Td_d
Commander In Chief
I bought a silver GR in late 2009, instantly fell in love with it, and within 400km had a pro-tune done. Stock was 167wkw, post tune, 191wkw. After this brief encounter with modding, I really started getting itchy to get some serious power out of the car, but I was hesitant initially, given I would lose the warranty and a maintenance plan (3 year). So I turned to the forums, and posted this up in mid Feb 2010:
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This is not your run of the mill "I'm new to STI, how do I get 3 billion BHP, blah blah" - I have a very specific power goal, identified the parts / mods and have already discussed with a very reputable tuner on this side of the world.
So... my issue is this. I have a late 2009 GR, with 10,000km (6250 miles) on it, protuned stage 1 already from 400km (250 miles - can I stop converting now
) and always running on a minimum of 98 RON, generally more like 99/100 RON (see toluene thread if you're curious). Since I went stage 1, I've been itching to take this car to where it can really go as a safe, but brutal DD - 300 WKw (400 odd WHP).
Now, this means a pretty serious sacrifice - the warranty completely voids - and so will 3/4 dealership services, up to 40,000 miles. Now before I get a whole "it won't be voided, just the part modded, and must be proved, etc." - this is not the States. Touch the car here, and strike 3, you're out, with basically zero recourse. I can quote multiple cases, so I have no illusions there.
I'm sure I'm going to get asked, why not just wait till the 40,000 miles? Well - I was going to, but then I thought - why wait 2 to 2 1/2 years, and mod with an older engine, when I will always be itching to mod now. Rather cost it intelligently, and make an informed decision.
Two questions:
- those of you with GR's out there, from 6000 miles to 40,000 - what kind of 'standard service' costs, or parts, did you have done as part of the services? basically, I'd like to cost it realistically, and not the bs figures that the dealership throw at you (always inflated). The independent shops here are also far cheaper than the dealers i.t.o. work.
- Who had seriously expensive problems in this mileage range? And what kind of issues? Please - I don't want to start up a ringland failure thread, I have read it throughly, plus the car is running good juice, and was tuned very early on in its life. I also would do the built block route (and know the costs) should the engine give me grief.
I'm seriously ready to pull the trigger on this one, just interested to see the views of this very committed, and informative forum (I've been lurking for months ;-) )
</ends thesis>
What I forgot to add was that I'm not going to mess around with the mod path, and go straight to 'stage 4', including a new turbo, meth, larger intercooler, etc.
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The rest is history, as they say
. I decided to go BIG build. After a torturous, and frustration filled 4 month long process (about half a year including periods where I actually drove the car!), I got my baby back in early Nov 2010, and it's just been pure joy to drive. Even on the break in tune, it was a rip, never mind the final high boost, meth tune (373whp).
Now on the last stretch, currently in for some final suspension and fueling mods, after which we can seriously crank up the boost - aiming for mid 300's wkw (470-480whp)!
Mod list below.
______________________________
This is not your run of the mill "I'm new to STI, how do I get 3 billion BHP, blah blah" - I have a very specific power goal, identified the parts / mods and have already discussed with a very reputable tuner on this side of the world.
So... my issue is this. I have a late 2009 GR, with 10,000km (6250 miles) on it, protuned stage 1 already from 400km (250 miles - can I stop converting now
Now, this means a pretty serious sacrifice - the warranty completely voids - and so will 3/4 dealership services, up to 40,000 miles. Now before I get a whole "it won't be voided, just the part modded, and must be proved, etc." - this is not the States. Touch the car here, and strike 3, you're out, with basically zero recourse. I can quote multiple cases, so I have no illusions there.
I'm sure I'm going to get asked, why not just wait till the 40,000 miles? Well - I was going to, but then I thought - why wait 2 to 2 1/2 years, and mod with an older engine, when I will always be itching to mod now. Rather cost it intelligently, and make an informed decision.
Two questions:
- those of you with GR's out there, from 6000 miles to 40,000 - what kind of 'standard service' costs, or parts, did you have done as part of the services? basically, I'd like to cost it realistically, and not the bs figures that the dealership throw at you (always inflated). The independent shops here are also far cheaper than the dealers i.t.o. work.
- Who had seriously expensive problems in this mileage range? And what kind of issues? Please - I don't want to start up a ringland failure thread, I have read it throughly, plus the car is running good juice, and was tuned very early on in its life. I also would do the built block route (and know the costs) should the engine give me grief.
I'm seriously ready to pull the trigger on this one, just interested to see the views of this very committed, and informative forum (I've been lurking for months ;-) )
</ends thesis>
What I forgot to add was that I'm not going to mess around with the mod path, and go straight to 'stage 4', including a new turbo, meth, larger intercooler, etc.
__________________________________________________________________
The rest is history, as they say
. I decided to go BIG build. After a torturous, and frustration filled 4 month long process (about half a year including periods where I actually drove the car!), I got my baby back in early Nov 2010, and it's just been pure joy to drive. Even on the break in tune, it was a rip, never mind the final high boost, meth tune (373whp).Now on the last stretch, currently in for some final suspension and fueling mods, after which we can seriously crank up the boost - aiming for mid 300's wkw (470-480whp)!
Mod list below.
