Simple power mods?

[supracat]

Hi,
I've a stock, minted WR1, n.497. was thinking off selling it and getting new M5 or similar, but my wife just so loves the car we are thinking of doing some 'simple' mods to up the performance a bit.
any ideas?
I've already got a heavily tuned P1 with 2.5 conversion, big turbo etc so dont really want to go down that route.
As the WR1 is my wifes car just something that will bring the torque in a little earlier and improve higher gear pick up.
Sorry, when i said stock i did fit a replacement middle pipe (improved pick up a bit) and the whiteline anti-lift kit.
The car is always run on vpower.
I guess something around 350/360 bhp would be ideal.
cheers,
Doug.

[Gee Wr1]

There's a few folk running that sort of power on here now.
Your really looking at a full exhaust system. improving the air intake & a remap, recommend Andy F for the remap but then you'd probably know that with your modded p1 & being in Falkirk.
Probably looking at more 340-350 with that & standard turbo, but the others will keep you right on that.

Gee

[JP]

Gee is correct in that new exhaust, induction kit ideally and def remap. I would think you would need a bigger turbo if you are looking at 360 bhp.

[danr55]

Gee is correct in that new exhaust, induction kit ideally and def remap. I would think you would need a bigger turbo if you are looking at 360 bhp.

DECAT

[dynamix]

Just a decat and remap. Don't do the induction kit, it will cost you power not gain it at this level.

[Martynj]

Just a decat and remap. Don't do the induction kit, it will cost you power not gain it at this level.

Sorry Dynamix , but on this occassion I have to disagree ..
I have never fitted a good quality induction kit on any Impreza and lost power..
The RCM/Graham Goode kit with the K+N filter is very well made , everyone I have ever fitted has made more power + torque than the standard air box at this level...

[The Swede]

Just a decat and remap. Don't do the induction kit, it will cost you power not gain it at this level.

Sorry Dynamix , but on this occassion I have to disagree ..
I have never fitted a good quality induction kit on any Impreza and lost power..
The RCM/Graham Goode kit with the K+N filter is very well made , everyone I have ever fitted has made more power + torque than the standard air box at this level...

The question is whether you gained any power (noticeably) ?

I remember my old STi in standard guise gained more power because after a 2000 mile blast from Northern Europe to UK than I could have got through any cheap mod (bar de-catting maybe).

[Scutch]

The K&N Typhoon I have on the WR1 gained me power, maybe 10-12bhp. However, what it did do was hinder the boost coming in much lower down the rev range. I now have superb mid-range and top end, but the boost comes in later than Andy Forrest and I would have liked.
He said that the RCM CAF would have been a better option for low down boost, and fitted in the wing for maximum effect. He also did say that the standard airbox is well up to the job for even 380 - 400bhp on these cars.

[danr55]

The K&N Typhoon I have on the WR1 gained me power, maybe 10-12bhp. However, what it did do was hinder the boost coming in much lower down the rev range. I now have superb mid-range and top end, but the boost comes in later than Andy Forrest and I would have liked.
He said that the RCM CAF would have been a better option for low down boost, and fitted in the wing for maximum effect. He also did say that the standard airbox is well up to the job for even 380 - 400bhp on these cars.

Interesting. remember the type-25 running 415 BHP runs a standard airbox also...

[WR1 Bro]

The K&N Typhoon I have on the WR1 gained me power, maybe 10-12bhp. However, what it did do was hinder the boost coming in much lower down the rev range. I now have superb mid-range and top end, but the boost comes in later than Andy Forrest and I would have liked.
He said that the RCM CAF would have been a better option for low down boost, and fitted in the wing for maximum effect. He also did say that the standard airbox is well up to the job for even 380 - 400bhp on these cars.

Interesting. remember the type-25 running 415 BHP runs a standard airbox also...

Also remember that you are not comparing like with like... 2 litre is very different to the old mans 2.5 litre lazy arse lump

[Martynj]

Just a decat and remap. Don't do the induction kit, it will cost you power not gain it at this level.

