About this Blog...

There is an old saying that I like that goes “the only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked”.

When it comes to improving your car’s performance, more than likely you have more questions than answers. I know that I do. So with this in mind, I decided to create a “Frequently Asked Questions” blog.

Part of the reason for this is that when you decide to start modifying your car, you have a lot of the same questions that we all did when we started out, and no matter what you have done to your car, more than likely you are looking for the next thing you can do to make your car go, stop, or turn faster, and you might have a question or two…

Our goal is to make this “FAQ” blog into a resource for anyone from someone that is just starting to modify their car to someone that has put in a fully built engine or two, and is still looking for an answer a question.

To begin with, we are going to put up commonly asked questions, and our answers to them. However, if you don’t see the question that you have, feel free to post it as a reply to this first post, and we will do our best to answer it. Also, if you read an answer, and it sparks another question, feel free to ask it as a reply to this first post as well, and we’ll do our best to answer it too.

The only requirement that we have is that your questions stay on topic.

Thanks for looking and please check back often as hopefully this will continue to grow into a large resource as more people become aware of it.

Jon Cooley

Comments

[Cris Holler]

How do i unmarry the acessport do i have to take to a tum\ner?

[Tisha]

When I bought the car I had the SPT intake and a SPT cat back installed. About 4 months after we bought the car the MAF sensor went bad. The dealership said that it was due to the SPT intake. We took it off and have had no problems since. Is there a reason for this?

[J. Cooley]

Thank you for your question Tisha.

I have not heard of this before, so I would like a little more information. What is the year and model of your car? Was the MAF sensor replaced, or did you simply put the stock air-box back on, and that corrected the problem? Was the filter of the SPT intake ever cleaned? Did the Subaru dealership tell you how exactly the MAF sensor failed?

With that I should be able to give you a better guess as to what might be the cause.

J. Cooley

[Elvin Martinez]

Can I use the same (one) AccessPort unit for both of my cars? I have a 2002 WRX (automatic) and a 2005 WRX (automatic). In other words, can I use the AP for one car and then use it on the other or do I have to have two different units for each car?

[J. Cooley]

Because the Access Port encodes itself to your ECU, it can only be used on 1 car at a time. So if you want both of your cars to have a different map at the same time, you would need 2 Access Ports.

Thank you for your question.

J. Cooley

[Tom]

Is the SPT high flow intake and exhaust only for the WRX/STI or can they be installed in a N/A impreza. Also in you Q&A about the AccessPort would that benefit a N/A impreza as well, or are all these mods strickly for turbo models only? Thanks.

[J. Cooley]

Hello Tom,

Thank you for your question. The parts that you mention are for the WRX and STI only, and will not fit a non-turbo Subaru. There is a reasonable chance that a muffler ship could adapt the cat-back to fit your car, but the intake system is entirely different.

Also, at this time, the Access Port is only available for the Turbo-Charged Subaru's only. It may be available for the N/A cars at some time in the future, but don't have any other information about it.

Sorry I couldn't give you a better answer.

[Harry Nazarian]

Mr. Cooley,

Thank you for your time in a very informative site. But given the current times we have, I have a particular question I was wondering about.

I want to update the tune on my car as well as the exhaust so I have a better performing EJ25 in my Legacy. Now I have talked this topic at length with people and I get answers that go all over the place. Here is the question:

Would it be better to go with an after market exhaust system (i.e. AVO turbo-back system) or just take the current system you have, port and polish it, powder coat it, and remove the resonators? In my state, we need to have catalytic converters (which I don't understand on electronically controlled fuel injection systems).

I was wondering if I could get your opinion about this.

Thank you kindly,

-Harry

[Steve Wood]

I've just purchased a 2000 Subaru Forrester GT. Somebody has bypassed the waste gate solenoid. Why would you do that? Will it be detrimental to the turbo life that it is running practically any time the engine is off idle?

[Jon Cooley]

"I've just purchased a 2000 Subaru Forrester GT. Somebody has bypassed the waste gate solenoid. Why would you do that? Will it be detrimental to the turbo life that it is running practically any time the engine is off idle?"

