A good starting place.... - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

badrover · 2007-10-05, 09:34 PM

What do you think would be a good starting place to start modding my '08? Downpipe? Suspension? Exhaust? Intake?

What's your opinion for a relatively new tuner?

wrxkidid · 2007-10-05, 09:47 PM

No one has really modded an 08 that I know of. Seeing as the engine is the same I would assume that the exhaust would be the first step, but if they are anything like the 06-07 you will need EM to run this and that isn't out yet afaik.

Kevin M · 2007-10-06, 07:07 PM

First learn the car, then decide what characteristics you want to improve (or alter). We can give you excellent specific advice that will keep you from wasting money if you do it that way.

cody · 2007-10-06, 09:05 PM

Tires and if they exist for 08's, sway bars, springs, struts/shocks would be a good start, but yeah, what BAN SUVS said.

M3n2c3 · 2007-10-06, 11:23 PM

+1.

Suspension and tires are usually the weakest link on the stock Impreza (particularly so for the '08 if we are to believe the reviews thus far), but nothing really exists yet in the suspension department, so. . . tires.

After autocrossing today on Falken Ziex ZE-512s, they are my favorite all-season tire EVAR. They have pretty remarkable grip for an HPAS tire.

badrover · 2007-10-07, 12:34 AM

yeah if i have noticed anything thus far, its an excess of body roll in the car. it feels a bit porky in the corners as well.

EDIT: Ok searched for tires (size 205/50-17)...and there aint a whole lot....me thinks i shall just window shop through the winter and see what comes up for the '08.

cody · 2007-10-09, 09:04 AM

Are your rims 17X7 or 17X7.5? If they're 17X7.5 you can (and should) run 225/45/17 in the summer.

Also, I just saw this on WRXFanatics.com:

Quote:

name='RalliTek.com' date='Oct 8 2007, 08:46 PM' post='769900']
RalliTEK has designed exact fit front and rear sway bars for 2008 Impreza and WRX. Prototype bars were installed today.
I have been driving this little machine for a few months now. The handling has been controlled but loose with LOTS of body roll. Sway bars will be a 'must have' upgrade for this car... Since our iPd parent company has a rich history of manufacturing quaility sway bars, I made a few phone calls, and I have my first rough prototype sway bar. The design is an exact fit for stock repalacement, the bar is unfinished, and painted gold for design testin only. Production bars will be powdercoated dark charcoal color. -Sean S.

Slideshow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ralliteksubar...324568380/show/

www.RalliTEK.com

http://www.wrxfanatics.com/index.php...opic=53464&hl=

cody · 2007-10-09, 09:08 AM

Also, consider doing what most of us do, use the stockers as winter rims/tires and pick up a wheel/tire combo for summer. I've got a couple different rims with mostly burnt out tires on them that you're welcome to bolt on to see how they look/feel if your want.

badrover · 2007-10-09, 10:36 AM

Yeah, i am going for the winter/summer setup. That was my plan from the beginning. I just need to find a good summer set. Also thanks for the find on the sway bars. Shall check those out.

tysonK · 2007-10-09, 01:40 PM

Damn, those swaybars look nice.

cody · 2007-10-09, 01:51 PM

Yah, did you watch the slideshow? you get to see what the 08 looks like from the underside in vivid detail.

badrover · 2007-10-09, 03:09 PM

Or...ya know...we could bring my '08 to that aforementioned lift at the club's garage and you all can get a good look at its underbelly.

khail19 · 2007-10-09, 05:47 PM

Or pickup the newest SCC magazine, it's got a bunch of underside pics of an 08 Impreza. I'm sure in person would be better though.

wrxkidid · 2007-10-09, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badrover

Or...ya know...we could bring my '08 to that aforementioned lift at the club's garage and you all can get a good look at its underbelly.

