead and start saving. I know it won't be cheap, probably around $10K. So far this is what I can think of off the top of my head (performance wise): USDM 2.5 Engine CPU (can I keep my ecu and ap?) Fuel Pump/Injectors/Lines/Rails Engine Mounts Some Turbo FMIC Intake Borla Hush 3" Turboback w/ hi-flow cat (if they only make a catback, make it a TurboXS high flow catted stealthback, w/ the Hush axelback) Is there anything else I'm missing? I know that I'll also be upgrading to a big brake kit. I want to keep my car looking simple, but I think I might put on the Prodrive front lip and Prodrive rear spoiler. They make, IMO, the car look really good. Basically, my car is going to become somewhat a project car, yet one that can still be driven on the regular roads, but then be taken to the track for some good times. Thoughts? Comments? Craig
Why not have a real STi like they have in Japan, or Europe. Keep it a 2L and beat up on the heavy 2.5L USDM STi's. That way if you ever race an Evo, they can't make an excuse that your is a 2.5L. I think a motor swap like that is kind of crazy unless you have your own shop, another car to drive around, and a whole lot of extra $ laying around.
craig, i've been thinking the same thing. they don't make sti's in a wagon, so i'll make my own. i'm planning on doing the 2.5 block swap and 6MT. but here lately i've been thinking about becoming a meth addict. not sure yet, but it would keep me happy while i save for the swap. also... very important!! most everyone wants/goes for more power, but you NEED to upgrade your breaks too!!!!
Yeah man, a wagon STi would be awesome! For now, my Protune is going to keep me more than satisfied. I just want to start saving now, so that I have the money aside when I'm ready to do this. Chances are, this will take me at least a couple of years before I even begin :wiggle: I just want to get started on it now. I can probably start buying certain pieces on the way, and even slowly sell some parts off of my car when I'm ready to buy the new parts that will bolt on for the time being. Craig I keep thinking about mentioning that, but it always slips my mind. Will definitely be getting some sort of big brake kit. Also to complete the look, will add some JDM Headlights, and convert them to HID myself, why spend $2400 on HID JDM lights when you can buy the lights for $800 then make em HID for $800 more
Another thing you are missing, is the correct drivetrain. The 5MT tranny of the WRX won't fit the 2.5L, nor will the will the rear diff. Not 10k for the swap, more like 15k+ depending on how you source the main components. There is nothing wrong with the engine you have now. Have it machined, the internals upgraded, and some additional drivetrain components. That way you can have your race car a lot faster and with a lot less $. Better yet, just sell the WRX and buy a STi. Save yourself a whole lot of time, aggrevation, and $. Thats just my 2 cents.
you need the auto shaft s itll hook to the 6mt, and the tranny is going to run you 5+k... imho its not worth it.
I think I will, if I go ahead with this, be keeping the 5 Speed and upgrading to RA Gears. I may even do as ClemsonScooby says and keep my motor, upgrade the internals, and go from there with the FMIC and Bigger Turbo. If I do all that, I assume I can keep my AP and just get another protune on it. Craig
Could just change out the block and do the sti turbo top mount or front mount....and keep your AP.....essentially you'll have the same thing
well, and the 5mt thing.. i dont think it bolts right up to a 5mt anyhow.. but over all your prob looking at over 14grand for this.. why not sell ur car and get a sti?
Your 5spd will bolt up to a 2.5 but probably wont hold the power for very long. I really want a ver7 or ver8 motor somewhere down the linehnoes:. My 4.44 tranny really needs a higher redline than 7K so I can hit 60mph in 2nd gear.
Thats all about engine balancing, a fuel cut defender, and some better injectors/fuel pump. 9k is a nice deal, but who is going to install it and for how much? Buy an STi and swap the front end to a bugeye, it will still probably be less $ than doing the whole conversion.
There is a guy on ebay that sells the complete swap under 25K usually, and have never seen it go over 6500. That was complete 2.5, 6MT, rear diff and axels...last one had front and rear brakes. Only problem is you would have to pick up from Denver or somehow find a shipper that will go to his place and crate to ship.
