Money to spend on tuning - advise please
Discussion
OK, I need some help. I've owned my 03 Impreza WRX for a year and now it's time to spend some money tuning it up. I've got a £700 budget (I know it's not much but it's a start) and I was ideally looking to improve the overall performance. I already have a decent stainless steel back-box/tailpipe on the car and I really don't know what to do or who the best companies out there are to approach. I'm not looking at a huge increase in power but a decent amount would be a bonus. Over to you.....
What backbox do you have?
Instead of modding the car, have you thought about some driver training? I had a day's instruction in my old WRX a few years ago - including some time flat-out at Bruntingthorpe - and I can honestly say that I remember the things I learned every time I get behind the wheel of a car.
I've also never driven a car harder or faster...
Instead of modding the car, have you thought about some driver training? I had a day's instruction in my old WRX a few years ago - including some time flat-out at Bruntingthorpe - and I can honestly say that I remember the things I learned every time I get behind the wheel of a car.
I've also never driven a car harder or faster...
Animal said:
What backbox do you have?
Instead of modding the car, have you thought about some driver training? I had a day's instruction in my old WRX a few years ago - including some time flat-out at Bruntingthorpe - and I can honestly say that I remember the things I learned every time I get behind the wheel of a car.
I've also never driven a car harder or faster...
This ^^^^ is the best advice you'll ever get! Learn how to use the power you have properly THEN consider performance mods.Instead of modding the car, have you thought about some driver training? I had a day's instruction in my old WRX a few years ago - including some time flat-out at Bruntingthorpe - and I can honestly say that I remember the things I learned every time I get behind the wheel of a car.
I've also never driven a car harder or faster...
Jason,
I used www.ridedrive.co.uk and did their S03PM Advanced Road Driving & Vehicle Handling course. This was a full 8 hours driving from home up to Brunters, an hour there and then home, using everything I'd been taught.
The firm is national and they use (IIRC) either current serving or former police officers with advanced driving qualifications. My instructor was a current copper and basically told me that he wasn't there as a policeman: he expected me to follow 20-50 mph speed limits as posted, but on motorways and NSL stretches I was told to 'make progress'.
At Bruntingthorpe we first had to determine (my instructor never having even been in an Impreza) which end would let go first so we drove onto an aircraft stand and drove in circles until one end let go! That point decided, we had a couple of gentle laps, including some stops from 100mph (easily twice on the main runway) so test out the brakes.
There followed the best hour I've ever spent in a car: sliding around, getting told off for using the brakes and hitting an indicated 150mph repeatedly. The journey home was the fastest, smoothest and yet the most relaxed drive I've ever had, with so little effort I could hardly believe it.
As I said before, even two years later I still remember those lessons every time I get in a car.
The best part is that for a few quid extra they'll give you a certificate (if you pass the standard) which entitles you to a 25% discount from Adrian Flux. Since I did mine in 2008 I've saved probably twice what the course cost. Will do it again next year in the Zed.
I used www.ridedrive.co.uk and did their S03PM Advanced Road Driving & Vehicle Handling course. This was a full 8 hours driving from home up to Brunters, an hour there and then home, using everything I'd been taught.
The firm is national and they use (IIRC) either current serving or former police officers with advanced driving qualifications. My instructor was a current copper and basically told me that he wasn't there as a policeman: he expected me to follow 20-50 mph speed limits as posted, but on motorways and NSL stretches I was told to 'make progress'.
At Bruntingthorpe we first had to determine (my instructor never having even been in an Impreza) which end would let go first so we drove onto an aircraft stand and drove in circles until one end let go! That point decided, we had a couple of gentle laps, including some stops from 100mph (easily twice on the main runway) so test out the brakes.
There followed the best hour I've ever spent in a car: sliding around, getting told off for using the brakes and hitting an indicated 150mph repeatedly. The journey home was the fastest, smoothest and yet the most relaxed drive I've ever had, with so little effort I could hardly believe it.
As I said before, even two years later I still remember those lessons every time I get in a car.
