JFReturn's Hawkeye WRX Wagon
Discussion
Righto PH'ers. It is finally time for me to grow up and get a sensible car, as my VX220 was no longer practical and was making my bones fall apart into dust. Amazing car though.
Anyway, I've got an evergrowing puppy and in an attempt to convince SWMBO that Impreza's can be sensible, I got a Hawkeye WRX Wagon. For the budget I could not think of a better rounded car.
Here are some pics:
Impressions so far - comfortable, rapid, practical. My only only plans are to save for a Prodrive Performance Pack and give it a proper detail.
Really miss my VX though! Oh and I need to keep this car for at least a year else I'm dead meat
Anyway, I've got an evergrowing puppy and in an attempt to convince SWMBO that Impreza's can be sensible, I got a Hawkeye WRX Wagon. For the budget I could not think of a better rounded car.
Here are some pics:
Impressions so far - comfortable, rapid, practical. My only only plans are to save for a Prodrive Performance Pack and give it a proper detail.
Really miss my VX though! Oh and I need to keep this car for at least a year else I'm dead meat
These cars go around corners well enough and don't stop too bad either. Forget PPP, just get a proper exhaust system and keep the old one for MOT time if you don't have a friendly MOT man to go to. Alternatively, get a Prodrive sports cat, mate that to a factory compatible stainless exhaust system and you'll get through MOT's no probs.
Exhaust/Uppipe, Panel filter and remap. After a remap the torque these things produce from such a small turbo is bonkers!! Due to the 2.5 motor the turbo spools up from nothing and will keep going till 5Krpm where it tails off pretty quickly thereafter. Overtaking and motorway running is even nicer than a 2ltr, and cross country miles are covered in a very relaxed fashion as you just leave it in top gear and you're away.
Nice looking wagon BTW, excellent choice sir!!
Exhaust/Uppipe, Panel filter and remap. After a remap the torque these things produce from such a small turbo is bonkers!! Due to the 2.5 motor the turbo spools up from nothing and will keep going till 5Krpm where it tails off pretty quickly thereafter. Overtaking and motorway running is even nicer than a 2ltr, and cross country miles are covered in a very relaxed fashion as you just leave it in top gear and you're away.
Nice looking wagon BTW, excellent choice sir!!
Lovely looking car, and as you rightly wrote, there's not much else that compares in terms of value for money for the performance.
Agree with the comment above, ppp is pricey for what you get. My previous Impreza (2.5 WRX) had the ppp and it is certainly good to have the extra power, but an exhaust and remap will give you a lot more power for a lot less ££'s. Don't agree that it runs out of puff at 5k though, yes it pulls from low down with the 2.5 but easily revs to the redline.
I would thoroughly recommend getting a whiteline rear anti roll bar or similar, I wasn't sure whether to believe the hype but it really did make a huge difference to handling.
Agree with the comment above, ppp is pricey for what you get. My previous Impreza (2.5 WRX) had the ppp and it is certainly good to have the extra power, but an exhaust and remap will give you a lot more power for a lot less ££'s. Don't agree that it runs out of puff at 5k though, yes it pulls from low down with the 2.5 but easily revs to the redline.
I would thoroughly recommend getting a whiteline rear anti roll bar or similar, I wasn't sure whether to believe the hype but it really did make a huge difference to handling.
The TD04 Starts to run out of puff at around 5000rpm on a 2.5 where it starts to tail off fairly quickly after that although you'll see almost 19psi before 3000rpm.
Your car will rev to the redline no matter what but by then you're lucky to see 10-11psi if you run the factory 2-port electronic boost controller. Stick a 3-port on it and you'll control and hold on to your boost much better and for longer but there's not much point with a TD04.
2.5's need at least a VF35 which will spool similar to a TD04 on a 2.0Ltr, and go even better with a 20G which IMHO is a great turbo for an everyday 2.5, and will crack 400 no bother with supporting mods of course. Should spool up almost as early as a VF35 on a 2.0Ltr.
Your car will rev to the redline no matter what but by then you're lucky to see 10-11psi if you run the factory 2-port electronic boost controller. Stick a 3-port on it and you'll control and hold on to your boost much better and for longer but there's not much point with a TD04.
2.5's need at least a VF35 which will spool similar to a TD04 on a 2.0Ltr, and go even better with a 20G which IMHO is a great turbo for an everyday 2.5, and will crack 400 no bother with supporting mods of course. Should spool up almost as early as a VF35 on a 2.0Ltr.
Great car, great choice. You'll be over the moon with it. I've got a blobeye wagon and can't fault it overall. I also agree on the performance improvements - don't bother with the PPP. All I've done is remove the middle catalytic converter and replaced it with a straight-through Hayward and Scott system - this has had no effect on the MOT or emissions and has passed the last two years.
I've also changed the rear silencer to a 4.5" and swapped the panel filter to a K+N. The engine was remapped last year (small increase) and will soon be mapped again for more power. All of this has vastly improved the performance whilst returning better than expected fuel economy - well good for Subaru standards.