Thank you for your question. IF the Boost Control Solenoid was by-passed, most likely the car had a manual boost controller at some time. If the vacuum hose goes directly from the compressor outlet to the wastegate actuator, then you would actually be running less boost than if you were using the solenoid to control things, so most likely you aren't hurting anything. But it would still be a good idea to check the boost pressure that you are running.

Jon Cooley

[Jon Cooley]

"Mr. Cooley,

Thank you for your time in a very informative site. But given the current times we have, I have a particular question I was wondering about.

I want to update the tune on my car as well as the exhaust so I have a better performing EJ25 in my Legacy. Now I have talked this topic at length with people and I get answers that go all over the place. Here is the question:

Would it be better to go with an after market exhaust system (i.e. AVO turbo-back system) or just take the current system you have, port and polish it, powder coat it, and remove the resonators? In my state, we need to have catalytic converters (which I don't understand on electronically controlled fuel injection systems).

I was wondering if I could get your opinion about this.

Thank you kindly,

-Harry"

Thank you for your question. If emissions is a concern for you, and it is understandable, than your safest option would be to stick with the OEM down-pipe. Unfortunately, you will not get much of an improvement if you keep the stock down-pipe (with the cats) even if you remove the resonator, and ceramic coat the exhaust. There is also virtually nothing that you could change with a port and pollish of the turbo-back as well.

The other option would be to get a down pipe like the Cobb that has a high quality metal substrate catalyst, and then have an exhaust shop weld in a second metal substrate catalyst. That way you would have the same # and location of cat's, and you would likely pass the 'sniffer test' as well.

I know people that have done that here in Colorado with good results, but you should check your state's emissions laws to see if that would be acceptable.

Jon Cooley

[Michael Karpenko]

I have a 2002 WRX Stock engine with minor modds. So far I have installed Dual Stage BOV(recirculating). APS high flow intake 65mm. Borla Exhaust R1 series.

Now my question is on what I have installed so far will it damage my engine in any way? The one concern that really has me worried is the APS High Flow intake. because it is installed in the wheel well I am wondering will it damage my engine in any way. Please let me know.

Thank you
Mike Kalamazoo, Mi

[Jon Cooley]

Thank you for your question Mike. In regards to your intake, just because it is in your fender well, that would not inherently cause any damage to your car. However, it will only work efficiently as long as your filter is clean, so you need to make sure that you are checking it periodically.

Probably every time you change your oil.

Also, Subaru’s are very picky about intakes. The first thing to look for is a Check Engine Light, or CEL. If you put on an intake, and you immediately see a CEL for Mass Air-Flow Sensor Out of range, that is a tell tale sign to take that intake off.

However, even if you don’t see a CEL, that doesn’t mean that the intake is necessarily working correctly. Ideally, you would want to do a few baseline pulls on a dyno and keep an eye on the Air Fuel Ratio to make sure that the intake isn’t leaning the fuel out too much.

If it does, then you would need to get your car custom tuned in order to run that intake safely.

Jon Cooley

[Tom]

I have a '09 WRX, it has cat-less up & down pipes, high flow exhaust, k&n intake, Cobb AP + custom mapping. All said I'm making good pulls. I have on order a strut tower brace and ft & rr sway bars and end links from Perrin. Several question i guess come to mind. Firstly, I have mixed exhaust parts from Invidia up & down pipes to Perrins cat back. i like the equal length headers from Perrin, will there any issues matching them at the gasket? Secondly, the k&n intake i have whines a lot. I like the sound, however. is it like that because air flow is to restricted? Should i change in a larger intake? That being said, what is the difference between an intake and an inlet hose? both go to the turbo dont they?
Thanks for your advice,

Tom

[John]

I am dissapointed that there is no longer an Outback turbo option.
Can you make a Biturbo option for the current 6 cylinder Outback?

[Dan Kaye]

with out changing my hoses on my 2010 Saab to silicone hose on the turbo/intercooler; they keep coming off under power. I have a mild stage 3 tune. what else would be a safe bet. also I have a modified exhaust 3" from the 3 inch down pipe to cat back mufflers. there is a very bad drone in the car; best way to quiet that down.
Thanks