2007 Subaru Impreza STi Spec-D
Discussion
Inspired by a number of Subaru threads recently, I thought I'd finally get my Spec-D ownership recorded for posterity.
I bought it in 2012 with about 43k on the clock. I've always been a Subaru fan, since watching the WRC cars in my youth with my dad, who had a classic turbo wagon himself which he bought new and kept for 15 years.
I fell in love with the Spec-D in particular after completely failing to keep up with one on a road run, and mistaking it for a cooking spec WRX. I love the plain looks that never turn a head, contrasted with how quick it is in the real world. It's not exactly a sleeper, but it's the same sort of feeling, a car that is a lot quicker than it looks.
My car is very deliberately standard looking, because I think the appeal of the Spec-D is its discrete styling. So many in the classifieds have been blinged up with badges and spoilers, and I think that's a shame. So, I want to keep mine true to the look of the original.
Underneath it's had a few upgrades after the usual 2.5 engine troubles (a long, long story, I can tell the tale if there's any interest).
Fully closed-deck EJ25
ACL race bearings
Mahle forged pistons
Manley forged rods
RCM 14mm head bolts (no chance of another HGF!)
RCM gaskets
Walbro pump
FSE Fuel pressure regulator (hidden)
Cosworth panel filter in standard airbox (standard looks again!)
Cobra decat 2.5" downpipe and straight center, standard Prodrive backbox. Quiet and discrete again, but power-sapping unfortunately.
TEIN 1-way adjustable coilovers
Standard Brembos, with DBA T3 disks front and T2 rear and DS2500 pads
Braided brake hoses
Remapped on the rollers at RA Motorsport (who did the rebuild) by Andy Forrest in Feb 2015, it made about 350bhp at 1.5bar and a very solid 400lbft.
The power bottleneck is the 2.5" exhaust at the moment, but I'm not looking to change it. There's obviously plenty more scope for power upgrades with such a strongly-rebuilt engine, but it would mean compromising the Spec-D character. I've tried to build a Spec-D+ rather than change too much.
I've yet to throw a Whiteline catalogue at it, so some stiffer ARBs and anti-lift kit and maybe a few other bits will probably be added in Feb 2018 when the service/MOT is due.
I bought it in 2012 with about 43k on the clock. I've always been a Subaru fan, since watching the WRC cars in my youth with my dad, who had a classic turbo wagon himself which he bought new and kept for 15 years.
I fell in love with the Spec-D in particular after completely failing to keep up with one on a road run, and mistaking it for a cooking spec WRX. I love the plain looks that never turn a head, contrasted with how quick it is in the real world. It's not exactly a sleeper, but it's the same sort of feeling, a car that is a lot quicker than it looks.
My car is very deliberately standard looking, because I think the appeal of the Spec-D is its discrete styling. So many in the classifieds have been blinged up with badges and spoilers, and I think that's a shame. So, I want to keep mine true to the look of the original.
Underneath it's had a few upgrades after the usual 2.5 engine troubles (a long, long story, I can tell the tale if there's any interest).
Fully closed-deck EJ25
ACL race bearings
Mahle forged pistons
Manley forged rods
RCM 14mm head bolts (no chance of another HGF!)
RCM gaskets
Walbro pump
FSE Fuel pressure regulator (hidden)
Cosworth panel filter in standard airbox (standard looks again!)
Cobra decat 2.5" downpipe and straight center, standard Prodrive backbox. Quiet and discrete again, but power-sapping unfortunately.
TEIN 1-way adjustable coilovers
Standard Brembos, with DBA T3 disks front and T2 rear and DS2500 pads
Braided brake hoses
Remapped on the rollers at RA Motorsport (who did the rebuild) by Andy Forrest in Feb 2015, it made about 350bhp at 1.5bar and a very solid 400lbft.
The power bottleneck is the 2.5" exhaust at the moment, but I'm not looking to change it. There's obviously plenty more scope for power upgrades with such a strongly-rebuilt engine, but it would mean compromising the Spec-D character. I've tried to build a Spec-D+ rather than change too much.
I've yet to throw a Whiteline catalogue at it, so some stiffer ARBs and anti-lift kit and maybe a few other bits will probably be added in Feb 2018 when the service/MOT is due.
wst said:
Does the Spec-D have equal-length headers like the Spec-C, or does it retain the classic burble? (nb. I honestly like either sound... they have their own characters)
No, it doesn't have ELH. I couldn't have a Subaru that doesn't burble. I did look at ELH and twin-scroll turbo options, but I can't mess with that noise. 
