Subaru Impreza WRX V1 track and hillclimb car
Discussion
OK so here is another of my cars, this time the trusty old 1993 Impreza WRX. The earliest of the WRX models. And yes, I am aware that the Version 1 designation only applies to the STI models officially 
So there is a bit of a backstory to the car; I had a Blobeye STI last year, which was my vehicle of choice for my first foray into competitive motorsport. Unfortunately although I bought that car, I did so for my Mrs at the time and it was always in her name. We broke up in December 2017 and the car went with her.
That left me on the lookout for a replacement vehicle as the start of this year’s season approached. Despite various ideas, I decided to stick with what I know for now and return to compete in the same class as last year. Things don’t always run smoothly and I only actually ended up doing the practise day and two hillclimbs but it is what it is. I had a bit of a waver with the car as the scale of work needed became clear, coupled with memories of how much time, effort and money I had put into the Blobeye and I almost sold it. But I’m back on board now and looking to build on it for next year whilst getting some autumn and winter track days in.
I found the car for sale locally after almost going for a more hardcore car that was located absolutely miles away in Gloucester. It seemed to be in good overall condition for the age of it. Despite being advertised as having no rust, there is a tiny bit of rust damage to the usual driver’s rear arch area. It has been treated but I’d be happier having it properly inspected and if necessary, a new panel put in. But that’s probably just me wanting things to be perfect!
When I bought it, this is how it looked:
Just heading out for lunch so will continue after…
So there is a bit of a backstory to the car; I had a Blobeye STI last year, which was my vehicle of choice for my first foray into competitive motorsport. Unfortunately although I bought that car, I did so for my Mrs at the time and it was always in her name. We broke up in December 2017 and the car went with her.
That left me on the lookout for a replacement vehicle as the start of this year’s season approached. Despite various ideas, I decided to stick with what I know for now and return to compete in the same class as last year. Things don’t always run smoothly and I only actually ended up doing the practise day and two hillclimbs but it is what it is. I had a bit of a waver with the car as the scale of work needed became clear, coupled with memories of how much time, effort and money I had put into the Blobeye and I almost sold it. But I’m back on board now and looking to build on it for next year whilst getting some autumn and winter track days in.
I found the car for sale locally after almost going for a more hardcore car that was located absolutely miles away in Gloucester. It seemed to be in good overall condition for the age of it. Despite being advertised as having no rust, there is a tiny bit of rust damage to the usual driver’s rear arch area. It has been treated but I’d be happier having it properly inspected and if necessary, a new panel put in. But that’s probably just me wanting things to be perfect!
When I bought it, this is how it looked:
Just heading out for lunch so will continue after…
Smitters said:
Wow - that looks so clean. Did you fess up to the old owner about your plans to compete in it?
I love the styling on the classic, but it can look OTT (if you're over 25). The dark blue is a really nice colour that looks amazing when polished up in the sun, but is very understated, even with a hoofing scoop and spoiler.
I prefer the facelift version of the classic for looks really but I actually really like the fact that mine looks different to the majority as most people do the facelift conversions. It does look a little bit better in pictures as the ripple on the passenger wing isn't really visible I love the styling on the classic, but it can look OTT (if you're over 25). The dark blue is a really nice colour that looks amazing when polished up in the sun, but is very understated, even with a hoofing scoop and spoiler.
I can't remember if I told him or not, I think I did.
danllama said:
They just look so right. Reminds me instantly of long hours in front of Gran Turismo. What are values like on these now? What are your plans for it for competition?
Values are all over the place. This one has mega miles on the clock, 169k! However that equates to 130k once mileage at point of import is converted from KM to miles and it also had a recon engine in 2010 for some reason. I think I paid £2300 for it IIRC, and I was really struggling to find anything decent under £3k. STIs seem to be around £4k upwards for these early ones now. When I bought the car, I found it was still running a cat 
and actually still is, thanks to the most stubborn, damaged nut I’ve ever encountered! Haven’t got around to sorting that yet... I believe the car is running something around the 280bhp mark and has a Polar Performance piggyback Ecu chip on it. These used to be made by a guy on Scoobynet. It also has a nice sounding Hayward & Scott backbox.