Sorry Dynamix , but on this occassion I have to disagree ..
I have never fitted a good quality induction kit on any Impreza and lost power..
The RCM/Graham Goode kit with the K+N filter is very well made , everyone I have ever fitted has made more power + torque than the standard air box at this level...

The question is whether you gained any power (noticeably) ?

I remember my old STi in standard guise gained more power because after a 2000 mile blast from Northern Europe to UK than I could have got through any cheap mod (bar de-catting maybe).

The owner seemed to think so as did the DD dyno we were mapping it on...

[danr55]

The K&N Typhoon I have on the WR1 gained me power, maybe 10-12bhp. However, what it did do was hinder the boost coming in much lower down the rev range. I now have superb mid-range and top end, but the boost comes in later than Andy Forrest and I would have liked.
He said that the RCM CAF would have been a better option for low down boost, and fitted in the wing for maximum effect. He also did say that the standard airbox is well up to the job for even 380 - 400bhp on these cars.

Interesting. remember the type-25 running 415 BHP runs a standard airbox also...

Also remember that you are not comparing like with like... 2 litre is very different to the old mans 2.5 litre lazy arse lump

Of course, point taken, however it does suggest the standard airbox is good for the target power on a over-revvy redlining 2 litre.

[Scutch]

Just a decat and remap. Don't do the induction kit, it will cost you power not gain it at this level.

Sorry Dynamix , but on this occassion I have to disagree ..
I have never fitted a good quality induction kit on any Impreza and lost power..
The RCM/Graham Goode kit with the K+N filter is very well made , everyone I have ever fitted has made more power + torque than the standard air box at this level...

The question is whether you gained any power (noticeably) ?

I remember my old STi in standard guise gained more power because after a 2000 mile blast from Northern Europe to UK than I could have got through any cheap mod (bar de-catting maybe).

The owner seemed to think so as did the DD dyno we were mapping it on...

Conclusive answer

[The Swede]

True, but did you gain power due to mapping or simply by throwing an airkit into a standard car ?

[Martynj]

Both , made an initial gain just by bolting it on and further power by tweaking the map to suit...

[The Swede]

Both , made an initial gain just by bolting it on and further power by tweaking the map to suit...

And how much did you gain by just bolting on ? Plus, did you actually feel any difference ?

I sometimes think a warm/cold day, quality of petrol, humidity, etc can make more difference than a kit of any kind that is supposed to add some bhp's.

[Martynj]

Both , made an initial gain just by bolting it on and further power by tweaking the map to suit...

And how much did you gain by just bolting on ? Plus, did you actually feel any difference ?

I sometimes think a warm/cold day, quality of petrol, humidity, etc can make more difference than a kit of any kind that is supposed to add some bhp's.

All tests were carried out on the same day , dyno , at the same atmospheric pressure , humidity and temps..
Seen as much as 15bhp just from bolting on one of the kits mentioned..

I agree that the standard airbox seems to work perfectly fine for the likes of the Type 25 , but bare in mind that this is more due to the Garrett turbo , exhaust and mapping than the design of the airbox..
I also suspect that if a good quality induction kit were tried on the Type 25 that it would make even more power..

[JP]

Is Decat really necessary for 360 level? I took mine to 360 and the sports cat seemed to do a good job.

This thread seems to have brought some good views/opinions.

[WR 1mposter]

Is Decat really necessary for 360 level? I took mine to 360 and the sports cat seemed to do a good job.

This thread seems to have brought some good views/opinions.

360 with a sports cat !

Is that with the standard turbo ?

[JP]

Is Decat really necessary for 360 level? I took mine to 360 and the sports cat seemed to do a good job.

This thread seems to have brought some good views/opinions.

360 with a sports cat !

Is that with the standard turbo ?

No, uprated turbo Martin. With wrapped headers and up-pipe.

[danr55]

Is Decat really necessary for 360 level? I took mine to 360 and the sports cat seemed to do a good job.

This thread seems to have brought some good views/opinions.