Spec-D isn't a performance model like the C. D literally stands for "Discrete". Mechanically, it's a normal Type UK STi, but with metallic grey paint, black leather, black carpets, low spoiler, silver wheels and debadged.
I like the idea of keeping the standard looks and going for big power, they definitely are more discrete than a regular STI.
Are you happy with the RA motorsport rebuild? I'm not too far from Perth and have thought about using them if I ever needed any big jobs done.
Are you happy with the RA motorsport rebuild? I'm not too far from Perth and have thought about using them if I ever needed any big jobs done.
Edited by lewis87 on Wednesday 8th November 17:06
Lovely example, and some nice upgrades too.
Always wanted one of these when they first came out, just something about it being a bit less ‘in your face’ than the standard ones. They are still on my radar but I think the Mrs would kill me having two Subaru’s already
Looking forward to more updates.
Feel free to tell the engine story! Only seen a few with head gasket issues but it’s always interesting to hear.
Always wanted one of these when they first came out, just something about it being a bit less ‘in your face’ than the standard ones. They are still on my radar but I think the Mrs would kill me having two Subaru’s already
Looking forward to more updates.
Feel free to tell the engine story! Only seen a few with head gasket issues but it’s always interesting to hear.
lewis87 said:
I like the idea of keeping the standard looks and going for big power, they definitely are more discrete than a regular STI.
Are you happy with the RA motorsport rebuild? I'm not too far from Perth and have thought about using them if I ever needed any big jobs done.
The rebuild work by RA is really good. I'd definitely recommend them, providing you don't need daily progress updates and a quick turnaround. They always seem to be very busy, so I had to chase sometimes, but if you can live with the business side of things being a bit chaotic, then you'll get solid advice and fair value in my opinion. Pop in and see Andy Napier and have a look at the race cars and customer cars. Their work speaks for itself really.Are you happy with the RA motorsport rebuild? I'm not too far from Perth and have thought about using them if I ever needed any big jobs done.
lewis87 said:
I like the idea of keeping the standard looks and going for big power, they definitely are more discrete than a regular STI.
Are you happy with the RA motorsport rebuild? I'm not too far from Perth and have thought about using them if I ever needed any big jobs done.
i,m not sure i,d call that a big power build- but reliable torquey power definately-imo be careful with too many whiteline goodies-easy to lose the nice easy balance of a standardish impreza Are you happy with the RA motorsport rebuild? I'm not too far from Perth and have thought about using them if I ever needed any big jobs done.
Edited by lewis87 on Wednesday 8th November 17:06
SiT said:
Any updates on this, I love a Scoob and this is real nice!!!
Si
Hi, and thanks!Si
Well, it's not getting used much at all now. My wife moved offices, has a much longer commute, so we bought a Fiesta Ecoboost 1.0 for that, which is doing a great job.
The Spec-D had a service and MOT last week ready for going up for sale (yes, I'm dragging my heels, but I love it). Nothing remarkable about the MOT except it needed a touch of welding underneath. I didn't see the damage, but the bill suggests it wasn't much.
A couple of advisories left to sort. Headlamp levelling warning light came on, dammit. This is common, usually a dodgy sensor, so not bank-breaking. Just needs a bit of testing to work out which corner it is.
The other was a small leak in the turbo up-pipe at the flexi section, so it'll need a new pipe. A bit annoying, as I was hoping for a clean sheet to get it advertised for sale now.
I was going to get it washed and photographed this weekend, but I put my back out on Saturday so had a lazy weekend to recover. I'll be searching for a good mobile valeter/detailer in Aberdeenshire to come and do it for me.
madwrx said:
i,m not sure i,d call that a big power build- but reliable torquey power definately-imo be careful with too many whiteline goodies-easy to lose the nice easy balance of a standardish impreza
Definitely not big power, but that wasn't the aim. I didn't want lag in exchange for huge power gains at the top of the rev range where this car never goes. Low-down torque was the aim of the game as this is a road car. In hindsight a silenced 3" exhaust would still have been a good idea, as the 2.5" is the current power restriction. That one change might have seen 370-380ish bhp, but I really wanted the standard backbox to stay. Trust me, as a road car, it's very quick and pulls hard, and I'll never take it on track and rev the nuts off it anyway. I don't think the Spec-D is the right base for a big power build. It sort of defeats the point of the Spec-D in my mind.Paul S4 said:
Take the rear spoiler off....then it really would look like a sleeper !
Not really into Subarus ( I like my Alfas ) but I really like that Spec-D.
It's much better having a car that looks standard ( or even base spec) but has more underneath. The saying "less is more" and all that !