So without much in the way of further modification, the car was put into the practise day at Harewood Hillclimb:
Had a great time and it was good to get back out on track. The car had obvious issues though, including the brake pedal going rock solid as I approached a sharp, tight bend! I had a feeling knew what the problem was, and after the event my suspicions were confirmed; someone had swapped the hose to the brake servo for a silicone item but hadn’t bothered to swap the one way valve over from the original hose
The car also developed another issue out on the road; the dreaded sticky brake caliper! I ended up buying a set of STI wheels which had been very badly resprayed but came shod with Yokohama Advan AD08R tyres in very good order
I also purchased a used set of K-Sport 8 pot front brakes
Went and did the first proper event of the season but I didn’t like the fact I had the K-Sports up front but still had the sliders on the rear. The car did well though and coped with everything I threw at it. I knew from the practise day though that the tired old shocks would hold me back until I managed to replace them but the mistake I made with the previous car was trying to build it to a perfect spec first, rather than just getting out there and enjoying it and then adding new parts between events. So this time I wanted to just get out there and develop as I go. I think at the last event I did, I was about 2 seconds off my personal best achieved with the Blobeye. That car was heavier, but had about 70bhp more, proper brakes and suspension and bucket seats and harnesses so I was really bloody pleased with that. Unfortunately I was still bottom of my class and being tonked by a pensioner in a similar car
At some point over the summer, I don’t know what happened but I started to lose the passion for competing in the car. In all honesty I think I became frustrated at the fact I needed to do everything again that I’d already done once on the original car. Knowing the size of the task, it just got me down. I very nearly sold up in favour of getting my M3 sorted once and for all, but I ended up deciding to soldier on. Unfortunately the season was limited for me this year but I hope to compete right through next year.
I plan to increase the car’s power and continue to improve the handling and I have a bunch of parts ready to go on. I’ve bought a 350mm Momo steering wheel to replace the bus wheel but might go down to 320mm if this is still too big. I’ve also bought a set of rear Brembos plus the fitting kit etc. Other bits in the garage include a fuel pressure reg and some bigger injectors...
Oh yeah, some HSD MonoPro coilovers arrived today too
So that’s where it’s at just now. I’ll update as I go
and actually still is, thanks to the most stubborn, damaged nut I’ve ever encountered! Haven’t got around to sorting that yet... I believe the car is running something around the 280bhp mark and has a Polar Performance piggyback Ecu chip on it. These used to be made by a guy on Scoobynet. It also has a nice sounding Hayward & Scott backbox.So without much in the way of further modification, the car was put into the practise day at Harewood Hillclimb:
Had a great time and it was good to get back out on track. The car had obvious issues though, including the brake pedal going rock solid as I approached a sharp, tight bend! I had a feeling knew what the problem was, and after the event my suspicions were confirmed; someone had swapped the hose to the brake servo for a silicone item but hadn’t bothered to swap the one way valve over from the original hose
The car also developed another issue out on the road; the dreaded sticky brake caliper! I ended up buying a set of STI wheels which had been very badly resprayed but came shod with Yokohama Advan AD08R tyres in very good order
I also purchased a used set of K-Sport 8 pot front brakes Went and did the first proper event of the season but I didn’t like the fact I had the K-Sports up front but still had the sliders on the rear. The car did well though and coped with everything I threw at it. I knew from the practise day though that the tired old shocks would hold me back until I managed to replace them but the mistake I made with the previous car was trying to build it to a perfect spec first, rather than just getting out there and enjoying it and then adding new parts between events. So this time I wanted to just get out there and develop as I go. I think at the last event I did, I was about 2 seconds off my personal best achieved with the Blobeye. That car was heavier, but had about 70bhp more, proper brakes and suspension and bucket seats and harnesses so I was really bloody pleased with that. Unfortunately I was still bottom of my class and being tonked by a pensioner in a similar car
At some point over the summer, I don’t know what happened but I started to lose the passion for competing in the car. In all honesty I think I became frustrated at the fact I needed to do everything again that I’d already done once on the original car. Knowing the size of the task, it just got me down. I very nearly sold up in favour of getting my M3 sorted once and for all, but I ended up deciding to soldier on. Unfortunately the season was limited for me this year but I hope to compete right through next year.
I plan to increase the car’s power and continue to improve the handling and I have a bunch of parts ready to go on. I’ve bought a 350mm Momo steering wheel to replace the bus wheel but might go down to 320mm if this is still too big. I’ve also bought a set of rear Brembos plus the fitting kit etc. Other bits in the garage include a fuel pressure reg and some bigger injectors...
Oh yeah, some HSD MonoPro coilovers arrived today too
So that’s where it’s at just now. I’ll update as I go
rossub said:
Wow that's a real beauty! 
Nothing major to report, but I have just bought a nice Roger Clark Motorsport timing belt guide
Also got a seal set for the oil pump as I have an RCM 10mm pump waiting to go on. Additionally, I have purchased a cambelt and water pump kit at a bargain price via a forum. So lots to do on Sunday afternoon when I arrive home, hungover, from my brother in law's 40th
Also got a seal set for the oil pump as I have an RCM 10mm pump waiting to go on. Additionally, I have purchased a cambelt and water pump kit at a bargain price via a forum. So lots to do on Sunday afternoon when I arrive home, hungover, from my brother in law's 40th
Debating whether to put the number squares on the doors yet even though they won't be used until next season now... The car will obviously get a few stickers as it's a dedicated track car, which I'm sure will go against the grain for some! But I'd like to start working on the exterior look now.
