19 replies to this topic

[Barbbachello]

Before I get started I'm going to say I am not interested in buying someone else's already converted car nor am I interested in a factory turbo car for anything other than a donor.

I want to do my own conversion. I know it's expensive and am prepared to deal with any headaches that come along with it. Also I'm avoiding bugeye/forester/gen 3 as I'd rather avoid an am auto loom splice as early model makes it doable DIY and its money to spend elsewhere

Now I've been going what could be the "best" option here, so far I've come up with:

1. Buying a whole 97-98 gtb in Japan and getting it cut and stripped in Japan and have the whole lot shipped over with Import Monster. Exactly what Dylan did but with a gtb. Single conversion while the engine is out of course.
2. V3 or V4 STi half cut from ichiban or rising Sun etc.
3. Finding a local wrx/sti (optimistic) and buying it for parts

I believe the first two are the better options and are roughly the same price however the gtb will come with a bunch of extras to sell and parts I want in the long run like seats and facelift switches. I spose this all comes down to EJ20R vs EJ20K. I know they are very similar engines. Heads are the same minus TT bits and a less aggressive cam on the 20R.

I'm not after stupid power anything other than bolt ons and a tune for the foreseeable future.

Help me out cubts I've probably left something out here but I hope that's enough to get an idea of what I'm thinking

[Adam]

Option 2.


Single conversion is simple but a heap more parts to source and you end up with a bunch of shitty tt parts you don't need. Helped bumpty do his partly over the Internet and partly in person.

[Shaz]

How come no AMAUTO splice? They aren't that bad to do mang.

 

You could go V3 STi, 4.44 5speed, VF23, and not worry about the single conversion?

[Barbbachello]

How come no AMAUTO splice? They aren't that bad to do mang.

 

You could go V3 STi, 4.44 5speed, VF23, and not worry about the single conversion?

Well ive got no problem with loom splice its just another $1000 i can spend elsewhere. A V3 swap is stupidly similar loom wise to the current setup and with Tys help the loom can be done in a day if that. GTB id swap the whole loom and repin the ECU for a V3 ECU

[alexGT]

Hands down option 2. No way I would ever go the TT setup, just do it right the first time! Will be a lot quicker and less mucking around.

[Barbbachello]

Hands down option 2. No way I would ever go the TT setup, just do it right the first time! Will be a lot quicker and less mucking around.

Wouldn't be a TT setup. Would convert to single while its out . Im not that silly

[IntenseNnJa]

My choice would be option 2. Keen as to see the build thread on this one regardless. Goodluck!

[neni]

Option 2 for sure, good luck!

[aekOne]

2.

[CodeBurn3r]

Cant believe this is even a question

you know my vote...

[Barbbachello]

Cant believe this is even a question

you know my vote...

Yeah well never hurts to ask the brains trust

[Staxta]

H6

[Barbbachello]

H6

I knew youd say that haha. Only if you give me your titanium noise maker

[Beckers]

Because gen2, the V3/V4 STI can be the only option.

As you say yourself, it's just a repin of the loom + add a couple of wires.

[Cam.]

Don't waste time on old technology (No offence to anyone running pre-01)
Buy a hail damaged or rear ended MY02 wrx and swap the lot over with a loom from Al. Tuneable ecu (Read up on carberry tuning, Shadow tuning can do that for you), COP, Cruise, Modern (lol still 13 years old) technology, OBD2, Can tune it yourself and the list really goes on.

http://www.romraider...2463ffa12773d79

And if it ever goes pop, Crate 207 + head work, studs, cams, killer b baffle/pickup/sump, Throw it back together with a billet 20g and supporting E85 mods and make a lazy 260kw all day everyday while the pre-01 guys are counting engine lights and looking for air flow meters.

Do it once, Do it right. If you want to add a 6spd and all that on, Break the 5spd first (I've seen 5 slotters handle 350kw+ with a good driver) and then replace it later.

Crashed bugs are getting cheap dude!

Plus you can sell off any bits out of the bug you don't need to make money back!

[Jimbo]

Err. Option 1 and keep it TT. 

























 

[Matt]

Don't waste time on old technology (No offence to anyone running pre-01)
Buy a hail damaged or rear ended MY02 wrx and swap the lot over with a loom from Al. Tuneable ecu (Read up on carberry tuning, Shadow tuning can do that for you), COP, Cruise, Modern (lol still 13 years old) technology, OBD2, Can tune it yourself and the list really goes on.
http://www.romraider...2463ffa12773d79
And if it ever goes pop, Crate 207 + head work, studs, cams, killer b baffle/pickup/sump, Throw it back together with a billet 20g and supporting E85 mods and make a lazy 260kw all day everyday while the pre-01 guys are counting engine lights and looking for air flow meters.
Do it once, Do it right. If you want to add a 6spd and all that on, Break the 5spd first (I've seen 5 slotters handle 350kw+ with a good driver) and then replace it later.
Crashed bugs are getting cheap dude!
Plus you can sell off any bits out of the bug you don't need to make money back!

This

X 1 million

Its so worth the extra dosh

[allpaw4]

Yep. Go the later tech man. Little bit of extra coin now for much less in the long run. Tunes are an easy affair that can be done anywhere, parts are easier to come by, and using a computer to talk to it rather than trying to decifer error codes via flashing dash lights.

[JDWhiteWRX]

What I did with my Outback, its got an 03 motor in it with low km's, a reflashable ecu, AVCS etc. and honestly it was pretty easy to do, especially as you would not bother with the added complexity and stealth of my water to air setup.

[MrSober88]

Option 2 if you are going to single anyway with the TT. I would say also it would be better with the newer WRX's also as I am in the same boat that I can't tune my ECU (99' GC8) and the first part I sold was the PowerFC so if I change my mind now I will have to search again for a ECU to tune it. Much better if you can just tune the OEM ECU already there.

 

But I totally understand you want to do it yourself and not buy someone else's, Yes it works out cheaper to buy something already turbo but you don't have anywhere near as much fun working out things while going ahead with conversion.

 

Good luck and I look forward to seeing your build thread.