So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium?

ake109 · 07-11-2008, 11:16 AM

I am getting conflicting info. Is the 08 STI bonnet still made of aluminium or is it all steel now?

The guy at the dealer says steel for all the NA Imprezas and aluminium for WRX and STI. Don't trust him though.

Anyone know for sure?

***steelgraySTi06*** · 07-11-2008, 11:19 AM

use a magnet on it

***steelgraySTi06*** · 07-11-2008, 11:20 AM

if it doesn't stick its aluminum

caveguru · 07-11-2008, 12:05 PM

definitely steel. 27 lb savings from the Crawford cf hood.

Frank

Slimey · 07-11-2008, 02:15 PM

I like the magnet idea...

According to the factory service manual, both the hood and the rear gate are aluminum

***solovus*** · 07-11-2008, 02:42 PM

I read somewhere that Subaru was replacing a lot of aluminum parts with cheaper metals to save money. I don't remember if this is something that was done for 08s or was planned for 09s...

**Turninconcepts.com** · 07-11-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slimey

I like the magnet idea...

According to the factory service manual, both the hood and the rear gate are aluminum

That's not an 08 Impreza though. They are steel. They stopped using aluminum due to the rise in cost.

twigg107 · 07-11-2008, 05:25 PM

I wonder who will come out with a carbon fiber rear hatch?!?!?! That should save some weight!!!!

**topend** · 07-11-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solovus

I read somewhere that Subaru was replacing a lot of aluminum parts with cheaper metals to save money. I don't remember if this is something that was done for 08s or was planned for 09s...

I read this too... It was in an older issue of SubieSport Mag

***solovus*** · 07-11-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twigg107

I wonder who will come out with a carbon fiber rear hatch?!?!?! That should save some weight!!!!

I don't know...there is a huge piece of glass back there...I'm sure that is most of the weight and likely presents some difficulty in replacing the supporting material with CF. Plus...the windshield wiper is back there and all sorts of crap...I wouldn't hold your breath for a CF hatch.

Slimey · 07-11-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turninconcepts.com

That's not an 08 Impreza though. They are steel. They stopped using aluminum due to the rise in cost.

Hmmm. I believe you, but what I cut and pasted is from the 2008 WRX/STI service manual download.

twigg107 · 07-11-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solovus

I don't know...there is a huge piece of glass back there...I'm sure that is most of the weight and likely presents some difficulty in replacing the supporting material with CF. Plus...the windshield wiper is back there and all sorts of crap...I wouldn't hold your breath for a CF hatch.

You can get them for wrx wagons......

***solovus*** · 07-11-2008, 08:27 PM

wow. I am impressed. I would love to see this happen for the 08s.

ake109 · 07-11-2008, 11:20 PM

The hood and some cross members on the Legacy are aluminium (I got the Subaru brochure). The hatch on the Legacy wagon is also aluminium (steel for the boot of the sedan). In addition, the JDM Legacy GT has aluminium suspension components but not the US spec Legacy GT.

It seems that the 08 Imprezas went all steel. But since the 08 STI still has aluminium suspension bits, I was hoping that they did not go cheap on the hood. The weight distribution on the 08 STI is pretty front heavy. A few aluminium bits would be nice (like the 08 Evo).

I think I'll bring a magnet to the showroom to prove the sales guy wrong.

S'poreSTI · 07-12-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ake109

The hood and some cross members on the Legacy are aluminium (I got the Subaru brochure). The hatch on the Legacy wagon is also aluminium (steel for the boot of the sedan). In addition, the JDM Legacy GT has aluminium suspension components but not the US spec Legacy GT.

It seems that the 08 Imprezas went all steel. But since the 08 STI still has aluminium suspension bits, I was hoping that they did not go cheap on the hood. The weight distribution on the 08 STI is pretty front heavy. A few aluminium bits would be nice (like the 08 Evo).

I think I'll bring a magnet to the showroom to prove the sales guy wrong.

they did go cheap on the hood. My 08 hood is waaay heavier than my 05 was. take a magnet and have fun with the sales guy...
"You said its Aluminium. If this magnet sticks, either give me $1000 discount, or eat the magnet"

07-11-2008, 11:16 AM	#1
ake109 Amateur STI Driver Car: Not yet. SOON! Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 40 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? I am getting conflicting info. Is the 08 STI bonnet still made of aluminium or is it all steel now? The guy at the dealer says steel for all the NA Imprezas and aluminium for WRX and STI. Don't trust him though. Anyone know for sure? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-11-2008, 11:19 AM	#2
*steelgraySTi06* Platinum Member Car: 06 Subaru imprezaSTi Fav Mod: Prodrive Location: Southern California Posts: 541 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? use a magnet on it

07-11-2008, 11:20 AM	#3
*steelgraySTi06* Platinum Member Car: 06 Subaru imprezaSTi Fav Mod: Prodrive Location: Southern California Posts: 541 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? if it doesn't stick its aluminum

07-11-2008, 12:05 PM	#4
caveguru Professional STI Driver Car: '08 STI, OBP Fav Mod: hammer down! Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 455 Join Date: Jun 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? definitely steel. 27 lb savings from the Crawford cf hood. Frank

07-11-2008, 02:15 PM	#5
Slimey STI Driver Car: 2008 DGM STI Fav Mod: Fuel Location: Milwaukee Metro Area Posts: 205 Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? I like the magnet idea... According to the factory service manual, both the hood and the rear gate are aluminum

07-11-2008, 02:42 PM	#6
*solovus* Lurker Car: STIzzle Fav Mod: Tint Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 1,735 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? I read somewhere that Subaru was replacing a lot of aluminum parts with cheaper metals to save money. I don't remember if this is something that was done for 08s or was planned for 09s...

07-11-2008, 05:25 PM	#8
twigg107 Spec C Club Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: Me..... Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 1,518 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? I wonder who will come out with a carbon fiber rear hatch?!?!?! That should save some weight!!!!

07-11-2008, 08:27 PM	#13
*solovus* Lurker Car: STIzzle Fav Mod: Tint Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 1,735 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? wow. I am impressed. I would love to see this happen for the 08s.

07-11-2008, 11:20 PM	#14
ake109 Amateur STI Driver Car: Not yet. SOON! Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 40 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: So is the 08 bonnet steel or aluminium? The hood and some cross members on the Legacy are aluminium (I got the Subaru brochure). The hatch on the Legacy wagon is also aluminium (steel for the boot of the sedan). In addition, the JDM Legacy GT has aluminium suspension components but not the US spec Legacy GT. It seems that the 08 Imprezas went all steel. But since the 08 STI still has aluminium suspension bits, I was hoping that they did not go cheap on the hood. The weight distribution on the 08 STI is pretty front heavy. A few aluminium bits would be nice (like the 08 Evo). I think I'll bring a magnet to the showroom to prove the sales guy wrong.