I managed to negotiate a decent discount with Whiteline so will be adding some of their parts and decals soon. Only really want to put decals on for people giving me actual discounts on parts/services, not just plaster it with generic stuff.
I managed to negotiate a decent discount with Whiteline so will be adding some of their parts and decals soon.
Only really want to put decals on for people giving me actual discounts on parts/services, not just plaster it with generic stuff. MagicalTrevor said:
What's wrong with magnetic roundels for your numbers? At least you won't have to remember to either peel the numbers off or put tape through them when you travel to/from an event.
Well since it will have the other stickers on permanently, it might as well have the number squares too IMO. Would just look like a chavved road car with the other stickers but no number boards I reckon?MagicalTrevor said:
Fair enough, I've considered the same. I wanted a permanent white roundel and then have magnetic black 'led segments' to form the numbers.
Yeah that might work OK. I've found that peeling the numbers off isn't that hard to be honest. I removed the far too small number squares that were on it this year with the use of a hairdryer, so they tend to use pretty strong glue. The numbers themselves come off quite easily. Went to collect something shiny this morning from the sorting office
Did a few more of the smaller jobs last night. Had to make up a couple of new bolts for the bonnet grille on the passenger side:
Dug out the towing eye I bought ages ago and put it on the car. This is a proper one and MSA compliant, not like the s
tty things people put on for looks and "JDM YO!" :
I also put the sunstrip on, but not the SUBARU decal yet. In two minds on that. Unfortunately, after taking a lot of time to get this right, it still ended up with a couple of bubbles near the very end FFS!:
Sitting pretty:
Hoping to get on and fit the 340lph fuel pump tonight. No doubt the old one is original so not something I want to start pushing when I turn up the wick...
Dug out the towing eye I bought ages ago and put it on the car. This is a proper one and MSA compliant, not like the s
tty things people put on for looks and "JDM YO!" :I also put the sunstrip on, but not the SUBARU decal yet. In two minds on that. Unfortunately, after taking a lot of time to get this right, it still ended up with a couple of bubbles near the very end FFS!:
Sitting pretty:
Hoping to get on and fit the 340lph fuel pump tonight. No doubt the old one is original so not something I want to start pushing when I turn up the wick...
Edited by TroubledSoul on Tuesday 25th September 21:11
Firstly, I'm writing this on my work PC but can't access my image hosting, so if you read this before I manage to edit it and add them in later, apologies!
So, where to start? It's been a bloody long time since the last update, but the car is still with me. I did absolutely nothing with it in 2019, mainly due to a six month stint working in Afghanistan. All my plans went out the window. Upon leaving for Afghanistan in January 2019, I moved the car to a friend's garage, where it at least remained indoors for twelve months.
In that time, during my time off in the middle of the stint and upon my permanent return, I have added a few more bits to the car. These are the rear Brembo conversion with Godspeed discs, front and rear strut braces, an underbody brace, Whiteline Anti Lift Kit and polybushes on the steering rack and front wishbones. Oh and a decat downpipe! It sounds quite nice now
I also purchased a set of rose jointed rear lateral arms from eBay after deciding to give them a punt. These aren't on yet. I have an ESL ECU to put on the car too and will next week have a front mount intercooler.
Unfortunately it isn't all good news... The rear of the sills are starting to rot and the rear arches could do with a proper "once and for all" repair, although they're not in too bad a state currently. The lacquer on the roof has also cracked and lifted somewhat... Although I've just got my hands on a 2 door Type R rolling shell, I'll be jumping right back into this project ahead of the new season. The Type R is one for next year.
Other things I've got ready to go on are uprated rear drop links, a short shifter, some newage coilpacks, yellow injectors, FPR and new rocker cover gaskets. Plenty to keep me busy in the short term...
So, where to start? It's been a bloody long time since the last update, but the car is still with me. I did absolutely nothing with it in 2019, mainly due to a six month stint working in Afghanistan. All my plans went out the window. Upon leaving for Afghanistan in January 2019, I moved the car to a friend's garage, where it at least remained indoors for twelve months.
In that time, during my time off in the middle of the stint and upon my permanent return, I have added a few more bits to the car. These are the rear Brembo conversion with Godspeed discs, front and rear strut braces, an underbody brace, Whiteline Anti Lift Kit and polybushes on the steering rack and front wishbones. Oh and a decat downpipe! It sounds quite nice now
I also purchased a set of rose jointed rear lateral arms from eBay after deciding to give them a punt. These aren't on yet. I have an ESL ECU to put on the car too and will next week have a front mount intercooler.