STi shortblock = $1795, and we have 3 in stock. The block swap is so easy that if you were to take your motor out and strip it down the the shortblock, and I secretly switched your little ej205 block to the thundering ej257 block you wouldn't even notice it until the torque pressed you in the seat Johnboy probably has one of the fastest quarter-mile capable cars on this board. He almost definitely wins the "most power for the money" award: Stock wrx+ APS CAI Perrin Inlet VF22 EJ257 shortblock TXS TMIC UP TBE Ecutek SMC Meth Kit PE650 injectors ACT Clutch THAT'S IT!!! Probably makes just over 400 wlb-ft and just under 400whp... With that tranny (stock for now) and Coolrex driving it would likely run low 11's. That's right, low 11's. Coolrex has similar stuff but an 18G, modded stock injectors and a FMIC = 11.78 at 122 mph... It's amazing how fast you can go with the right parts SS
Scott, maybe I'll try and touch base with you sometime soon. That way I can get a better idea of what I should do as far as a plan for the upgrade. I know it won't be anytime soon, I gotta save up the money, but I would definitely like to do something like this with my car. Craig
Well Scott the parts are worthless unless you have the tune to go with it! :wiggle: In all honesty, I don't think that stock bugeye tranny will hold very well to my VERY demanding launches....it'll break. I taught a guy that at the VA shootout and his broke. I felt bad but I did warn him that he's on his own. If it did hold then yeah Jonnyboy's car definately has low 11's with decent tires and good driving.
Stock heads and cams? Doesn't that choke the top end pretty badly? Or is it not noticeable due to the torque? I've been looking at this type of setup for a while now, and have been debating back and forth on the value of upgrading at least the cams at the same time... Thanks.
It may a little but the tq more than makes up for it. For the most part it seems the stock WRX heads and cams aren't a 'real' issue until 450+ hp. Also the 2.5 hybrid with WRX heads and cams will outspool a STi with the same mods. Even though the STi has AVCS, it doesn't kick in until the upper rpms. The 2.5 hybrid will have higher compression which is 8.8:1 with Sti head gaskets or 9.2:1 with 2.5RS head gaskets. I have read a lot of people blowing the hybrids with the 2.5RS hg though...I think LiquidForce blew his twice. (BTW these compression figures came from a discussion I had with Will from SOG AKA WJM) All I have to say is if the VF22 feels like SS explained to me, then the td05h 18g will have a little more through the mid and top end and will be a rocket for daily and autox. Can we say INSTA-BOOST?
I'm looking into this myself had been for a while. I advise you get your gears first, thats what i'm trying to do right now, what pisses me off is that there still doesn't seem to be the happy medium of spending 1500 on RA gears or having to spending ~3500-4250 on a USDM or JDM 6-speed. Yeah there is ppg's but you spending close to to the amount of a full sti tranny just for a full set of gears. And your still playing the if game w/ the ra's to see if they can handle 375+ reliably.
I think I've decided that this is a little too ambitious for me... So I'm thinking I will do the following: Larger Turbo, not sure which one yet, taken care of by Deadbolt Huge TMIC Injectors, Fuel Pump, etc 3" TBE (Probably Stromung dual tip again, except I have 2.5" right now) RA Gears 1,2,3,4 | Keep wrx 5th gear (for highway driving) STi Hood Scoop w/ air splitter IC Sprayer Kit (just water) ACT Clutch/Flywheel (already on the way, stock one is almost gone) Protune, again That's going to be my goal for right now. As soon as I know what turbo I'm getting I can figure out the cost and go from there Craig
Craig you should be very happy with that. not me! thank you SS, CoolRex, Bobby and others for all the info in this thread! this is very similar to the setup i'm planning on in the future... except mine will probably be: (bold is what i'll be adding) K&N CAI Perrin Inlet APS SR40 EJ257 shortblock APS TMIC UP TBE Ecutek SMC Meth Kit PE650 injectors ACT Clutch +6MT
I am thinking about just slowly doing some upgrades. Start it off with a EJ257 with the stock td04, can you say no lag? Then upgrade the turbo to maybe a VF22 (after seeing what SS said about johnboy) or a deadbolt 18g for more topend, probably external wastegate also for the fun factor Then meth and supporting mods, including probably transmission somewhere in there haha
No fuel rails are needed. Here's my plan. I am currently working on a sweet deal to have a 6sp MT imported to me from overseas. Then UR upipe kit for EWG with a Tial 44mm EWG and AVCR mated to the EJ257 block. Keeping my turbo and seeing how I like it. If that isn't enough then it's gonna be a td06 20g. However we are talking long term for all this happening as I gotta get a house sometime soon. The tranny however is happening soon cause I know mine is a ticking timebomb.
