[nbudros]

** I KNOW IT IS A LONG POST, I APPRECIATE ALL HELP, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS ****

Hi everyone, been reading for a while and would like some insight on some ideas I had.

I have an 08STI completely stop.
Cobb is opening a new facility in my area and most likely go with them for tuning.

I want to know how total price and difficulty in hitting 350whp.

I would like to know what everyone things I should make sure to consider and remember to do before I just do these things out on a whim.

I know that tuning is important, what things are a waste, cai or intake i have heard really isnt a mod and is just a civic tuner kid mod and has no benifits and could hurt more then help.

What would you guys do to hit 350 WHP from a stock sti, COMPLETE LIST or JUST A PART LIST are fine, (ie turbo, intercooler bla bla not specific)



Also I MUST STRESS, I like to drive and I drive a lot 9.3K miles since i got it in almost 4 months ago. PLEASE understand I NEED RELIABLE AND SAFE, not some 1000HP 1 day a week car... I do and will go with cob for multiple maps so I can econ drive during the week and retune on the whim for weekends and such...

I also do not want to do upgrades that require some stock parts to be pushed ove rthe line, I would rather upgrade everything that is needed to make all the parts not push themselves hard then is safe.

Thanks for reading..

[upncummr]

You said that you don't need 1,000 HP racer, but you never explained why you need a 350 HP daily driver.

Why would 350 HP be the ticket when 300 HP isn't?

Are you sure you need the additional 50 HP?

Staying stock would help to ensure the reliability and longevity of the car.

Just something to think about.

Gary

[nbudros]

Ive been talking to some people regarding modifications and other things.
I would like a supped up daily driver. But i dont want a weekend car for a daily driver.

As for the 350 I shot a number out there. I know I could do almost 300whp with tune and downpipe I wanted a little more then that. But I know there is a limit before a 3K job turns into a 7K job to do it properly. So I want to do things properly upgrading the right pieces. Ive also heard to start geting 08 stis past 400 it takes a lot more money then I wish to spend on a car.

I undestand staying stock is the best but I am saying I dont want to do a GT35R and not upgrade pipeing and other hoses and other pieces that are required to mape the turbo run right. On the same note I dont wana push 20 boost out of the stock turbo and run it extra hard to get the same gains I would out of a better turbo with out abusing it.

Thanks what this is about.

Originally Posted by upncummr

You said that you don't need 1,000 HP racer, but you never explained why you need a 350 HP daily driver.

Why would 350 HP be the ticket when 300 HP isn't?

Are you sure you need the additional 50 HP?

Staying stock would help to ensure the reliability and longevity of the car.

Just something to think about.

Gary

[upncummr]

I guess I just don't understand modding.

Or maybe I just didn't ask the question the right way.

Why would the car be unsatisfying with the stock HP levels (300 HP) and yet satisfying at 350 HP? That's the part I just don't get.

If it's for bragging rights, that's a slippery slope. You'll go to 350, but then someone else will go to 400. Then you're back at Square One except for the money you've already spent.

If you don't need the extra 50 HP for a competitive purpose (e.g. racing under controlled conditions in a sanctioned event) then what do you need the extra power for?

Of course, if you just want it for no good reason, that's up to you.

I'm not trying to dissuade you, just trying to urge you to see whatever reason is really underlying the need to upgrade.

Gary

[puffxy]

So far my calculations is that it'll take 3k to get to 300whp from a stock car, and hitting 350+whp would be a significant jump on top of that. But just for ****s and giggles and try to put together a quick list since my own goal was 350whp, but then I decided I'm not sure how long I'm going to keep the car so I'm just doing the basics now.

So of course you start with the basics and hit your 300whp:
downpipe
catback exhaust
some kind of engine management (cobb AP, ecutek, etc)
at this power level a drop in filter would be fine
and a tune should get you really close to 300whp

after that it starts to get expensive - goal of 350whp: (This is what my list looked like)
Stock location turbo upgrade - Tomei was my choice (~1700)
EL header
injectors
fuel pump
upgraded tmic or fmic
perrin fuel rail

I feel like I'm missing something, I'll edit when i think of em

[twigg107]

-cobb v2
-20g8cm turbo
-tbe
-fuel pump
-injectors
-bigger tmic or fmic (only because you live in texas)
-a good protune

You would hit 350whp easy with just that. You dont have to have meth, headers, up pipes, fuel rails, or any of that other stuff. They would help but plenty of people have hit 350+whp with the minimal mods. Plus you can find alot of this stuff used for cheap.

