Quote:
Originally Posted by EMO
What exactly is done to yours? My goal is to hit 300rwhp by next summer.
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So here's the thread on mine, not many photos, and not 100% up to date on the mods list, but very close.
http://www.seccs.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6950
So......to start with, 300whp is not very realistic with the stock heads, they just don't flow that much. Most people trying to make the big power swap the heads out and use EJ20G JDM heads and intake manifold. That's the first major issue.
A VF-39 or TD-05 class turbo or larger will be needed, as will the injectors to run it. Engine management is pretty limited, either a standalone or the recently-developed RobTune ECU's. Obviously a performance fuel pump as well.
You'll need a decent intercooler (front mount unless you want to cut the hood and install a bigger scoop).
Getting good, clean electricity to all the sensors, plugs, and stuff is critical, so be prepared to refurbish connectors and wiring as needed.
I would get on LegCentral and see how people have set up the bigger power cars. There are a lot of build stories, but I don't know how many of them ran for very long.......it's going to take a lot of money, and in the end I would not be surprised at all if a full WRX or STi swap would be comparable in terms of money and time in the long run. I can tell you right now that if I was starting over with the express goal of a 350+HP motor, I would go buy a crashed WRX and just swap everything into the Legacy shell. The ability to flash the ECU and and have someone tune the car would be pretty crucial.
Along with that desired power level come all sorts of other issues (tranny, clutch, brakes, etc), but that's true for more than doubling the HP on any car, so I'll leave it be.
I've got a lot of time and money into mine (double work in a lot of cases, unfortunately), and it's probably in the same power-to-weight class as a stock WRX. It's also reliable (when people aren't overheating it after smacking deer) now that the engine's been refreshed. I drive it everywhere, out of town, etc. I went the conservative route with the mods, it's just fast enough to be fun, and does the vintage car justice.