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By Marshall on 02/27/2015

Bucky Lasek’s “Subrina” STI Build

subrina

Bucky Lasek has been a customer of COBB Tuning for a number of years now.  A true gearhead at heart, he loves being behind the wheel and enjoys being able to blow off a bit of steam when necessary.  Being a driver for Subaru Rally Team USA, Subaru is obviously in his blood.  He recently paid our COBB Tuning SoCal shop a visit to bump up the power output of his 2012 STI.

Bucky’s goal with his 2012 STI was to show what the car is capable of with the budget of an average enthusiast in mind.  Simple is the name of the game here, every bolt-on part has a purpose.  The car is equipped with a coilover suspension kit, upgraded swaybars, and basic bolt-on performance pieces to increase airflow through the engine.  This is a car Bucky can take his kids to school in, enjoy a bit of spirited driving in the canyons outside of LA, or beat on at the road course.  He originally came in a few years ago to have the car custom tuned on the stock turbo utilizing the COBB Accessport.  The car made 321 hp and 364 ft/lb on a 50/50 blend of ACN91 and 100 octane fuel with an upgraded exhaust manifold, turboback exhaust, fuel pump, and intake.

bucky_stock_turbo_graph

Recently, Bucky approached us looking to step up the power of his STI.  The car already had great low-end torque, he was simply looking to add more mid and high-end power to back up that torque.  After a consultation with the crew at COBB Tuning SoCal, a short list of modifications was established to reach Bucky’s power goal.

All of that would be tied together with custom tuning on three fuel types – 91 octane, 91/100 octane blend, and E85.  With the convenience of the Accessport, Bucky is able to switch between these maps in no time at all depending on the fuel in the tank.

When all said and done, Jon Hebbeln of COBB Tuning SoCal was able to squeeze out 431 hp and 445 ft/lb with the new setup on E85 fuel.  For the every day driving on ACN91 fuel, the car is making 362 hp and 378 ft/lb and the 50/50 blend of 91/100 octane is putting out 385 hp and 406 ft/lb.  As you can see, with the addition of just a few parts, the car has really waken up.  The use of E85 allows a tuner to be much more aggressive with timing and boost.

bucky_dom1.5_graph

51 responses to “Bucky Lasek’s “Subrina” STI Build”

  3. I understand that Cobb SoCal uses a Mustang dyno.. but do the dynos posted in this blog post rate the power at the wheels or crank? I’m just curious as the post doesn’t say much.. just says horsepower.

    Reply

  5. Wow…Awesome little build and video! Loved it! Any idea on what gauges he has and what mounts they’re attached to? They look like Defi just haven’t seen a top windshield/headliner style mount!

    Reply

  7. I see a fuel pump was added when stock turbo upgrades were installed, but the normal 65c upgrade wouldn’t likely satisfy 400+who on E85. Could you comment on which pump he is using for the current DOM setup?

    Reply

  10. How about aftermarket tmic/fmic? Did he have any engine work done as far as Pistons rods etc? Or is he just taking a chance w the dom? I’m sure he can afford getting the engine rebuilt if he blows it up but for the “regular customizer” does Cobb support these mods? I’m asking (and I’m sure you have heard this many times) bc at some point I may go for the 1.5 but worried Its too much on my engine.

    2015 sti
    Mods so far:

    1100cc inj/sel
    Greddy evo3
    Invidia dp
    Aem intake
    Fuel pump
    KB short shift/bushings
    Ze40 rays
    Rce springs

    Reply

    • You’re off to a great start with your STI! Bucky previously had the OEM pistons replaced with a set of forged drop-ins. He’s definitely playing with the limit of the factory rods and would need to address those before going any further.

      Marshall@COBB

      Reply

  11. You guys did not change out the MAP sensor on this and transition it to SD did you? I am running the same set up practically but with a lot more to back it up and am on the MAF still only because my tuner stated that my ID1000s became maxed out on E85 at 22 psi. I am looking to upgrade to the 1300s and a new MAP to make the transition to running a bit more boost. Love the build though! Its amazing.

