My Impreza 2000 Turbo
Discussion
Bought a 2000 Turbo a while ago, but due to my stint in PH Prison I could't get a thread on it. 128k, 2 owners, about 280bhp, S Reg, absolutely pristine underneath. Paid £2350 for it down from £2500, looking to get it really cleaned up then sell it on after some enjoyment in it. Cracking car, I'll get some pictures up in the next couple of days after it gets a wash. I will say the ST170 is the much better car to drive day to day, way more refined. Subaru feels just as quick as the M3, or at least as quick as the 340i did. A friend of a friend is a Subaru specialist, insane how much he knows about them, he had a look round, he thought it was a very good buy, gave me a ride in his Version 4 STI, that would wipe the floor with an M3 IMO, it gave me tunnel vision. This really isn't a case of don't drive your hero's, I absolutely love it. Gonna be a real shame to sell it, but insurance just won't be doable for me.
Really? It’s not that difficult. 280 might be optimistic as that’s the limit of what the standard TD04 turbo will put out, but a full de-cat and a re-mapped ECU would get near enough there on a UK car.
It’s easier on the import WRX, as they have a TD05 turbo that will run out of puff at about 340. Bigger injectors are needed for 300+ though and the standard top mount intercoolers are a bit crap.
It’s easier on the import WRX, as they have a TD05 turbo that will run out of puff at about 340. Bigger injectors are needed for 300+ though and the standard top mount intercoolers are a bit crap.
I can honestly say I'm not sold on it. The gearbox is by far the worst bit of the car, followed by the lightness of the steering. Driven back to back with the ST170, I'd actually rather be in the Focus which I never thought I'd say. It's most likely gonna be up for sale by next Friday, wanna tidy it up a bit first, including the original badging and some OEM silver wheels.
aaron_2000 said:
The gearbox is by far the worst bit of the car, followed by the lightness of the steering.
Might be some issue with it if the gearbox doesn't feel good, Subaru boxes are generally not bad at all. Or is it an auto? In which case shame on you, how very dare you call yourself a PHer, go and try a real one etc... 
Their steering does tend to be quite light, though accurate and with more actual communication than a lot of newer 'sporty' cars which have heavier but dead steering.
GravelBen said:
Might be some issue with it if the gearbox doesn't feel good, Subaru boxes are generally not bad at all. Or is it an auto? In which case shame on you, how very dare you call yourself a PHer, go and try a real one etc...
Their steering does tend to be quite light, though accurate and with more actual communication than a lot of newer 'sporty' cars which have heavier but dead steering.
Just needed gearbox oil, found out I haven't got the locking nut, so now I need to get that sorted. Their steering does tend to be quite light, though accurate and with more actual communication than a lot of newer 'sporty' cars which have heavier but dead steering.
aaron_2000 said:
Bought another one today, £900, driven it 100 miles back with no issues, bodywork and underside seem fine, seen receipts going back decades, had the head gasket done, paint is pretty tatty, just waiting to find out why it was so cheap 
Head gasket done on an old £900 Impreza..... tick tock What mods do you have to get to 280?
The 5 speed gearbox is good if healthy and it should be a vastly superior drive to a ST170 as long as there aren’t issues. I’ve spent a lot of time in both cars and what you can do with an Impreza and how they drive really is in a different world to the Ford.
The 5 speed gearbox is good if healthy and it should be a vastly superior drive to a ST170 as long as there aren’t issues. I’ve spent a lot of time in both cars and what you can do with an Impreza and how they drive really is in a different world to the Ford.
Scobblelotcher said:
What mods do you have to get to 280?
The 5 speed gearbox is good if healthy and it should be a vastly superior drive to a ST170 as long as there aren’t issues. I’ve spent a lot of time in both cars and what you can do with an Impreza and how they drive really is in a different world to the Ford.
I don't believe it feels like 280, feels closer to 250, mod list would suggest that too:The 5 speed gearbox is good if healthy and it should be a vastly superior drive to a ST170 as long as there aren’t issues. I’ve spent a lot of time in both cars and what you can do with an Impreza and how they drive really is in a different world to the Ford.
Uprated hoses
Upgraded Intercooler (top mount)
Mapped (doubt it)
Baileys Dump Valve
Apparently it's has RCM rods and heads, but I doubt that highly. My other 2000 Turbo is/was running 230bhp and this doesn't feel too far off that. From more driving the 5 speed is running brilliant now, fluid change all round seems to have really perked it up. With the gearbox now sorted, its a much better drive to the ST170 (obviously not as refined). I think it's just me not using the clutch correctly, but on both of them it seems to vibrate a bit when setting off/reversing.
aaron_2000 said:
Scobblelotcher said:
What mods do you have to get to 280?
The 5 speed gearbox is good if healthy and it should be a vastly superior drive to a ST170 as long as there aren’t issues. I’ve spent a lot of time in both cars and what you can do with an Impreza and how they drive really is in a different world to the Ford.
