How to Make X Power in Your Subaru WRX/STI on a Budget 

This my friends, shoud be HI,LO👀👀👀

Taking notes here! Thank you supreme leader!

rather than using IAG AOS, you could use the grimmspeed one for the 300-350 WHP range. Its cheaper at sub 300 dollars, but its a very simple AOS. I run it on my mostly stock STI hatch and I love it, and have had no problems with it.

Finally dropped my heads at the machine shop. Question why dont we resurface the block as well??

Thanks T. Merry blue Christmas bro 💙🎄🎄🎄

I’m running around 330 wheel, all I did was tomei turbo inlet,vf48, sti dark blue injectors, full catless, Cobb intake, and a tial 38mm ewg with plm uppipe and dump tube. I don’t know if you feel the same but I think this is the most daily able power range and budget friendly

My goal for my VA STi is like 320whp and overbuilt for it. Because I want to operate well below the max range of what my hardware can handle, I don't wanna break anything. My bigger concern than power is gonna be handling, JDM style yknow? Gotta do my head gaskets first though...before it blows up 😂

You should definitely make a build video for the new FA24 motor though I guess it's still a bit too new for a build video yet

Big help brother. Thank you

Hey Smeedia love the content man! So I drive a 2021 STI and I have been on edge of doing power mods or not, but not sure what to do or where to go and start first I was doing research and seen the NEXGEN stage 2 power package from Cobb and was wondering what your thoughts were on that or if maybe you can make a video going over the new NEXGEN tuning stuff from Cobb I haven’t been able to find to much information about it and no one has really made any videos about any of it as of right now it seems. I’m not shooting for anything crazy I just want a fun daily driver and to be able to pass emissions and all that when the time comes and to not be blowing my motor any time soon 🙏

Look, I get it if you're sponsored by them or something but bro, just use a stock top mount instead of a mishitmoto, they don't provide any real benefits vs stock. Or if you're considering SOME quality with a budget you can find a turboxs front mount for $150-200 more and you'll get WAY more benefits out of that then... that. If you look hard enough you can probably even find something cheaper than turboxs.

+1 on making your own fuel lines. $150 and I learned a new skill rather than spending $800 for IAG's which didn't fit that well... Unfortunately a lot of tht IAG line is sitting in a bin unused :( I'll be honest I dont think the FP Blue is a 400whp turbo... maybe others have had success. I ran it on my 07 STi with all supporting mods. IAG was only able to get 370 on E. They said it's over 400 on E but im skeptical. It was a 80 degree day with high humidity. I think more reliably you might as well just shoot for FP green. I'm on Dom 1.5XTR and we'll see but stock location turbo is tough to get over 400 I think unless you go pretty big.

Can you do this same type of video for a 15+ wrx?

I have a 2007 impreza RS can I putt a ej20 in it what do I need

Could these parts work to help make power on an EJ205? I know the JDM motors don't get along with access ports so would the Tactix cable with the JDM motor?

Would you also recommend all these parts on a 2004 Forester XT?

Is it possible to remove CEL with open source tuning? Specifically with the one you mentioned in the video I want to run flex fuel in the future

What kind of spark plugs do you recommend on 2018 sti I do have a K&N short intake and a cat back exhaust system

Why aren’t you vaping while you explain?

Back in the day, NASIOC was the place to go. Now, we just head over to Smeedia to get our tasty subie info

Smeedia: “RA blocks can hold up to 450 with a good tune” Bader: 😐

Finally a budget vs highend series that really points people in the right direction for the Subaru platform!

bro i heard these were bad bro is that true bro please reply bro. (this is satire) luv u sir.

Thanks so much for putting this together! I have a 2020 wrx and was wondering if you have any plans to put one of these together for FA20/FA24 platforms, especially since the turbo choices are likely to be different due to the different stock location. Additionally, do you know if there are/will be better short blocks incoming for those platforms? Depending on how the prices of GDs change I might have to leave the dream of getting an '05 STI and sending it to the moon in dreamland...

quick question, will these parts apply on the Legacy GT and Forester XT? if not, how would you recommend making 400whp on a Legacy GT and Forester XT?

Fantastic video! Could also save a little money by selling your old parts, I don’t cause I’m a parts hoarder but I’ve never once bought a brand new exhaust or very many drivetrain parts as they fail, I actually still buy a decent amount of parts used ie exhaust, aesthetic parts, wheels, interior pieces, injectors and a few more it’s a really great way to go!

I can’t wait for you to get that VB. Imagine how ahead of the curve you’re going to be!😊 Great vid as always🤙🏼

i will have to disagree on the equal and unequal length header. for subaru’s there is no option. you will 100% LOSE POWER if you use equal length. it’s been proven in Subispeed on their WRX build. NEVER GET EQUAL LENGTH. you want to increase power, and it has nothing todo with Subi rumble. Subaru uses unequal length headers for a reason. smeedia is wrong! at least about the headers.

Great info man, I’d love to see a vid like this for all of us running fa20s.

