Impreza WRX Advice?
Discussion
Right. Just got home, new car in tow (not literally!) 
Bit of bad luck to start off with. On the way to collect me from the station the car took a hit to the windscreen from a reasonable sized stone. There's now a star-crack about the size of a 50p, bang in the middle. It doesn't obscure my vision so it's not a problem, just a shame.
One other annoyance - and I have no idea how I missed it yesterday - is the speedo drive. It ticks constantly, with the frequency related to the speed. I can tell my speed to within 5mph with my eyes closed. Is this a common problem? Does anyone know how I can get rid of it?
Next - occasional 'clonk' from the back of the car. Turns out the spolier is quite loose, I'm going to have to fix that asap.
Next - the dip beams. The headlights are good but the dips are set too low. I can see absolutely anything in perfect clarity, just as long as it's less than 12 feet away.
Also - the clutch bite point is very high which makes smooth shifts difficult, but it looks like the same mechanism as the MR2. If so I can adjust it in minutes.
Finally - there's only one key and one RCL fob. And the alarm 'beep' is WAY too loud.
That's about it. Everything else I either like or love.
I covered nearly 200miles in it tonight over all surfaces and road types. It's simply brilliant. Very easy to understand the reviews and the reputation.
After the MR2 it's a revalation, even before the misfire the MR2 struggled to pick up revs off boost, and then it'd run out of steam as the CT26 tailed off. Having got used to that I'd be willing to swear the Impreza was naturally aspired. Pick up is instant and it just keeps getting faster the harder you rev it.
It has tons of headroom inside, rides rough surfaces well, masks potholes and doesn't remove all my teeth over speed bumps.
And the noise...
That STI exhaust is wonderful, I ended up leaving it in 5th through 30 zones and gently stepping on the throttle with the windows down.
Overall, almost full marks. Just got to sort out that ticking noise and bolt the spoiler back on!
Oh, and does anyone know if it's legal to decat a 1994 L-plate?
Bit of bad luck to start off with. On the way to collect me from the station the car took a hit to the windscreen from a reasonable sized stone. There's now a star-crack about the size of a 50p, bang in the middle. It doesn't obscure my vision so it's not a problem, just a shame.
One other annoyance - and I have no idea how I missed it yesterday - is the speedo drive. It ticks constantly, with the frequency related to the speed. I can tell my speed to within 5mph with my eyes closed. Is this a common problem? Does anyone know how I can get rid of it?
Next - occasional 'clonk' from the back of the car. Turns out the spolier is quite loose, I'm going to have to fix that asap.
Next - the dip beams. The headlights are good but the dips are set too low. I can see absolutely anything in perfect clarity, just as long as it's less than 12 feet away.
Also - the clutch bite point is very high which makes smooth shifts difficult, but it looks like the same mechanism as the MR2. If so I can adjust it in minutes.
Finally - there's only one key and one RCL fob. And the alarm 'beep' is WAY too loud.
That's about it. Everything else I either like or love.
I covered nearly 200miles in it tonight over all surfaces and road types. It's simply brilliant. Very easy to understand the reviews and the reputation.
After the MR2 it's a revalation, even before the misfire the MR2 struggled to pick up revs off boost, and then it'd run out of steam as the CT26 tailed off. Having got used to that I'd be willing to swear the Impreza was naturally aspired. Pick up is instant and it just keeps getting faster the harder you rev it.
It has tons of headroom inside, rides rough surfaces well, masks potholes and doesn't remove all my teeth over speed bumps.
And the noise...
That STI exhaust is wonderful, I ended up leaving it in 5th through 30 zones and gently stepping on the throttle with the windows down.Overall, almost full marks. Just got to sort out that ticking noise and bolt the spoiler back on!
Oh, and does anyone know if it's legal to decat a 1994 L-plate?
_Al_ said:
One other annoyance - and I have no idea how I missed it yesterday - is the speedo drive. It ticks constantly, with the frequency related to the speed. I can tell my speed to within 5mph with my eyes closed. Is this a common problem? Does anyone know how I can get rid of it?
