[Pig STi]

Brand new to this board, but have had $$ on a STi since May 2002. 8)

For my first post, just wondering...Anyone hesitant to hack on a STi?

What would hold you back?

1) $$

2) Its a pretty complete car as is

3) its probably going ot be low production - don't want to hack a real one

10 years ago, I would have been afraid to touch it for all 3 reasons (as I did with my 93 Cobra). My WRX - I'm keeping it stock to bide time till the STi. Now that I'm a bit older, I don't think I'll be so gun shy - life seems too short anymore!

 

[CloNeGTS]

I feel you a little bit, but for different reasons. I'm thinking the STi will be pretty complete as a sports car once in comes here and with all the tuning that has been done, just going and upgrading parts for the hell of it may upset that balance.

I'm going to hold off on most of the popular modifications until some STi-branded improvements come, for instance, maybe that exhaust system will be offered.

 

[MYSTi]

I think this car is, as is, a complete package. As was said, why upset the balance of the car by introducting aftermarket "go fast" goods? But that's just me, I am a purist. The only parts that I would add to this car would be Subaru or STi licenced.

And as far as looks, again, why ruin the character of the car. Cosmetically, the only changes I made to my WRX was to add Subaru front/rear/side ground effects, sports grill and side panels. These give the car more agressive looks without changing the lines of the car. I think the cosmetic mods that people add to their cars, especially the WRX, ruin what begin as great looking cars, and create these garrish monstosities - I am sure everyone has seen their share of cars that are "too much". I have gotten complements on my car for making the subtle changes I did.

But like already mentioned in this thread, the STi is not the kind of car that should be chopped. Would you mess with a Porsche? A corvette? A M3 or M5? Probably no because you would ruin the "prestige" inherant in these cars. Well the STi is probably second to the Skyline as the most wanted Japanese beast to those markets which doen't have them. If that isn't prestige, I don't know what is.

Brings a whole new meaning to "Keep it Real!"

Thats my opinion, I welcome yours. :lol:

 

[SnowbordrWRX]

I'd probably keep it stock. I've never modded any of my cars, and the STi pretty much has everything that I'd want on my WRX.

Only things I'd do would be new rims so I could swap my winter tires and summer tires myself, carry over the Yakima rack, rubber mats and crystal blue Momo shift knob from my WRX. Maybe a couple of minor mods (exhaust, ecu) to get it to 300 hp but I'm not racing it so I dunno...

 

[alfredob1]

I'll want more power and maybe different wheels.

 

[Guest]

This question is hard for me to answer until we get the spec sheet from Subaru. I want to keep the car stock if SCCA will classify the STi in the Stock classes. However, if they won't then I will have to rethink my position, since it will be very difficult to compete against the modifieds if she stays factory.

 

[JJ]

STi Modifications

I will look at what Subaru offers, and the more full-blown it is and jdm-like it is the less I will mod it.

So, Subaru, it better be full-blown dammit!

Solo II-
I am going into SM for at least this season as Solo II goes because if the STi comes mid-season, this is the only class that my RS can compete in and the STi both.

I think a bone-stock STi with race tires will do just fine in SM (well, at least in my region)

 

[MKIVSupra]

I don't really see me doing anything major to the STi. After all, one of the main reasons I want an STi is because of what it comes with stock. This will also be my daily driver so I will be real careful not to void my warranty. Now if I for some reason decide to sell my Supra then I don't know what I would do to the STi.

 

[Vanya]

If I add anything, it would be a K&N drop-in air filter, a chip upgrade / ECU flash upgrade if the car is substantially detuned for the US market (damn you, CARB and 91 octane gas!), and possibly some silicone hoses for any increased boost that the chip would dial up. Ok, and maybe a different exhaust, and a catless up-pipe if we don't get the twin-scroll turbo.

As for the rest, the suspension, brakes & transmission sound pretty solid to me. We'll see how the stock stereo sounds, as well.

After all, who REALLY needs to have a 300 hp car ... I guess you could just want to brag or something 8)

(Oh yeah, and maybe hard-wire in a radar detector ).

 

[yxan]

STi versus EVO VII

definitely need to have my XM and my sound system, Subaru stereo systems sound like pure rubbish

 

[91TB78]

Not afraid, just don't want to spend $30K on a car like that and then meddle. I will throw in an Amsoil drop-in filter and put a turbo timer. Possibly some summer wheels/tires, and then work on the strereo. Maybe the grounding mod.

