Any scooby experts? wrx vs sti?

Any scooby experts? wrx vs sti?

Author
Discussion

aaron s

Original Poster:

4 posts

117 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
So I'm 19 and looking to acquire a new car and I think a Subaru is the direction I'm heading. looking at a 5-6k budget, wondering if anyone could define the differences between the WRX & STI versions. A big question to follow is also the tune-ability of the 2 versions as I want big power from the car in the long term.


Thanks in advance!

Roso

213 posts

162 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
How about my one wobble

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...


To answer your question though, the Sti got an alloy bonnet, alloy suspension arms, marginally bigger intercooler with spray and i think strengthened internals that redlined 8,250 rpm, 4 pot front brakes, vf28 or 29 turbo, 440cc injectors, a different gearbox.. um.... I can't remember what else off the top of my head.
...my car got all that when it was made.. which is nice.

if you're looking to make big power then you need all the supporting modifications too don't forget! smile

Edited by Roso on Wednesday 23 July 14:15


Edited by Roso on Wednesday 23 July 14:20

Ved

3,825 posts

175 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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What model are you looking at? You're in the price bracket for Bugs and Blobs which are both great. Personally I've always liked the Bugeyes but I'm very happy with my lightly modified Blobeye STI. I picked mine up for 6k and it's perfect so I dare say you can do. I wouldn't bother with the WRX if you're planning on big power, depending on what you think big is.

HonestIago

1,719 posts

186 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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First decision is newage or classic. Within that, all the different variants of WRX/STI etc could very well form the subject of a thesis! laugh

For that money (and wanting big power) I'd go for a bug or blobeye STi for the very strong 2.0 engine and 6-speed gearbox. You can probably even get one that's had some of the right mods done already within your budget. I love the classics (have a UK turbo wagon) but they are long in the tooth and a bit more delicate all round, or so I am led to believe.

rb5er

11,657 posts

172 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
HonestIago said:
I love the classics but they are long in the tooth and a bit more delicate all round, or so I am led to believe.
What leads you to believe that?

aaron s

Original Poster:

4 posts

117 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the great response! that is a lovely car roso, so It would seem that I do require an sti, I prefer the look of blob' and
the earlier version 6? like the one shown (roso). in terms of power, its more of a long term aspect as I want the most easily tuneable engine for the long term!

so is the blob sti the strongest and best for "tune-ability"? what sort of power can i expect to gain before having to complete major internal work etc? also what are the key features to look for when viewing one? sorry for the dumb guide!! haven't really looked into them a massive amount due to the previous insurance cost!!

Cheers

Ved

3,825 posts

175 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
400 is possible on standard internals but you'd be looking at a fully forged engine and a largely uprated turbo to get to that safely.

Expect to spend twice your budget too. Mine is around 330 at the moment and is used for 15k per year so even with some extra power they can be very good day to day cars. Have a look in my garage for details.

HonestIago

1,719 posts

186 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
quotequote all
rb5er said:
HonestIago said:
I love the classics but they are long in the tooth and a bit more delicate all round, or so I am led to believe.
What leads you to believe that?
Talk of engine failures/gearboxes giving out on classics which I've not heard said about newage 2.0 STIs. I've been told 300lb/ft is about the reliable safe limit of the gearbox in a classic, newer 6-speed is much stronger.

The OP wants big (subjective I know) power ultimately, and I'd say a newage 2.0 litre STI will run 350-400bhp or so more reliably than a classic will, unless the classic has had thousands spent on it. I'm happy to be corrected though!

Roso

213 posts

162 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
quotequote all
All correct info - the 6 speed box is a must for any torque over 300-330 ftlb ish.. so you'll be looking at a newage or a classic with a 6 speed conversion (ahem).

Ok ok, shameless plug coming up, but its relevant to your situation.

