2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Project Log

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by Daox

That is the same way I made the kill switch in my 97 Paseo. It works great, but it gave a check engine light... I find it odd that yours doesn't

I guess i got lucky. I was expecting it to throw a code, however, after installing the kill switch...i scanned for check engine fault codes on my torque app and found nothing

[Awd180]

Originally Posted by jedi_sol

Neat mod! I guess this is to increase air flow, yet at the same time protect the Intercooler from bugs/rocks etc?

Yeah, some people will call it functional, but its restrictive. Some are putting the screen in the hood scoop, but it can end up restricting airflow too much. I have an ir thermometer, before heat wrapping and turbo blanket my ic temp was really high (heat sheild bolt broke so hot side was exposed, prolonged can cause misfires and coil pack failure, I did see misfires but my cam sensor was bad from rust). Afterwords the temperature of the cold side of the ic, near the bpv, in both cases after driving atleast 30 miles, was less the ambient temp.

Anyway most have shown performance and mpg by doing this, but not with a cai, as you can see I have a wai (w/o the stuff other ppl have done here).

[jedi_sol]

A sneak peak of upper grill block v3.0

[jedi_sol]

Upper grill block v2.0
Tried to use great foam, it expanded great and filled the void if the grill opening, however after a few days, the foam shrank to half its size.


Upper grill block v3.0
My goal is to make the upper grill block look OEM.

First, how to remove front grill without removing bumper for 2011-2013 Subaru sti.

With a flat head screwdriver, gently remove the 8 pop clips on the top of the bumper


Gently pull the grill forward, then unscrew the 2 screws on the very edge on the right and left side.

Then there are 4 remaining screws on the backside of the grill. To access them, reach under the lower grill. Then feel around behind the grill for 4 screws. Here are the approximate locations.






Now the grill should pop right out.

I want the grill block to contour perfectly with the grill and I want the air to have laminar flow, so I want the grill block to line up perfectly flush with the outer edge of the grill.

I wrapped the grill in plastic wrap, applied polyester resin and fiber glass.






The weight of the resin and fiberglass caused the plastic wrap to sag.


So I filled the gap by cannibalizing grill block v1.0. I used painters tape to try to smoothe out the edges and overall shape.

Looks smoother now.


Next up is bondo, sand, then paint.

[Jasen]

It's looking good.

Just for future reference to the aerosol insulating foam's. Try 2 part marine flotation foam. It's what's useed to fill the void between the inner/outer hull's of fiberglass boat's.

[jedi_sol]

On my typical commutefrom work to home, I've been averaging 27mpg using eoc in INTELLIGENT MODE.

I tried something different and pulsed in S# MODE, and got 28.6mpg!

I guess its better to pulse at full power for a very short time to glide longer vs. Pulsing at less power for a very long time to glide for an equal amount of time.

Upper grill block 3.0 almost done, just gotta do fine sanding then primer and paint. It's going to look pretty sweet.

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by jedi_sol

On my typical commutefrom work to home, I've been averaging 27mpg using eoc in INTELLIGENT MODE.

I tried something different and pulsed in S# MODE, and got 28.6mpg!

I guess its better to pulse at full power for a very short time to glide longer vs. Pulsing at less power for a very long time to glide for an equal amount of time.

Upper grill block 3.0 almost done, just gotta do fine sanding then primer and paint. It's going to look pretty sweet.

When you pulse, what are your map readings???

Oh and nice work!!!

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by pgfpro

When you pulse, what are your map readings???

Oh and nice work!!!

I'm not sure exactly what the map readings are in the different drive modes because Im not into tuning the ecu (yet). Here is some info on the drive modes

Intelligent: less throttle response, less boost, less torque.
Sport: 1:1 throttle response, more boost, more torque.
Sport #: full power at 54% throttle. Max hp and max torque.

[Awd180]

Originally Posted by jedi_sol

On my typical commutefrom work to home, I've been averaging 27mpg using eoc in INTELLIGENT MODE.

I tried something different and pulsed in S# MODE, and got 28.6mpg!

I guess its better to pulse at full power for a very short time to glide longer vs. Pulsing at less power for a very long time to glide for an equal amount of time.

Upper grill block 3.0 almost done, just gotta do fine sanding then primer and paint. It's going to look pretty sweet.

Nice, I've gotten decent mileage pulsing b/n 65-80, which for me is 2.5-3.0 rpm, I think 3.0. I swapped a vacuum line on my bcs which allows it to recognize boost sooner, but I can't tell it's effect on fe. I also had a wheel bearing go, so the last tank was off because the alignment went out too. I should have it back this wkend or monday, also with koni inserts. I'm not 100% but the S and I mode controls your center diff, which can be very beneficial with a good tune. I'm pretty sure S mode balances out the torque at each wheel, whereas I mode is biased (subaru site listed it at 41/59 meaning more power to the rear wheels (bad for fe)). Supposedly I mode is supposed to be more eco minded too, if that then they would have made it 80/20. A tune could possibly do that, find a subbie specialist, it shouldn't cost much, less then 500 more then 100. I've seen plenty on nasioc getting over 30 with 0 mods, by just fixing the factory tune.

[jedi_sol]

And180, yeah I read about people getting 3 mpg improvement with an access port and just doing a stage 1 tune. However $650 for the port is a bit steep. Not sure how I can convince my girlfriend to let me buy it

Finished up grill block 3.0
Updates
Finished Primer and sanding

Paint! Not bad from 10 feet away



doesn't pass the 3 foot test. Need to work on making it sit flush better. To come this weekend.