Not something I've ever come across sorry, could just be something needing a bit of grease._Al_ said:
I covered nearly 200miles in it tonight over all surfaces and road types. It's simply brilliant. Very easy to understand the reviews and the reputation.
Another convert then 
MrFlibbles said:
Great news Al!
Let me know the reg ASAP and I'll get the ferry booking changed. Less than 2 weeks to go!
I still won't feel comfortable till I've put a few hundred more miles on it - just seems too good to be true. I'm taking it on a short jog up to Cumbria next week for some 'reliability proving' i.e. - mountain road entertainment and hopefully a demonstration of its' wet weather abilities.
Damn - I must be a scooby freak now. How many people wish it will rain on their holidays?
I'll text the reg through in a sec.
Something has to be done about that speedo though. 1,100 miles to the Nurburg Ring with it going DDDDRRRRRRRRRR... I'll go mad!
Edited by _Al_ on Tuesday 31st July 08:36
Al...Congrats on your new baby I hope you'll both be very happy together. 
On the clutch front....if it is biting very high then it may mean you will be needing a new clutch at some stage in the not too distant future. Mine did the same and it needed a clutch change, so i put an AP racing clutch in it and it's loverly jubbly now so just be careful. It may have had some serious use (mine too) and although it will probably be fine, you just never know. Don't forget breakdown cover....happy motoring...and yes....you are now a Scooby freak!!
P.S. I'm so jealous you're going to the RING!! Have a great time...and if you need a spare set of front Pads i have some EBC Redstuff here that are part worn and should have sufficient friction material left on them to get you to the ring, around a few times and back again. They are your's if you want them.
I hope you'll both be very happy together. On the clutch front....if it is biting very high then it may mean you will be needing a new clutch at some stage in the not too distant future. Mine did the same and it needed a clutch change, so i put an AP racing clutch in it and it's loverly jubbly now so just be careful. It may have had some serious use (mine too) and although it will probably be fine, you just never know. Don't forget breakdown cover....happy motoring...and yes....you are now a Scooby freak!!
P.S. I'm so jealous you're going to the RING!! Have a great time...and if you need a spare set of front Pads i have some EBC Redstuff here that are part worn and should have sufficient friction material left on them to get you to the ring, around a few times and back again. They are your's if you want them.
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Tuesday 31st July 09:34
The speedo clicking is from the after market conversion to mph and to remove the 112mph speed limiter. Only way to fix it is to fit another kit that has a good reputation for being silent (don't know one myself).
The clutch does have quite a high bite, yours may be worn as well. Its hydraulic with no option for manual ajdustment AFAIK.
If the stone damage is "bulls eye" you might be able to get it fixed on insurance (fully comp) without any excess. If any dirt gets in it may not be possible.
A 50p size area anywhere in the wiper sweep is an MOT fail. So it will need fixing one way or the other.
The clutch does have quite a high bite, yours may be worn as well. Its hydraulic with no option for manual ajdustment AFAIK.
If the stone damage is "bulls eye" you might be able to get it fixed on insurance (fully comp) without any excess. If any dirt gets in it may not be possible.
A 50p size area anywhere in the wiper sweep is an MOT fail. So it will need fixing one way or the other.
I've stumbled accross someone at work who has owned a lot of Subarus. He thinks he has a K&N induction kit lying around spare at home (never fitted). He's also suggested I invest in a set of drilled/grooved disks from a company called "sideauto" which is owned by the guy that founded SIDC. Any opinions on that lot?
There must be a silent speedo kit available as the blue Impreza was converted to mph and it was silent, anyone able to suggest anything? Failing that is there any way to remove the speed limiter without converting to MPH? The MR2 was in kph and I actually preferred it (it was fun watching passengers trying to climb out as we ascended past what was actually 60mph).