[nbudros]

Originally Posted by upncummr

I guess I just don't understand modding.

Or maybe I just didn't ask the question the right way.

Why would the car be unsatisfying with the stock HP levels (300 HP) and yet satisfying at 350 HP? That's the part I just don't get.

If it's for bragging rights, that's a slippery slope. You'll go to 350, but then someone else will go to 400. Then you're back at Square One except for the money you've already spent.

If you don't need the extra 50 HP for a competitive purpose (e.g. racing under controlled conditions in a sanctioned event) then what do you need the extra power for?

Ok gary, I believe you miss understood me.


Of course, if you just want it for no good reason, that's up to you.

I'm not trying to dissuade you, just trying to urge you to see whatever reason is really underlying the need to upgrade.

Gary

its 350W(wheel)HP which stock it is at 220ish area depending on dyno. I don't want bragging rights i wana have a car I love. if i wanted that i would a gone a stupid camero with a ls7 or something more homo erotic.

I want a reliable car thats a little bit faster, and the sti with some mods to 350 whp should not look any different. Dont get me wrong either this car is fun.. I could get 350 crank hp by doing a tune alone. Plus i want to make this a mini hobby thats the other reason.

[nbudros]

puffxy and twig thanks for the comments Im trying to find that FINE line, where it does go from 3K to 9K just cus i want another 25whp... so thats why im examining i dont wana do that 9K project

[twigg107]

Originally Posted by nbudros

puffxy and twig thanks for the comments Im trying to find that FINE line, where it does go from 3K to 9K just cus i want another 25whp... so thats why im examining i dont wana do that 9K project

The best thing for me to tell you is to goto the shop you want this work done by and ask for their suggestions. Every tuner/shop has their own opinions on how to get to your goal and are going to be the ones installing/tuning these parts. You said cobb is opening a shop down there and you plan on having them do the work right? Of all tuner shops, they would be the one to talk to. Just tell them your goals and what you want out of your car and they will tell you the correct ways to meet those goals.

[solovus]

I think you will find this thread and this thread relevant to your interests.

[k38s]

Man I tried to post twice and lost both of them, so here is the short version. I agree with Upncummer. That being said I gota protune because I thought that would be the safest for the car. Since I was getting a protune I threw on a DP (sorry Gary I KNOW it was a waste, but darn if I don't grin every time I tickle the throttle!) I think the AP/DP/protune is the best bang for your buck. It is cheap, easy, big difference, relativly safe for the car compared to other mods and daily driving is not affected.

Good luck!

[pisymbol]

Originally Posted by solovus

I think you will find this thread and this thread relevant to your interests.

Ah you beat me too it! Check my journal, PM me with any questions. The bottom line is you can hit 350whp pretty easily. HOWEVER, if you want to do it reliably you are going to have shell out some money. The stock turbo ain't gonna do it in my eyes reliably (your good for 330 maybe with some meth).

For 350whp you need a turbo swap and there are many solid options. I went with AMR because they are respected, local, and I like the answers they gave me when I contacted them.

Btw, my goal is 400whp daily driver (I'm such a baby with it sometimes I think its not worth it).

PS Thanks solovus for the reference!

[nbudros]

pisymbol pmed... check me back man thanks.

[EtoS]

Since it's going to be a daily driver and all the HP questions have been solidly answered- why not consider other mods like brakes(SS lines, grippier pads, better fluid), suspension(sway bars mostly unless you want coilovers), misc stuff(short shifter+shifter bushings). Last but not least- how about track time? I know you said daily driver but what's the point of 350whp if you only use it once in a blue moon for probably a few seconds(unless tickets mean nothing to you then by all means enjoy lol)

[nbudros]

EDIT: people dont post at 11 pm from your bb and expect it to make since... example me.

I hear you on the other mods and they are on my list as well. I already know what I want there i just wanted to see what everyone thought about my idea. If 350whp is not a good daily driver idea then i wont do it... Please remember guys i am looking for insight I havent done anything with my sti yet.