Discussion
Considering an Impreza of the 2000 to 2004 vintage. Now this covers both face-lift models with a quite large price difference between the two. I can live with the looks of the Bug (I have owned a Bug n/a for the last 6 years) but am unsure of the other differences. The interiors aren't great either way which is ok but it's the engine/suspension differences I am unsure of. Any advice please?
Not just power differences between WRX and STi but gearbox, diff, engine internals, suspension, brakes etc... There is quite a difference between the two and i would recommend the STi over the WRX if you want more power and better handling, or go for the WRX if you want a more compliant ride and something more practical in sportwagon guise.
CaptainSlow said:
ok thanks, but I'm asking about Bug WRX v Blob WRX.
If there is its very slight. like about 219BHP instead of 215 I think. it was 1 or 2 MPG better too though.The reason I know is I was going to buy one new in 2004 and remember bits and bobs.
I am thinking of getting one for the mrs, but the budget will probably only get us a bug eye.
Bugeye for me every time and they are slightly lighter than the blobeye!! As the generations moved on they became heavier and heavier.
Also, i keep hearing this stuff about bugeyes having less bhp than Blobeyes. They both have identical engines, same ancilliaries, turbo, injectors, gearbox gearing, diffs, etc, etc...
They also both have virtually the same mapping. I've looked at both standard ROMS and there is basically bugger all difference in any of the maps so i would have to say all this stuff about bugeyes being down on power is nothin more than an urban myth originally perpetuated by the usual Subaru corporate marketing machinery.
Also, i keep hearing this stuff about bugeyes having less bhp than Blobeyes. They both have identical engines, same ancilliaries, turbo, injectors, gearbox gearing, diffs, etc, etc...
They also both have virtually the same mapping. I've looked at both standard ROMS and there is basically bugger all difference in any of the maps so i would have to say all this stuff about bugeyes being down on power is nothin more than an urban myth originally perpetuated by the usual Subaru corporate marketing machinery.
Right, I actually have the Subaru brochure for the blob eye from 2004.
Page 21
"Power is boosted to 221BHP (225ps using 97 ron), fuel efficiency has actually improved."
Also interestingly page 25:
"we have added a new ABS braking system to the latest model saving 1.2KG, while the WRX now has an aluminium lateral link. An abundance of aluminium is used from the bonnet to the rear gate and also helps cut wieght, so everything is stronger, yet more rigid"
hope this helps
Page 21
"Power is boosted to 221BHP (225ps using 97 ron), fuel efficiency has actually improved."
Also interestingly page 25:
"we have added a new ABS braking system to the latest model saving 1.2KG, while the WRX now has an aluminium lateral link. An abundance of aluminium is used from the bonnet to the rear gate and also helps cut wieght, so everything is stronger, yet more rigid"
hope this helps
5paul5 said:
Engines in both models are the same, however the blobeye engine has revised exhaust manifold, increased boost pressure, new engine management system and modified valve gear and exhaust, hence the slight increase in bhp and mpg.
That's not correct.They both have the same exhaust manifold and uppipe. Pulls these bits off each car and match them up both exterior and interior dimensions are identical. They run the same boost pressure, use the same type EMS, in fact ROMS are interchangeable, same valve gear, same exhaust system. Right the way through 2001(51 plate) through to 2005 models all WRX bits are interchangeable hence why i replaced my 2002 gearbox for a 2005 gearbox+driveshafts no problem. You could fit a 2004 ECU in a 2002 car, and flash a 2004 car ECU with a 2002 ROM and vice versa, no difference.
ETA: You're thinking about 2006 V9 Hawkeye with the 2.5L engine. Revised exhaust headers and uppipe, and different heads to the 2.0L versions, bigger valves. Although the 2.5 WRX came with the same turbo (TD04L 13T) this time it got AVCS and 550cc injectors like the STi.
Hawkeyes came with CANbus communication, drive by wire, and 32-bit ECU's so not interchangeable with the 2.0L cars unless you take the cabin and engine wiring looms plus throttle body off a hawkeye and transplant all that into a 2.0L car.
