2000 UK Impreza Turbo AWD - Tuning options

[Gallen]

Hi guys,

I've just picked up a UK 2000 MY (V plate) Impreza Turbo AWD.

It already has some (basic) yet sensible mods which include:

Full Scorpion Decat exhaust.
STi Panel Filter.
Dump valve.
etc.

The car is now in the workshop having a gearbox replaced.
I bought the car with a recently "reconditioned" box but since the previous owner had the work done, it had begun playing up again. I opted to replaced this with a good used gearbox, an I hope this will eliminate any risk of shoddy workmanship coming up in the future (effectively returning it to how it should be).

Anyway,
I'm currently looking in to improving handling options such as bracing, suspension and beakes etc. However when it comes to Imprezas, at the moment Ive not had much indepth to with them.

I would like to see close to the 280 / 300BHP mark.
However I am a realist and having owned (previously) a Henstead M'sport Starion, I know tuning costs dosh!

Are these sort of figures safely achieveable from a UK Turbo?
What should I be looking at to achieve these kind of power levels?
i.e Is the Prodrive ECU compatable? Would it require any mapping?

Can you run the standard Turbo and Fuel Pump or would I be looking at upgrades of one or both!? (if so, would this include a manifold too?).

As ever, any help and advice appreciated.

G.

[Nicol@]

This thread just a few posts below your thread might help

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... newbie

[markCSC]

This might help

http://www.andyforrestperformance.co.uk/58730.html

[Gallen]

Thanks guys,

I had seen the "newbie" thread below but it quickly turnied into a discussion about brakes and suspension and alike - which I am ok with.

Andy Forrest Performance is a great help.

They state that a "Level 1" 260-280 bhp would require a full Decat or Sportscat exhaust from turbo back 2.5 or 3” bore which I already have.
The Walbro 255 l/hr uprated fuel pump is approx £70.
I have an STi panel filter so would this suffice as a saving for the K&N? (Either way a K&N isnt going to cost the earth)

I'm unsure about the resonator delete but understand it can be DIY
(?a Custom Part would be neater though?).

A Fuel Lab turbo specification fuel pressure regulator with fitting kit & gauge (£Can't find anywhere that sells this?) is also needed... with the big spend is the "Ecutek Custom remap" of original ECU (similar to PPP) coming in at £500+VAT.

So the above is a reasonable price for the extra BHP.

To achieve the 300-320 BHP mark requires all of the above plus a TD05-16G turbo (the Mitsibushi 1,2,3 variant of this can be bought for £189 on fleabay new - I'm guessing that this would need some sort of fitting kit to fit the Scoob?).
It also requires an uprated turbo to intercooler 'Y' pipe (circa £50) and a plug change to NGK PFR 7B's.

Obvioulsy the new turbo etc means the requirement for the corresponding map so I'd either go one way or the other.

Certainly looks do-able at the moment

G.

Edited by Gallen on Wednesday 19th May 12:33

[GravelBen]

I'd stay away from K&N filters, not only do the oily versions tend to damage MAF sensors but every test I've seen has found they don't filter or flow as well as the standard filter.

Was reading a post just a few days ago another forum from a bloke who dynoed a Group N Evo IX with standard and K&N filters - it made 15bhp less with the K&N.

[Gallen]

That's interesting - I had heard about the oil problem & Maf sensors but to make less power?!!!! Seems crazy.

- Thanks for the heads up.

RE: TD05 Turbos, do they have to be converted to Side Entry for a 2000MY UK AWD? (as I am under the impression that this may be the case).

G.

[markCSC]

Wouldn't bother with the resonator delete. Makes more induction noise but not much else. Try googling "snorkus delete" to see what I mean.

So basically a fuel pump (for safety) and a remap should see you at 280bhp ish

[stevieb]

Gallen said:

That's interesting - I had heard about the oil problem & Maf sensors but to make less power?!!!! Seems crazy.

- Thanks for the heads up.

RE: TD05 Turbos, do they have to be converted to Side Entry for a 2000MY UK AWD? (as I am under the impression that this may be the case).

G.

I woudl steer clear of the K&N and get a Green or Simota Panel Filter.. These have a reduced oil content and are MAF Freindly. But the MAF is only a weaknes on a certain model year.. You may have a stronger maf in the 99/00 year.

Just do a search for Chocolate MAf in google..

[dnb]

MAFs can still be flaky on 99/00 cars. My STi has eaten 3 in the last 5 years.

front entry TD05 turbos should be a direct fit to the 99/00 cars. (Obviously you need the remap) The side entry td05s were used on only the early 92 to 96 cars.

Edited by dnb on Wednesday 19th May 22:27

[stevieb]

My Choice turbo would be the Andy Forest AFP4H or AFP5-16 But it really depends what you want.. Fast Spool or bigger power numbers..

http://www.andyforrestperformance.co.uk/16307.html

[Vixpy1]

wack a VF34 or 35 on it, walboro fuel pump, panel filter and an Ecutek remap and you should see 320 to 340bhp.

[Gallen]

ok,

.....whats the pro's / cons between TD05 or IHI VF24 ?

[Vixpy1]

Gallen said:

ok,

.....whats the pro's / cons between TD05 or IHI VF24 ?

VF24's will be laggier, power will be about the same IIRC

[BlackBugEye]

all depends what your after , otherwise you could become friends with your mapper / rolling road guys !