I also agree on upgrading to a Whiteline rear anti-roll bar. Although I've had lowered springs put on mine, the rear does have a tendency to become unstable if you're on a track day for example. Handling is superlative anyway but just having that extra confidence with upgraded suspension is well worth the investment.
Trouble is, once you start fettling it's hard to stop. There's always an improvement here and there especially when you see other Impreza's. I like to call it, "work in progress".
Enjoy your new ride....
I've also changed the rear silencer to a 4.5" and swapped the panel filter to a K+N. The engine was remapped last year (small increase) and will soon be mapped again for more power. All of this has vastly improved the performance whilst returning better than expected fuel economy - well good for Subaru standards.
I also agree on upgrading to a Whiteline rear anti-roll bar. Although I've had lowered springs put on mine, the rear does have a tendency to become unstable if you're on a track day for example. Handling is superlative anyway but just having that extra confidence with upgraded suspension is well worth the investment.
Trouble is, once you start fettling it's hard to stop. There's always an improvement here and there especially when you see other Impreza's. I like to call it, "work in progress".
Enjoy your new ride....
I have to be honest and say I have a real soft spot for the WRX wagon, it really is one of the best all rounders out there for the cash.
I agree with avoiding the PPP as its just a generic map and exhaust that won't give the full potential. I think they quote about 270-275bhp and it is quite expensive. You can pick up a good aftermarket exhaust, panel filter and re-map for less than the cost of the PPP and you get a tailored map for your car. I also went with an uprated fuel pump just to be on the safe side and it still worked out cheaper than PPP. I did consider it as i had the car from new but I am glad I didn't now.
I had the car run at Litchfield to see what the difference was in power and it came back with a respectible 282bhp and a good 320lbft, thats the same as an Audi R8
You can cruise around at 30 in fifth without issue and just dab the throttle to get going. The torque comes in at around 3000 revs so its up and away without even changing gears
Oh ye, I said it would only be the one thing also but the list is quite long now!!
I agree with avoiding the PPP as its just a generic map and exhaust that won't give the full potential. I think they quote about 270-275bhp and it is quite expensive. You can pick up a good aftermarket exhaust, panel filter and re-map for less than the cost of the PPP and you get a tailored map for your car. I also went with an uprated fuel pump just to be on the safe side and it still worked out cheaper than PPP. I did consider it as i had the car from new but I am glad I didn't now.
I had the car run at Litchfield to see what the difference was in power and it came back with a respectible 282bhp and a good 320lbft, thats the same as an Audi R8
You can cruise around at 30 in fifth without issue and just dab the throttle to get going. The torque comes in at around 3000 revs so its up and away without even changing gears
Oh ye, I said it would only be the one thing also but the list is quite long now!!
All this talk of wagons is bad enough, now a respected member goes and buys one! I can't lie they have grown on me. So much so, I am seriously contemplating getting one in exchange from the Mondeo. The other half will be on board as its an estate - bingo!
Edit
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4026762.htm
Look at the engine spec! What would that be good for power wise? I am so tempted... Anyone want a Mundano?
Edit
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4026762.htm
Look at the engine spec! What would that be good for power wise? I am so tempted... Anyone want a Mundano?
Edited by paulmoonraker on Friday 6th July 07:48
With a bottom end like that it's definitely under used with a VF34 and standard injectors. I dare say with more remapping you should be able to squeeze 350 out of the turbo and injectors. Personally i'd be thinking about some proper upgrades like....
Straight through Exhaust (3" system), GT Spec headers and uppipe, at least a 20G Turbo, modify the injectors (i've just done a set that flow 850cc for a 20G, and at full turbo wack they are only running 65% IDC at 3bar), Flat panel air filter for that OEM look or CAI (better), couple of other ancillaries, MAF or MAFless remap and you're away.
That should make 400bhp and a shedload of torque all day long and won't stress that bottom end out one bit.
DO IT!!
Straight through Exhaust (3" system), GT Spec headers and uppipe, at least a 20G Turbo, modify the injectors (i've just done a set that flow 850cc for a 20G, and at full turbo wack they are only running 65% IDC at 3bar), Flat panel air filter for that OEM look or CAI (better), couple of other ancillaries, MAF or MAFless remap and you're away.
That should make 400bhp and a shedload of torque all day long and won't stress that bottom end out one bit.
DO IT!!
Thanks for all the positive replies chaps, your opinions are appreciated. It seems the PPP is universally condemned so I'll rethink my performance mods when the time comes.
Really happy with the car so far - practical and very comfortable. Obviously this comfort means the handling could be sharper, but overall I'm satisfied with the compromise. The performance is also very strong, considering it has 'only' ~230bhp.
So, today was the first chance I got to clean Mable (yes, I know, silly name) and evaluate the paint work. Took a while due to this lovely British summer of ours
Got her clean eventually, and overall I'm very happy with the paintwork - it has a very subtle metallic finish that only reveals the flake in direct sunlight.
However, on closer inspection, there is a lot of work required to get the paintwork to my standards.
