So I just hit 1000 miles on my 06 WRX and was thinking of doing a little bit on modding. I've read at a lot of places of where to start modding and the best bang for the buck type arguements. I'm thinking starting off with an engine management system might be good and as I put things on, I can tweak the ECU to take those changes into account. So I had several questions: ?1 - Would the idea of going with COBB AP stage2 first be a good idea and how much would I be looking at? and can I do the install myself? ?2 - Should I wait till AP2 comes out and perhaps the AP1 will be a lot cheaper purchased from other owners? ?3 - Is there an alternate upgrade path that is cheaper or better and why? ?4 - Should I buy the AP1 and then other make cat back (will that be better and cheaper? or not as good but cheaper? compared to the COBB cat back) I guess this is what I have in mind right now. Thanks for all the help and insight. -Russell
im not sure what would give you more power: just EM or just TBE... both together, your car will feel great for EM, right now i wouldn't recommend anything besides accessport... i have it and have been extremely satisfied with it... a budget exhaust system i can think of would be a helix catless downpipe (~$200 brand new) and some catback... an STi axleback would be much cheaper since they are available used for about $100... im not 100% sure about fitment but i believe they do fit
COBB AP FTW!!!!! Get the V.1 because people are getting rid of them for very good deals and i don't see the point in spending another $270 for something that just looks better. You might want to get TBE before going stage2 though. I believe Rolling_trip is selling his errin dp and exhaust right know so you should jump on that.
Definitely start with just stage1. Don't go buying a brand new exhaust system. There are so many people getting rid of their exhaust setups that are in great working order. Just watch the forums on a regular basis and you should find some good deals on dp's and catbacks. As far as the uppipe goes, just go for the gutted, there is not difference between that and an aftermarket. Don't spend anything over 450 on a used Cobb. Everything you can install yourself with a set of hand wrenches, ratchet set, and some jack stands, besides the uppipe. The uppipe requires a little more time and effort.
Maybe SS could chime in on this, but installing UP/DP/Exhaust/AP1 on my own will affect my warrenty how? And what if I brought it in to SOG to get it installed by you guys? Just curious on that part also.
It would void warranties associated with the exhaust, which can be tangented to your engine. Also, changing boost will void any engine warranties. If something were to happen, you could force the dealership to prove that the aftermarket part directly caused the incident. You could also just throw the stock parts back on and pretend like you never did anything, but that would be dishonest...:hsnono: There are some Subaru dealership approved upgrades, mostly the SPT parts.
Be aware though that this can be a real difficult procedure if the dealer decides to play hardball. If I were stage 2 still, I wouldn't expect any drivetrain related problems to be under warranty, unless it was something ENTIRELY unaffected (like the A/C or alternator). It's just part of modding your car.. it becomes more fun and faster but you lose out on the comfort and security of a stock car.
My only thoughts on the AP2 is they are bumping the price a lot on everything and making everything non-comatible. AP1 and ST2 will not be compatible, AP2 and ST1 will not be compatible. And on top of that all the V2 stuff is quite a bit more expensive with no break for current owners. I would have considered paying the extra for the new ap and new st but cobb is offering nothing to their existing customer base. As it is, I could not use any of my ST maps with a new AP. For them money I would say buy a V1 AP and then get one of those performance meters for like $100. You would still come out cheaper, lol.
The only official responses I can give on the warranty thing are: 1) "If it's a Subaru DEFECT it gets replaced under Subaru warranty." 2) Modifications CAN have an effect on certain aspects of your warranty. 3) When you change ECU programming from what Subaru made, and warranties, often resulting in 150% of the torque, you can't ask them to warranty driveline parts... SS