Hey guys,

Its been a few years but i'm on my way back to the world of hair dresser appointments. Ive had a classic mini and a gc8 wrx in the mean time but I jus didnt enjoy them as much as a 5. WRX mainly because to feel on the limit some huge law breaking is needed.

I'm not sure whether it'll be na6 or na8, depending on price and condition and all that but it will definately be turbo, preboosted or doing it myself. The goal currently is about 230rwhp and the car will be a daily as well as being able to track it every 2 months or so if i can make it down.

I've done quite a bit of research already, definately more needed but I thought id check in to make sure im on the right path and I understand it all properly.

So for a DIY the process is basically:

Install ECU, (MS3) and tune with larger flow injectors, wideband 02 to get used to tuning as well as a higher flow fuel pump
Then for the complete set up I'll have a turbo with a BOV, internal wastegate, water cooling lines and oil feed. with a 3 inch exhaust. Intercooler at the front next to an aluminium radiator.
Whether its an 1.6 or 1.8 i'll put in the stronger diff and upgrade the clutch.
I've also seen people do coolant reroutes which I still have yet to look into.

Am i missing anything major? My thinking is that i need to work out the options on the above hardware that I can afford and will suit my goal but for now, am I on the right track? I am a believer of a do it once do it right approach so reliability and quality of parts are up there but at the same time I'd rather not spend more than I need to for the flashiest thing

 

Welcome welcome.

Stick with the "do it right the first time" attitude and you'll fit right in. I'm speaking mainly from what I've read, I'm more of a lurker than a poster.

I'm basically in the same boat as you, just a couple steps ahead. stock 91' with MS3.

The process you laid out is pretty much what everyone recommends and is very similar to what I'm following. The big one is learning to tune MS before turbo.
Install MS/WB -> learn to tune -> bigger injectors -> retune -> beefy clutch (Supermiata/FM/ACT) -> upgrade diff -> buy turbo bits -> profit
Being a broke college kid, it'll take me awhile but in the end, I'll have a fun setup I know I can count on.

From what I've read, the MKTurbo kit seems to be the best bang for your buck reliable setup. It's definitely worth looking into. I have also heard that the stock fuel pump is fine unless you plan to push passed 250hp or so.

 

Lars has written a treatise on this but what works best is:

Install wideband and MS -> Tune
Install larger injectors -> Tune

Once your setup is reliable with that, i.e. good idle, good city/highway driving, AC control if you have that, etc. Now consider adding the go fast bits. The basemap you should have started with will now have good resolution out of boost, so you can inch your way up to tuning fueling etc. up there slowly.

Installing everything all at once isn't just a nightmare from a tuning perspective, but if something isn't working you have no idea where the issue is because you legitimately changed everything all at once so it's a bitch to troubleshoot as well.

I basically DD'ed my last setup for a while and that included a few 400-500 mile round trips. I usually carried some tools around because I didn't trust myself and have learned my lesson a few times over, but it was honestly pretty sound for the most part. At 230rwhp and 200-210ish rwtq, you'll be plenty fine if you start with a decent motor and are patient through the process of getting the tune dialed in.

 

Thanks for the tips guys. I am quite excited to learn how to tune, maybe because I'm not realizing how much work/challenge it is at first.

I have looked at a few kits, trouble being im in Australia so "budget" suddenly turns into an elephant when the dollar converts. I think I will be able to find an s14(???) turbo for couple hundred bucks which should be ok for 220ish rwhp. Prepared to spend $1000 on a MS.

So while everyone says to take your initial figure and double it, i think parts will be around 2.5 to 3k (aud)

I've found a mechanic owned good nick NA8 for a good price with coilovers, good wheels and a respray BUT is has 290,000km on it. Should I stay away if i plan to turbo?

 

MS is 1500 for NA/nb8a and 2000 for NB8B/se

You wont do it for 3k in australia as a newbie sorry mate.

Dann