The best part is that for a few quid extra they'll give you a certificate (if you pass the standard) which entitles you to a 25% discount from Adrian Flux. Since I did mine in 2008 I've saved probably twice what the course cost. Will do it again next year in the Zed.
edar said:
OK, I need some help. I've owned my 03 Impreza WRX for a year and now it's time to spend some money tuning it up. I've got a £700 budget (I know it's not much but it's a start) and I was ideally looking to improve the overall performance. I already have a decent stainless steel back-box/tailpipe on the car and I really don't know what to do or who the best companies out there are to approach. I'm not looking at a huge increase in power but a decent amount would be a bonus. Over to you.....
£700 would probably just stretch to a re-map and decat centre pipe. This will give you simular performance figures to that of a WRX with the PPP fitted, 265bhp give or take. You could spend it on improving handling, which in turn will make the car quicker. You could get lowering springs, a rear anti-roll bar and the geometry done for about £700 and it will transform the handling.I have to admit though, i do like the idea of that driver training, something worth considering.
This "might" be a cheap(ish) option http://bbs.scoobynet.com/private-for-sale-general-...
Animal said:
Jason,
I used www.ridedrive.co.uk and did their S03PM Advanced Road Driving & Vehicle Handling course. This was a full 8 hours driving from home up to Brunters, an hour there and then home, using everything I'd been taught.
The firm is national and they use (IIRC) either current serving or former police officers with advanced driving qualifications. My instructor was a current copper and basically told me that he wasn't there as a policeman: he expected me to follow 20-50 mph speed limits as posted, but on motorways and NSL stretches I was told to 'make progress'.
At Bruntingthorpe we first had to determine (my instructor never having even been in an Impreza) which end would let go first so we drove onto an aircraft stand and drove in circles until one end let go! That point decided, we had a couple of gentle laps, including some stops from 100mph (easily twice on the main runway) so test out the brakes.
There followed the best hour I've ever spent in a car: sliding around, getting told off for using the brakes and hitting an indicated 150mph repeatedly. The journey home was the fastest, smoothest and yet the most relaxed drive I've ever had, with so little effort I could hardly believe it.
As I said before, even two years later I still remember those lessons every time I get in a car.
The best part is that for a few quid extra they'll give you a certificate (if you pass the standard) which entitles you to a 25% discount from Adrian Flux. Since I did mine in 2008 I've saved probably twice what the course cost. Will do it again next year in the Zed.
i have just been looking at these courses and although they sound informative it seems a little expensive to me for the pleasure of an old police officer in your car telling you how to drive quickly on a motorway. It all seems a little pointless without the opportunity to spend more than just an hour to safely explore the limits of both you as a driver and your car. On top of this you are using your own fuel, tyres etc. Over priced I think!I used www.ridedrive.co.uk and did their S03PM Advanced Road Driving & Vehicle Handling course. This was a full 8 hours driving from home up to Brunters, an hour there and then home, using everything I'd been taught.
The firm is national and they use (IIRC) either current serving or former police officers with advanced driving qualifications. My instructor was a current copper and basically told me that he wasn't there as a policeman: he expected me to follow 20-50 mph speed limits as posted, but on motorways and NSL stretches I was told to 'make progress'.
At Bruntingthorpe we first had to determine (my instructor never having even been in an Impreza) which end would let go first so we drove onto an aircraft stand and drove in circles until one end let go! That point decided, we had a couple of gentle laps, including some stops from 100mph (easily twice on the main runway) so test out the brakes.
There followed the best hour I've ever spent in a car: sliding around, getting told off for using the brakes and hitting an indicated 150mph repeatedly. The journey home was the fastest, smoothest and yet the most relaxed drive I've ever had, with so little effort I could hardly believe it.
As I said before, even two years later I still remember those lessons every time I get in a car.
The best part is that for a few quid extra they'll give you a certificate (if you pass the standard) which entitles you to a 25% discount from Adrian Flux. Since I did mine in 2008 I've saved probably twice what the course cost. Will do it again next year in the Zed.