    Reply

    • He’s currently still using standard MAF strategy with the factory MAP sensor in place. The 1300s will give you the extra overhead you’re looking for on E85. We love this build, it’s at an ideal power level for a daily driven car.

      Marshall@COBB

      Reply

  12. I know those seats in Bucky’s car are Recaro’s,what is the model? and do they still make them? thank you.

    Reply

  14. Awesome video guys! I just picked up an 08 STI with similar mods. It’s not currently tuned on E85 though and I’d like to get it tuned this spring. Do you offer remote custom tuning? My car currently has a stock motor with aftermarket pistons like Bucky’s, Tomei M7960 turbo, and of course a Cobb turbo back and access port. The injectors are ID1000’s. Do you think I could make similar numbers sticking with the 1000’s and going to a large enough fuel pump or would it be necessary to upgrade to 1300’s to make these numbers?

    Reply

    • Hey Ray, we do not offer e-Tuning however many of or Protuners do. You can find a list of those Protuners using the Dealer/Tuner Locator on our website. The 1000cc injectors would get you to right around 400whp on E85, if you’re looking for any more than that I would recommend stepping up to the 1300s.

      Marshall@COBB

      Reply

  15. Have you guys ever build a Car for Top Speed? Love to have the Quick off the line stuff, but it would be good to see and STI That can Run 180MPH .. Email back if you guys want to do this.

    Reply

    • Hey Ed, there really aren’t many people that have used an STI for top speed racing such as standing mile or roll-racing events. With the right team, anything is possible. Are you near to one of our COBB Shops?

      Marshall@COBB

      Reply

  17. I did not notice or was unable to find any info on Buckys’ clutch, brand? model#? flywheel type? kind of disc? etc. thanks!

    Reply

    • Hey Steve, the stock STI internals are usually good up to around 350-400whp. Most owners choose to upgrade the pistons at that point as they are the initial weakest link. Following that, the factory rods are typically swapped out once torque output is nearing ~400 ft/lbs at the wheels.

      Marshall@COBB

      Reply

  19. I have a ’13 hatch with the Stage 1+ kit installed, so far. Portland is my closest Cobb shop and I would be interested in getting an estimate for a build with performance and driveability on 91 and 93 and still look as sleeper as a STI can…

    Thanks,

    KP

    Reply

  22. Does that turbo just fit right in with the normal intake parts or is there other things u have to Buy aside from the turbo to drop it in?

    Reply

    • I believe it is sold as a bolt-on turbo. We had to replace the intercooler y-pipe with a bit longer option to reach the compressor outlet.

      Marshall@COBB

      Reply

    • We’re not exactly sure which pistons were used as it was done at a different shop. In general, most of the upgraded forged pistons offered for the EJ257 are good for 500+ WHP.

      Marshall@COBB

      Reply

  24. Hey, I was wondering weather i should get an 06 STI or a 2008-2014 Hatch STI…any suggestions also, i was wondering if i got the hatch and brought my car out to you guys in fountain valley, ca which i live closest to and i handed you 10k and told you to make the most power and upgrades to the car how much power can you make i want a 91oct tune and a e85 tune maybe air suspension and sway bars with that how much power could i make with 10k or if i dont use sway bars or suspension how much power would i get if i just drop 10k into the engine for a reliable power i was also thinking of getting some asthetics like lights and aereo spoilers like sideskirts front lip spoiler and rear diffusers thank you so much also i was wondering if you guys do sponsorships because i got to alot of car shows and would rep your gear hard like decals shirts everything to maybe get a discount thank you so much bye

    Reply

    • Hello,

      My personal preference would be the 06 STI but both are good cars. The amount of power you make will depend on where you pu tthe money. Spending on things like air ride will reduce the amount of power you can make on your budget. Contact SoCal directly for more details and to go over costs: http://www.cobbtuning.com/location/socal/

      Kyle@COBB

      Reply

  25. Would y’all be able to pull off a similar tune with the ’16 WRX? If so what’s a ballpark figure for the expense?

    Reply

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