According to Dom of GetADomTune, aftermarket boost controllers are a downgrade with the stock turbo. Each tuner has their own preference, but I don't think it needs to be included in the 300whp budget list.

BNR 18G turbo was a BEAST & was only like ~$800 or so when I got it years ago & never gave me any problems. Definitely very underrated/unknown.

Im getting my 300kw build together ;)

For those of us with 5 speeds, they’re weak bc they’re split case transmissions. There are reinforcement plate kits for it so they don’t flex when you’re banging gears

Hey Tanner did you hear that this VB WRX made 411 HP and around 447 TQ with a intake, TMIC, turboback exhaust and E30 blend. Pretty crazy

Can confirm 294 wheel on td04 on a 2004 wrx with Sti top mount and Sti fuel injectors a walbro 255

I thought that VA STI's cant have a downpipe and intake because the injectors get maxed out? (300whp)

This is coming at a good time. My 25 just toasted itself on my 2005 STI. Just got it pulled and dropped off at Performance Import Industries here in Portland. Doing a type RA block, getting the heads refreshed, and Killer B oil pan/pickup. Any other budget friendly things you’d recommend for hitting that 375-400whp mark? I’d rather knock this stuff out now while it’s out, then have to rip the motor out again. Lol

My tuner in portland, R Spec, buys the mac solenoids and connectors for super cheap in bulk. Maybe $40 total he said, came with the tune as he's a homie Also be aware with the tomei turbo inlet, the small hose piece for the BPV comes out too far and either needs to be trimmed, or what I did, was use a small aluminum 90 and trimmed the bpv return hose itself and made it fit w/o kinking. Hard to explain w/o seeing it but if you look it up many people report having to cram the bpv return hose back in there and having kinks. Also running tomioka fuel rails and was very impressed by the quality of them and will be heavily considering one of their turbos for my sti. The PLM ELH Headers are PHENOMENAL for the price. Helped a friend install a set of killer b on his sti and was not happy with the fitment, frankly were a bitch to get on. I bought the plm ELH headers for my sti as they're a similar 4-1 design but for $600. They sound incredible(especially with that grimmspeed ewg uppipe from karma), welds are beautiful and it fit like a glove. Car runs so much smoother with them than the stock headers. Overall really impressed

Does anybody know what catch cans to use for 2004 wrx since IAG doesnt make any for 2004 wrx

Excited for the surprise in the works. I'm not a budget guy per say due to California restrictions but it would be nice. Is there a more budget friendly front mount instead of top mount if someone wanted to go that route.

Upgraded my TD04 with ARD Tuning’s 19T conversion kit and I was making 336WHP on E85

here is the real budget build. My 06 sti makes 430 to the wheels on a dynojet. on pump and 560 on ethonal. did it for about 1300$ my build: Stock block, got used 1700cc fic injectors for 200$, I had killer be headers on the car when I got it but you dont need to do headers in this power range, FP red and inlet, new 1400 I think, I got mine used for 500$, got my cobb downpipe used for 150 used, 800 new and catback for 200 used. mac boost control is 50 on amazon, inlet is 100 extra with FP red new but mine came with, no need to do fuel rails even with e85. fuel pupme 130. you can also just go e85, injectors pump and tune with a exhausts and a good tuner can get you to 400whp with just that. All these prices are not to difficult to find if you take your time and go on facebook or ebay.

Where on earth do you find the iag aos for 399??

Perfect timing! I'm in college, so I'm definitely budget conscious when it comes to my Hawkeye. I already have a Cobb intake, Cobb EBCS, Cobb catback, and IAG V3 AOS, so I'm looking at the Grimmspeed Downpipe (So I don't get a CEL), and a reliable JR tune.

So I have a ej257 with balanced crank balanced pistons I want 400whp? I got 250hp on dyno dynamics dyno.

Just want 270 in a fozzy sf5 2001 Just swapped to td04. Gonna get downpipe 200 cell cat and resonator delete. Dunno if my fuel pump will handle it tho

When you step back and reflect, the mods on our cars have cost a pretty penny! I'm at about $11k. Yikes, I shouldn't have done the math. Don't forget the dyno tune to complete the deal

If you have a Tactrix cable and you’re tuning a car, why would you want a manual boost control? Wouldn’t you just use the factory ECU and wastegate to set boost where you want it using the tuning software?

Nope. ra is probably good for 350 max. 450hp and a blown ej in a week maybe

Bro i cant decide if I want an sti or if imma keep my gti. The sti looks better sounds better and is more fun to drive but man i can breathe on my gti and itll make +50 whp.

Wow .... look loke you know . Where you are located i got a subaru. Need to up grade 😊. Am.from phoenix

Made 300 on 2020 STI with GS tmic and EBCS with Cobb sf intake and AP.

Can you do these same mods for an older forester? 98-04 st/b or 00-04 sti forester??

Email sent. Have a wrx like you to play with

Nice video my man! (not gonna lie, cost less than 5k to make 500 with Honda that is K equipped already) I think for Subie I prefer to overbuild the shortblock and run it conservative.

