Impreza Experts...

[MikeyMike]

A friend of mine has just bought what he believes to be an M-reg STi Type RA, now there is some confusion as to whether it is the real deal or not.
My understanding of the RA is that it has wind-up windows, LSD, no A/C, more robust engine and a lightweight body. I also thought that they only came in white and had a roof scoop yet his is red and has no roof scoop. His car did have manual windows which have apparently been changed for electric ones and it does state "Type RA" on the V5 but im still dubious.

Anyone know the gen?

[trickywoo]

Does it have mentally short gearing? Thats the easiest way to tell.

Engine codes for the non STI type RA is EJ207 DW1KE and the STI RA is EJ207 DW1PJ.

Rear suspension arms on an STI RA will almost certainly be aluminium.

[markCSC]

Check the VIN. It should be gc8C47D

http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/scoobie/Wrx%20-%...

Edited by markCSC on Wednesday 10th October 16:50

[GravelBen]

It may well be a WRX type RA - they came with the lightweight body, I think roof scoop may have been an option but pretty much always there, but where the STi-RA had the high-spec STi motor (closed-deck block, intercooler water spray, more power etc) and DCCD+close-ratio box the WRX-RA had the normal WRX drivetrain in it, 50:50 split etc. If it doesnt have the DCCD control dial (beside the handbrake, though I think some later cars may have had it on the dash) then its not an STi-RA but could still be a WRX-RA.

See if you can find the model code/VIN number on this page, should let you know what it is.

http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/wrx.html

[T5NYW]

GravelBen said:

It may well be a WRX type RA - they came with the lightweight body, I think roof scoop may have been an option but pretty much always there, but where the STi-RA had the high-spec STi motor (closed-deck block, intercooler water spray, more power etc) and DCCD+close-ratio box the WRX-RA had the normal WRX drivetrain in it, 50:50 split etc. If it doesnt have the DCCD control dial (beside the handbrake, though I think some later cars may have had it on the dash) then its not an STi-RA but could still be a WRX-RA.

As Benn says Classic JDM's optional extra lists were extensive

GC8E2SD 22B JDM 300 Wide bodied 2.2 litre special edition
GC8A48D WRX 240 4 door First Impreza Turbo
GC8B48D WRX V1 MY95 260 4 door
GF8B58D WRX V1 220 First appearance of 5 door
GF8B58D WRX V1 SA 220 5 door Auto transmission fitted after production
GC8C48D WRX V2 MY96 260 4 door
GF8C58D WRX V2 220 5 door
GF8C58P WRX V2 220 5 door AT First production automatic transmission
GC8D48D WRX V3 280 4 door
GF8D58D WRX V3 240 5 door
GF8D58P WRX V3 AT 240 5 door AT
GC8E48D WRX V4 280 4 door
GF8E58D WRX V4 280 5 door
GF8E58P WRX V4 AT 240 5 door AT
GC8F48D WRX V5 280 4 door
GF8F58D WRX V5 280 5 door
GF8F58P WRX V5 AT 240 5 door AT
GC8G48D WRX V6 280 4 door
GF8G58D WRX V6 240 5 door
GF8G58P WRX V6 AT 240 5 door AT
GC8B48D Sti V1 250 First appearance of STi, modified from production WRX
GF8B58D Sti V1 250 5 door modified from production vehicle.
GC8C4ED Sti V2 275 4 door First STi full production
GF8C5ED Sti V2 260 5 door
GF8C5ED Sti V2 260 555 5 door Special edition
GC8C4ED Sti V2 555 275 555 4 door Special edition
GC8D4ED Sti V3 300 4 door
GF8D5ED Sti V3 300 5 door
GC8E4ED Sti V4 300 4 door
GF8E5ED Sti V4 300 5 door
GC8F4ED Sti V5 300 4 door
GF8F5ED Sti V5 300 5 door
GC8G4ED Sti V6 300 4 door
GF8G5ED Sti V6 300 5 door
GC8C47D Sti V1 RA 275 4 door Modified from production
GC8C47D Sti V2 RA 275 First full production RA
GC8D47D Sti V3 RA 300 4 door
GC8E47D Sti V4 RA 300 4 door
GC8F47D Sti V5 RA 300 4 door
GC8G47D Sti V6 RA 300 4 door
? Sti V2 RA V Limited not certain if made
? Sti V3 RA V Limited not certain if made
GC8E47D Sti V4 RA V Limited 300 4 door V-Limited Special edition
GC8E27D Sti V4 RA V Limited 300 2 door Special edition 2 door RA
GC8F47D Sti V5 RA V Limited 300 4 door V-Limited Special edition
GC8F27D Sti V5 RA V Limited 300 2 door Special edition RA
GC8G47D Sti V6 RA V Limited 300 4 door V-Limited Special edition
GC8D2DD Sti V3 R 300 2 door First 2 door coupe
?as above?Sti V3 R 555 ?
GC8E2DD Sti V4 R 300 2 door
GC8F2DD Sti V5 R 300 2 door
GC8G2DD Sti V6 R 300 2 door
GF8D5DD Sti V3 R V Limited 300 V-Limited 5 door Special edition
GC8D4DD Sti V3 R V Limited 300 4 door Special edition
GC8E2DD Sti V4 R V Limited 300 2 door Special edition
GC8F2DD Sti V5 R V Limited 300 2 door Special edition
GC8G2DD Sti V6 R V Limited 300 2 door Special edition
GC8G2DD STi V6 V Limited wrc 300 2 door Special edition
GC8A47D WRX RA 240 4 door
GC8B47D WRX RA V1 240 4 door
GC8C47D WRX RA V2 260 4 door
GC8D47D WRX RA V3 280 4 door
GC8E47D WRX RA V4 280 4 door
GC8F47D WRX RA V5 280 4 door
GC8G47D WRX RA V6 280 4 door
GC8G27D WRX RA V Limited 300 2 door Special edition RA

