Impreza WRX Advice?
Discussion
ETA: reply to trickywoo
Maybe UK cars had different names to ours (NZ) then - WRX here and Oz (and Japan I'm pretty sure going by the imports we get) was always the base turbo model, initially 155 kw or 208 bhp (up from the 147 kw of the Legacy RS turbo) which was then bumped up to 160 kw (215 bhp) at some stage but I'm not sure when. '97 or thereabouts perhaps.
NZ also got 206 kw / 280 bhp STi versions from v3 ('97) onwards, but there was never a 240 or 260 bhp WRX here.
Maybe UK cars had different names to ours (NZ) then - WRX here and Oz (and Japan I'm pretty sure going by the imports we get) was always the base turbo model, initially 155 kw or 208 bhp (up from the 147 kw of the Legacy RS turbo) which was then bumped up to 160 kw (215 bhp) at some stage but I'm not sure when. '97 or thereabouts perhaps.
NZ also got 206 kw / 280 bhp STi versions from v3 ('97) onwards, but there was never a 240 or 260 bhp WRX here.
Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 1st August 14:37
GravelBen said:
Maybe UK cars had different names to ours (NZ)
They do. Pre bug-eye all the UK cars were known as 'Turbo'. Anyone refering to a pre 2000 Impreza as a WRX is talking about a Jap import.Base WRX Jap market cars went through 240, 260 and 280 variants depending on model year.
trickywoo said:
Base WRX Jap market cars went through 240, 260 and 280 variants depending on model year.
Hmmm interesting, had never heard of JDM WRX outputs being much higher than other markets before but found some stats which seem to agree with you too(from a pretty reliable source), learn something new every day I guess.That does help explain why there isn't a greater performance gap between the STi and JDM WRX actually, when you hear plenty of stories about stock STi-R and RAs dynoing at more like 320 bhp than the official 280.
trickywoo said:
The 280bhp thing was an agreement by Jap manufacturers so they did not get into a horsepower war. They never quoted more than 280bhp for anything but as you say various STI, EVO, Supra etc make a lot more than that out of the box.
Knew about that one, what I meant was 320 v 260-280 bhp makes a lot more sense of the <1s difference in typical 0-60 and 1/4 mile times than 320 v 215 bhp would.Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 1st August 15:01
Interesting read!
So what power is the 1994 JDM WRX meant to be making? I saw the post saying that 92-93 cars make 240 and 95 onwards make 280, but where's mine?
Do the standard JDM WRXs have light weight bonnet and boot? Mine are (from memory) identical to my mates' RA.
I've now covered 420 miles in it, I'm getting 29mpg, using no oil and have only spotted one additional problem. The passenger side door speaker power clip has snapped and the speaker keeps cutting out over bumps.
Gutted.
So what power is the 1994 JDM WRX meant to be making? I saw the post saying that 92-93 cars make 240 and 95 onwards make 280, but where's mine?
Do the standard JDM WRXs have light weight bonnet and boot? Mine are (from memory) identical to my mates' RA.
I've now covered 420 miles in it, I'm getting 29mpg, using no oil and have only spotted one additional problem. The passenger side door speaker power clip has snapped and the speaker keeps cutting out over bumps.
Gutted.
_Al_ said:
Interesting read!
So what power is the 1994 JDM WRX meant to be making? I saw the post saying that 92-93 cars make 240 and 95 onwards make 280, but where's mine?
Do the standard JDM WRXs have light weight bonnet and boot? Mine are (from memory) identical to my mates' RA.
I've now covered 420 miles in it, I'm getting 29mpg, using no oil and have only spotted one additional problem. The passenger side door speaker power clip has snapped and the speaker keeps cutting out over bumps.
Gutted.
29 mpg So what power is the 1994 JDM WRX meant to be making? I saw the post saying that 92-93 cars make 240 and 95 onwards make 280, but where's mine?
Do the standard JDM WRXs have light weight bonnet and boot? Mine are (from memory) identical to my mates' RA.
I've now covered 420 miles in it, I'm getting 29mpg, using no oil and have only spotted one additional problem. The passenger side door speaker power clip has snapped and the speaker keeps cutting out over bumps.
Gutted.
that sounds unusually good. Put your foot down some more!According to http://www.english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/subaru/impre... they were upgraded from 240 to 260 bhp in November '94. With the STi exhaust yours should be a bit up on standard though.
As far as I'm aware the light alloy bonnet/boot were only for the RA, theres only a 50 kg difference in weights between '94 WRX and WRX-RA though. With yours having been resprayed it makes it a bit trickier to know exactly what it is. VIN number/model code is probably the best way.
93-94 WRX: GC8B48D
WRX-RA: GC8B47D
94-95 WRX: GC8C48D
WRX-RA: GC8C47D
(STi codes are different again, more here )
Ok, according to the chassis number mine is an MY93 WRX not a 1994. Nevermind.
