STI Intake

Hey I have a coworker who asked me about intake systems for his STI. I know nothing about Subaru cars. So I thought I would post his questions here for him.

So the 2 options I’m looking at are

1. Get the COBB air intake (http://www.cobbtuning.com/Subaru-SF-Intake-Kit-p/712100.htm) with the possibility of reflashing my ecu to COBB stage 1 down the road.
2. Stay with my stock ecu and get the STP air intake and heat shield (http://www.flatironstuning.com/p-1045-spt-high-flow-air-intake-system-2002-2007-wrx-sti-.aspx).

The biggest issue I have is if reflashing the ecu using the COBB Accessport to their stage one map (and after replacing the exhaust system, their stage two map) is a good idea or if it will / could put too much stress on my 2002 WRX. If it’s going to put too much stress on it, I’ll just stick with the stock ecu programming and get the STP air intake. I can’t stick with the stock air intake because the original owner had it removed and replaced with a typhoon cold air intake that I do not want anymore.

You thoughts are welcomed:-)

I'd honestly find a stock system and put it in.

You say Sti and also 2002 wrx, so that sort of contradicts each other.

Long story short, I don't think the cobb access port is worth the money as you can get an open source tune for less.

I don't have any engine, intake, or exhaust mods but did get the free stage zero tune from xpt tuning (open source). I think it works- seems to build boost lower in the RPM range. I've heard that the intakes don't really do anything in these cars, but then again, there is so much "noise" in the forums that it's hard to tell real from fiction.

Stock intake is pretty good so I see no reason to upgrade unless you're shooting for big numbers.

I know plenty of guys with over 400whp on STIs and WRXs still using stock intakes. A good friend of mine with a fully-built 550whp STi still uses a (slightly modified) stock intake. Aftermarket intakes on turbo subies do exactly jack except make noise, especially on a stock-ish subie. Maybe if he's fully bolted, then an intake could help out with breathing.....

otherwise, tell him to spend his money on a downpipe or TBE, where he'll get some actual power.

me: stage1 WRX with CBE/APstandard stage 1/stock intake....

Everyone knows why they call it the SF intake right? Stands for Stock Flow. Limit is the size at the maf, not the filter or intake supposedly

Tell 'em to buy a stock used intake. He wont gain anything at this point from an aftermarket intake but there is a very good chance he will have problems. The only time you should even think about changing the stock intake is when you have maxed out the stock MAF and you are using a larger MAF. Of course by that time you are over 400 hp and are using a front mount intercooler, larger injectors, larger turbo, different manifold, and etc. In other words he shouldnt even be thinking of an intake right now.

If he just has to have something aftermarket then tell him ot get an aftermarket silicone turbo inlet from speedyracer or somewhere.

When I asked my tuner about an intake he said best case scenario was a couple hundred rpm spool.

DaveEstey wrote: Stock intake is pretty good so I see no reason to upgrade unless you're shooting for big numbers.

It's also a major PITA to remove, if you ever want to re-install it anyway.

It bolts to the underside of the intake manifold, and it sucks to deal with.

The fix is, of course, a rotated turbo, but those suck too since Subaru routed the air inlet through the intake manifold for a damned good reason...

It's my understanding that you can't just slap an intake on a turbo suby with out a tune, if you don't tune you can hurt the engine.

Skip both options and get an Accessport and catless up-pipe. There is no reason not to reflash the ecu when it is so easy and gives such immediate results, and the up-pipe will noticeably reduce the perceived lag.