The next stage for the WRX STI found a bit more power and sound. At first I was waiting until 3 years were up to start making changes under the hood, but after 15,000 memorable miles... there's no way I can consider getting rid of this thing any time soon. Plus, it sounds like if I do ever part ways with it, it would have to go to David Higgins... so there's that.
To turn up the heat, I needed a few parts and a tune. Found a great deal on some lightly used parts that saved me a ton of $$$ versus buying them new. A Grimmspeed Catless Downpipe, Grimmspeed Heat Shield, and a ARK Performance GRiP catback exhaust were sourced and installed along with a new Grimmspeed Electronic Boost Controller and an Innovate Motorsports Wideband Sensor tied into the ECU.
Had some friends over to help install it all and the next day I headed to Des Moines for a tune from Graham Gaylord. This is my second tune from Boosted Performance (first was just a simple "Stage 1") and had a great time with him as usual. We really opened up the top and bottom end of the power band and noticeably reduced Turbo lag. Not only that, but Graham was pleased with the Symphony of Sound the ARK GRiP was creating while still being easy on our ears inside the cabin. The sound is great and there's almost no drone!
Gonna put together a good video under different driving conditions, but for now that one I had before will do.
https://youtu.be/iyTqYaPjewE
I'm really happy with the performance and exhaust note from this setup. There's some adjustment I want to make to the passenger side exhaust hangars (they sit slightly lower than the drivers side) but other than that, I'm really pleased with how everything went. Along with the added power, the stickier Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires I got on my Method wheels earlier this spring are still keeping me glued to the road so this car is more than just fun in a straight line. The car still feels very predictable thanks to that balance between grip and power.