1997 (MY98) WRX - Mods, Where to start, What to buy
 

Hey all,

Got myself a 1997 (MY98) WRX.
First WRX and first turbo car.

Bought it as a weekend car and an ongoing project.

Im a little confused on what mods to do, and what order.
I'm going to start accumulating parts, then fit it all and get it tuned.

Im planning on what seems to be a reasonably normal upgrade.
200 odd kw at the wheels.

From what ive read consists of:
STI tmic
vf34 turbo
walbro fuel pump
turbo back 3" exhaust
new ecu
tune

A few questions,
What year sti tmic do you get to fit the MY98?
Does the my98 have a cat in the uppipe? If so, i replace that right?
What should i do with the intake? Pod filter? K&N in airbox?
Do i try and duct it through into the wheel arch for cooler air?
Do i run a silicon intake pipe once i get the sti tmic?
Do i need to upgrade injectors if i dont go over 200kw?

Also if i could get some idea of rough costs of the parts that would be awesome.

Thanks guys, seems to be a lot of knowledgeable ppl here!

[QUOTE=neo__04;794515]
A few questions,
What year sti tmic do you get to fit the MY98?
Does the my98 have a cat in the uppipe? If so, i replace that right?
What should i do with the intake? Pod filter? K&N in airbox?
Do i try and duct it through into the wheel arch for cooler air?
Do i run a silicon intake pipe once i get the sti tmic?
Do i need to upgrade injectors if i dont go over 200kw?

Also if i could get some idea of rough costs of the parts that would be awesome.
[/QUOTE]

A GD sti tmic (01-07) will fit, but you will need to modify a few things to get it to fit. Something like a Process west tmic may be more convenient as they are pretty much bolt in. Expect to pay up to $1000 new

my98 doesnt have a cat in the up pipe...

the general consensus is that you dont need a CAI... it only makes a cool induction noise. Give the intake a 'resonectomy' and you should be right

you can max out the injectors and still make just under 290hp... provided they are yellow tops

everything else is your choice really

Jezza, are you sure later model (01~07) mounts for top mount are different to GC? I know I needed a different clutch master to curve around my Spec C' cooler, but I thought the mounts suited?

My98 won't have 440cc yellow top injectors.

200kw atw from an original 16yo EJ20 block? lotta money there so I hope you've got a big wallet or a really good job, you can expect one or all of these things to shit themselves continiously...... block, clutch, gearbox, axles etc etc, you'll really need bigger brakes unless you already have 4 pots, better off saving the money and waiting for a 99 2 door or 00 4 door STI or even better an 02 STI with Brembo's and a 6 speed and big top mount already fitted for less than you'll have to spend on your 98 WRX shitter.

EJ 207 with decent pistons new oil pump, water pump, belt kit, gasket kit, lets say $4000-6000
6 speed to stop your butter Aus 5 speed dying with decent clutch $4000-6000
Injectors 2nd hand $400-800
Turbo $1500new.
3" turbo back $600 rubbish to $2,000 recommended Butler
Top mount, brackets and new clutch master 2nd hand probably $450
Fitting, $3000-4000.
Computer 2nd hand $1500, every mod you make another $300-500 to re-tune.
Bigger brakes $600-1400
Then all the other bullshit like R180 rear end over 1k
So to add it all up, fuck your 98 off for 4k and buy a Bug Eye STI for $14,000 and save about 10k

Well it makes it hard to know what to do. Plenty of people running GC8's with stock gearboxes etc and seems to be fine.

What sort of power would be safe then to keep the engine and gearbox happy?

I wont be launching it or anything else that will stress things.

1997 (MY98) WRX - Mods, Where to start, What to buy
 

Don't worry about the numbers, just have fun with the thing.

When talking about mods, always ask yourself first;
1) what is my budget
2) what will I be using the car for

Then go from there...

Are you handy with a spanner?

Hold up,

Your WRX can receive a power boost without big bucks, just avoid setting yourself a kilowatt goal at this point because you'll only get a big shopping list of stuff thrown at you.

I upgraded my MY00 WRX without a power goal in mind, I was chasing just a nice upgrade. I went and met Neil at Maximum Motorsport, and he helped me put together a plan.

Step 1 was to upgrade fuel pump, exhaust, and turbo. The car transformed! It lit up! Cost about $1500 for parts and labour (I sourced some second hand parts to save money, eg: turbo)

Step 2 was to add an electronic boost controller. Boost was raised a few PSI, and holeyyfarrrrk the car boots!!!

I still giggle like a child when I give it a squirt. I have no clue how many kilowatts its making.

Some advice given here is right... the gearbox isn't all that strong, and your motor is getting a bit old now. So, my advice is not to set a kilowatt goal in mind, but to upgrade the engine a little, just as I have done, and see if you're happy with that.

If you're serious about upgrading, maybe pop into a Subuaru specialist workshop as I did, and let them put together a plan for you.

Yeah not bad with a spanner, still learning, but i have plenty of mechanics at work to guide me.

Im basically planning exactly what was listed above. fuel pump, exhaust, turbo, ecu & tune to get started.

Go from there i guess

I've only got about 160kw ATW, and it's a stock V3 STI motor/computer with breathing mods only in a heavier car, I wouldn't want to push much more than about 140 atw through what you have and you'll still get a thrill.......200kw ATW is a big expensive figure to ask for with what you have, may as well shove a 200hp shot of Nitrous through it as it is because it'll probably last just as long and only cost about $500.