[mr p1]

MikeyMike said:

A friend of mine has just bought what he believes to be an M-reg STi Type RA, now there is some confusion as to whether it is the real deal or not.
My understanding of the RA is that it has wind-up windows, LSD, no A/C, more robust engine and a lightweight body. I also thought that they only came in white and had a roof scoop yet his is red and has no roof scoop. His car did have manual windows which have apparently been changed for electric ones and it does state "Type RA" on the V5 but im still dubious.

Anyone know the gen?

go to scoobynet
you wont find much here
but it is a good site
the code above will tell you all you need to no

[stevieb]

mr p1 said:

MikeyMike said:

A friend of mine has just bought what he believes to be an M-reg STi Type RA, now there is some confusion as to whether it is the real deal or not.
My understanding of the RA is that it has wind-up windows, LSD, no A/C, more robust engine and a lightweight body. I also thought that they only came in white and had a roof scoop yet his is red and has no roof scoop. His car did have manual windows which have apparently been changed for electric ones and it does state "Type RA" on the V5 but im still dubious.

Anyone know the gen?

go to scoobynet
you wont find much here
but it is a good site
the code above will tell you all you need to no

Go to scooby net and get told to use the search and get trolled to death!

[DocJock]

mr p1 said:

MikeyMike said:

A friend of mine has just bought what he believes to be an M-reg STi Type RA, now there is some confusion as to whether it is the real deal or not.
My understanding of the RA is that it has wind-up windows, LSD, no A/C, more robust engine and a lightweight body. I also thought that they only came in white and had a roof scoop yet his is red and has no roof scoop. His car did have manual windows which have apparently been changed for electric ones and it does state "Type RA" on the V5 but im still dubious.

Anyone know the gen?

go to scoobynet
you wont find much here
but it is a good site
the code above will tell you all you need to no

With all due respect, go to SN and you will get 15 different answers, most of them utter bullshit.

If you want any technical information on Imprezas go to 22B.com

Edited by DocJock on Sunday 14th October 21:58

[GravelBen]

www.type-ra.co.uk also seems to have some people who know what they're talking about.

[ScoobieWRX]

Looks like a real enthusiasts site...very earthy

[AndyB_WRX]

Sounds alright to me, there were some red ones produced around 1994

[MikeyMike]

Thanks for the advice, should be meeting up with him soon to go for leisurely drive so will get to the bottom of it then.