From ZX2 to WRX to STI (Dyno Tune Inside)

[Manbearpig]

From ZX2 to WRX to STI

I love 3 letter car names don't I? :beer:

Started on my 16 birthday. June 2000. Parents picked me up a new Ford Escort ZX2. I could care less about cars at this point in my life and accepted anything I could get....that wasn't a 5 speed. I had a older 5 speed Red Jeep Cherokee I learned to drive on and hated the manual. I look back on that car now and wish I would have kept it. It was pristine...'96 with like 30k on it. :angry:

Anyway...I started to get the mod bug about when F&F came out. I started small. Blue LED's here and there...replace a few bulbs. Started out with the stereo. Keman mod came quickly along with K&N filter.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/frontfull.jpg
Went to full on speakers and subs. Added some horrible stickers. PIAA foglights were a good mod but pricey. See below:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/zx2full.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/carside1.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/carfront.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/rearfull.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/rearcomponents.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/144092_86_full.jpg


Finally added a CTA about summer of 01. Along with that came Accell coil (POS) and Ford Racing Wires.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/intakefull.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/wires.jpg

Thats about all the time line pics I had. Here is the final product circa 2005 early 2006.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/DSC00819.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/144092_133_full.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/P6280035.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/144092_110_full.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/144092_127_full.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/144092_131_full.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/zx2/P6280082.jpg

In the end the mod list resembled this:

Engine:
Hotshot Intake
Diablo Chip
JBA Header
Custom 2.25" exhaust w/magnaflow muffler
Ford Racing Wires

Suspension:
Progress Springs
S/R Struts
Progress Camber Kit
EGT Rear Sway
Rear Energy Bushings
Corksport Front Strut Bar
Motegi 17" MR8 Wheels
Dunlop 702 17" tires

Stereo
Alpine 6.5" LCD Headunit
Alpine 6.5" Component Speakers Front
Alpine 5.25" Component Spearks Rear
Alpine Front and Alpine rear amp
Alpine 6 disc CD Changer
JL 10 W3 x2 subs
JL 300x2 Amp powering subs
Alpine 10 channel EQ
XM Receiver
Some cheap DVD Players

Exterior:
WW Kit Silver Frost
ZXtuner C/F Hood
Side Markers
Blue Under glow kit
Head Light Strobes
CTA Cross Drilled Rotors
ZXtuner Red Brake calipers

Interior
ZXtuner Gauge pod
Autometer C2 gauges A/F & Volt
Hardwired Radar Detector
Zxtuner Shift Boot
Speedhut back lit gauges (First Production Run!!)

Sold her in June '06 to some 16 year old who just got her license. For all I know she is still running to this day. Hopefully....8)


Onto the WRX!

[Manbearpig]

Picked up the WRB 2006 Subaru WRX TR Model on May 6th 2006. The day after I got back from graduating college. As you cold tell I was very ready to get rid of my ZX2.

The night/day I picked her up. 50 miles fresh!
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01318.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01319.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01320.jpg

Mod bug hit quick with this one again. First went the gauges
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01374.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01375.jpg

Then came the Pioneer D2 w/Navi/XM. Bout the same time I found an STI owner to trade trunks with.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01453.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01454.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01451.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01601.jpg

Next came the Perrin Catback and the SPT Intake. Exhaust made it sound much cooler...intake make cool wshhhhin' sounds. lol
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01608.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01602.jpg

Then came the STI'ing of the WRX. Picked up a CHEAP set of Prodrive gold wheels with tires that were way shot...but still drove on them!
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01651.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01645.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01632.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/wrx/DSC01630.jpg

STI Badges were added along with Hella supertone horns.

And that is how I sold it. No parting out...took the Pioneer and Exhaust and split.

Onto the STI!

[Manbearpig]

Enough was enough. I just got a *better* job and decided screwing around with the WRX wasn't what I really wanted.

November 27 2006. Traded in the WRX for a Brand new 2006 WRX STI w/Silver Wheels. I got to the dealer 20 minutes before closing and left about an hour and a half after they were supposed to close. I don't regret my choice one bit.

Bout 10:45 at night the day I picked her up...complete with crazy myspace angles!

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01672.jpg

First Shoot: Bone stock except Yokohama snow tires...which I sold after that season.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01687.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01701.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01702.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01703.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01853.jpg

Gauge Pod Installed:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01856.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01857.jpg

Red LED Conversion and Pioneer D3
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01998.jpg

Exhaust and Engine Shots:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0112.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0111.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0113.jpg

Interior:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0120.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0119.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0123.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC01692.jpg

Exterior:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0044.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/100_1610.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_6851.jpg

Snow Tires:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/HPIM1016.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC02272.jpg

November 2008 Tuning
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC00088.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC00089.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC00092.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC00094.jpg

Dyno:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/dyno.jpg


Things I've had on the car but have taken off for one reason or another:

K&N Intake- Wow this sucked...had it literally about 2 hours then ripped it off.
Endura Tech Coilovers...if I didn't have such problems with them and drove in a world with perfectly smooth roads...they would be great!
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/HPIM1011.jpg
Yokohama Snow Tires...Overpriced and were eh in the winter
Trunk Monkey...He lived his time...RIP
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0124.jpg

VIDEO!
Perrin Catback Rev
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/th_MOV02282.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/?action=view&current=MOV02282.flv)

Recent Autocross
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFeKYHjGUjs

Dyno Pull
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_U_NdKBv6g


Mod List:

Engine:
Cobb Accessport
Dyno Tuned @ P&L Motorsports 298whp/341wtq
Invidia Catted Downpipe
Perrin Catback Exhaust
Subaru Performance Tuning Blue Battery Tie Down
Subaru Performance Tuning Blue Oil Cap
Subaru Performance Tuning Radiator Shroud
Subaru Performance Tuning Turbo Heat Shield
STI High Performance Radiator Cap

Suspension:
RCE Yellow Springs
Subaru Group N Stiffened Front Strut Tops
Subaru Group N Stiffened Rear Strut Tops
Whiteline 26mm Front Sway Bar
Whiteline 27mm Rear Sway Bar
Kartboy Rear end links
Kartboy Front end links
Carlabs Development X-Brace
Subaru Performance Tuning Front Strut Bar
Alignment Specs: -1.2 Front 0 Toe, -1.5 Rear 0 Toe

Brakes
ATE Super Blue Brake Fluid

Interior:
Subygal 52mm Gauge Pod
Maddad 52mm Boost Gauge
Subaru Performance Turning Short Throw Shifter kit
Interior Flair Complete Red LED Interior Conversion
Pioneer D3 Navi/MP3/DVD 6.5" Radio
Subaru OEM JDM Auto Intercooler Switch
Subaru OEM STI logo Black Floor Mats
CG Lock Seatbelt Device
So JDM Alcantara wrapped blue shift knob
Autospeed Aluminum matching Dead Pedal
Hardwired Radar Detector

Exterior:
Subaru OEM Foglights w/Yellow Tint Film
Rallyarmor Black Mudflaps
ASA 17" Wheels and Bridgstone LM-25 Snow Tires for Winter
Custom License Plate

Needed Soon:
Brake Pads!


Future Plans aka Current Wish List
DBA Slotted rotors
Interior Gauges (Boost/EGT/Oil Pressure)
04-05 tail lights
TIC Fender Braces
Kartboy Short Shift
Kartboy shifter bushings


Favorite Mod: Driver Mod! Seriously learning how to drive this car in a controlled environment (IE Autocross) has taught me more about this car then any forum or street driving could. Not to mention its been the most worth while mod I probably could have ever done.

[capitalcrew]

STI ftl. :eyes: :)

[Manbearpig]

Always gotta get the first post huh? :goofy::lol:

[vega]

STI very nice car !!!!

How much faster is the WRX compare to your x-zx2 ??

vega

[capitalcrew]

No matter what it takes Chris. haha

[Blue ZX2]

Mmmmm sti's make my pants fit very funny. Very Very nice!

[Manbearpig]

STI very nice car !!!!

How much faster is the WRX compare to your x-zx2 ??

vega

Night and day. I wouldn't even compare the two. :lol:

[MrWeeyums]

I always thought u went straight from the Zx2 to the STI. Never knew u had that wrx sti clone.
~Ryan

[zxtuner98]

nice rides man. Love the STi as always

[Slick]

evo>sti

[Manbearpig]

I always thought u went straight from the Zx2 to the STI. Never knew u had that wrx sti clone.
~Ryan

It only lasted 6 months...I almost beat Vit's record. :wiggle:


evo>sti

Without the Evo there would be no STI and vice versa. I looked at the Evo, and got a better deal, but I just had the gut feeling to go with the STI. And I don't regret my decision one bit.

Evo is an awesome car. Out of the box it handles much better then the STI. But the Subaru's rep + Community is awesome. STI/WRX waves happen all the time. I even wave/nod and Evo guys and 9 times out of 10 they just look at me funny or hardly acknowledge my car. I'll leave the Evo crowd to their street races and AWD donunts for their high school friends.

That being said...I do know some really cool Evo drivers believe it or not.

[BlackEscortGT]

I envy you i want an STI so bad. But i want theone before yours.

[ilarson007]

evo>sti

That's really driver's preference...

Nice STi; I have always liked the Subarus, but I know I won't be able to afford an STi for quite some time. I may, however, be able to find my way into a 1st gen WRX wagon within like, 2-3 years...

[Slick]

the thing with sti's in our area is there slow, we have 2 evo's, one in the high 11's and the other in the high 12's, they both have about 2 grand in performance mods

i think there's about 5 sti's which have well over 3 grand in performace mods and are barely breaking out of the 14's

[Manbearpig]

the thing with sti's in our area is there slow, we have 2 evo's, one in the high 11's and the other in the high 12's, they both have about 2 grand in performance mods

i think there's about 5 sti's which have well over 3 grand in performace mods and are barely breaking out of the 14's

Anybody drag racing AWD rally cars should have bought some large block V8 instead.

These cars are meant for rally/track/streetable fun.

[capitalcrew]

If there are STIs not getting out of 14s then they need the driver mod. :eyes:

Matts subaru runs a 13 flat (12.9) and he has a wrx, not an sti.

[Slick]

its all personal preference, the guys i hang out with like to drag, and in our eyes the evo is a perfect setup, not gonna get better 60' times with any other street car

[ilarson007]

its all personal preference, the guys i hang out with like to drag, and in our eyes the evo is a perfect setup, not gonna get better 60' times with any other street car

Yeah, see around here AWD rally derived cars are used mainly for auto-x (by auto enthusiasts, that is. There's always that one guy that just bought it cause it looks cool, lol).

[Manbearpig]

About to hit 30k in a few hundred miles here and just got the 30k service done today.

Along with looking over tons of stuff it:

Replaced:
-Oil
-Air Filter
-Rear Diff fluid
-Transmission fluid
-Brake Fluid

All non-OEM fluids of course...upgrades I guess.

Seems to shift smoother but IDK...only driven it back from the shop.

Brakes have maybe 5-10k on them...warrenty is up in 6k so hopeing I can get those replaced before im outta warranty. Tires are getting there...I don't think this set will last me another full summer.

My wallet is also much lighter now. :lol:

Mods are on indefinite hold ATM...just moved into a new apartment so being very frugal until finances get settled. Car feels nice and good right now anyway. Sure there are things I WANT...but they can wait.

That's all i got.

[LunchBoxZX2]

the thing with sti's in our area is there slow, we have 2 evo's, one in the high 11's and the other in the high 12's, they both have about 2 grand in performance mods

i think there's about 5 sti's which have well over 3 grand in performace mods and are barely breaking out of the 14's

My '04 STi (lowercase I, before they changed it) ran a 12.8 with exhaust and a plug-in tuner. On a hot FL summer day. 14's = people who can't drive.

That being said, they are meant for more than straightline racing...

[commerford]

Awesome car.
I always thought that top mount intercooler looks like it's meant to cook food on, though. Like some kind of boosted George Foreman grill

[Manbearpig]

Awesome car.
I always thought that top mount intercooler looks like it's meant to cook food on, though. Like some kind of boosted George Foreman grill

After sitting in rush hour traffic you could probably grill a few burgers on it. :lol:

[powder]

the thing with sti's in our area is there slow, we have 2 evo's, one in the high 11's and the other in the high 12's, they both have about 2 grand in performance mods

i think there's about 5 sti's which have well over 3 grand in performace mods and are barely breaking out of the 14's

That's not the car, that's the driver. Vit and i witnessed numerous stg 2 STI's in the high 13's and low 14's at a Subaru meet. The same meet i ran my 13.9 at in a stg2 wrx.

[Manbearpig]

Yum

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/chrism623/sti-progress/DSC_0007-2.jpg

Yet to get pics of it installed.

[Manbearpig]

Mod list and pics updated.

Bump for Winter Rims/Tires on now. Still no snow :(

[WickedZ]

I respect you 100% for your choice of words. Me being 100% Mitsubishi owner and in blood am into the Evo obviously. Most communities you get into, you see people dogging on other cars. EVO>STi STi>EVo we see this all the time. I even see it on my mitsubishi community. I personally love the STi because theboxer motor sounds pure sex even stock (thats not like me cause im a Ricer). The Evo has a body design that is kinda on the boring side. With the Sti you get the agressive look from the fenders, hood, and lights. The numbers we see between the two are almost exact.

You have yourself a nice ride and keep em coming. That "BUG" will never go away. Once a tuner, always a tuner. F&F did that to most of us unfortunally

[Unlikely Hero]

I was all about a Subaru until I bought one. Have been disappointed from day 1 on my WRX. I did quite alot too to try to make it something that it wasn't and in the end I've decided to sell it once I get back to the states. For me its gonna be the Evo X. I've heard some great great things that's coming out of that new powerplant.

Nice STi though, glad you switched to the "real" thing. I have an issue about people improperly badging their cars. Its like a Mustang "GTR"

=Jason-

[Unlikely Hero]

And the 14sec comment has to be a driver. It is true though, you'll never get the power out of a Subu like you would out of a 4g63/4b11.

=J-

[TheGhostInTheMachine]

That's not the car, that's the driver. Vit and i witnessed numerous stg 2 STI's in the high 13's and low 14's at a Subaru meet. The same meet i ran my 13.9 at in a stg2 wrx.

Ditto. Out of all my visits to PIR I've only seen one "fast" STI (ran a 11.7 at like 120mph or something like that). The rest were trying to break out of the 14's. Same goes for the Evo's. I've never beaten so many AWD cars with my stock 350Z 8).

Just goes to show you... shiney aftermarket parts don't a fast car make.

[Manbearpig]

I respect you 100% for your choice of words. Me being 100% Mitsubishi owner and in blood am into the Evo obviously. Most communities you get into, you see people dogging on other cars. EVO>STi STi>EVo we see this all the time. I even see it on my mitsubishi community. I personally love the STi because theboxer motor sounds pure sex even stock (thats not like me cause im a Ricer). The Evo has a body design that is kinda on the boring side. With the Sti you get the agressive look from the fenders, hood, and lights. The numbers we see between the two are almost exact.

You have yourself a nice ride and keep em coming. That "BUG" will never go away. Once a tuner, always a tuner. F&F did that to most of us unfortunally

Very true. People can bicker over each car all day and nitpick over small things. In the end its what felt better to me. And in my case after trying both...the Subaru just felt right.

I was all about a Subaru until I bought one. Have been disappointed from day 1 on my WRX. I did quite alot too to try to make it something that it wasn't and in the end I've decided to sell it once I get back to the states. For me its gonna be the Evo X. I've heard some great great things that's coming out of that new powerplant.

Nice STi though, glad you switched to the "real" thing. I have an issue about people improperly badging their cars. Its like a Mustang "GTR"

=Jason-

What was wrong with the WRX? Too many mods and Daily Driveabilty went down?

And the 14sec comment has to be a driver. It is true though, you'll never get the power out of a Subu like you would out of a 4g63/4b11.

=J-

I will agree whole heatedly agree with the 4g63 comment. That engine + twin scroll makes gobs of power easy....something the EJ25 on the STI can't.

Now the 4b11...the 08+ STI are making much better power...last I checked mod for mod they were beating out the X. Numbers are just numbers in my mind though...its all how the car feels and drives that is so much more important.

[Manbearpig]

Ditto. Out of all my visits to PIR I've only seen one "fast" STI (ran a 11.7 at like 120mph or something like that). The rest were trying to break out of the 14's. Same goes for the Evo's. I've never beaten so many AWD cars with my stock 350Z 8).

Just goes to show you... shiney aftermarket parts don't a fast car make.

Just look at eBay to prove you point...I can buy thousands of parts for my car on their that can probably crazy shiny...and won't do crap to make my car better. :lol:

And unfortunately drag racing a good amount of driver skill...screw up the launch and your run is over.

[Unlikely Hero]

Ditto. Out of all my visits to PIR I've only seen one "fast" STI (ran a 11.7 at like 120mph or something like that). The rest were trying to break out of the 14's. Same goes for the Evo's. I've never beaten so many AWD cars with my stock 350Z 8).

Just goes to show you... shiney aftermarket parts don't a fast car make.

But also keep in mind that straight line drag racing is not what a STI/Evo was designed for. Put a turn or two in there and see who wins.

=Jason-


As for the 08 STI vs EVO, really it depends on which forum you read to who's making more power. I know though people and picking up close to 50whp just with a tune on the Evo's due to the way to rich shitty stock tune.

[ilarson007]

the new STI also has a bigger powertrain loss. But for about $2000 you can get another like, 90hp and 70ft-lbs out of the STI.

[Manbearpig]

the new STI also has a bigger powertrain loss. But for about $2000 you can get another like, 90hp and 70ft-lbs out of the STI.

:shrug: How? Same trans as I have. It's still the magic 20% powertrain loss. Who did you hear this from?

I think you are confusing bigger power gains from the same mods on the 08's which is true. Different turbo can make a nice difference.

[ilarson007]

:shrug: How? Same trans as I have. It's still the magic 20% powertrain loss. Who did you hear this from?

I think you are confusing bigger power gains from the same mods on the 08's which is true. Different turbo can make a nice difference.

It was on a podcast that I watched. Don't remember which one, but they dyno'd the evo X and the new STI and the STI lost more from factory rated crank to the ground. But they still said the STI was better because of what I said earlier.

[TheGhostInTheMachine]

But also keep in mind that straight line drag racing is not what a STI/Evo was designed for. Put a turn or two in there and see who wins.


The 350 (and I'm not talking current generation STI/Evo that just came out, you can compare that to the 370Z coming out). Keep in mind the 350 wasn't built for straight line drag racing either.