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Sunday 17th October 18:12
5paul5 said:
Oh whatever, just quoeting from a book written by experts, you obviously know better !
Something tells me the information provided in an official Subaru workshop manual, as used by Subaru technicians at Subaru dealerships worldwide (UK inc), should be pretty accurate.
I don't know any better, i just remap them for a living.
As long as the vehicle has a full service history there is no reason why it shouldn't be good for double that mileage but of course it depends completely on how hard the car has been driven during those 80K miles. For good measure i would give it an oil and filter change every 5K miles or twice a year depnding on the mileage you do or what comes first, just to keep the engine mechanically sweet. Belts, Tensioners etc..., they are all service items and changed as and when the service schedule requires.
I've just recently had an enquiry from a chap that has a bog standard 1998 V4 Turbo. These cars aren't renowned for having either a particularly strong engine or gearbox however, this car has a full service history, still runs the original engine and gearbox with no rebuilds to either, and it has done 145K miles. I'm a bit retisent to remap it but the owner wants it done and doesn't care if it goes pop soon afterwards. No doubt he can afford a decent rebuild as he is a dealer. Don't be too surprised though if it just keeps going!!
Newage cars have stronger engines and gearboxes. Although i run a different engine and later gearbox in my WRX wagon the rest is mechanically pretty much bog standard and it has done 115K miles, with some of those miles being very hard indeed, and it still drives nice and tight. The original engine and gearbox gave up eventually after much abuse and power hikes although they both lasted much longer than i originally thought they would.
These cars just keep going and going so long as you look after them and don't ask too much when modifying them. A newage WRX on standard internals will run up to 330ish bhp all day long without incident if you look after it and drive it with some sympathy. That's not to say you can't go out and rag the ar5e of it now and again, however if you drive it like you stole it all the time it will eventually give up and die.
You could mod an 80K mile car to around 300-320bhp without too much trouble and keep good reliability, but the older the car is and the longer it has run as standard the more likely it will go pop if you ask too much of it power wise. The cars that run the longest at higher power levels with standard internals are those that were modified very early on in their lives and have been used to much higher stresses than a std car for much longer. Those kinds of stresses from early on make the engine stronger over time and more resilient to going pop with further upgrades.
Buy a good one and it will be your best friend for life!!
Hope this helps
I've just recently had an enquiry from a chap that has a bog standard 1998 V4 Turbo. These cars aren't renowned for having either a particularly strong engine or gearbox however, this car has a full service history, still runs the original engine and gearbox with no rebuilds to either, and it has done 145K miles. I'm a bit retisent to remap it but the owner wants it done and doesn't care if it goes pop soon afterwards. No doubt he can afford a decent rebuild as he is a dealer. Don't be too surprised though if it just keeps going!!
Newage cars have stronger engines and gearboxes. Although i run a different engine and later gearbox in my WRX wagon the rest is mechanically pretty much bog standard and it has done 115K miles, with some of those miles being very hard indeed, and it still drives nice and tight. The original engine and gearbox gave up eventually after much abuse and power hikes although they both lasted much longer than i originally thought they would.
These cars just keep going and going so long as you look after them and don't ask too much when modifying them. A newage WRX on standard internals will run up to 330ish bhp all day long without incident if you look after it and drive it with some sympathy. That's not to say you can't go out and rag the ar5e of it now and again, however if you drive it like you stole it all the time it will eventually give up and die.
You could mod an 80K mile car to around 300-320bhp without too much trouble and keep good reliability, but the older the car is and the longer it has run as standard the more likely it will go pop if you ask too much of it power wise. The cars that run the longest at higher power levels with standard internals are those that were modified very early on in their lives and have been used to much higher stresses than a std car for much longer. Those kinds of stresses from early on make the engine stronger over time and more resilient to going pop with further upgrades.
Buy a good one and it will be your best friend for life!!
Hope this helps
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Monday 18th October 12:36
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