Thursday 2nd February 2006

Scoobie booster on sale

New turbocharger takes Impreza to 500bhp

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Scoobie booster

Scoobie not fast enough? Maybe it needs a new turbocharger to take it to 500bhp.

Owen Developments, which makes kit for Prodrive's Subaru rally team has added to its range of turbochargers for both road and rally Imprezas. It's developed an integral wastegated turbine housing to accept the latest high performance Garrett GT Ball Bearing range of Center Housing Rotating Assembly (CHRA) turbines.

The new turbine housing allows the Garrett turbocharger to be fitted to the Subaru’s existing inlet manifold so the change can be made, said the company, "with the minimum of effort for maximum performance".

Two versions are available, one delivers up to 400bhp and the other provides 430-500bhp, depending on the choice of components used. Both versions are priced at £1,200 plus VAT.

Owen Developments also has a supply of homologated turbochargers as replacement units for rally cars.

• www.owendevelopments.co.uk

[GravelBen]

hmmmm.....I like the sound of that. pity I don't have the right sort of scooby to use one.

[Mr E]

I think you'll need rather more than a 1200 quid turbo to make 500 bhp reliably.

[Fire99]

Mr E said:

I think you'll need rather more than a 1200 quid turbo to make 500 bhp reliably.

All these are, are turbo's which can handle 500bhp. The engine needs plenty of work to handle enough boost to get 500bhp.

[shadowninja]

Fire99 said:

Mr E said: I think you'll need rather more than a 1200 quid turbo to make 500 bhp reliably. All these are, are turbo's which can handle 500bhp. The engine needs plenty of work to handle enough boost to get 500bhp.

That's what I thought as soon as I read "500bhp".

[riverproaudio]

not to mention brakes, suspension ............

[scoobiewrx]

My understanding is that you need actually not do a great deal. The latest 2.5 STi's already come with the right suspension, brakes, gearbox/clutch and engine components (forged pistons, conrods) etc... all it takes is the right type of decat exhaust, engine management software mods, waterspray, larger intercooler and you're away. The engines are pretty bullet proof so they can take a big power increase. I am swapping my WRX for a 2.5 STi later this year. All i need then is another £5K - £6K to pay for the speed hike which includes the turbo charger above. WR developments at Silverstone will do the neccessary mods, you buy the parts, i have already made enquiries. 500BHP is not unusual for a modified Impreza, and they remain reliable for everyday use.

[dewey]

If your replacing with a larger turbocharger surely its going to take longer to spool up. I'd also be concerned about the driveability of the car and how progressive the power comes in. Do you really need an additional 200bhp?

[GregE240]

dewey said:

If your replacing with a larger turbocharger surely its going to take longer to spool up. I'd also be concerned about the driveability of the car and how progressive the power comes in. Do you really need an additional 200bhp?

Oy, haven't you got work to do, sonny?!!!

Good to have you back on here, Si....

[mybrainhurts]

Why does a little windmill cost £1200....?

[dnb]

With a 2.5l engine, you've got sufficient cubes to spin up a big turbo...

It wouldn't work so well for those of us with 2.0l engines. Still, I'm happy with my meagre 350 bhp.

[Fire99]

Well if you're going for the 2.5 engine then thats gonna help.
To be fair, a decent upgraded intercooler + sports decat pipe, Electronic boost controller etc etc will cost a tidy penny which you gotta budget for.

My mate's Sti (2.0) has 300bhp and would need a few quid on top of the Tubby to get 500bhp (well more than once anyway.. :-) )

[Adam B]

would the std clutch and gearbox cope?

[dnb]

The ECUs are mappable if you have the right software.

[Monkeylegend]

But what is the point?

Where can you safely use 500 horses on our roads? A waste of money in my opinion.

[vixpy1]

Adam B said:

would the std clutch and gearbox cope?

The six speed will cope with 600bhp +

The later 5 speeds will do about 400ish..

Early uk 5 speeds fall apart at about 350bhp

[vixpy1]

Gazboy said:

scoobiewrx said: all it takes is the right type of decat exhaust, engine management software mods, waterspray, larger intercooler and you're away. Is the STi ecu mappable, or would you need an aftermarket jobbie like a Motec? Also, wouldn't you need to lower the c/r ratio and have uprated gaskets and studs, larger injectors and a huge fuel pump?

Thye later Sti's will run 420ish on standard internals, but you will need bigger injectors and fuel pump.. 3 inch exhaust and front mount. Oh, and a Ecutek map or Different ECU..

One of my customers is currenly seeing how far he can push is 04 Sti, currently around 400, but hopefully around 430 tommorow night

[stevieturbo]

Monkeylegend said:

But what is the point? Where can you safely use 500 horses on our roads? A waste of money in my opinion.

Then, people with slow cars might often say such things about faster cars.

I'd be more inclined to think....only 500 ???

[jellison]

presume it would be like the FQ400 Evo - great top end but lag from hell so largely pointless in the real world where you cannot have it in th ego zone all the time under normal road conditions.

Stevie - they need a thumping big V8 to start with (then maybe do not need the blower - but if you do Whoooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!

>> Edited by jellison on Friday 3rd February 08:51

[tuttle]

stevieturbo said:

Monkeylegend said: But what is the point? Where can you safely use 500 horses on our roads? A waste of money in my opinion. Then, people with slow cars might often say such things about faster cars. I'd be more inclined to think....only 500 ???

Am inclined to agree with MonkeyL. I love big power & would never knock it. I just don't often get the chance to make many of those ponies work. My present thinking is to get something small,light & agile.



On the other hand........

[FestivAli]

Awesome. The faster they go the less time we have to see the ugly new grille.

(Might be fun as well)