Quick question - any disadvantages to a redstuff pad as opposed to a green or standard pad? It's not one of those that takes ages to warm up is it? The trip to the ring is something of a one-off. The rest of the time the car will mostly be dealing with motorways and traffic jams.
Next question - where is the best place to get a spare key? I've only got one and it'd be 'inconvenient' to loose it in Germany..
Third question - how do I adjust the lights?? They're pointing so low it's dangerous driving towards oncomming traffic at night, but I can't see any way to raise them.
Final question - do all Imprezas have an anodised blue brace around the brake cylinder or is it an extra? Same question regarding a cold air feed directly from the bonnet vent to the turbo (my mates RA has one of those as well).
The 29mpg scared me - I thought it was running lean or something. Then I had a bit of a revalation. Basically I'm stupid.
I'd been spending all my time looking out of the windows (obviously) so I was paying no attention to the rev counter. I'd been shifting by ear. I thought that the dump valve was quiet, but dismissed it as the soundproofing being better than the '2.
It turns out I was shifting gear at around 3,500rpm - not realising that I wasn't even properly on boost.
In my defence the Impreza is a LOT louder than the MR2.
That's why I didn't post till so late last night. As soon as I realised what I was doing wrong and started using the boost I was obsessed. I simply couldn't stop driving it. I thought it was fast already!
What this says about the poor MR2 I don't know. 200bhp is all well and good, but just like the 300bhp GT4 I test-drove the power just seems to get lost somewhere. None of the brakes are seized on and I know the bearings are good so I'm not sure what's happening. All I know is when I try and push the MR2 it takes all my strength, but I can push the Impreza easily with one hand.
In any case, I'm sure the next mpg figure will be right back where it's supposed to be.
Single Figures.
Quick question - any disadvantages to a redstuff pad as opposed to a green or standard pad? It's not one of those that takes ages to warm up is it? The trip to the ring is something of a one-off. The rest of the time the car will mostly be dealing with motorways and traffic jams.
Next question - where is the best place to get a spare key? I've only got one and it'd be 'inconvenient' to loose it in Germany..
Third question - how do I adjust the lights?? They're pointing so low it's dangerous driving towards oncomming traffic at night, but I can't see any way to raise them.
Final question - do all Imprezas have an anodised blue brace around the brake cylinder or is it an extra? Same question regarding a cold air feed directly from the bonnet vent to the turbo (my mates RA has one of those as well).
The 29mpg scared me - I thought it was running lean or something. Then I had a bit of a revalation. Basically I'm stupid.
I'd been spending all my time looking out of the windows (obviously) so I was paying no attention to the rev counter. I'd been shifting by ear. I thought that the dump valve was quiet, but dismissed it as the soundproofing being better than the '2.
It turns out I was shifting gear at around 3,500rpm - not realising that I wasn't even properly on boost.
In my defence the Impreza is a LOT louder than the MR2.
That's why I didn't post till so late last night. As soon as I realised what I was doing wrong and started using the boost I was obsessed. I simply couldn't stop driving it. I thought it was fast already!
What this says about the poor MR2 I don't know. 200bhp is all well and good, but just like the 300bhp GT4 I test-drove the power just seems to get lost somewhere. None of the brakes are seized on and I know the bearings are good so I'm not sure what's happening. All I know is when I try and push the MR2 it takes all my strength, but I can push the Impreza easily with one hand.
In any case, I'm sure the next mpg figure will be right back where it's supposed to be.
Single Figures.
Edited by _Al_ on Thursday 2nd August 17:41
Don't bother with the greenstuff pads, they are not worth it for an Impreza. The Yellowstuff need to be warmed up a bit although they are still pretty good from cold, but once you have them up to temp they are absolutely awesome, and get better with more abuse and heat. The Redstuff are a nice halfway house. Excellent bite from cold but when warmed up will provide excellent stopping power and won't wear down your rotors as quickly as the Yellows will. Also Redstuff are reccommended for Impreza all round use (that's what i use) and great for the odd track day.
Ultimately it's not so much the rotors(discs) that make a huge difference to braking (unless you use ceramic discs), but the pads you use. A set of EBC YellowStuff or Ferodo DS2500 or Pagid Pads with the standard rotors should be pretty good for lots of track use, however for your application i reccommend EBC RedStuff all round, and they are cheaper than standard OEM pads.
The rear brakes on Impreza's get almost bugger all use so the rear pads once changed should last a very long time.
I have a set of YellowStuff Pads and Drilled+Grooved rotors (fronts) that i will use specially for my next trackday. They are very easy and quick to change so it's no problem when you know how and i have done it that many times now i can do it in my sleep.
Hope this helps.
Ultimately it's not so much the rotors(discs) that make a huge difference to braking (unless you use ceramic discs), but the pads you use. A set of EBC YellowStuff or Ferodo DS2500 or Pagid Pads with the standard rotors should be pretty good for lots of track use, however for your application i reccommend EBC RedStuff all round, and they are cheaper than standard OEM pads.