Why are you particularly going for power? Some of the worst impreza's I've ever driven have 500+bhp because no consideration was given to anything else and the lag.... is..... like.... grim.....slow.... pain. If I were you, I'd buy mine wink And put a 2.3 litre semi closed deck block, some 600cc ish injectors and a reasonable (not too big) turbo good for 400bhp. KEEP the Hyperflow top mount and you'll have yourself a ridiculously quick accelerating car, with every supporting modification to make it handle like these cars should. I've already done all the hard modding work for you smile

Just remember whatever modifications you make, the car has to turn and stop too smile


rb5er

11,657 posts

172 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
quotequote all
HonestIago said:
rb5er said:
HonestIago said:
I love the classics but they are long in the tooth and a bit more delicate all round, or so I am led to believe.
What leads you to believe that?
Talk of engine failures/gearboxes giving out on classics which I've not heard said about newage 2.0 STIs. I've been told 300lb/ft is about the reliable safe limit of the gearbox in a classic, newer 6-speed is much stronger.

The OP wants big (subjective I know) power ultimately, and I'd say a newage 2.0 litre STI will run 350-400bhp or so more reliably than a classic will, unless the classic has had thousands spent on it. I'm happy to be corrected though!
6 speed boxes are indeed meant to be stronger, classic gearboxes are at their peak around 350bhp from what I have read. Even 300bhp in a classic is very very quick though due to them weighing 1250kgs so swings and roundabouts really.

Engines are certainly not more fragile, they are much the same.

Classics are more fun to drive/chuck about due to the relatively low weight and lack of inertia.


Edited by rb5er on Thursday 24th July 17:49

scoobychris555

64 posts

138 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Perhaps a little off topic but at 19 yrs old is insurance a consideration?

typera

47 posts

236 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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Roso said:
To answer your question though, the Sti got an alloy bonnet, alloy suspension arms, marginally bigger intercooler with spray and i think strengthened internals that redlined 8,250 rpm, 4 pot front brakes, vf28 or 29 turbo, 440cc injectors, a different gearbox.. um.... I can't remember what else off the top of my head.
...my car got all that when it was made.. which is nice.

if you're looking to make big power then you need all the supporting modifications too don't forget! smile
All the turbo GC/GF8 cars had alloy bonnets & wishbones.
Intercooler & I/C sprays, brakes, turbos etc are a whole different kettle of fish.
Misinformation is the root of all evil wink

Roso

213 posts

162 months

Friday 25th July 2014
quotequote all
Didn't the GC8 wrx's have steel bonnets?

I'm happy to be corrected. Can you tell us the difference between wrx and sti GC8's?

Edited by Roso on Friday 25th July 08:23

typera

47 posts

236 months

Saturday 2nd August 2014
quotequote all
Roso said:
Didn't the GC8 wrx's have steel bonnets?

I'm happy to be corrected. Can you tell us the difference between wrx and sti GC8's?

Edited by Roso on Friday 25th July 08:23
No, both the JDM WRX & STis had alloy bonnets.

The differences between the WRX & STi varies between model years & versions & there are so many differences in the models it would take forever to explain but if you have specific questions I'll do my best to answer.

I'm working on this at the moment: http://www.type-ra.com/impreza-model-code/

All the classics are in & it's almost complete up to MY03.

It's more for someone looking to check model codes & identify a car they are viewing but should give you some idea of the differences in models/years/variants etc

Dean

aaron s

Original Poster:

4 posts

117 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
thanks for all of the advice, I was waiting for the insurance to pop up!! luckily I've *touch wood* kept a clean slate for the last 2 and a half years and I'm being quoted 900-1100 depending on the model/year etc.

I just need to put the bora up for sale and get it sold then I can get my hands on one!

Ved

3,825 posts

175 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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I'll be adding a Legacy Spec-B at some point in the coming months so I may part with my STI. If you'd like to see what a well modified and sorted Impreza looks like feel free to pop over and I'll take you out. Drop me a DM as I'm only in North Bucks so not too far away.

The STI is certainly the one to go for. Hurst Cars are over your way to see what you fancy from their stock too.

Edited by Ved on Sunday 3rd August 22:21

paulmoonraker

2,850 posts

163 months

Monday 4th August 2014
quotequote all
If you are going to modify the car, then speak with the usual insurers like Keith Michael, Adrian Flux, A-Plan etc. The mainstream companies are comically expensive when you start declaring remaps etc.

Oh, and get the STi...

aaron s

Original Poster:

4 posts

117 months

Monday 4th August 2014
quotequote all
cheers for the advice! I am just looking to arrange some possible viewings and waiting to hear back on a car to see if its still available later this week. will keep you all posted!