Hi there,
I own a WRX my99 gc8, completely stock standard (even exhaust lol) and it at high rpms (over 4500) the engine will start pinging its ass off, in 3rd gear at 4000 rpm ish it has experienced a 'wall' almost like a rev limiter (yet didn't feel smooth like a rpm limiter) cuts out, buckles and the vehicle doesn't accelerate even with pedal to the floor but not always.

sometimes stopping, especially after boosting the rpm's would drop, and very occasionally it would stall when stopping, also the idle would move up and down 200rpm apart.

I have been babying the vehicle and it drives fine in traffic, though i still notice a rpm drop sometimes at the lights, the turbo can be tickled too 4000 rpm if i want to overtake someone really quickly without any pinging.

I use bp 98, that is the highest octane rating I can use, still getting 450 - 550 kms out of a tank (depending the type of conditions i drive in, traffic, freeway etc.)

I'm thinking because its an old vehicle dodgy sensors like a air flow meter to a fuel pump problem.

I called up a few shops but because I want to do the work myself they won't help and basically said fuel pump or air flow meter.

tl;dr

pinging at high rpm over 4500.
stock gc8 no mods used to run well without pinging.
sometimes after boosting idle hunts a tiny bit and stalled once.


Thanks in advance!

Do you have a Manual Boost Contoler installed?

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Not yet, just going to sort out this then get an exhaust, pod filter, boost controller.

tempted to get a new afm and a walbro fuel pump.

Yep try a new AFM first.

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Has your check engine light come on while driving? I wonder if the computer has thrown a code (or more than 1 perhaps). If you can check the codes, you might gets a heads up on what is going on.

To check codes on a 99/00 WRX is very easy! 2 black connectors dangling under the steering column need to be connected, key switched to ON (engine not running) and count the flashing "CHECK ENGINE" light pulses.

Here is a guide with pictures.

http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/stock-ec...unit-only.html

no codes at all! one a while back which was the knock sensor.
if it threw a code, I would have seen a check engine light right.

you can just plug in a scanner into my car, they did it at the shop i took it to a while back.

this is doing my head in, I'm going to throw a maf and a fuel pump at the vehicle and hope it works.

Do the MAF and fuel pump, and disconnect the battery for a couple of hours to reset the computer. Im probably wrong on this, but for it to be pulling things back at about 4000rpm it may be in limp-home mode?

Hey,

I had a similar problem that I fixed recently.
Same symptoms apart from the rev limit but my boost was limited to 0.7 bar instead of 1.1 I normally had. On idle the intake pressure was -0.6 bar, within Subaru limits from the service book (iirc).
Rough idle, engine would stall after coming off boost, etc.
I went through checking MAF, iacv, TPS, boost solenoid, the works. My initial idea was that it was the boost solenoid (I've had it get stuck on several occasions) or the wastegate spring had gotten too soft.
I cleaned everything including the TB butterfly to no avail.
Turned out to be the friggin' vacuum line to the boost gauge, only found out today after changing a lot of parts, including the oxy sensor.
Cut out 3 cms off the hose, plugged it back in, car runs like an angel.

I would start by checking all the boost/vacuum lines, should not affect the rpm limit but it will screw with your idle in much the same way.

Good luck.

Yeh I had this happen to me my boost gauge line had just got old and brittle and did the same just cut and shut. Mine did show on my boost gauge went from reading 15 psi boost to 10.

Mark