sti_v9

Are a running an after-market exhaust? I've seen a few cases of V7's missing under load after an exhaust was fitted. The eshaust issue is fixed by getting a tune.

I have personally flashed a 2001 and 2002 V7, same process as the V8/9/10 etc.

IMHO, for the price of a good Japanese boost controller you can add a few hundred $'s more and get it tuned. This will solve all your problems and give your more power as well. Definetely no need for an external wastegate on the stock turbo. Alternatively, can can get an OBD2 cable and tune it yourself, this option is much cheaper than an EBC but will get very expensive if you break something. On a side note, I remember seeing a guy offering tunes for a V7 for $250 on TradeMe. Don't know how reliable he is though.

Yep, by tune I mean an ECU reflash. My car did 180wkw stock with boost peaking at ~21psi and dropping to ~12psi. Car also runs quite rich, from memory I think the stock fuel map runs around 9.5:1 at the top of rev range. So by tuning the fuel and ignition maps and flattening out the boost curve the car will easily pick up another 15wkw if not more. I would suggest you try Speedsource for a reflash as they are a lot cheaper then Ecutek and you get the same result. You can also purchase a Taxtrix cable and have a crack at tuning/flashing yourself, its not hard but you need to do a lot of research before you make any changes.

I had an import. Bought it from Wingers with 30000kms showing, had a full Japan service history. Also had Wingers do another 30k service when I bought it. Owned for just under 2 years and car ran perfectly, apart from the 2 issues above. Things I didnt like about the car: I had semi-slick tyres on mine and the road noise was terrible; was like driving a waterfall. I'm sure the factory tyres would be quieter though. Hard suspension gives you "bobble head". Suspension is not harsh though and doesnt crash over bumps, you know its hard but it feels well controlled, the damper and spring work well together. Due to the hard suspension and low profile tyres the car tramlines alot, and every freaking panel in the interior will rattle and vibrate. I ended applying Dynamat to the the backs of the plastic trim in the cabin and this stopped most of the rattles. Lastly, the drivers seat sits way to high. For a track oriented car the seat should be at least 2 inches lower. The good: the V9 coupled with semi-slick tyres will out handle almost any car on the road. The twin-scroll gives good response in any gear; no need to change down from 6th on the motorway, just mash the throttle and it will pull effortlessly. The stock setup makes good power with just a tune, no need to waste money on intakes, exhaust and BOV's. Some people argue that you need a full 3inch exhaust but the twin-scroll works well with the standard setup. If you want instant repsonse from the turbo stick with the stock exhaust and get it tuned. The 6-speed is good around town and you can stay in 3rd and 4th were other cars will need 2nd and 3rd. Take one for a test drive, you won't be dissapointed.

Just thought I'd post up about two issues I had with my V9 that seem to be common to owners on other forums that I frequent. First was loose rear axle nuts. Makes a clicking noise from the rear axle when you change gears. Wingers charges $200 to fix this but found out later it can be done at home for a lot less. Second was knocking rear shocks. They are an inverted design and sometimes the shaft will bind up and make a knocking noise when going over bumps. Easy fix, grease up the shafts and the noise is gone. Apparently it will come back but mine never did after 13000kms of driving. Otherwise, I loved the V9 and its a good platform for basic tuning. The twin-scroll works well with the stock intake and exhuast and will make well over 200kw at the wheels, which in a street driven STI is pretty quick.

Nice car mate. I has a Skyline 250GT which has the same motor and running gear. Drives nice and smooth, very economical too. Those wagons look good with fat wheels on them, the back will easily take an 18x10 inch rim. The sedan had the exact same suspension setup as a 350z and the wagon is probably similar, easy to get suspension parts for it. I had a set of 350z coilovers on mine, completely trasformed the handling.

No need for external wastegates, BOV's and all of that nonsense. Put a full exhaust on it, leave the factory airbox and get it tuned. No need for EBC or aftermarket ECU at this stage, the factory computer is very capable. Speedsource will do a tune for about $600-800, Torque Performance will do one for about $2k. Heaps of other people tuning Subie's as well. The V8 should get up to 220kw's at the wheels quite easily.