Anybody in this range? What does it take to get there?

 

I'm going to guess a head and cam + tune, but I haven't seen any heads yet for the 2nd gens.

 

The limiting factor on reaching 300hp is the turbo, the stock cylinder head is already very good, that said, if you know what your doing, it can provide very good gains too, but this is a skill, and not as straight forward as people think.

Both I and Thumper (I believe) have modified the 2nd generation cylinder head, so the knowledge is out there.

 

Would stock pistons and cylinder walls take this abuse?

 

Most definitely YES, that said, anybody wanting this (300+) hp, should be looking into safeguarding your engine, don't just simply bolt on a different turbo, turn up the boost pressure, and simply think everything else will be ok!

In the short term it maybe, however other weak points of this particular engine are the Aluminum crankshaft bearings, the connecting rods and then the fasteners to securely hold all this together!

With the above mentioned, I don't think many of you will be pushing much beyond 280hp but if you do, the above mentioned components are available in the performance aftermarket.

 

WOW! that is a lot for a little car. I'd be happy with 240 but more always is very enticing!