Swirl marks:
Haze:
And back in the garage under strip lights, scratches:
Paint correction starts tomorrow, one panel at a time!
Really happy with the car so far - practical and very comfortable. Obviously this comfort means the handling could be sharper, but overall I'm satisfied with the compromise. The performance is also very strong, considering it has 'only' ~230bhp.
So, today was the first chance I got to clean Mable (yes, I know, silly name) and evaluate the paint work. Took a while due to this lovely British summer of ours
Got her clean eventually, and overall I'm very happy with the paintwork - it has a very subtle metallic finish that only reveals the flake in direct sunlight.
However, on closer inspection, there is a lot of work required to get the paintwork to my standards.
Swirl marks:
Haze:
And back in the garage under strip lights, scratches:
Paint correction starts tomorrow, one panel at a time!
They are fine up to similar levels as the 2.0Ltr WRX. 270-280bhp with supporting mods is no problem whatsoever, I'm sure 320ish will be fine too with further supporting mods and quality remap. Up to 280 you won't have to upgrade the fuel pump either.
The overall advantage though is the significant extra torque from quite low down and the turbo spooling from very low down with bugger all lag. Should be very reliable and loads of fun to drive, very lively. I guarantee the way it runs when you boot it will make you giggle.
In WRX terms i much prefer the way a 2.5 does it's thing, however with an STi it's 2.0 every time for me.
The overall advantage though is the significant extra torque from quite low down and the turbo spooling from very low down with bugger all lag. Should be very reliable and loads of fun to drive, very lively. I guarantee the way it runs when you boot it will make you giggle.
In WRX terms i much prefer the way a 2.5 does it's thing, however with an STi it's 2.0 every time for me.
Pffft, this detailing business is hard work. Managed a grand total of one panel (boot) today! Pretty pleased though, I guess I've achieved something like 60% correction. Whatever, it looks inky black.
Sneak peek:
Back to work tomorrow so I'll try to finish the rest of the car at the weekend....
Sneak peek:
Back to work tomorrow so I'll try to finish the rest of the car at the weekend....
JFReturns said:
Pffft, this detailing business is hard work. Managed a grand total of one panel (boot) today! Pretty pleased though, I guess I've achieved something like 60% correction. Whatever, it looks inky black.
Sneak peek:
Back to work tomorrow so I'll try to finish the rest of the car at the weekend....
That is very impresive!Sneak peek:
Back to work tomorrow so I'll try to finish the rest of the car at the weekend....
I am considering getting to work on mine as close up I can see quite a few swirls and light scratches. The only saving grace is the colour seems to hide a multitude of sins so you really need to look close to see how bad the surface actually is.
Are you experienced in detailing or is this your first go? I have always used clay, polish etc but never tried mopping and I am a little nervous about it!
Evil.soup said:
That is very impresive!
I am considering getting to work on mine as close up I can see quite a few swirls and light scratches. The only saving grace is the colour seems to hide a multitude of sins so you really need to look close to see how bad the surface actually is.
Are you experienced in detailing or is this your first go? I have always used clay, polish etc but never tried mopping and I am a little nervous about it!
I've machined a few cars before but it is my first on a black car. My advice would be to give it a go! If you take precautions you will be fine with a machine polisher, and it is so much easier than polishing by hand.I am considering getting to work on mine as close up I can see quite a few swirls and light scratches. The only saving grace is the colour seems to hide a multitude of sins so you really need to look close to see how bad the surface actually is.
Are you experienced in detailing or is this your first go? I have always used clay, polish etc but never tried mopping and I am a little nervous about it!
There is a wealth of information and guides on Detailing World which you should read up on. However, instead of buying a rotary polisher I would start off with a DA (dual action) like mine (I think it is a DAS-6 or similar). As the name implies, a rotary polisher rotates in one direction whereas a dual action moves in several directions. As a consequence, the DA builds up less heat and you are less likely to burn through your paint work. If possible, practice on an old car or panel to get your technique right.
JFReturns said:
I've machined a few cars before but it is my first on a black car. My advice would be to give it a go! If you take precautions you will be fine with a machine polisher, and it is so much easier than polishing by hand.
There is a wealth of information and guides on Detailing World which you should read up on. However, instead of buying a rotary polisher I would start off with a DA (dual action) like mine (I think it is a DAS-6 or similar). As the name implies, a rotary polisher rotates in one direction whereas a dual action moves in several directions. As a consequence, the DA builds up less heat and you are less likely to burn through your paint work. If possible, practice on an old car or panel to get your technique right.
Cheers for the info, I will take a look. I can just have a practice on the wifes car!!There is a wealth of information and guides on Detailing World which you should read up on. However, instead of buying a rotary polisher I would start off with a DA (dual action) like mine (I think it is a DAS-6 or similar). As the name implies, a rotary polisher rotates in one direction whereas a dual action moves in several directions. As a consequence, the DA builds up less heat and you are less likely to burn through your paint work. If possible, practice on an old car or panel to get your technique right.
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