legacycentral bbs

So my friend with the 05 STi has been recently looking into doing some engine upgrades to get a little more power. Right now he's looking at K&N Filter, Turbo XS boost controller, a Cobb tuning ecu programmer, and I think he's considering getting a lightweight crank pulley as well (not undriven). He was asking opinions from me and I figured I'd also pool from the BBS as I know a lot of you guys are around worked STi's, so opinions?
He's also located in Baltimore Maryland and is likely going to be needing a good shop in the near future so I figured some of you guys might be able to help give recommendations. Phil, I don't think he's wanting a new gearbox yet but once he starts increasing the boost he's only going to end up wanting more power... .

Thanks guys.

If he's doing an ECU, I'd suggest a full turbo-back exhaust. Coupled with an ECU that will give BIG gains. . . but they're not cheap. (Also have him consider getting the wastegate on the turbo ported to avoid any possibilities of boost creep)

If he's not already a member of IWSTI.com I'd suggest he get on there and do some searches on the forum for power mods. There is a TON of great information up there.

Thanks Art, I was hoping you'd poke your head in, I will definately relay this on to him.

From what I've heard, lightweight pullies aren't really worth what they cost.

THey're good for people eeking out every last drop from the engine, but there are better options that will get more power to the wheels for the same cost.

I'd probably get a good ignition module before Id get a lightweight pully.

Art knows whats up.

We get 50whp out of intake, exhaust, and tuning.

Dont bother with the pully, you've still got 30+ pounds on the other end of the crank.

Put full synthetic fluid in the motor, tranny and diff. And REAL synthetic, like Royal Purple, or Redline.

Then do turbo, and FMIC.

Heads, cams, pistons, and a turbo that starts with GT will get you int0 mid 400WHP.

On behalf of my friend Matt -

Thanks for the info all. I will seriously consider a new exhaust (even though its pricey, i.e. 100% more than i was planning on spending). My question is, if anyone has any experience with the cobb tuning access port, if I remap the ecu AND increase boost with a manual boost controller, will I see noticable gains?


He's a slow learner sometimes in that he's still asking if he'll see noticable gains , but he's been looking pretty hard at different brands of ECU's and just wanting some feedback on it.

Thanks guys for helping out my friend.

I live in Baltimore and I go to Andrewtech for most work (where BAC5.2 works). It's about an hour.

Engine management. TurboXS UTEC is better than the COBB.

Being in B-more (hon!) TurboXS is an hour away (right up the street from us). It's a no brainer.

If he wants a fast car, we can make it happen.