The clutch on this WRX and on the blue one bite in exactly the same place and both sellers claimed they were fitted less than 1,000miles ago so I doubt it's worn out. Come to think of it the one I drove before the blue one was very high as well. Maybe I'm just used to clutch pedals that sulk around in the carpet? I'll go and have a look for any adjustment on it now and report back later.
ScoobyWRX, if you don't already have a pm you will soon!
I'll have to talk to the insurance people about the stone chip - I've only had it insured 12 hours, do you think they'll cover it?
I had such a bad day at work today - just could not concentrate for wanting to get back to this car!
There must be a silent speedo kit available as the blue Impreza was converted to mph and it was silent, anyone able to suggest anything? Failing that is there any way to remove the speed limiter without converting to MPH? The MR2 was in kph and I actually preferred it (it was fun watching passengers trying to climb out as we ascended past what was actually 60mph).
The clutch on this WRX and on the blue one bite in exactly the same place and both sellers claimed they were fitted less than 1,000miles ago so I doubt it's worn out. Come to think of it the one I drove before the blue one was very high as well. Maybe I'm just used to clutch pedals that sulk around in the carpet? I'll go and have a look for any adjustment on it now and report back later.
ScoobyWRX, if you don't already have a pm you will soon!
I'll have to talk to the insurance people about the stone chip - I've only had it insured 12 hours, do you think they'll cover it?
I had such a bad day at work today - just could not concentrate for wanting to get back to this car!
Edited by _Al_ on Tuesday 31st July 18:18
Al YHM. Only thing is that my car is a 2002 yr with 294mm rotors so actually i think the pads will be different. Apologies for getting your hopes up...i will go and check for sure. BRB
Update: My pads are different as yours are Classic Impreza
therefore........
94yr - 96yr EBC Fronts - DP3966C(RedStuff) or DP4966R(YellowStuff)
Sorry, otherwise you could have had my pads
Update: My pads are different as yours are Classic Impreza
therefore........
94yr - 96yr EBC Fronts - DP3966C(RedStuff) or DP4966R(YellowStuff)
Sorry, otherwise you could have had my pads
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Tuesday 31st July 20:30
No problem Francis - thanks for the offer and the info.
E.S - I've spent AGES on there practicing, and I've actually (just to raise the 'sad' stakes even higher) bought a Silver WRX 5-door and stuck black wheels on it. Haven't run it yet as I was too keen to get out to the real thing.
Right. Quick note. I thought I loved this car yesterday, but the situation has changed.
The seller kindly supplied it to me with a full tank of fuel. I think it was from Sainsburys. I'm 90% sure it was diesel.
Tonight I exhausted that stuff (it could have been toothpaste actually) and stuck some V-power in there.
Hmm, now that I think about it, the last tank may have been cement. Anyway, I digress...
Now I know what true love means. It was already faster than other Imprezas I've driven, but with the V-power in there it is simply devastating. The difference is more pronounced than it was between my MRT at 0.5 bar boost on a stock filter and 1 bar boost on the apexi.
I spent half the night shaking my head in disbelief and the other half giggling like an idiot.
I thought this car was faster than the MR2 in 1st-3rd gear. It's actually miles faster in any gear. There's simply no contest.
Can't wait to see what it can do on the rollers.
E.S - I've spent AGES on there practicing, and I've actually (just to raise the 'sad' stakes even higher) bought a Silver WRX 5-door and stuck black wheels on it. Haven't run it yet as I was too keen to get out to the real thing.
Right. Quick note. I thought I loved this car yesterday, but the situation has changed.
The seller kindly supplied it to me with a full tank of fuel. I think it was from Sainsburys. I'm 90% sure it was diesel.
Tonight I exhausted that stuff (it could have been toothpaste actually) and stuck some V-power in there.
Hmm, now that I think about it, the last tank may have been cement. Anyway, I digress...
Now I know what true love means. It was already faster than other Imprezas I've driven, but with the V-power in there it is simply devastating. The difference is more pronounced than it was between my MRT at 0.5 bar boost on a stock filter and 1 bar boost on the apexi.
