Deff. good route, Also where did you order your vf at im lookin into upgrading mine soon. I also have an 08 rex, and lookin to squeeze out some more outta her
Very nice write-up and glad your happy with the new wrx. I'm interested in exactly why the VF48 doesn't exactly bolt-up. It should pretty much be the same turbo layout and engine. Just the EJ257 and bigger turbo. I know the STI TMIC is bigger. So, I'm just curious as to why it's not a bolt on. It's just a tid bit of info that some people might want to know. Other than that...your definatly on a awesome track to get what you want out of your car. You get a big thumbs up on the informative and well thought out tune of your car, so far.
Very nice write-up and glad your happy with the new wrx. I'm interested in exactly why the VF48 doesn't exactly bolt-up. It should pretty much be the same turbo layout and engine. Just the EJ257 and bigger turbo. I know the STI TMIC is bigger. So, I'm just curious as to why it's not a bolt on. It's just a tid bit of info that some people might want to know. Other than that...your definatly on a awesome track to get what you want out of your car. You get a big thumbs up on the informative and well thought out tune of your car, so far.
I've read a bit on the Legacy forums about the VF52, and have found out the following. The turbo has VF48 internals and size, and is therefore capable of the same power efficiency (290-320 whp). The VF52 simply has a different housing configuration designed to mate up to the Legacy GT and 08+ WRX. I guess the best explanation is that the motor layout in the 08+ WRX is basically a drop-in from the Legacy GT's.
Here's a side by side shot I found on the Legacy forums to help clarify, notice how the hoses and flange are different, there's also a built in recess for what may look like clearance reasons:
Some other differences you'll notice on the STI motor is the intake plenum (intake manifold) vs our plastic one. The TMIC is also different on the STI and does not have plastic end tanks like ours.
Hope that clears things up a bit. Thanks for the feedback
Well done in writing this up and putting it together with the pics and videos. Still not a fan of the newer cars, but it looks like you got yours running int he right direction. Good luck with getting your store up and running and with polishing up the car. Thanks for sharing your knowledge also.
Thanks man! I am still new to the 08 platform, so definitely out to learn a lot here!
The business should be launched officially by Spring of 2009, I will keep the community informed when that happens.
Really looking for this project to come to a wrap up by the end of January.
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Oh and any input on the intake anyone? Should I go with the Injen CAI? or not?
I'm not a huge fan of the MAF placement, as it sits right behind the filter. From what I understand, that's one of the most turbulent areas that air can be measured often showing inconsistent readings.
Also, being stock diameter, is it REALLY an improvement? i guess being a smooth tube instead of corrugated plastic can be somewhat of an upgrade
I'll consider this one, thanks. I wonder if they make a black one.
I have the Cobb in mine (07 WRX) love every shif and feel of it. Again good luck with the "shop". As far as Im concdrned (my two cents) stay away from a CAI regardless of make unless you plan on getting some type of tune for the MAf and all that goodness to make sure there is no problem with it. I would stick with Cobb, SPT SRI, they are stock diameter, stock MAF location, and maybe just a little better flowing than a stock layout. I know its a bit different for the 08+ but just keep that in mind.
____________________________
Joshua
"2007 WRX-20G- Tim Bailey tuned 326 HP 319 ft/lbs
Stage 2 2005 WRX
Cobbtuning.com"
I have the Cobb in mine (07 WRX) love every shif and feel of it. Again good luck with the "shop". As far as Im concdrned (my two cents) stay away from a CAI regardless of make unless you plan on getting some type of tune for the MAf and all that goodness to make sure there is no problem with it. I would stick with Cobb, SPT SRI, they are stock diameter, stock MAF location, and maybe just a little better flowing than a stock layout. I know its a bit different for the 08+ but just keep that in mind.
Thanks for the input. Unfortunately COBB doesn't make an intake for the 08+ WRX (yet?) and SPT has not released theirs. AEM is the company that did the SPT intake, but with no release date in sight, I'm wondering if the effects were adverse and unworthy of the SPT badge?
What do you mean by tuning the MAF? Is there a specific process to recalibrating? Or are you referring to just getting a tune done?
The car will be undergoing a full new custom tune after the Turbo, TMIC, and BPV are installed. If I add a CAI to the mix, it will be in conjunction with those mods and therefore be part of the custom tune. Even at that point, do you believe it can cause an issue?
I guess my perspective is that if the stock ram induction system can comfortably support the power I'm looking for, then I will be happy with a simple drop-in filter. But if there are substantial gains to be had, then I wouldn't hesitate to go with the CAI, even if I'll have to deal with additional induction sounds and possible emissions ticket.