Technically its my garage not the clubs... With that said you are more than welcome.

badrover · 2007-10-09, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrxkidid

Technically its my garage not the clubs... With that said you are more than welcome.

umm...i was technically joking. But thank you for the offer...unless you want to have a peek under.

cody · 2007-10-10, 01:59 PM

Would stock bugeye WRX rims fit on an 08 WRX? Man, I just put my stockers back on and I forgot how significantly more comfortable it is to drive on 16's...night and day.

Kevin M · 2007-10-10, 02:04 PM

They should, unless they radically upsized the '08 brakes, and I don't recall hearing tht yet.

cody · 2007-10-10, 02:15 PM

No, they look just like the WRX brakes prior to 05 or 06, whenever they switched to the Suby 4 pots.

sperry · 2007-10-10, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody

No, they look just like the WRX brakes prior to 05 or 06, whenever they switched to the Suby 4 pots.

I'm guessing (hoping) they're actually Legacy brakes, which are bigger and better than even the WRX's 4-pots. In which case, I think 17" wheels are the minimum.

Kevin M · 2007-10-10, 02:51 PM

They should be, but I don't think they are.

AWDlaunch · 2007-10-10, 03:45 PM

any pics?

Nick Koan · 2007-10-10, 04:18 PM

Looks like the brakes on the 08 are 11.6" F / 11.3" R

The 05+ Legacy GT brakes are: 12.3" F / 11.3" R

The 06-07 WRX brakes were 11.5" F / 11.3" R

The 02-05 WRX brakes were 11.4" F / 10.3" R (non-vented rears)

So, the 08 ones are an improvement over previous years, but they still aren't Legacy sized.

knucklesplitter · 2007-10-13, 09:06 AM

Like said earlier... until engine management comes out for the '08 your power/engine mods should be minimal. The engine configuration is like a Legacy GT so many normal WRX mods will not be compatible.

Is yours a hatch or sedan. Have any pics?

badrover · 2007-10-13, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

Like said earlier... until engine management comes out for the '08 your power/engine mods should be minimal. The engine configuration is like a Legacy GT so many normal WRX mods will not be compatible.

Is yours a hatch or sedan. Have any pics?

Sedan. Spark Silver. Pics to come...

. and honestly pics dont do it justice. It looks much better in person.

and you are right...it is essentially a baby Legacy. But so far, it seems that Cobb and AVO have some mods...and RalliTEK has come out with sway bars (22mm in the front 19mm in the rear). And apparently Cosworth already has an aftermarket engine out for it. but no ECU mods as of yet. so my options shall be limited for the time being.

M3n2c3 · 2007-10-14, 08:29 AM

The sway bars sound like a decent start, and the price is fair. You even get a discount for preordering the package of f/r.

2007-10-05, 09:34 PM	#1
badrover EJ18 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minden, NV Posts: 39 Car: 2008 Subaru WRX Class: TBD The journey always outweighs the destination.	A good starting place.... What do you think would be a good starting place to start modding my '08? Downpipe? Suspension? Exhaust? Intake? What's your opinion for a relatively new tuner?

2007-10-05, 09:47 PM	#2
wrxkidid EJ205 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Incline Village, NV Posts: 1,232 Car: 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd. 5.7l Class: None :/ Cory, just put a 4g63 in it.	No one has really modded an 08 that I know of. Seeing as the engine is the same I would assume that the exhaust would be the first step, but if they are anything like the 06-07 you will need EM to run this and that isn't out yet afaik. __________________ Mosey down the road.

2007-10-06, 07:07 PM	#3
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	First learn the car, then decide what characteristics you want to improve (or alter). We can give you excellent specific advice that will keep you from wasting money if you do it that way. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2007-10-06, 09:05 PM	#4
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Tires and if they exist for 08's, sway bars, springs, struts/shocks would be a good start, but yeah, what BAN SUVS said. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2007-10-06, 11:23 PM	#5
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, NV Posts: 1,888 Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP sometimes (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	+1. Suspension and tires are usually the weakest link on the stock Impreza (particularly so for the '08 if we are to believe the reviews thus far), but nothing really exists yet in the suspension department, so. . . tires. After autocrossing today on Falken Ziex ZE-512s, they are my favorite all-season tire EVAR. They have pretty remarkable grip for an HPAS tire. __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