I spent half the night shaking my head in disbelief and the other half giggling like an idiot.
I thought this car was faster than the MR2 in 1st-3rd gear. It's actually miles faster in any gear. There's simply no contest.
Can't wait to see what it can do on the rollers.
Edited by _Al_ on Wednesday 1st August 01:05
ScoobieWRX said:
If you have a Tesco nearby that sells super 99RON, use that instead of the Vmax. Not only has it been proven to be better than Vmax but it's cheaper too. I only use Tesco if i can help it, nothing else will do!!
Serious? Better performance? I knew it is higher octane and cheaper but I didn't realise it was faster. This should be interesting!I was heading for a Tesco this evening (it's my local and it's all I feed the MR2) but I was 9 miles away and the gauge was pointing at empty. I bottled it and settled for the Shell. 3ppl more expensive.
Turns out there was still 15 litres of the old stuff in there. You live and learn eh?
MrFlibbles said:
What are the stock power figures for one of those?
Standard NZ/OZ WRX (same as UK turbo) was 208-215 bhp iirc depending on year. With the STi exhaust it may be putting out more like 220-230 at a guess. ETA: Having learnt something new, if its an imported WRX rather than a UK turbo then ignore the above and refer to subsequent posts
The Classics are much lighter than newage cars though, 1250-1300kg for a 'normal' one I think.
Turbo-torque + traction x short gear ratios means they tend to do pretty well for that power output though.
Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 1st August 15:04
MrFlibbles said:
Just trying to work out if my car will be quicker :P
Performance figures I've seen for a bog stock (215 bhp) WRX from an 1998 Aussie 'Wheels' mag test (WRX v 200SX v MR2 v Prelude VTi-R, they gave the win convincingly to the WRX). anyway, from memory their figures were:
0-100 km/h (62 mph) - 5.8 s
0-400m (~1/4 mile) - 14.2 s
And the stats I found on the net for the S2000 are:
0-60 mph - 5.6-6.2 s depending on source.
0-100 mph - 14.3 s
So probably fairly similar I imagine. Similar weight but top-end power vs turbo-torque and AWD traction, so maybe advantage to the WRX at lower speeds and S2000 at higher speeds. As far as corners go I'd expect the S2000 to be better on track but the WRX would most likely leave it for dead on a B-road, especially in real-world conditions where you can't really keep the S2000 above 6000 rpm the whole time. In the wet (or gravel
), no contest.Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 1st August 15:05
GravelBen said:
MrFlibbles said:
What are the stock power figures for one of those?
Standard WRX was 208-215 bhp iirc depending on year (assuming UK turbo Imprezas were the same power as NZ/Oz/Japan). With the STi exhaust it may be putting out more like 220-230 at a guess. The Classics are much lighter than newage cars though, 1250-1300kg for a 'normal' one I think.Turbo-torque + traction x short gear ratios means they tend to do pretty well for that power output though.
GravelBen said:
MrFlibbles said:
Just trying to work out if my car will be quicker :P
Performance figures I've seen for a bog stock WRX from an 1998 Aussie 'Wheels' mag test (WRX v 200SX v MR2 v Prelude VTi-R, they gave the win convincingly to the WRX). anyway, from memory their figures were:
0-100 km/h (62 mph) - 5.8 s
0-400m (~1/4 mile) - 14.2 s
And the stats I found on the net for the S2000 are:
0-60 mph - 5.6-6.2 s depending on source.
0-100 mph - 14.3 s
So probably fairly similar I imagine. Similar weight but top-end power vs turbo-torque and AWD traction, so maybe advantage to the WRX at lower speeds and S2000 at higher speeds. As far as corners go I'd expect the S2000 to be better on track but the WRX would most likely leave it for dead on a B-road, especially in real-world conditions where you can't really keep the S2000 above 6000 rpm the whole time. In the wet (or gravel
), no contest.I can ponce about with the roof off, so I always win!
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