360 with a sports cat !

Is that with the standard turbo ?

No, uprated turbo Martin. With wrapped headers and up-pipe.

why dont you write up a spec list so that people know what you're on about ?

[WR1 Bro]

Echo Dan... It is interesting to hear about peoples' cars. But without a spec list we are always guessing at what route you took. I assume you have a Lateral Perfomance FMIC?

[The Swede]

No, uprated turbo Martin. With wrapped headers and up-pipe.

What is the benefit of "wrapping" the headers and up-pipe ?

[marky mark]

The more energy you can keep in the exhaust gas (in this case heat), the faster that gas goes.

The faster it goes in between the cylinder head and turbo, the earlier it will get your turbo spinning enough to create a bit of boost.

So you wrap the outside of the headers and up pipe with a heat resistant bandage to keep the gas speed as high as possible and aid earlier spool.

Or ceramic coating is a lot nicer, neater, and lasts longer - but is more expensive.

[WR1 Bro]

The more energy you can keep in the exhaust gas (in this case heat), the faster that gas goes.

The faster it goes in between the cylinder head and turbo, the earlier it will get your turbo spinning enough to create a bit of boost.

So you wrap the outside of the headers and up pipe with a heat resistant bandage to keep the gas speed as high as possible and aid earlier spool.

Or ceramic coating is a lot nicer, neater, and lasts longer - but is more expensive.

Surely there is also the added benefit of keeping the heat out the engine bay too... especially with an induction kit?

[marky mark]

The more energy you can keep in the exhaust gas (in this case heat), the faster that gas goes.

The faster it goes in between the cylinder head and turbo, the earlier it will get your turbo spinning enough to create a bit of boost.

So you wrap the outside of the headers and up pipe with a heat resistant bandage to keep the gas speed as high as possible and aid earlier spool.

Or ceramic coating is a lot nicer, neater, and lasts longer - but is more expensive.

Surely there is also the added benefit of keeping the heat out the engine bay too... especially with an induction kit?

I suppose so yes, but it's primarily to keep gas speed up.

[The Swede]

The more energy you can keep in the exhaust gas (in this case heat), the faster that gas goes.

The faster it goes in between the cylinder head and turbo, the earlier it will get your turbo spinning enough to create a bit of boost.

So you wrap the outside of the headers and up pipe with a heat resistant bandage to keep the gas speed as high as possible and aid earlier spool.

Or ceramic coating is a lot nicer, neater, and lasts longer - but is more expensive.

That's interesting.

Does make sense as the lower the pressure of the air or liquid, the higher the speed that can be achieved. And warm air has a lower pressure than cold air.

However, when I spoke to Mike Wood once he said that in order to get more power, you first needed either a fast flow cat or a to de-cat as exhaust temperatures raise too high with the normal cat.
Never understood his comment as I though it was pressure that was the issue...

[WR1 Bro]

The more energy you can keep in the exhaust gas (in this case heat), the faster that gas goes.

The faster it goes in between the cylinder head and turbo, the earlier it will get your turbo spinning enough to create a bit of boost.

So you wrap the outside of the headers and up pipe with a heat resistant bandage to keep the gas speed as high as possible and aid earlier spool.

Or ceramic coating is a lot nicer, neater, and lasts longer - but is more expensive.

Surely there is also the added benefit of keeping the heat out the engine bay too... especially with an induction kit?

I suppose so yes, but it's primarily to keep gas speed up.

I knew you would want to clearly state it is a secondary benefit... I also knew it would hurt for you to agree with my technical prowess.

If there is anything else you want to know then give me a call

[The Swede]

You should have worked in the aviation industry, Stuart. You'd make a good wing developer.

[Martynj]

However, when I spoke to Mike Wood once he said that in order to get more power, you first needed either a fast flow cat or a to de-cat as exhaust temperatures raise too high with the normal cat.
Never understood his comment as I though it was pressure that was the issue...

Has more to do with exhaust temps being to high for the cat , this can result in it turning into a molten ball blocking the exhaust...