My search has ended for now...

Well some of you guys have helped me with my AADD and my dilema between a GTO, e46 M3 and the MS3 and I appreciate it verymuch. Well this weekend I brought home a new toy, and surprise, surprise, it isn't any of the above. I found an '08 WRX that was priced right where I was looking, and after taking it for a nice long ride I talked myselft into it. It even comes with a cat back, aem cold air intake, and an HKS bov. I know I've read some negativses about the '08 compared to the '09+ WRXs but I have no complaints about it so far. This example doesnt seem to be too down on power since I messed around with a 2010 WRX and stayed with it every time we messed around.

Anyway just figured I would share and brag a little

the 08's could be tuned up to match the power of a 10 with minimal programming work. the ability is there, it just took Subaru a while to figure it out.

Great car! I think the 08 and the Saabarus are the best bargains on a Subie out there. A lot of the Subistas will say that the 08 is the least desirable year but I think that just drives down prices on good cars.

You have probably done this but if it was me I would confirm exactly which AEM intake was on the car and verify that the MAF scaling is correct. If you need the MAF scalings to get you in the ballpark let me know.

Again, if it was me I would also take a long hard look at that bov. If I absolutely had to have the noise I would make sure it has been maintained.

If the BOV just let a bunch of metered air out and the computer is still put fuel to use with that air and now that unburnt fuel is hitting the hot cat. Isn't that the way you destroy cats?

Or is it a diverter valve?

In my car, the blow-off valve comes before the mass air flow sensor.

On the WRX the bov/bpv is post turbo on the intercooler. The return line is post MAF just before the turbo. On a Subie you can make the bov work sort of ok but you will have to constantly fiddle with it and watch your logs like a hawk. And thats just to get it close to the same service level of the stock system.