The rear brakes on Impreza's get almost bugger all use so the rear pads once changed should last a very long time.
I have a set of YellowStuff Pads and Drilled+Grooved rotors (fronts) that i will use specially for my next trackday. They are very easy and quick to change so it's no problem when you know how and i have done it that many times now i can do it in my sleep.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Francis,
I'm ordering a full set of redstuff now.
Would you guys mind taking a look at the questions I edited into my previous post? I didn't expect there to be answers so quickly...
How do you tell if your key needs internal gubbins? Here's a pic of mine.
I'm ordering a full set of redstuff now.
Would you guys mind taking a look at the questions I edited into my previous post? I didn't expect there to be answers so quickly...
How do you tell if your key needs internal gubbins? Here's a pic of mine.
Edited by _Al_ on Thursday 2nd August 17:58
Edited by _Al_ on Thursday 2nd August 18:19
Hello
If your WRX is meant to be putting out 240 BHP it will in reality be about 220bhp. My Forester S/tb (same engine as the WRX) is meant to be putting out 260BHP (without the exhaust and air filter it has on it)but returned 233bhp on the rolling road.
It is something to do with how the Japanese measure horse power and the fact that they have 100 ron fuel.
At the end of the day I'm happy with the power it makes whatever figure it is.
Enjoy!!
Mark
If your WRX is meant to be putting out 240 BHP it will in reality be about 220bhp. My Forester S/tb (same engine as the WRX) is meant to be putting out 260BHP (without the exhaust and air filter it has on it)but returned 233bhp on the rolling road.
It is something to do with how the Japanese measure horse power and the fact that they have 100 ron fuel.
At the end of the day I'm happy with the power it makes whatever figure it is.
Enjoy!!
Mark
markCSC said:
Hello
If your WRX is meant to be putting out 240 BHP it will in reality be about 220bhp. My Forester S/tb (same engine as the WRX) is meant to be putting out 260BHP (without the exhaust and air filter it has on it)but returned 233bhp on the rolling road.
It is something to do with how the Japanese measure horse power and the fact that they have 100 ron fuel.
At the end of the day I'm happy with the power it makes whatever figure it is.
Enjoy!!
Mark
What fuel were you running on and which rolling road was it?If your WRX is meant to be putting out 240 BHP it will in reality be about 220bhp. My Forester S/tb (same engine as the WRX) is meant to be putting out 260BHP (without the exhaust and air filter it has on it)but returned 233bhp on the rolling road.
It is something to do with how the Japanese measure horse power and the fact that they have 100 ron fuel.
At the end of the day I'm happy with the power it makes whatever figure it is.
Enjoy!!
Mark
To be honest mine has more than enough power. I can't cope with what it has at the minute never mind what it could have if I were to tune it.
Oh, and yes - it really is this dirty... I'd probably increase the power/weight ratio if I washed it.
And a very short video...
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a24/alanwmrt/?act...
Edited by _Al_ on Thursday 2nd August 18:14
Alan,
Although my car comes a normal key with buttons so i can turn the ignition on to start the car, the buttons on it they aren't used for my year of car so they are disabled. There isn't even a transponder in there. I have a seperate fob in blue with Subaru on it that has just one big button on it for on and off, and that has all the electronics in it to lock and unlock the car and to arm the alarm remotely.
Does your key have any buttons on it i.e. for remote lock/unlock? If not then you need a proper Subaru Key with the transponder unit inside of it. That means a trip to a Scooby dealer, you give them the vin number of your car and they get the key coded. That will be about £100 depending where you go. Some high street key cutters may be able to do it for you as some have a little black box that programs the keys while you wait but that won't be that cheap either, maybe £50 - £90.
It's money for old rope really for an excercise similar to unlocking a mobile phone that only costs a tenner but with these keys dealers have you over a barrell and seriously take the pi55!!
Does anyone else have any ideas??
P.S. Great burble!! Your car sounds nice!!
Although my car comes a normal key with buttons so i can turn the ignition on to start the car, the buttons on it they aren't used for my year of car so they are disabled. There isn't even a transponder in there. I have a seperate fob in blue with Subaru on it that has just one big button on it for on and off, and that has all the electronics in it to lock and unlock the car and to arm the alarm remotely.
Does your key have any buttons on it i.e. for remote lock/unlock? If not then you need a proper Subaru Key with the transponder unit inside of it. That means a trip to a Scooby dealer, you give them the vin number of your car and they get the key coded. That will be about £100 depending where you go. Some high street key cutters may be able to do it for you as some have a little black box that programs the keys while you wait but that won't be that cheap either, maybe £50 - £90.
It's money for old rope really for an excercise similar to unlocking a mobile phone that only costs a tenner but with these keys dealers have you over a barrell and seriously take the pi55!!
Does anyone else have any ideas??
P.S. Great burble!! Your car sounds nice!!
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Thursday 2nd August 18:17
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff