I'm really enjoying my new WRX, and I'm planning on keeping it stock for now, but I'd like to begin researching possible mods for the future. My goal for the car is to maintain comfort while improving performance. I know this will limit much of what I can do, but I will never track/rally and I have family to consider as well.
2008 WRX 5 Door
Requirements: Sound levels below SPT exhaust, ride comfort comparable to stock.
Plans:
1. Getting a tune! This seems like the best performance upgrade for the least sacrifice in noise / comfort. If I am adding other mods, I may wait until after those mods are done to get a tune. Leaning towards open source / tactrix but will depend on tuners in the area.
2. Intake. I know 02-07 wrx intakes were fine but it sounds like the 08 could use a lil help, and I don't mind the intake sound.
3. DP? I would like to retain the stock muffler, if it isn't too restrictive. How much would swapping out the axle-forward piping change noise levels? I do not want catless. The 2009 supposedly has a much freer flowing exhaust.... maybe just grab one of those from an 09 owner who is upgrading? My goal here would be to achieve a stage 2 performance level without the noise associated with most tbe's. Suggestions more than welcome, but I am pretty picky about exhaust drone.
4. Tires. I know the stock tires are crap. They are also VERY noisy on concrete paving. I will be looking for good all-season tires, as I don't have the desire to dink around with the tpms and a second set of rims.
5. Suspension? I would love to lower the car an inch for looks, but I am wary of having too firm a ride. How much do the SPT pinks lower the car, and how would their feel compare to stock? Are there other springs worth looking into? What about sways / endlinks?
I'm also adding steering wheel audio controls via the control pod available on the premium trim. Will let people know how that goes.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read and respond!
1) Good idea. Get the parts on first, then tune to take full advantage of your additions
2) Good plan
3) DP yes, very much so. Get a catted one. It'll smell less and be a bit quieter. Yes, the cat back is very restrictive (08+, another thing they ruined), you need to ditch that as well. There are quiet exhausts out there, the SPT isn't horribly loud and I think there might be even a few quieter options I would go that route. Especially at idle, it won't be much louder than stock with a catted downpipe and a quiet cat-back.
4) TPS really sucks, nothing beats a good set of summer rubber. If you don't get much snow, I'd look at the BFG UHP-AS tires. They're almost identical to the KDW-2 which means great dry/wet performance and they'll at least support your AWD in the snow to make something decent. They are loud and bumpy though, if you're concerned about noise and comfort as well as performance, you have to get the Bridgestone 960s. Nothing else will do.
5) Go test drive an 09 WRX. If it's too rough for you, you can't really do anything with your suspension. If it's not, you can probably get away with a slightly more aggressive spring like the STi pinks. Many people complained the 08 was too soft. Most people would be considering spring AND strut replacement but if you like a cushier ride from your sports car, the 08 wrx delivers.
Sways and endlinks will help give you a more responsive feel that's easier to push to it's limits. Just make sure you get some padded endlinks in the front (kartboy). The all-metal ones work great but they are noisy little things.
6) I'll add a 6... get some steel brake lines. They make the petal feel better. No it won't help you stop faster but the feel is nice. Similarly, you can swap out a lot of brushings to make the drivetrain feel more locked into the car (engine & tranny mounts too) and a short throw shifter is also nice (or is it an auto?)
Do all that and you'll have yourself a Very well rounded stage2 car that runs better than it did new and handles like a dream with a lot more power.
As always, mosc replies ftw.
I drove an 09 before buying the 08, just in case it was so much improved that a huge price difference still wasn't worth it.
I had no issues with the ride firmness, but the sedan with SPT exhaust was way too loud for me. I think I'll start asking around to see if I can find anyone in my area with aftermarket exhausts I can hear before I buy.
Those Bridgestone 960s... how are they in snow? I will be getting significant snowfall, in fact that's why I decided it was time to get awd.
Thanks for your input.. gives me a great place to start my research. Keep the suggestions coming , folks!
Just keep in mind that with a catalytic converter, it will be quieter. Many people with aftermarket exhausts would not have a cat in there and thus would have a louder setup than you would.
The 960s are not superb at anything. They are the ultimate compromise tire. Cushy yet grippy, usable in the snow yet won't wear too fast in the heat of summer. Their snow performance is passable. There are better all season tires out there if snow is a main focus but you will have to sacrifice other areas. Of course they're not going to compare to a dedicated winter tire. Still, it's a UHP tire. If you've never driven with dedicated summer rubber on, you may find them the grippiest things you've owned.
Continental ContiExtremeContact UHP all season tires are better in the snow (some people use em as snow tires in seasonal climates). They're also a lot cheaper than the 960s as well. They're going to be louder though and have a fair bit less dry grip. Also the turn in response is not great. Those are the sacrifices you make for better snow grip and a cheaper pricetag. Can you tell I research tires too much?
Oh, and get 225 width instead of the stock size. 08 was the last year subaru did that. They are so friggin cheap with stock tires.
I don't know anything about tuning the 08's, but I assume COBB has already came out with maps for the 08 WRX on their AccessPorts...
As for the CBE, what size was the 08 wrx's? Wasn't it really weakly small? You could do a stealthback exhaust? Bigger piping into the stock muffler? Or just stock piping with a borla hush muffler?
Suspension is always a tricky sucker. It's hard to find the perfect setup of good looks and good ride quality... The only thing that comes to mind is some adjustable coilovers... Forgive me if this is useless but, TEIN makes an EDFC controller for their coilovers that adjusts the damping... Would those allow this guy to make it softer on the go?
FYI the sedan SPT exhaust is louder then the HB because of muffler size limits. The hatch still has a monster size muffler. You might want to find one and listen to it.
FYI the sedan SPT exhaust is louder then the HB because of muffler size limits. The hatch still has a monster size muffler. You might want to find one and listen to it.
Realllllly.... interesting. Very interesting. Thanks for the heads up! Is that because of the dual-exhaust design? I really prefer the look, but that's not what the hatch has so oh well.
Just keep in mind that with a catalytic converter, it will be quieter. Many people with aftermarket exhausts would not have a cat in there and thus would have a louder setup than you would.
The 960s are not superb at anything. They are the ultimate compromise tire. Cushy yet grippy, usable in the snow yet won't wear too fast in the heat of summer. Their snow performance is passable. There are better all season tires out there if snow is a main focus but you will have to sacrifice other areas. Of course they're not going to compare to a dedicated winter tire. Still, it's a UHP tire. If you've never driven with dedicated summer rubber on, you may find them the grippiest things you've owned.
Continental ContiExtremeContact UHP all season tires are better in the snow (some people use em as snow tires in seasonal climates). They're also a lot cheaper than the 960s as well. They're going to be louder though and have a fair bit less dry grip. Also the turn in response is not great. Those are the sacrifices you make for better snow grip and a cheaper pricetag. Can you tell I research tires too much?
Oh, and get 225 width instead of the stock size. 08 was the last year subaru did that. They are so friggin cheap with stock tires.
Thanks again mosc, more great info. I hit up Tire Rack for their ratings of UHP all-season tires and it looks like the Bridgestones will be my choice. The 225/45/17 will fit my stock rims no problem I think?
Here is my setup , invidia catted down pipe with aem wideband welded before the cat, spt catback exhaust , and perrin stage 2 map with perrin intake . I will put up pictures when I have the chance. If your gonna have performance , you must sacrifice being comfortable , so shit or get off the pot .
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