11' STi

[BigDan]

If you decide to mod, please, please, please join an online subi community and find a great local dyno tuner.

The only down fall I feel the WRX has is its weak factory clutch and 5 speed. The factory clutch has a hard enough time holding stock power and will most likely slip with that extra 40hp you are talking about. So plan on a clutch even if you stick to light mods.

Personally if I were to modify a new WRX I'd go with a stronger clutch, short throw shifter w/ weighted knob, CAI, O/R down pipe, larger non-plastic inter-cooler, dyno tune, and maybe a little methanol injection or e85 and have a sold 320awhp all season car with just as much wtq with these simple mods.

[8cd03gro]

If you end up getting one and have e85 in the area, no question run e85. You can make more power with less risk of knock. I picked up 40awhp and over 60awtq with just the addition of e85 and tuning for it.

[Craven Performance]

Corn is where its at!

[Disco69]

Thanks for all of the info!!!!

My problem is that I can't even get 91 octane in Fairbanks Alaska, let alone e85, so that is out of the question. There also isn't a reputable tuner around the area or atleast one that I'd even consider taking my car to. Therein lies the problem with where I live.

In reference to mods mentioned above, CAI and Turbo-back exhaust, what kind of HP gain would you see from that w/o a tune?

Lastly, does the STi address the clutch issue or is it the same "weak" clutch used in the WRX?

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by Disco69

Thanks for all of the info!!!!

My problem is that I can't even get 91 octane in Fairbanks Alaska, let alone e85, so that is out of the question. There also isn't a reputable tuner around the area or atleast one that I'd even consider taking my car to. Therein lies the problem with where I live.

In reference to mods mentioned above, CAI and Turbo-back exhaust, what kind of HP gain would you see from that w/o a tune?

Lastly, does the STi address the clutch issue or is it the same "weak" clutch used in the WRX?

The STi clutch is much, much stronger than the wrx. I am still on the stock cluctch with well over 400awtq and many launches. The transmission is also much stronger in the sti. There are 700awhp shop drag cars running the stock transmission.

DO NOT. . . . DO NOT put a turboback exhaust on the car without a tune. If you can't find someone in the area to tune it in person, you can get a canned tune and have someone "e-tune" it through datalogs. There are plenty of very knowledgable tuners that will do this for you, check out iwsti.com for info. Also feel free to pm me if you have any questions or want recommendations. Running an aftermarket downpipe results in different boost levels and a lean condition if you don't tune. Lean air fuel ratios in the EJ engines will result in a blown motor sooner than later. If you can't get 91 octane, is 87 your highest grade fuel? I'd be weary of even owning any turbo car if that's the case. . . unless you can get access to some methanol for meth injection. The cars are tuned for 91+ stock, at least the sti is.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

The STi clutch is much, much stronger than the wrx. I am still on the stock cluctch with well over 400awtq and many launches. The transmission is also much stronger in the sti. There are 700awhp shop drag cars running the stock transmission.

DO NOT. . . . DO NOT put a turboback exhaust on the car without a tune. If you can't find someone in the area to tune it in person, you can get a canned tune and have someone "e-tune" it through datalogs. There are plenty of very knowledgable tuners that will do this for you, check out iwsti.com for info. Also feel free to pm me if you have any questions or want recommendations. Running an aftermarket downpipe results in different boost levels and a lean condition if you don't tune. Lean air fuel ratios in the EJ engines will result in a blown motor sooner than later. If you can't get 91 octane, is 87 your highest grade fuel? I'd be weary of even owning any turbo car if that's the case. . . unless you can get access to some methanol for meth injection. The cars are tuned for 91+ stock, at least the sti is.

Yeah, if you can't get 91 octane, you shouldn't be considering a turbo car. You'll be damaging the engine with denonation/knock with lower grades. The WRX manual from my year says "do not use less than 91", the STI manual from the same says "do not use less than 93", although 91 is commonly accepted as the "lowest grade" that isn't going to screw up the cars.

I never had any problems with the WRX transmission, after a while I stopped doing the agressive launches (but still many hard pulls). I learned to rev-match and I'm sure that helped to extent the life of my clutch. Never any slipping.

[BigDan]

Originally Posted by Disco69

Thanks for all of the info!!!!

My problem is that I can't even get 91 octane in Fairbanks Alaska, let alone e85, so that is out of the question. There also isn't a reputable tuner around the area or atleast one that I'd even consider taking my car to. Therein lies the problem with where I live.

In reference to mods mentioned above, CAI and Turbo-back exhaust, what kind of HP gain would you see from that w/o a tune?

Lastly, does the STi address the clutch issue or is it the same "weak" clutch used in the WRX?

I google'd your lack of 91 octane in Alaska and most modified imports owners are running custom 90 octane tunes in your area, and or doing a nice fail safe methanol injection system.

Like others have said before the STI's close ratio 6 speed is bullet proof.

The more info I think about it the more the STI is sounding like a better choice for the two of you but only if you can swing price difference. I say this because you will be happier longer staying stock with the STI vs the WRX. If you lived where they had 93 octane and a bunch of reputable dyno tuners sure get the WRX but since you are way up in AK I would get a new STI and leave it at stock power levels and buy other goodies like Rally Armor mud flaps, bad ass set of snow tires/ rims, weather guard floor mats, PIAA fog lights, short throw shifter w/ weighted knob. Then if you still want more then drive south to a dyno tuner and go stage 4 w/ meth injection.

[Disco69]

90 is considered "premium" up here. The three grades we get are 87, 89, and 90. You can imagine my frustration with it especially since my SS is constantly on the low fuel table. The low octane ratings are probably why the Subi dealership up here doesn't ever get the STi or very many WRXs for that matter. I'd have to drive to Anchorage to order/purchase either of the two and down there, 91 is the "premium" fuel with a couple of Sonoco stations.

I'm due to PCS out of Alaska in the summer of 2013. Maybe it might be best to just wait on upgrading my wife's car until we can get to some place that has a reputable tuner/performance shop and better selection of petrol.

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Yeah, if you can't get 91 octane, you shouldn't be considering a turbo car. You'll be damaging the engine with denonation/knock with lower grades. The WRX manual from my year says "do not use less than 91", the STI manual from the same says "do not use less than 93", although 91 is commonly accepted as the "lowest grade" that isn't going to screw up the cars.

I never had any problems with the WRX transmission, after a while I stopped doing the agressive launches (but still many hard pulls). I learned to rev-match and I'm sure that helped to extent the life of my clutch. Never any slipping.

I don't think it says anything about not using less than 93. Premium yes, 93 specifically no, unless that is a new addition for the GR models.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

I don't think it says anything about not using less than 93. Premium yes, 93 specifically no, unless that is a new addition for the GR models.

Yes, mine was an older manual, but it definitely said that.

[BigDan]

Awesome vid of the production car lap record attempt.

[Disco69]

Man, this makes it even more enticing! Thanks for the video!

[RedRooster]

Yeah, unless you plan on tracking it, the STi is way overkill. In some respects, the WRX is actually the better daily driver.

[King Sun]

Originally Posted by Rick 2000

Support the home team buy domestic brand car instead .

unfortunately theres not a domestic that compares... now if they give the cruze a awd turbo in the future........