2007-10-07, 12:34 AM	#6
badrover EJ18 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minden, NV Posts: 39 Car: 2008 Subaru WRX Class: TBD The journey always outweighs the destination.	yeah if i have noticed anything thus far, its an excess of body roll in the car. it feels a bit porky in the corners as well. EDIT: Ok searched for tires (size 205/50-17)...and there aint a whole lot....me thinks i shall just window shop through the winter and see what comes up for the '08. Last edited by badrover; 2007-10-08 at 08:29 PM.

2007-10-09, 09:08 AM	#8
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Also, consider doing what most of us do, use the stockers as winter rims/tires and pick up a wheel/tire combo for summer. I've got a couple different rims with mostly burnt out tires on them that you're welcome to bolt on to see how they look/feel if your want. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2007-10-09, 10:36 AM	#9
badrover EJ18 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minden, NV Posts: 39 Car: 2008 Subaru WRX Class: TBD The journey always outweighs the destination.	Yeah, i am going for the winter/summer setup. That was my plan from the beginning. I just need to find a good summer set. Also thanks for the find on the sway bars. Shall check those out.

2007-10-09, 01:40 PM	#10
tysonK warehouse SECCS Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SoCal... Posts: 6,253 Car: 04 Evo 99 Cadillac Class: street de le mod	Damn, those swaybars look nice. __________________ Anjali? Anjali?

2007-10-09, 01:51 PM	#11
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Yah, did you watch the slideshow? you get to see what the 08 looks like from the underside in vivid detail. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2007-10-09, 03:09 PM	#12
badrover EJ18 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minden, NV Posts: 39 Car: 2008 Subaru WRX Class: TBD The journey always outweighs the destination.	Or...ya know...we could bring my '08 to that aforementioned lift at the club's garage and you all can get a good look at its underbelly.

2007-10-09, 05:47 PM	#13
khail19 EJ205 Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,769 Car: 2016 VW GTI Meets? We have meets?	Or pickup the newest SCC magazine, it's got a bunch of underside pics of an 08 Impreza. I'm sure in person would be better though.

2007-10-10, 01:59 PM	#16
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Would stock bugeye WRX rims fit on an 08 WRX? Man, I just put my stockers back on and I forgot how significantly more comfortable it is to drive on 16's...night and day. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2007-10-10, 02:04 PM	#17
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	They should, unless they radically upsized the '08 brakes, and I don't recall hearing tht yet. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2007-10-10, 02:15 PM	#18
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	No, they look just like the WRX brakes prior to 05 or 06, whenever they switched to the Suby 4 pots. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2007-10-10, 02:51 PM	#20
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	They should be, but I don't think they are. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2007-10-10, 03:45 PM	#21
AWDlaunch EJ18 Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 53	any pics?

2007-10-10, 04:18 PM	#22
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Looks like the brakes on the 08 are 11.6" F / 11.3" R The 05+ Legacy GT brakes are: 12.3" F / 11.3" R The 06-07 WRX brakes were 11.5" F / 11.3" R The 02-05 WRX brakes were 11.4" F / 10.3" R (non-vented rears) So, the 08 ones are an improvement over previous years, but they still aren't Legacy sized. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2007-10-13, 09:06 AM	#23
knucklesplitter EJ205 Real Name: Matt Taylor Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cousin-Fck, Carolina Posts: 1,475 Wish in one hand and sht in the other...	Like said earlier... until engine management comes out for the '08 your power/engine mods should be minimal. The engine configuration is like a Legacy GT so many normal WRX mods will not be compatible. Is yours a hatch or sedan. Have any pics?

2007-10-14, 08:29 AM	#25
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, NV Posts: 1,888 Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP sometimes (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	The sway bars sound like a decent start, and the price is fair. You even get a discount for preordering the package of f/r. __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

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