Road driver training or a TD with driver training would be a good start. With the change, I'd look at getting the geo done by a recognised expert. It's amazing what a slight tweak to camber etc can do for the feel of a car.
Don't go down the route of fitting lowering springs and 18" wheels as they do not improve performance. Bigger wheels are typically heavier and increases unsprung weight (which is one of the worst things you can do) and lowering springs reduce wheel travel and small bump sensitivity and importantly the damper is valved for a constant rate rather than rising rate springs - critical in a road car
Don't go down the route of fitting lowering springs and 18" wheels as they do not improve performance. Bigger wheels are typically heavier and increases unsprung weight (which is one of the worst things you can do) and lowering springs reduce wheel travel and small bump sensitivity and importantly the damper is valved for a constant rate rather than rising rate springs - critical in a road car
Edited by rhinochopig on Monday 9th August 12:27
Evil.soup said:
i have just been looking at these courses and although they sound informative it seems a little expensive to me for the pleasure of an old police officer in your car telling you how to drive quickly on a motorway. It all seems a little pointless without the opportunity to spend more than just an hour to safely explore the limits of both you as a driver and your car. On top of this you are using your own fuel, tyres etc. Over priced I think!
Sounds like www.carlimits.com might be more your thing then? Not so applicable to road driving though as roads are rarely suitable places for driving at the limits of grip.FlatPack said:
Evil.soup said:
i have just been looking at these courses and although they sound informative it seems a little expensive to me for the pleasure of an old police officer in your car telling you how to drive quickly on a motorway. It all seems a little pointless without the opportunity to spend more than just an hour to safely explore the limits of both you as a driver and your car. On top of this you are using your own fuel, tyres etc. Over priced I think!
Sounds like www.carlimits.com might be more your thing then? Not so applicable to road driving though as roads are rarely suitable places for driving at the limits of grip.I still think the money is better spent on either the handling upgrades or power though.
I agree with the driver training side of things here as well. I recently did a Ring trip and little stripped out Suzuki Swifts were over taking me ( 
oh the shame!) Point is that my car's power (1994 Version 1 STi, 260bhp) is not the reason, it was because of the lack of skilled driver!
I reckon spend less than this on a trackday with some instruction and then decide what you want to change about the car if anything! Pre-Ring for me it was all about power. Now I would rather spend the money on track days.
Oh and the other thing...especially with the short geared impreza.....any idiot in an execu-barge can come past you at 140+mph on a motorway so what's the point in chasing top end? 0-60 - Its an older car, you really want to push this - if so you will shorten its life.
Learn how to drive it properly (my next step!) then when you get bored sell it and get something more powerful.
oh the shame!) Point is that my car's power (1994 Version 1 STi, 260bhp) is not the reason, it was because of the lack of skilled driver!I reckon spend less than this on a trackday with some instruction and then decide what you want to change about the car if anything! Pre-Ring for me it was all about power. Now I would rather spend the money on track days.
Oh and the other thing...especially with the short geared impreza.....any idiot in an execu-barge can come past you at 140+mph on a motorway so what's the point in chasing top end? 0-60 - Its an older car, you really want to push this - if so you will shorten its life.
Learn how to drive it properly (my next step!) then when you get bored sell it and get something more powerful.
As has been suggested spend the money on proper driver training, that should knock off a fair bit of time from your usual crosscountry commute.
Failing that save the money and when you have another £700-£1000 to add to your current £700 budget think about some proper mods and a remap.
More important than removing the 2nd cat (scrubber) after the turbo is to fit a decatted uppipe before the turbo (precat). That will allow your turbo uninterrupted free flowing exhaust gasses to allow quicker and earlier spoolup, then remove the scrubber. You can get a decatted straight through pipe that replaces the scrubber pipe leaving the main cat in place. That will be enough to get you through emissions testing no problem.
All you need to add mod wise is a high flow flat panel air filter and then remap it. You'll see 270-280bhp and 300-320ftlb torque. That will make it very swift indeed.
