MY08 WRX Owners - First modification suggestions
 

After seeing so many MY08 WRX over the last few weeks I figured that many of the new owners are likely to start landing here. I though I would launch pre-emptive strike with a short thread on suggested mods for ugly betty owners. I am open for suggestions and editing. This is not meant to be an essay but merely a starting point for noobs!

1. Lowering springs should be first thing done in my honest opinion. A good set will lower your wrx (30-40mm) from a FWD mazda/vw betty to an eye appealing WRX. Search words are whiteline springs, king springs, etc) cost approx from $400 and can be sourced/purchased from a range of local shops in Perth.

[B]This is a must first mod but do it properly and then get a good wheel alignment (search wheel world, wilkenson's, ect). DO IT !!![/B]

2. Turbo-back or Cat-back Exhaust. Better breathing and the boxer rumble unleashed (search words are dylans zorst, china-sepc, or any number of name brand manufactures of s/s exhausts such HKS, Trust, Greddy,ect). Cost $600-$2000 depending on what you buy. Install yourself or go to reputable shop for this. (search words are MMS, RMS and ASG for starters in town). Edit: Please note this is a new model and exhaust configuration for MY08 so be prepared to pay more now as Kato so eloquently put it.

3. Proper tune via a re-flash of ecu. Best bang for buck in terms of power. Search ECUtek (only option in WA unless you are prepared to spend some serious $$. Cost ranges from $1800 I believe currently depending on who you go with for this work. Search words ecutek, MMS.
Edit:As PIGSTI suggested the turbo-back exhaust and tune should be done at the same time to avoid boost spiking issues, optimize tune and keep labour costs down.

4. Front and rear sway bar installation is another great bang for buck mod. Search words such whitleline, cusco, and sti for starters. This will assist in reducing understeer associated with stock wrx's. Allow for $500 plus and install yourself.

Once you have done these mods you will likely be a few thousand $$ poorer but will have a vastly improved WRX. After you have completed these mods you will be hooked on modifiying your suby and may need to a bigger salary and a more understanding wife but those I cant help you with. Good look and happy crusing.

* Please note that I have no affiliation or connection with any work shops or products mentioned in this post.

I am assuming that the zorst and tune will need to be done at the same time like the pigs.
Another good cheap mod I would do straight up is sway bars front and rear. Won't cost much but make a huge difference.

Good stuff Dave,

A bit more information on it from my research:

1. Lowering springs on the older models affected suspension geometry requiring the roll center kit. It will need to be confirmed if this is required for the new models.

2. Exhausts for the new models are still coming, so for the moment there are no 'cheap' options. So be prepared for a ass raping of a price.

3. Stock ECU re-tuning options are the best bang for buck. Alternatevly try Motec or Autronics.

4. The best bang for buck modification would be sway bars in my opinion. Stock ride height is good (no crab crawling around shopping centers) and with sways you get decent handling too.

[QUOTE=Kato]Good stuff Dave,

A bit more information on it from my research:

1. Lowering springs on the older models affected suspension geometry requiring the roll center kit. It will need to be confirmed if this is required for the new models.

2. Exhausts for the new models are still coming, so for the moment there are no 'cheap' options. So be prepared for a ass raping of a price.

3. Stock ECU re-tuning options are the best bang for buck. Alternatevly try Motec or Autronics.

4. The best bang for buck modification would be sway bars in my opinion. Stock ride height is good (no crab crawling around shopping centers) and with sways you get decent handling too.[/QUOTE]

A few notes on the above:

1. Roll centre kit isn't a must on older...it is a matter of choice and doesn't suit all driving styles.

2. MMS are doing WRX and STI exhausts...locally hand crafted so not as cheap as China but they are 100% top quality. Expect to pay (inc) $1995 for WRX and $2250 for STI.

3. Only reflash available atm is ECUTek. Unsure as to whether MoTeC or Autronic are available in '08 (certainly not STI) spec yet.

4. Swaybars on (softer) OE MY08 springs may not improve things...in fact may make it lift rear wheels.

Whiteline have done a fair bit of testing on the MY08 WRX...there are plenty of articles around. With STI, Whiteline will release the "Black Box" to allow better control of VDC, TC and DCCD.

front end conversion :D

[QUOTE=nauli]1. Roll centre kit isn't a must on older...it is a matter of choice and doesn't suit all driving styles.[/QUOTE]

I found that the very low springs made the handling worse, requiring the need of roll centre kits to correct. Just passing on the knowledge that low does not equal better.

[QUOTE=nauli]3. Only reflash available atm is ECUTek. Unsure as to whether MoTeC or Autronic are available in '08 (certainly not STI) spec yet.[/QUOTE]

MoTeC M800 PNP for MY08 STI part number is #13012A has been available for nearly 3 months.

Autronic also available with DBW unit.

I am going to keep it simple for now. If the new owners dont know about autronic and motec it might then they will benefit from this thread otherwise they wont bother reading it. Really for noobs with little idea where to start as opposed to a person who has owned wrx previously I reckon.

On the exhaust side I found TurboXS are bringing out a TBE for $1399, could be a good way to go for those who dont want to spend to much on an exhaust