Info on NZ new 2006 WRX 2.5L?

[keeweechris]

Yo,

Thinking of buying a 2006 nz new 2.5L WRX st/wgn. Anyone point me in the direction of specs?

I\'ve currently got a 97 wrx, which is pretty simple. But just wondering what they\'ve improved since then. Ie factory power ratings? LSD\'s? Traction control? Stability control? Programmable ECU? Airbags? Cat in uppie? No cat in uppie? Fuel economy?

Cheers for any info guys!

[lunchie]

hey mate, can help out with any and all of those.

Factory HP is 169KW I believe so around 230hp.

Bare in mind though that even this is less than the official rating of your 97 wrx their actual hp on a dyno would be almost even. Should have nicer down low torque though.

From memory they also got uprated 4 pot brakes in the front too.

Expect Flat 14 1/4 mile and high 5\'s to 100kph

Rear LSD yes but front no

Traction control, no

any stability control, dont think so.... maybe... but pretty sure no.

Good ABS though

Very reflashable ecu great extra HP opportunity

Airbags yes atleast 2

2 cats from memory one in up pipe and one in down pipe.

Fuel econ. 12-15ltr per 100kms around town 9-10 open road.

You should also know that there is a 100+page thread in both the US and UK wrx forums on failing 2.5 wrx/sti engines that are completely stock and with low kms. This problem is far less common in 2.0 ltr models.

My advice would be get a VERY good warranty with yours or buy the JDM model which still uses the 2.0ltr and is identical in all other ways.

Or buy the previous shape 2005 model NZ new which still uses the 2ltr and also gets the uprated interior same as the 2006 shape.

Feel free to email me with any questions or if you want my opinion on any specific cars on trademe etc

Cheers

Lunchie

[keeweechris]

Thanks Lunchie! Much appreciated!

[keeweechris]

Can you point me in the direction of the 2.5L problems? The one I\'m looking at is private sale, and 100,000km. 2 owners, really good cond, so prob not abused. All stock.

Any idea if they have centre lsd?

Cheers

[funkytown]

 keeweechris said:

Can you point me in the direction of the 2.5L problems? The one I\'m looking at is private sale, and 100,000km. 2 owners, really good cond, so prob not abused. All stock.

Any idea if they have centre lsd?

Cheers

overly simple answer unless im thinking about this wrong... they have to have a LSD center diff.. its 4wd and without it wouldnt work? lol

[keeweechris]

I\'m no expert, but I thought my simple old 97 wrx has a budget old centre diff where if the front or back shaft would spin if the other was stationary (ie no lsd)? I heard rumours that newer models put an LSD in centre so it shared power across front/back if one end wanted to spin.

[funkytown]

nah you will always get drive to both a front and rear wheel with split with the viscous center couplings?

then depends on the front / rear diff as to what the sets of wheels do.

i could be barking mad though. ;D

[keeweechris]

Ahhhh. Maybe not an issue though. Old wrx drives me mad with no lsd in rear... park on snow or mud and one wheel ends up spinning and car going nowhere. Hopefully rear lsd would fix that?

Checked out car today... only 2 airbags, but sounds like side ab come as option from new.

No idea what turbo they put in it. Stock turbo, but can\'t see any IHIxxx markings without taking things off. Can see "6B06 N2" stamped on compressor housing though. Looks bigger than the TD04 in my 97wrx. Just wondering if it\'s ball bearing shaft (as opposed to the old oil cooled turbo where you have to leave it running to cool before turning off) and if its twin scroll like the legacy\'s? That would be nice!

[lunchie]

its not twin scroll. I believe its a bigger version of the TD04. They are not top end rushy like early wrxs they run out of puff around 6k rpm.

Also the main problem with them is the 2.5 was only brought in to accommodate new emissions regulations. From what I can glean from the US and UK threads the stock tune leans out in certain places which caused the number 3 or 4 piston to melt. They have found that replacing with a forged piston seemed to help or another way was to get the ecu remapped and even then there are guys that have gone though 3+ engines with 0 mods. However if you do remap the ecu this may risk voiding the warranty.

[lunchie]

Just buy 2ltr version. you Don\'t lose anything

[keeweechris]

I test drove a 2004 wrx a while ago, and it had noticibly less kick than my 97 wrx. I thought that the weight increase had tamed it down a bit, but it may have been a dud.

The 2.5L on the other hand seems to have more hoof than my 97. Based on that, I\'m kinda reluctant to by a 2004/5 2.0L, would feel like a downgrade.

[lunchie]

Fair enough man, I can understand that. The 2.5 does have noticeable low done torque, I think an extra 20-30nm. Just make sure you go in with both eyes open.

Other than that issue they are great cars Hope you enjoy yours!

[keeweechris]

Thx for your help lunchie. Mechanics inspection on Tues, then handing over the keys hopefully! Fingers crossed I don\'t melt the pistons!

[lunchie]

I\'m sure you will be fine. Just don\'t wind the boost up and consider a reflash to maintain a decent level of air/fuel ratio. Don\'t wanna lean things out too much

[keeweechris]

Cool man. I was considering keeping the exhaust and intake stock, and remapping to something slightly better. Not sure about all this remapping stuff though, as this will be first time. Or maybe take snorkle off intake and use kn panel filter from my old wrx. Not sure if it will do much though.

[lunchie]

the remapping needs to be thought of as this.

Subaru makes 10,000 wrxs per year

500 each go to 20 different countries.

All of those different countries use different grades of fuel ranging from 92 octane to 100 octane.

All of those locations are at different altitudes which alter the fuel/air ratio in the engine.

All of those cars are subject to different levels of servicing and driving styles.

The ECU tune is the thing that mitigates all those massively differing factors from damaging the engine.

The ECU remap simply takes the ECU tune and changes all its perameters to be in line with the conditions in NZ and the fuel and driving style you intend to use.

In all honesty a remap if done by a reputable tuner makes a car MORE reliable, not less.

Also remember that most remaps dont alter the boost pressure more than

1-2psi (if at all) and YOU tell the tuner what you want from the remap. Its a specific map for your vehicle, very different from the mass produced chips that spread through the market in the early 2000\'s. All these chips did was generally increase boost, raise rev limits and advance the ignition timing, this was about as useful as fitting a boost tee and going nuts.

I would get and ECU remap over ANY other mod including exhaust or intake. Its safer and produces more power for the money.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about which tuner to use.

Cheers

Lunchie