C_WRX

If it is a 2.0 WRX then reckon there's about 4 to choose from. Think it was Cal that put a TD04 hybrid on his Bug with supporting mods and had around the 300 mark.Quite an old thread now but worth trying to dig up. A lot of folks, like Ritchie, go with the turbo from an STi. Believe the VF34 and VF35 are very similar in ability but seems the VF34 is that tiny bit more preferred for tad earlier spool??, but is harder to come by and usually costs bit more. The VF35 is still a very good option and likely be mine if ever get the cash together for that and other bits required to reach between 330 and 340. There is also a TD05-16g. Not as commonly found but think is okay. If you go up the TD05 range, to say the 20g, heading towards high 300s bhp I think you are risking your WRX (not STi) gearbox.

AndyF's sugestion is (have a read through Ritchie's original link to Andy's website): 290-310 bhp.... Full Decat or Sportscat exhaust from turbo back 2.5 or 3” bore. Decat uppipe Pre turbo Walbro 255 l/hr uprated fuel pump K+N panel filter Ecutek Custom ECU recalibration & Twin boost set up for high/low power switchable in-car AFP 04-H custom ported hybrid turbo High Flow multi spray fuel injectors 550cc (380cc as std) Uprated turbo to intercooler 'Y' pipe NGK PFR 7B uprated spark plugs but substitute the turbo for a VF34/35 or TD05-16G turbo to get 300-320, or my plan is all that plus STI intercooler should get me near 340 !

The plate I have in the front is shorter in length only, personal plate so less digits allows for it. Never had any bother - same with the wifes in fact. Think they are more interested in the lettering/digit spacing, and that the height of the lettering is standard so easily read. If you get pulled are you not told to get it MOT'd and produce the certificate at the station to prove you changed it. If it's in the boot they know fine well you'll swap it back over again !

Maybe one for off-topic, but vehicle related. In the process of looking at getting myself a little van run around and am finding some of the insurance quotes on the high side. Any folks have a van that they could let me know who they are insured with ? It is for private use not company/business connected.

You may have set yourself up there Barry - given the pending mechanical help from yourself I will refrain from commenting . If not an urgent photography session then in a couple of months there may be an evening run that allows for daylight pics, or even a weekend meet where there will be more cars from more areas...and given the weather maybe a few clean ones too !! Most folk are fine having their cars pic taken, just maybe blank out the plates??

Echo what the others are saying about get the bits-n-pieces done to make the remap worthwhile. I have a 54 Blob and had the whole exhaust done (decat uppipe, sports decat downpipe, decat centre, etc) panel filter and y-pipe then went for a remap to get an approx 279bhp/300torque - was the decatting that it's strongly advised you get the remap for. Suggested next stage is the STi route of intercooler/turbo/injectors/plugs (basically what Ritchie has) to get near the 340bhp mark. It's not cheap but you'll notice a big difference after remap the more you can get done - and of course saves on the ££'s. Sure there are folks around that would take you for a run in theirs so you can experience the difference - I was a tad disappointed in the feeling difference to my 279, but absolutely there is a difference, and that is what is driving me to one day go for the 340+ goal !

Welcome. You'll get a few comments about hiding the credit card, it's a bad habit all the changes we all seem to want to make !!!

This is a good topic. Personally I'd go painted. As others have said I just think the finish on powdercoated looks slightly dull. End of the day you know it's just a matter of time before you kerb it and I have heard that powdercoated can flake more in chunks. As for protecting them, get the wheel polish on there as often as you can, front and inners, and if you feel you have to use a wheel cleaner try for non-acidic but if the stronger one water down a bit. Shampoo and water should be enough if you get the protection on there and clean regularly. Wheel cleaner removes the polish lot quicker.

Ahhhhh, mine used to look like that - worse if you include the old pee-shooter exhaust it had!! Enjoy the transformation, and shop around for good deals, initially I didn't and ended up spending more than needed to.