Lol donut should’ve consulted you on A LOT

Surprised HKS equal length headers didn't make it to the list

Ok so, this is Tanner's take on an educated Hi Low :p Thanks Tanner, great info :)

Here's a curveball, how about for a stock 19+ sti? In my case for example, my IDC is HIGH on a basic Etune with just a big SF to the point where tuners don't wanna touch a downpipe installation without injectors thoughts on this? Awesome video though, deff fixes that inbetween set of budgets

Hey dude have you seen what the MCM boys are doing to their STI swapped Levorg? Be interesting to see if they have similar issues to your H6

whats a good HP goal/ what build you recommend for daily driving? I wanna make more power for my STI but wanna keep the daily driver aspect as its my only car atm.

My FP Blue couldn’t go beyond 410 whp on e75. With an EWG and FMIC in addition to what you listed. FP Green I say for 450 whp.

What would be the best thing to do to convert from side feed to top feed while staying emission compliant??

I paid 3.2k for catted dp cobb cold air and aport 🤦‍♂️

My budget is $50 😢😂

@smeedia I love u man love from Uganda Africa

Have you ever had a warranty for one of your subaru's? If so, did you void it or wait for it to finish?

premium parts is what you're looking for

Do you think the ring gap that comes with the type ra block should be opened to accommodate the extra power?

How hard is it is the type ra block on a 03 wrx?

I am just commenting to help the algorithm. 😂

To be honest though. Should I just trade my 2015 fa20 for a newer STI? I'm not sure what I want for my forever car to build and play with

This would be cool video to do for the wrx VB

Want to install my motor for a 30 pack of PBR?

I absolutely love your video's great information I recently upgraded to a BB500 Grimmspeed turbo with ID1050s TurboXS fmic 255wb pump working on getting fuel lines upgraded and AOS few other nice upgrades but got a weird knock that isnt a rod its kinda been there sense I owned the car. I do have a vid posted if you have to time to check it out? Thanks for all your content!

Now you slap these bad boys on a 1st gen turbo leggy and you got 400 wheel under 10k 💎 super solid content bro, so dope to see you blow the way you have

Always learning stuff, thanks.. Q= How do you feel about the Grimmspeed stage 3 power package.? On a 2020 wrx Trying to hit 300+ for now

Are you a pro GetADom or is it snake oil to you?

How about a crosstrek :) ?

Why no Arashi turbo?

Everything needs a tune tho

Another great video!!🔥 Senpai! What could cause braking half way and you feel like you hit a wall? No stopping power, car keep on rolling....

I'd really love to see an FP Blue making 450 wheel. No sarcasm, the Dyno graph would have such a kickass power band.

By the time 7k is spent you couldve had a 4-500hp evo on a stock turbo, stock block….reliable 4-500hp please remind me how Subaru is such a great platform?

It’s just so expensive to find a wrx worth building anymore:// I wish I could pull the trigger on a build but instead I come here for the content:-) 🎉thank you much smeedia

so I've been told that the Mac 3 port is the "base" and like Grimmspeed actually upgrades the valving and electronics to make it work better, and have less waste gate surging, especially on EWG. any light to shine on this? I will say, I personally have had better luck with the Grimmspeed, over regular ole Mac valves.

Hey Tanner, do you ever replace rubber bushings in your car with polyurethane ones? I replaced my swaybar bushings with polyurethane ones and I felt a significant difference. Love the channel, keep up the good work!

Too bad im in a carb state

SKEET SKEET BANG BANG!!!!!

wait, can you run a downpipe and intake without any fueling mods on va stis???

I really wish to have an STI :(.... it's my dream car

if it's a 2.5L, its gonna blow up, they have very thin cylinder walls and less HG sealing. The 2l is way way more durable stock for stock

*Laughs in VB with AP/JB4* Though a fresh car with a tuning device is not really a "budget" but the numbers for a stock tuned car are redonk.

Any thoughts on blouch 1.5xtr. You ever had one ?

The pisser is how much shops charge per hour of labor...The shop that built my motor charged 90 per hour and it racked up quick. You save an ungodly amount of money when you do the work yourself. The parts are cheaper than the stacked labor hours usually...only the rich can afford to have someone else work on there car.

Just buy a civic get a $400 ebay turbo kit and bam 600hp🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

For anyone looking to tune themselves, which is definitely the cheapest option. Evans Performance has great courses on open source subaru tuning!

I included brakes, suspension, wheels, etc

Does this also apply to the 2006 Outback XT? Does anyone know any channels that might be more specific to that car? Looking to pick one up soon. I'm new to Subaru but not modding. Currently drive a 390awhp dual pulley B8 Audi S4

I'm shooting for 350-375 whp with an 06 sti. 3 inch catless cobb turboback exhaust Mishimoto radiator Perrin cold air intake Cobb ap3 Stock turbo Stock side feed injectors I know I need a fuel pump, injectors, aos, and a bigger turbo, but do i have to switch to top feed injectors? Or can i order side feed? And would i be able to order 850cc and have a reliable daily? Thanks for the help