Leftover money will get you a decent set of brake pads (and you will need them), a set of front and rear solid droplinks, and some decent eibach springs. Add Geometry setup and that's all your budget blown.
You will however have a cracking machine that will get you from A-B quickly and safely.
Failing that save the money and when you have another £700-£1000 to add to your current £700 budget think about some proper mods and a remap.
More important than removing the 2nd cat (scrubber) after the turbo is to fit a decatted uppipe before the turbo (precat). That will allow your turbo uninterrupted free flowing exhaust gasses to allow quicker and earlier spoolup, then remove the scrubber. You can get a decatted straight through pipe that replaces the scrubber pipe leaving the main cat in place. That will be enough to get you through emissions testing no problem.
All you need to add mod wise is a high flow flat panel air filter and then remap it. You'll see 270-280bhp and 300-320ftlb torque. That will make it very swift indeed.
Leftover money will get you a decent set of brake pads (and you will need them), a set of front and rear solid droplinks, and some decent eibach springs. Add Geometry setup and that's all your budget blown.
You will however have a cracking machine that will get you from A-B quickly and safely.
Evil.soup said:
i have just been looking at these courses and although they sound informative it seems a little expensive to me for the pleasure of an old police officer in your car telling you how to drive quickly on a motorway. It all seems a little pointless without the opportunity to spend more than just an hour to safely explore the limits of both you as a driver and your car. On top of this you are using your own fuel, tyres etc. Over priced I think!
I think you've missed the point.1) My instructor was not some old wheel-shuffling copper who was around for the Great Train Robbery, but a current-serving officer who fits the training in around his regular duties.
2) The course was not about driving quickly on the motorway. It was about developing skills to make me a faster, safer and smoother driver. In 8 hours I was probably on the motorway for c.45 mins.
3) The hour on track was a full 60 minutes of driving non-stop, and it was plenty. The concentration required to drive at 10/10ths is enormous.
4) The whole point of the course is that it's not about drifting and showboating: these skills are irrelevant on the road. The course is about making every single journey better so why not use your own car (i.e. the car that you're comfortable in)?
Animal said:
Evil.soup said:
i have just been looking at these courses and although they sound informative it seems a little expensive to me for the pleasure of an old police officer in your car telling you how to drive quickly on a motorway. It all seems a little pointless without the opportunity to spend more than just an hour to safely explore the limits of both you as a driver and your car. On top of this you are using your own fuel, tyres etc. Over priced I think!
I think you've missed the point.1) My instructor was not some old wheel-shuffling copper who was around for the Great Train Robbery, but a current-serving officer who fits the training in around his regular duties.
2) The course was not about driving quickly on the motorway. It was about developing skills to make me a faster, safer and smoother driver. In 8 hours I was probably on the motorway for c.45 mins.
3) The hour on track was a full 60 minutes of driving non-stop, and it was plenty. The concentration required to drive at 10/10ths is enormous.
4) The whole point of the course is that it's not about drifting and showboating: these skills are irrelevant on the road. The course is about making every single journey better so why not use your own car (i.e. the car that you're comfortable in)?
I guess either course has its merits, just in different ways;)
Animal said:
Evil.soup said:
On the road you cannot go above the speed limit
Without wishing to incriminate myself, other than adhering to speed limits in urban areas I was expected to use my judgement in making progress - not sticking to speed limits...Thanks for the advice guys. As for driver training I've been using Eunan MacGuiness formally of HPC UK and now with Rob Gravett at UCC, for a few years and had some brilliant training with him including several trips to the Millbrook proving ground. He's been fantastic but I still have to book him so that he can polish my techniques with my Impreza which we haven't done yet. As for the modding, I'm still going to splash out and get something done to the car but I haven't decided what yet. I'll keep you posted 
In that case one of the best places to start would be to have a read through Andy Forrest's website, which has got plenty of info on where to start. Andy is a highly respected Subaru mapper (another would be Simon aka Jolly Green Monster, who frequents PH) and his website's pretty good.
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