Which one do you prefer tax aside ? Just a thought, have you checked out insurance for both, maybe there's a slight difference in price between the two ?? Are you planning on keeping as is, or is there a plan to change the car - just whether you want to hold back some of the money then blob way to go. If the warranty is a very important thing to have then a garage is the way to go. Seems a lot of the really good examples are being private sold recently so check around e.g. on here, SNet & pistonheads.

Think a few like C&C Hillington (or CC of Hillington ??), or there is Meercat just outside Glasgow. Welcome to the forum too !

Just a little envious you got a set of these on, been reading up on brakes and they're getting good write ups. Just a little more than I was wanting to spend.

I think quite a few of us will see increases next time round. Was reading mainly down to the continued increase in personal injury claims - and quite sure the weather will be added to that list for recent number of bumps. There are supposed to still deals out there so make sure shop around from the list everyones passing on. I renewed in August with only a £25 increase, Keith Michaels and ask for Gary Moulson (02082880275) which can make a difference.

Reckon a good dealer would take it into consideration if well done (which your car of course is!), naturally nowhere near what you spent getting it to where it is though, but to realise its best value private sale is usually the way to go. There was a guy asking about finding a good 2005/2006 STi in the wanted section other day there.

Now your talking me to again I'll reply Me personally I'd go for the lower mileage one, for mainly just that reason. ppp is a nice extra thing to have but you know if you start "changing things" you'd do it differently from that way anyways. You know where to look and what you're looking for when it comes to upgrading any way Stewarty. Don't forget haggle hard if you're going to buy.

Don't know much about the mechanical side of things, but thought would mention, even though you're obviously not too bad at the old mechanical side yourself have you considered just biting the ££ bullet and putting it in to a Subaru specialist to give it the once over and let their expert eye see if there's anything nasty they can see lurking about. Hopefully there isn't and it's just small annoying things needing straighened out but a few pounds now may save many more in the future ?? Just thinking out loud - your car your choices of course.

Hi Richard. Welcome along. Be good to see some pics when you get the chance.

Welcome along.

Have no idea what could be wrong with your car, but welcome.

I just don't understand mentalility of people that would do that !! Gutted for you. Happened to bro in-law a few months back but that was just the bonnet and wing hit !

Yes it is. Purchased at a silly cost from Subaru and fitted by my own unskilled hands !! Looks fuzzy in the pics but I like it.

Another vote for HT Autos. I adjusted and fitted it myself, so must be easy ! ! I had mine colour coded just to have it blend in a bit more. In my opinion it gives a nicer finish to the front but it does make me a lot more wary about what I'm driving in towards - multi-storey car parks are a no no, not even going to try !! A before and after(pre-paint) :

Welcome. Not that far away from you down the expressway and along the motorway a bit ! Looking out for those pics - mind you if they've been taken in the last two weeks might not see it against the snowy backdrop

To get the best out of it at starter stages (taken from Andy Forrest's website) : Full Decat or Sportscat exhaust from turbo back 2.5 or 3” bore Ecutek Custom ECU recalibration (similar to PPP) & Twin boost set up for high/low power switchable in-car Walbro 255 l/hr uprated fuel pump K+N panel filter then next stage up : Full Decat or Sportscat exhaust from turbo back 2.5 or 3” bore. Decat uppipe Pre turbo Walbro 255 l/hr uprated fuel pump K+N panel filter Ecutek Custom ECU recalibration & Twin boost set up for high/low power switchable in-car AFP 04-H custom ported hybrid turbo High Flow multi spray fuel injectors 550cc (380cc as std) Uprated turbo to intercooler 'Y' pipe NGK PFR 7B uprated spark plugs I went for stage 1 but along with the decat uppipe and "Y" pipe added. I know it'll come to quite a bit but if you are going to change the downpipe for the sports one then you'd be as well looking at the rest of the system - yes including the backox - and as said you can get subtle sounding backboxes so another vote for replacing the twin pee shooter !

Just so the replies are accurate, what year/model do you have ?