I don't believe it feels like 280, feels closer to 250, mod list would suggest that too:The 5 speed gearbox is good if healthy and it should be a vastly superior drive to a ST170 as long as there aren’t issues. I’ve spent a lot of time in both cars and what you can do with an Impreza and how they drive really is in a different world to the Ford.
Uprated hoses
Upgraded Intercooler (top mount)
Mapped (doubt it)
Baileys Dump Valve
Apparently it's has RCM rods and heads, but I doubt that highly. My other 2000 Turbo is/was running 230bhp and this doesn't feel too far off that. From more driving the 5 speed is running brilliant now, fluid change all round seems to have really perked it up. With the gearbox now sorted, its a much better drive to the ST170 (obviously not as refined). I think it's just me not using the clutch correctly, but on both of them it seems to vibrate a bit when setting off/reversing.
The standard TD04 limits power to around 270 with right mods. My old car made 273 with a remap, decat, updated fuel pump, k+n, bigger exhaust and a few other bits. I personally fell in love with the car when it went over 330bhp. It felt like the engine could challenge the drivetrain over that power and with some handling improvements, the car was very neutral and adjustable. Below 300 I always felt it was just to competent and undramatic.
aaron_2000 said:
I don't believe it feels like 280, feels closer to 250, mod list would suggest that too:
Uprated hoses
Upgraded Intercooler (top mount)
Mapped (doubt it)
Baileys Dump Valve
Apparently it's has RCM rods and heads, but I doubt that highly. My other 2000 Turbo is/was running 230bhp and this doesn't feel too far off that. From more driving the 5 speed is running brilliant now, fluid change all round seems to have really perked it up. With the gearbox now sorted, its a much better drive to the ST170 (obviously not as refined). I think it's just me not using the clutch correctly, but on both of them it seems to vibrate a bit when setting off/reversing.
Is the clutch juddering rather than vibrating?Uprated hoses
Upgraded Intercooler (top mount)
Mapped (doubt it)
Baileys Dump Valve
Apparently it's has RCM rods and heads, but I doubt that highly. My other 2000 Turbo is/was running 230bhp and this doesn't feel too far off that. From more driving the 5 speed is running brilliant now, fluid change all round seems to have really perked it up. With the gearbox now sorted, its a much better drive to the ST170 (obviously not as refined). I think it's just me not using the clutch correctly, but on both of them it seems to vibrate a bit when setting off/reversing.
Clutch judder is common on these cars with standard clutches, its caused by build up on the clutch plates, standing starts clear it for a while but its just one of those quirks, similar to the steering going light every now and again.
Scobblelotcher said:
aaron_2000 said:
Scobblelotcher said:
What mods do you have to get to 280?
The 5 speed gearbox is good if healthy and it should be a vastly superior drive to a ST170 as long as there aren’t issues. I’ve spent a lot of time in both cars and what you can do with an Impreza and how they drive really is in a different world to the Ford.
I don't believe it feels like 280, feels closer to 250, mod list would suggest that too:The 5 speed gearbox is good if healthy and it should be a vastly superior drive to a ST170 as long as there aren’t issues. I’ve spent a lot of time in both cars and what you can do with an Impreza and how they drive really is in a different world to the Ford.
Uprated hoses
Upgraded Intercooler (top mount)
Mapped (doubt it)
Baileys Dump Valve
Apparently it's has RCM rods and heads, but I doubt that highly. My other 2000 Turbo is/was running 230bhp and this doesn't feel too far off that. From more driving the 5 speed is running brilliant now, fluid change all round seems to have really perked it up. With the gearbox now sorted, its a much better drive to the ST170 (obviously not as refined). I think it's just me not using the clutch correctly, but on both of them it seems to vibrate a bit when setting off/reversing.
The standard TD04 limits power to around 270 with right mods. My old car made 273 with a remap, decat, updated fuel pump, k+n, bigger exhaust and a few other bits. I personally fell in love with the car when it went over 330bhp. It felt like the engine could challenge the drivetrain over that power and with some handling improvements, the car was very neutral and adjustable. Below 300 I always felt it was just to competent and undramatic.
Decat
Newage WRX Exhaust
Uprated fuel pump (stinks of petrol and does about 10mpg)
It definitely doesn't feel standard, it does feel more than 230, but not by much
tonyb1968 said:
Is the clutch juddering rather than vibrating?
Clutch judder is common on these cars with standard clutches, its caused by build up on the clutch plates, standing starts clear it for a while but its just one of those quirks, similar to the steering going light every now and again.
Juddering is the right word, any trick to avoiding it when crawling or is it just one of those things? Clutch judder is common on these cars with standard clutches, its caused by build up on the clutch plates, standing starts clear it for a while but its just one of those quirks, similar to the steering going light every now and again.
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