I never thought an intake would be such a tough choice for me. I've just selected every mod very carefully and with great calculation that I'm actually stuttering on the Intake, haha. Is it useful, is it not? Yikes
Well I know from reading and seeing that the stock intake for the 08 isnt as good as the 02-07, but still not sure of the 08 CAI. If you get the CAI with the other mods it will all be done and settle with a good tune. So if you are looking into it, I would get it in conjuction with everything else and there should NOT be any worries at all. Thats odd that AEM would have one and not Cobb or SPT though as SPT usually rebadges Cobbs as their own. Thats how it has been done in past years. I wish I could be of more help, its just such a difference between the old(er) models and the new(er) ones. Im trying to research and know more about them. Sorry I cant be of more help. You are helping every last one of us with this great write up though. Please keep it up.
____________________________
Joshua
"2007 WRX-20G- Tim Bailey tuned 326 HP 319 ft/lbs
Stage 2 2005 WRX
Cobbtuning.com"
Well I know from reading and seeing that the stock intake for the 08 isnt as good as the 02-07, but still not sure of the 08 CAI. If you get the CAI with the other mods it will all be done and settle with a good tune. So if you are looking into it, I would get it in conjuction with everything else and there should NOT be any worries at all. Thats odd that AEM would have one and not Cobb or SPT though as SPT usually rebadges Cobbs as their own. Thats how it has been done in past years. I wish I could be of more help, its just such a difference between the old(er) models and the new(er) ones. Im trying to research and know more about them. Sorry I cant be of more help. You are helping every last one of us with this great write up though. Please keep it up.
Just discussing it back and forth bounces ideas and new perspectives and that creates a healthy scope for learning. So you have no need to apologize, in fact, I appreciate your input very much. What evidence have you seen that shows the past models had better intakes over the newer ones? I'm very curious about this, because I know the older ones were easily fine up to 300 whp.
I have noticed that the claims for power increases on intakes for 08+ WRXs have been far greater than for previous models, but that's probably due to the intake leaning out the mixture and allowing the turbo to spin easier creating more momentary boost. Although I firmly believe that these big gains will slowly decrease to almost no gain on untuned cars, as the ECU will eventually correct the AFRs and keep things closer to the stoichiometric 14.7:1 as miles rack on.
Thinking more about it, I'm coming closer to a decision. I like the way the stock unit pulls air in from the gap between the hood and grill, in fact I prefer that over the fender well. It then travels to the air box, which I have no problem with. It's the corrugated S-bend that I feel can cause a pretty turbulent restriction at higher rates of air flow. Perrins Afta-Maf silicone hose appears to be a great solution for this!
So now I'm thinking, "Great, but why stop there?" Instead of the $300 I might have blown on an aluminum piped intake. I can do a panel filter, silicone afta-maf hose, and silicone turbo-inlet hose. Essentially create my own boxed-in CAI unit that pulls air in from the front and travels through a smooth, glassy silicon hose directly into the turbo! I'm teetering back and forth about the Turbo inlet hose, as it would require cutting of the stock hose to remove, but I'll brew on this idea for a while. Any input would be much appreciated.
STOCK 08 WRX INTAKE SYSTEM (Ram Scoop > Air Box > MAF > Corrugated S-bend > Turbo Inlet Hose)
PERRIN AFTA-MAF S-TUBE vs STOCK S-TUBE
PERRIN TURBO INLET HOSE vs STOCK TURBO INLET HOSE
PERRIN AFTA-MAF INSTALLED (looks like an 04-05 WRX though)
FYI the stock airbox has a pretty small hole for the snorkel. It may still be a restriction.
You're absolutely right. But I don't really consider that a restriction. In fact, that factory box creates a natural vacuum which can help a lot on the lower end of the rev band, and who doesn't like torque. Now, as the revs climb and the engine is under deep acceleration, a CAI's benefits are better seen due to easier flow!
Call me nuts, but I think this Filter + Post MAF hose + Inlet hose will be a great solution for maintaining great low end grunt and allowing better flow up in the higher RPM! I'm kind of excited to giving this a shot and seeing how things fare. I put together a diagram earlier today and made a modded version... Check it out.
your pics/vids aren't working....all red x's. I was interested in seeing the difference between the 08 wrx and 08 sti layout you said was in the pic too.
your pics/vids aren't working....all red x's. I was interested in seeing the difference between the 08 wrx and 08 sti layout you said was in the pic too.
Odd, they are working great for me. Anyone else having problems seeing the pics/vids?
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Now, as the revs climb and the engine is under deep acceleration, a CAI's benefits are better seen due to easier flow!
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