Unfortunately it isn't all good news... The rear of the sills are starting to rot and the rear arches could do with a proper "once and for all" repair, although they're not in too bad a state currently. The lacquer on the roof has also cracked and lifted somewhat... Although I've just got my hands on a 2 door Type R rolling shell, I'll be jumping right back into this project ahead of the new season. The Type R is one for next year.
Other things I've got ready to go on are uprated rear drop links, a short shifter, some newage coilpacks, yellow injectors, FPR and new rocker cover gaskets. Plenty to keep me busy in the short term...
Edited by TroubledSoul on Tuesday 7th January 15:38
Yeah, I'm going to get this one up to scratch for the coming season before switching focus to the new project... Its replacement!
So the remaining things I want are:
Harnesses and seats
Front mount intercooler
Oil Cooler
Uprated Whiteline anti roll bars
New discs up front
Track alignment
Sill repair section
Mapping cable for my ESL ECU
Samco silicone intake hose
Rust free front wings
Jobs currently outstanding:
Bleed the brakes
Fit the new rocker cover gaskets I have
Fit the new sparkplugs
Fit the rose jointed rear suspension arms
Fit the inner wing braces
Wish me luck...
So the remaining things I want are:
Harnesses and seats
Front mount intercooler
Oil Cooler
Uprated Whiteline anti roll bars
New discs up front
Track alignment
Sill repair section
Mapping cable for my ESL ECU
Samco silicone intake hose
Rust free front wings
Jobs currently outstanding:
Bleed the brakes
Fit the new rocker cover gaskets I have
Fit the new sparkplugs
Fit the rose jointed rear suspension arms
Fit the inner wing braces
Wish me luck...
It's probably too late now to switch focus for the coming season but there's a part of me really itching to try actual racing and enter something like the CSCC's Modern Classics series. I think I'll have to stick with the hillclimbing this season but next year I need to race properly...
Various bits have started turning up and work will commence in earnest shortly...
Various bits have started turning up and work will commence in earnest shortly...
danllama said:
Are you putting the Impreza aside to work on the Type R now then? Or adapting the Impreza to suit?
No, the Impreza is the focus for the next few months at least. The Type R is actually an Impreza Type R, btw, just in case anyone isn't sure!scottos said:
That's great, glad to see it at Harewood! I'd give it a good.go.this season and you may get hooked on hillclimbing.
A couple of friends compete and have got the bug big style and got carried away big style! There's a very quick classic Impreza my mate always ends up battling with for top spot in their category funnily
Yeah I loved it the last time I competed, but it would be fantastic to get a proper season and a bit of continuity from one event to another. I know Andy Hill who runs a classic in Mod Prod. He's a sound bloke and he's fast for an old lad. A couple of friends compete and have got the bug big style and got carried away big style! There's a very quick classic Impreza my mate always ends up battling with for top spot in their category funnily
Well, I really don't like how I look or sound here, but I did a thing!:
https://youtu.be/He7cMU1nVow
The first of many hopefully. And hopefully I will learn how to make these better as I go.
https://youtu.be/He7cMU1nVow
The first of many hopefully. And hopefully I will learn how to make these better as I go.
Yeah he has a turbo mounted right at the front! Gets lots of air into it!
Put another video up on my channel, check it out if you like that sort of thing. I'll add some photo updates here soon. Basically swapped out the starter motor and confirmed the battery was too knackered to even start the car when charged. Also started taking the front bumper off but ran into another snag; the bumper brackets below the wing on the driver's side is attached to the bumper with a bolt that won't screw out and the bumper to wing bolt is doing the exact same thing FFS...
Planning to swap the brakes out this weekend. The current K-Sports seem to have seized on out of the blue. Can't move the car until they come off now...
I'm also planning to use a pressure bleeder on the brake system with a universal reservoir cap so that could lead to some "comedy"
Put another video up on my channel, check it out if you like that sort of thing. I'll add some photo updates here soon. Basically swapped out the starter motor and confirmed the battery was too knackered to even start the car when charged. Also started taking the front bumper off but ran into another snag; the bumper brackets below the wing on the driver's side is attached to the bumper with a bolt that won't screw out and the bumper to wing bolt is doing the exact same thing FFS...
Planning to swap the brakes out this weekend. The current K-Sports seem to have seized on out of the blue. Can't move the car until they come off now...
I'm also planning to use a pressure bleeder on the brake system with a universal reservoir cap so that could lead to some "comedy"
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