[Gallen]

BlackBugEye said:

all depends what your after , otherwise you could become friends with your mapper / rolling road guys !

Well on my Starion, the standard (larger) Turbo from the 2.0 was replaced with a smaller turbo from a 2.6 to eliminate the lag and make it more driveable. With a close-ratio box it was very responsive.

I am after something very driveable rather than nothing, nothing, nothing.. OH MY GOD!!!!!

I would rather a good mix of power available throughout the rev range rather than extremes of either. I like the thought of 300BHP+ I guesse it depends on when the max part of the power kicks in as I don't want to be driving at 4000RPM + all the time.

I want it to be a nice to drive, not exhausting.

Could you recommend a tuner?

G.

[Vixpy1]

Gallen said:

BlackBugEye said:

all depends what your after , otherwise you could become friends with your mapper / rolling road guys !

Well on my Starion, the standard (larger) Turbo from the 2.0 was replaced with a smaller turbo from a 2.6 to eliminate the lag and make it more driveable. With a close-ratio box it was very responsive.

I am after something very driveable rather than nothing, nothing, nothing.. OH MY GOD!!!!!

I would rather a good mix of power available throughout the rev range rather than extremes of either. I like the thought of 300BHP+ I guesse it depends on when the max part of the power kicks in as I don't want to be driving at 4000RPM + all the time.

I want it to be a nice to drive, not exhausting.

Could you recommend a tuner?

G.

Speak to Simon at JollyGreenmoster. In fact he may drop in on this thread

[300bhp/ton]

Gallen said:

Hi guys,

I've just picked up a UK 2000 MY (V plate) Impreza Turbo AWD.

It already has some (basic) yet sensible mods which include:

Full Scorpion Decat exhaust.
STi Panel Filter.
Dump valve.
etc.

The car is now in the workshop having a gearbox replaced.
I bought the car with a recently "reconditioned" box but since the previous owner had the work done, it had begun playing up again. I opted to replaced this with a good used gearbox, an I hope this will eliminate any risk of shoddy workmanship coming up in the future (effectively returning it to how it should be).

Anyway,
I'm currently looking in to improving handling options such as bracing, suspension and beakes etc. However when it comes to Imprezas, at the moment Ive not had much indepth to with them.

I would like to see close to the 280 / 300BHP mark.
However I am a realist and having owned (previously) a Henstead M'sport Starion, I know tuning costs dosh!

Are these sort of figures safely achieveable from a UK Turbo?
What should I be looking at to achieve these kind of power levels?
i.e Is the Prodrive ECU compatable? Would it require any mapping?

Can you run the standard Turbo and Fuel Pump or would I be looking at upgrades of one or both!? (if so, would this include a manifold too?).

As ever, any help and advice appreciated.

G.

I might go against the grain a little here with many others.

But if you want performance then sell it and buy an STI, maybe even a Type R or RA.

The STI is a much better platform IMO to mod from and even in stock trim is already at a level that is somewhat costly and arguably difficult to get a T2000 to.

Don't get me wrong the T2000 is a fab car and very capable straight out of the box. But in the Impreza turbo line up it's bottom of the range and entry level.

[Gallen]

300bhp/ton said:

I might go against the grain a little here with many others.

But if you want performance then sell it and buy an STI, maybe even a Type R or RA.

The STI is a much better platform IMO to mod from and even in stock trim is already at a level that is somewhat costly and arguably difficult to get a T2000 to.

Don't get me wrong the T2000 is a fab car and very capable straight out of the box. But in the Impreza turbo line up it's bottom of the range and entry level.

No worries - I totally agree with you...

The thing is I picked up this car as a Cat-C total loss.
It has 2 x very lightly dented N/S doors and it also had a gearbox issue and a siezed diff.

I knew the garage where the car was purchased from prior to the "accident" (and I use the term "accident" loosely).
The Siezed diff turned out to be a siezed handbrake and I have got a replacement
gearbox already fitted by a good freind.

With a full house refurb on the go and a Capri 280 Brooklands project, quite simply I wouldn't have been able to justify/afford an STi right now without having to look for a new g'freind and I'm not prepared to do that!!! (I wasn't even looking for a Scoob when this came up so.........!!!!).

Although not an STi, this particular car is a lovely example... and its a joke it's been given a Cat C.

Its just a bit of a fun that I will use on weekends as a budget power project

I'm going to be very happy with the sort of performance it will give, and I have a great example of a low owner, well looked after car (F/Subaru/SH) in gorgeous condition for not a massive spend

Edited by Gallen on Thursday 20th May 20:28

[Scoobman]

MY2000
Should have a TY754 box in which has the stronger casing. Double check this.
280-300hp is a good realistic figure to aim for.
Stick with pannel filter - as cone type often destroy the MAF.

On a budget

Full decat exhaust 2.5in will do - open neck down pipe
Upgrade pannel filter
Walbour 255l fuel pump
440 injectors
VF28 Turbo
EcuTek ECU
3 port boost solinoid
Then Remap


Worth puting goodspeed 355mm front discs on
Front and rear arb with drop links
See if you pick up some second hand eibach springs
(I had some kicking about but not too sure if I still have them)

[BlackBugEye]

Ran 400bhp on my bugeye wrx for 2 years on standard box & engine .
Just took it easy in 1st and 2nd