After my warranty runs out I plan on just doing things here and there. As things wear out I will replace them.

 

[Poirot]

The only mods I plan on doing are gauges, winter wheel combo, tint (maybe) and a better stereo. This will be my trophy car. All I want to do is to maintain the reliability; everything else is done IMHO. I am too old for the mod game. I will let you young firebreathing turks carry that standard.

Poirot

 

[jbhebert]

As was noted above, it is hard to say what will warrant modification until we see the spec sheet. I'd like to see 300 HP, but that should be a relatively easy task. Beyond that, gauges and wheels are probably going to be my main mods.

J.B.
WRXtra

 

[FasStAsS_sTi]

Well is it coming with a 3" exhasut, i heard that as a rumor but im not sure, but if it doesnt, i think i would open up the xhasut to make it flow alot better......especially NO converters!!! big power LOSS that has to go!!!! and maybe an air intake to make it breath a lil bit beter, but like one of you guys say, i would makre sure its authentic and fork up the cash just to make it right and not hack it up!!lol like i did with my Rx7 =)

 

[CloNeGTS]

I will throw in an Amsoil drop-in filter and put a turbo timer. [\quote]

Before doing anything to this car, I'd read over every word on this site. It discusses the WRX in great detail, including why turbo timers are now just a 'wow' add-on and completely unneccesary.

www.spdusa.com

 

[91TB78]

For those that cannot find it or are too lazy..CloneGTS is talking about this:

The use of turbo timers to shut the engine off some preset time after the ignition key is removed was needed in the old days, when the turbocharger bearing housing was only cooled by the lubrication oil of a running engine passing by the turbine bearing. If the engine was shut of when the turbine was still hot, the old design saw excessive heat wick into the turbo bearing and seal area, causing failure and heavy oil consumption. The newer (for over 10 years now) style turbo housings are water cooled as well as oil cooled. The original EJ20 Subaru turbo motor took advantage of water cooled bearings from the start and have never had this problem due to a unique design feature.

The Subaru WRX engines have their water catch tank high on the engine above the turbocharger. When the engine is shut off the water continues to circulate via a physical property of water called a thermal siphon. Simply put, hot water rises up to the catch tank, being drawn from the relatively cool cylinder head water jacket up through the turbo housing. One still needs to take a cool down lap at the track and perhaps should not stop at the top of a mountain pass to enjoy the view if you have been on the boost all the way up, but for the other 99% of the time there is no need to let the engine idle for a minute before shutting off ignition. Even when the engine is off, the cooling water will circulate past the turbine bearing housing.

I thought I had read that somewhere. Well, heck maybe I won't get one then..save me installing the dang thing, the clutter inside, AND the cost. Thanks.

 

[JJ]

Mike at SPD seems to know his stuff! I have been to his site several times in the past and it is good to see it back up.

Normal Driving- Shut it off, no cool down nessecary
Sprited Driving-Give it maybe just a few quick seconds to cool down

But a turbo timer seems to be unnessecary, according to him.

I am not afraid to mod, within reason. Everything I have done to my RS for example, is not in any way shape or form harmful to the car. Just small stuff, like KN filter, exhuast, suspension, stereo..

I will have to put in a nicer stereo, unless Subaru puts some really cool McIntosh stuff in there.

 

[91TB78]

unless Subaru puts some really cool McIntosh stuff in there

HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE?!!!! Audio is my second most expensive hobby! I wonder how tough it would be to retrofit a McIntosh system into the STi??

 

[JJ]

I don't know how tough it would be, but I know that they have a McIntosh system in the Outback VDC. I don't know how good it is, but it is McIntosh.

Here's their description:

McIntosh premium audio system: AM/FM/Weatherband stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, 11 speakers in 7 locations, power amp and in-glass antenna, 200-watt maximum output

The Baja CONCEPT had a really sweet McIntosh system in it. Two amps, a 12" sub, the whole shebang.

 

[91TB78]

The Baja CONCEPT had a really sweet McIntosh system in it. Two amps, a 12" sub, the whole shebang.

Sign me up..

OF course my friend is also into high-end audio and actually bought and got a custom fit for McIntosh car amps. It system is SWEET!!