nwsurfwakeskate Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 trying to decide what option to go with. I want to retain power levels similar to stock, stock look, ideally stock heat shield too. currently have a VF40 with 123k miles on it and its leaking a little bit of oil. I want to change it out before it blows up. I'm running a stock tune. Perrin uppipe and a CBE. VF52 is sounding more and more appealing. Cost difference is about $450 between the two turbo options because if I go VF52 I have to do a tune vs just keeping the stock tune if I go with the VF40. Reliability and maybe a little more pull in higher RPM's are my goals. I was thinking about having a 14.5psi tune done since that seems to be what a stock STI runs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fahr_side Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 I thought you were dead set on staying stock... Obligatory '[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2008-gh8-238668.html?t=238668"]build thread[/URL]' Increased capacity to 2.7 liters, still turbo, but no longer need spark plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkumaMax Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Well that is a stock upgrade. IMO go with the VF52 it's just as much as the VF40 but if you would like to go past stock in the future all you would need is some new injectors and a nice tune and you can get some nice power from the VF52. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwsurfwakeskate Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 I still think of the VF52 as a stock upgrade considering its an oem part for the STI. I've been researching lately why Diesel turbo's last so much longer then gas ones and the reasons I've been finding lead me to believe a larger turbo may be more reliable. My goal is achieve somewhere between stock LGT and stock STI power with a turbo that spins slower then the VF40 Anybody know if the VF52 will fit under the VF40 heat shield? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted April 16, 2012 Moderators Share Posted April 16, 2012 The VF52 is an OEM part for the WRX, not the STI. Still an upgrade from the VF40 though, for sure. It should fit under the heatshield fine. Replacing the downpipe is what usually causes folks to cut the heatshield. Seriously though, heatshield fitment should not be a concern that plays into this decision... "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwsurfwakeskate Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 wait what turbo does the STI use? I thought STI was a VF52 and the WRX was a TD04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted April 16, 2012 Moderators Share Posted April 16, 2012 08+ wrx = VF52. No idea what the STI uses, never really cared to find out. EDIT: check out this site: http://cars101.com/ Seriously, it has LOADS of accurate subaru info. Should have definitive answers for "what turbo did XXX model year of XXX model have" etc. "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blongo804 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 New STI's are VF48 (I believe). '09+ WRX are VF52, '08 WRX is TD04. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 08+ wrx = VF52. No idea what the STI uses, never really cared to find out. EDIT: check out this site: http://cars101.com/ Seriously, it has LOADS of accurate subaru info. Should have definitive answers for "what turbo did XXX model year of XXX model have" etc. 'cmon man. 04-08 wrx got the td04, 09+ get the vf52. 08+ wrx have the same fitment IC as us. 04-06 STi got the vf39, 07 got vf43, 08+ got vf48...all the same fitment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No DRFT Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Seriously, get another VF40 and call it a day. Unless you plan on modding your car over a period of time. Just stay stock. I have no control over drippie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidWombat Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 VF46? Stock turbo for 07-09 LGT, shouldn't require a tune, might be better reliability? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 VF46? Stock turbo for 07-09 LGT, shouldn't require a tune, might be better reliability? wrongggggg. putting a vf46 on a vf40 equipped car will require a retune simply due to the different wastegate actuator. or you can switch over the actuators....i think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwsurfwakeskate Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 supposedly VF46 does actually require a tune so between VF46 and VF52 it seems like VF52 is logical if I'm going to invest in a tune. VF40 is the only no tune bolt on option. I wonder how reasonable it is to expect a shop to be able to dyno tune a car for reliability and shitty gas when they specialize in making cars as fast as possible? hmmm....decisions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 supposedly VF46 does actually require a tune so between VF46 and VF52 it seems like VF52 is logical if I'm going to invest in a tune. VF40 is the only no tune bolt on option. I wonder how reasonable it is to expect a shop to be able to dyno tune a car for reliability and shitty gas when they specialize in making cars as fast as possible? hmmm....decisions... performance modifying subaru = reliability decreased. 