Okay so since then I've now done a lot of research today... Deadbolt Monster TD04 Compressor Housing Outlet Port Black XTreme Coating - Turbine housing Grey Ceramic Coating - Compressor Housing I think earlier I was aiming way too high for what I'd be using the car for. Also want to keep it reliable. Will I need to get retuned after this setup? Is it worth it? From what I read on NASIOC it's very worthwhile, some people are having their TD04 boosting at 1700 RPM, peak boost by 2400 RPM! :bowdown: Also, with this setup would I need a bigger IC? I know if I get the bigger IC I will have lots more costs (Hood Scoop w/ Splitter, Protune, maybe BOV) Craig
Yeah I have been thinking about the monster td04, and that is one of my options. however if I do go that way, I will be running an external wastegate on an ej257 to keep boost in control. Add in some meth, and I think that will be a blast before 2500rpms. Not to mention, probably kick ass on the auto-x course.
http://www.boostplanet.com/product1.htm that should have all the info you need about the monster td04
YES, sr40 would be "the just right turbo" in my opinion. Thats what i'm hoping for in the later future, goin to see how far my vf34 on a 2.5L will go then APS all the way.
Heh I freaking HATE my car now. It's boring and no longer puts a smile on my face unless I drive the piss out of it. The lag on the 18g is starting to get on my nerves. Man what would I give to get a wad of cash and do the 2.5 swap and tranny RIGHT NOW! Sorry guys kinda venting right now....my clutch has started slipping severely and it is pissing me off...lol
You should be fine with the stock IC. The TD04 monster is nice, but you're not going to see any huge top end gains with it. Then again, you can get away with stock injectors etc. I would definitely get tuned after installing it; even if the car runs fine with it there's probably some power a good tuner can unlock. Also bigger I/C can be run with stock scoop and stock BOV. Some of the eBay ones have favorable reviews and are pretty cheap.
In the means of not making big numbers? I would have figured it would just be a nice quick spooling alll around turbo, good for about 370whp if done right.
It doesn't do as well as it should do for it's size. Most all the APS turbos are like that from reading on Nasioc. Pretty much just like the Slowboy turbos.
One option no one has mentioned is a 5mt from an 04-05... Aren't those much stronger than a 02-03 5mt? Plus I heard the gear ratio is much better than the 6mt. Anyone know how much a 5mt from an 04-05 goes for? Might be a good alternative... maybe from a part out...
The SR series turbos, in my experience, have been laggy AND low-powered for what they are... I normally don't speak poorly of a product, but when something is that expensive, and I have had REPEATED problems with them, I try and prevent others from being disappointed... SS
i believe from 03-05 the only difference is the gears are alot broader, but if you planning on having a 300+whp even on those it's not that much more dependable if you plan on drag racing frequently. Only reason mine lasted as long as it has w/ the vf34 is b/c i've given up a drag racing. I hear ya, thats why i asked need as much info as i can gather.
I've heard mixed stories about the 03+ trannies. The usual claim is that some gears are 1mm wider. Either way, if I were to go through the trouble of swapping transmissions, I would not put in something just slightly stronger -- I'd go for one that'll actually hold up reliably.
The 03+ stronger tranny is a hard issue to settle. Yeah the gears are 1mm wider but there are also bugeyes out there with 300+ hp and running stock tranny all day long. It basically boils down to driver style and driver use. I know a guy that had a bugeye that broke his stock tranny. He bought a brand new 04 tranny and downgraded his car in power (went from 290 hp to 240 hp) and in 2 months the 04 box was shattered. It all goes into how aggresive you drive. I'm sitting on 350 hp and tq and on a daily basis I rarely slam the gears and shift hard. I do wind the gears out here and there but it is mostly the shifting behavior that breaks the tranny. Driveline shock is a trannies worst enemy.
OK, thanks. I was under the impression that the 03 transmission had a wider 1 and 2. but the 04 and 05 transmission had an even wider 1-2-3 gears. But that was heresay, so I would double check that info.