[Ben]

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

I don't know what the top end of the stock snail is.

Right around 21 PSI. Anything above 21 PSI tends to give no performance gain, you just blow hot air. We messed around with my stock turbo on 110 leaded and we could boost 28 PSI but the results were something like 5whp less than 21 PSI. Bottom line is you want something in the 18-21 PSI range depending on what you're doing with the stock turbo.

[boondocksaint]

Originally Posted by Ben

Right around 21 PSI. Anything above 21 PSI tends to give no performance gain, you just blow hot air. We messed around with my stock turbo on 110 leaded and we could boost 28 PSI but the results were something like 5whp less than 21 PSI. Bottom line is you want something in the 18-21 PSI range depending on what you're doing with the stock turbo.

Thanks, Ben.

[bluesubiedude]

Originally Posted by t3h f4stAr

The best thing would be to buy a Cobb AP and a tbe so you can go stage 2. If you then fell you want more then get a protune at a local dynoshop that tunes cobb, you can find certified cobb tuners on cobb's website.

If you want to get bigger injectors get them before you get the protune so you wont have to go back for a retune. And for the boost controllers, theres no need for one since they can turn up your boost with the AP.

If you feel you can tune it yourself cobb sells a Street Tuner which allows you to do so.

aaaahhhh... i see.... ...thanks buddy!

[t3h f4stAr]

Originally Posted by bluesubiedude

aaaahhhh... i see.... ...thanks buddy!

Glad i could help

[snapplesz]

Hello, just bought a used 2005 with 16000 miles on it.

Just wondering if it is normal for the car to have pinging noises after the engine is turned off. the noise seems to be coming from different places in the engine. U hear this stereo surround like cling...cling....cling...coming from different areas of the engine (engine bay). Is this normal? This noise seems to go on for a while until the engine cools down.

OH, and the manual says that 93 octane should be used. Is 91-92 good enough to be used all the time?

[SoaReS]

Originally Posted by snapplesz

Hello, just bought a used 2005 with 16000 miles on it.

Just wondering if it is normal for the car to have pinging noises after the engine is turned off. the noise seems to be coming from different places in the engine. U hear this stereo surround like cling...cling....cling...coming from different areas of the engine (engine bay). Is this normal? This noise seems to go on for a while until the engine cools down.

every car makes pinging noises when its turned off after being driven

yes 91-92 octane is fine if thats only what you have access to.

[snapplesz]

Hello everyone,

Being that I just bought a used 05 STI and new to turbo charged cars, I have a question.

I've read about the STI turbo just really kicks in (and u can really feel the boost) when you rev it up down the highway, but I'm not sure I'm experiencing that! Is it because I'm just not driving it hard enough? Or could there be a problem with the turbo. I'm new to driving a turbo charged car, so any info on this matter will help. I guess, I'm just expecting this big . . . extra kick in power...is my expectation wrong? I'm not feeling any extra kick in power that would make me say . . . wow!

Does it have a particular RPM where u can feel the punch kick in? Sorry for the newbie terms!

[boondocksaint]

Originally Posted by snapplesz

Hello everyone,

Being that I just bought a used 05 STI and new to turbo charged cars, I have a question.

I've read about the STI turbo just really kicks in (and u can really feel the boost) when you rev it up down the highway, but I'm not sure I'm experiencing that! Is it because I'm just not driving it hard enough? Or could there be a problem with the turbo. I'm new to driving a turbo charged car, so any info on this matter will help. I guess, I'm just expecting this big . . . extra kick in power...is my expectation wrong? I'm not feeling any extra kick in power that would make me say . . . wow!

Does it have a particular RPM where u can feel the punch kick in? Sorry for the newbie terms!

Turbo "kick in" is boost. The turbo in the STi spools pretty quickly. Stock, it hits boost at about 3000 - 3100 rpms and pulls like a scared horse. If you're not feeling a hit of boost, it could be for a few reasons.

First, your car may be so smoothly tuned that your powerband is flat. But then you'd feel a consistent kick in the pants instead of a sudden one.

Barring that, check your hoses and make sure you don't have a leak. Turbos depend on pressure.

Is it hot as Hell where you are? You may be heat-soaked. Check your engine temperature. If it's above the half-way mark, have your cooling system inspected.

How long have you had the car? Was it modded? Did it ever have a turbo-back exhaust? Was it ever tuned at all? If you don't know, I'd have leakdown and compression test run.

Also, check your driving. Are you on the throttle hard? Are you in the right gear to build RPMs?

Members: am I missing anything? Overlooking the obvious? It's so difficult to troubleshoot this over the internet.

[snapplesz]

Where do I get the leakdown and compression tests done, and how much does it cost? Dealer? If so, does warranty cover this?

Does the boost occur regardless of how hard you have the foot on the pedal? Man...I should have test drive another STI that was on the lot to see if there is a difference.

I don't know much about the car, except that it was previously a leased car. It had perhaps 1 owner before that.

[boondocksaint]

Originally Posted by snapplesz

Where do I get the leakdown and compression tests done, and how much does it cost? Dealer? If so, does warranty cover this?

Does the boost occur regardless of how hard you have the foot on the pedal? Man...I should have test drive another STI that was on the lot to see if there is a difference.

I don't know much about the car, except that it was previously a leased car. It had perhaps 1 owner before that.

I keep forgetting your car has a warranty. If you feel there's anything wrong with it, by all means take it to the dealership. Go with them on a test drive and explain your concerns. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion as well. You could even see if one of our members could come drive the car with you and maybe give you a ride to compare them.