91 oct tunes are common, and preferred if your area of the country has that as premium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fahr_side Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 supposedly VF46 does actually require a tune... Depends on the combination of restrictor pill and actuator you use. It is possible to run the VF-46 on the stock tune if you keep the VF-40 pill but I can't remember now if you keep the VF-46 or use the VF-40 one. Search. Obligatory '[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2008-gh8-238668.html?t=238668"]build thread[/URL]' Increased capacity to 2.7 liters, still turbo, but no longer need spark plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexjapan Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 It's a lot easier to tune for simple reliability than it is to tune a car to run on the ragged edge of reliability while making lots of power. In all honestly, I don't think the VF52 is really all that more reliable than the VF40. It's just that it's newer than the VF40, thus had less time to fail. Plus whenever anybody upgrades to the VF52, they tend to remove any of the issues that caused the VF40 to fail. Your current VF40 is in the 125k range and hasn't failed yet - thus, by that logic, with a new VF40 that will probably last as long, your car is going to be at the 250k mark. Regards, Paul Hansen http://www.avoturboworld.com http://www.facebook.com/avoturboworld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robitrice Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 vf52 is my vote, i got it and its good. give more potential down the road if wanted. and they are readily available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwsurfwakeskate Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Here's another potential curve ball.. VF40's and VF46's are essentially obsoleted by the VF52 from my understanding. Is this true or are VF40's still being manufactured? By purchasing a new VF40 am I getting a possibly lower grade old bottom of the parts bin part as opposed to a new production VF52 possibly better quality VF52? agreed the stock VF40 has made a good run at 123k miles and still feels lively. I'm just a little concerned that I am the exception and that the replacement turbo could actually be worse then what I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 the vf40 can still be bought new from subaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosAngelesLGT Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Here's another potential curve ball..VF40's and VF46's are essentially obsoleted by the VF52 from my understanding. This "understanding" you speak of. I do not think it means what you think it means. Is this true or are VF40's still being manufactured? Not true AND no. By purchasing a new VF40 am I getting a possibly lower grade old bottom of the parts bin part as opposed to a new production VF52 possibly better quality VF52? Can't answer. Question makes no sense. I'm just a little concerned that I am the exception and that the replacement turbo could actually be worse then what I have. Then get a vf40/vf46 and you will have the SAME you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 http://www.fredbeansparts.com/index.php/subaru-legacy-gt-vf-series-replacement-turbocharger.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legend Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 VF52 is a nice upgrade. The VF40 heat shield will need to have a small notch cut into it as the actuator on the VF52 lines up a little differently. 5 minute job, no biggie. As for the tune, I would have a good shop dyno tune it as they normally would but have them dial back 3 degrees of timing and 1psi less boost peak and taper. You'd have the same power under 3500rpms but once past 3500rpms you'd be down 10-30whp from the "ragged edge" tune. That would give you a huge margin on safety (you'd have a safer tune than stock). Your engine bay will look 100% stock, you will have greater power than stock, and have a simple reliable setup. Go for it. My '05 LGT My '07 Supercharged Shelby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austin42008 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 If it isn't broke don't fix it. If your not looking for more power do a vf40. If you want some more power go vf52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacitBlue Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 You've got what, 130k miles? I'd be thinking about a new short block, and not just a new turbo. Our pistons aren't that good to begin with, and yours are getting long in the tooth, as the saying goes. Vf52 will get you more power, but could push your motor over the tipping point. Just my $0.02. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMER DOWN Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 You've got what, 130k miles? I'd be thinking about a new short block, and not just a new turbo. Our pistons aren't that good to begin with, and yours are getting long in the tooth, as the saying goes. Vf52 will get you more power, but could push your motor over the tipping point. Just my $0.02. All depends how it's maintained. Back in Spet.2011, at almost 174k, I did compression check, cylinders; 1) 145psi, 2)150psi, 3)145psi, 4)147psi. Check shaft play on my turbo, there is non. http://legacygt.com/forums/../images/smilies/eek.gifhttp://legacygt.com/forums/../images/smilies/cool.gif My OCI avg.15k with Amsoil 0w-30 SSO & Ea oil filters. Running Cobb stage1 93 map, max boost is still 16.2psi. Original motor & turbo are running like new. Almost 194k on my 05 now, 20k at stageII @ 18.5 psi. original motor & VF-40 turbo are still running like new. Plan on upgrading turbo in late Spring early Summer. By then I will be over 200k. My waste gate flap valve is off center. With 15k OCI, it will be ironic that I replace my turbo for this. And have zero shaft play on the turbine shaft.:spin: http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/HAMMERDOWNGT/Subaru/0906112134.jpg Mike Mileage:331487 Retired/Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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