I agree, I've always loved less-is-more cars! Not really into Subarus ( I like my Alfas ) but I really like that Spec-D.
It's much better having a car that looks standard ( or even base spec) but has more underneath. The saying "less is more" and all that !
I truly miss my Spec D - having only sold it on in October. I went to check recently and it was no longer registered or SORN and from what i've since heard it appears that it was written off within weeks of the new owner taking the keys and that trule brings a tear to my eye.
The spec-d was alas not so discreet anymore, but i bought it for the engine build (&Builder) as i knew his work and was slowly bring it back before i had to sell it for a mure useable daily driver.
Mine had a similar build and was making 335hp and 350 ft/lbs on standard turbo (Vf35). The adjustability of the coilovers over the stock suspension made a massive difference to being able to live with the harshness on town/city roads, but, my god on a b-road there was very little to keep up with it.
Here are the pictures of mine which i took on a new years eve jaunt through wales, via the a470, a44, b4343, a4120 and a487
ANyway, i hope that you have luck in selling it and someone recognises it for the car it really it is (and can be).
The spec-d was alas not so discreet anymore, but i bought it for the engine build (&Builder) as i knew his work and was slowly bring it back before i had to sell it for a mure useable daily driver.
Mine had a similar build and was making 335hp and 350 ft/lbs on standard turbo (Vf35). The adjustability of the coilovers over the stock suspension made a massive difference to being able to live with the harshness on town/city roads, but, my god on a b-road there was very little to keep up with it.
Here are the pictures of mine which i took on a new years eve jaunt through wales, via the a470, a44, b4343, a4120 and a487
ANyway, i hope that you have luck in selling it and someone recognises it for the car it really it is (and can be).
Fantastic. That's still reasonably "D" even with the high spoiler.
So many good drives in mine. I've had quicker track cars where weight and cornering speeds and late braking come into play, but you can't take corners at max speed on the public highways. You need some traction and torque to get you off the apex as you can see it's clear, and you need some compliance in the suspension so you're not constantly grounding out and jumping around.
I think when you take road conditions and our weather into the equation, there are very very few cars which are quicker in the real world than a lightly enhanced STi.
I can't bring myself to go out and polish it one last time for the advert photos. Maybe this weekend.... maybe I'll just go for a drive instead!
So many good drives in mine. I've had quicker track cars where weight and cornering speeds and late braking come into play, but you can't take corners at max speed on the public highways. You need some traction and torque to get you off the apex as you can see it's clear, and you need some compliance in the suspension so you're not constantly grounding out and jumping around.
I think when you take road conditions and our weather into the equation, there are very very few cars which are quicker in the real world than a lightly enhanced STi.
I can't bring myself to go out and polish it one last time for the advert photos. Maybe this weekend.... maybe I'll just go for a drive instead!
TartanPaint said:
Fantastic. That's still reasonably "D" even with the high spoiler.
So many good drives in mine. I've had quicker track cars where weight and cornering speeds and late braking come into play, but you can't take corners at max speed on the public highways. You need some traction and torque to get you off the apex as you can see it's clear, and you need some compliance in the suspension so you're not constantly grounding out and jumping around.
I think when you take road conditions and our weather into the equation, there are very very few cars which are quicker in the real world than a lightly enhanced STi.
I can't bring myself to go out and polish it one last time for the advert photos. Maybe this weekend.... maybe I'll just go for a drive instead!
Go for a drive. Let the new owner polish it and instead you enjoy it for one last time the way its meant to be enjoyed! So many good drives in mine. I've had quicker track cars where weight and cornering speeds and late braking come into play, but you can't take corners at max speed on the public highways. You need some traction and torque to get you off the apex as you can see it's clear, and you need some compliance in the suspension so you're not constantly grounding out and jumping around.
I think when you take road conditions and our weather into the equation, there are very very few cars which are quicker in the real world than a lightly enhanced STi.
I can't bring myself to go out and polish it one last time for the advert photos. Maybe this weekend.... maybe I'll just go for a drive instead!
Lovely looking thing, love the subtlety! I've always fancied a subtle impreza sti as a daily but never really had the balls with the engine horror stories and this is made more real by how many dead engines i see as i help out at a competition engine builders and we get a lot of impreza blocks in to bore and hone after the deck plates get pressed in!
Currently have a nice edition 30 gti golf but it's a little too sensible i think, this thread gets the juices flowing! How come you're selling up?
Currently have a nice edition 30 gti golf but it's a little too sensible i think, this thread gets the juices flowing! How come you're selling up?
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