Draco-REX

"Hey, I was looking at the numbers and I think we can do this. With the motor and turbo you spec'd out, I believe we can get you a reliable 800awhp in your STI. Give me a call and we'll hammer out the details." I can do italics too. (damn I hope this is an April Fools joke, or I'm going to feel bad tomorrow.)

Actually, the Subaru 5MT started life as a 3-speed tractor tranny designed to handle only about 50 horsepower. They've just added more gears and made design tweaks as they've needed. The STI is different car from the WRX. Better engine, better transmission, better driveline, better suspension, but worse seats ! Owning both, they really feel like different cars. The STI is much firmer and noisier, whereas the WRX is smooth and quiet. But for racing the STI's gearing is MUCH better and makes the WRX gearing feel SO TALL. I really need to steal Thorne's transmission one of these days.

I'll believe it when I hear it tomorrow...

There's all sorts of cars at the RallyX events. There's even an automatic Honda Fit! It's actually easier on yoru car than AutoX. The Forces on the car are less, and you only really risk damage if you push really hard. I've only seen two issues so far. One was a bumper cover that had one corner pulled off, but this was due to the driver going hell-bent for metal in a lowered WRX with stiff mudflaps. The other was a chunked transmission in one of Honda R&D's stage-rally preludes. The guy got stuck and was gunning it and shifting hard to get loose. His quote "I think the transmission's broke. It's ok though, we've got two more." Really, if you don't go nuts out there, you'll be fine.

Higher center of gravity, less rigidity in the back. Plus, because of the smaller track width, suspension mods are slightly tougher and it's a bit more difficult to get good amounts of neg camber. It can be done, but you'll need to swap some sedan parts. But, you can throw a ton of stuff in teh back of a wagon and they CAN be made to handle. A friend of mine has an RS (non turbo) wagon with a very modified suspension. He chases down bikers on The Dragon with camping stuff in the back and kayaks on the roof.

I disagree here. For street use, a good strut/spring combo is going to be better than 99% of the coilovers out there. Most coilovers are overdamped. Granted, most like that because it gives a nice firm ride. But it's not always the best choice. However, there's a footnote here and an exception. The big issue with subies is that, though they have HUGE mod options, good upgraded struts are few and far between. Not to mention pricey. The exception to the above about coilovers are the new TiC COs I mentioned. They have proven to be excellent on the street while also being very capable on the track with predictable and repeatable damping. I'm starting with Ohins FP struts and RCE Black springs. This combination has recieved RAVE reviews and some have even dared to compare the ride to a BMW. I have great expectations for these. Precisely Sways are the biggest bang for the buck on the Impreza platform. Just a rear sway will greatly improve the car's rotation and cornering. Thorne has already gone for a ride in my STI with just a rear sway and was as surprised as I was when I punched it in a turn and the car ROTATED rather than pushed. There are many sway manufacturers for the Impreza, but Whiteline is the most popular and definately the most reliable. Their adjustable sways are definately the way to go. The important thing is to upgrade the endlinks. The rears not as much, but the stock WRX fronts can break when used with a big bar.

Primitive Racing sells skidplates and rear diff protectors that I recommend.

WhiteLine adj. 24mm rear sway WhiteLine adj. 24mm front sway (If you get an ALK, you might go 27mm, you can wait to see how they work out on Grip) TiC coilovers RCE Camber Plates Run 24mmF/26mmR on the road with the TiC COs on a firmer setting. Then soften the COs and bump the rear down to 22mm and finally, disconnect the front sway for RallyX. You can also continue with your bushing regimen, and an ALK might be a very good idea if you don't plan to be in a competitive class in AutoX. Summer tires are going on the STI this week, so I'll be doing my suspension mods soon. You're welcome to come see the results. I plan to do the mods in stages so I can feel what each one does.

I *HIGHLY* recommend checking out http://www.iwsti.com It's a great community and very helpful. There's also a ton of STI information in the stickies. I use IWSTI for my main source of info and mostly use NASIOC to cherrypick what I can't find at IWSTI. Otherwise, I stay away from NASIOC.

Tool swapping? I'm not into that kinky stuff..

I want that job! I'd get to slap people around and get paid for it! And the best part is that people who give up their free will and freedom of thought like that would so deserve it. Sheeple: Save me! Me: FALCON PUNCH!! Sheeple: *thud* Me:You're saved. Next!

Just a note, black rims with a red pinstripe are referred to as "Time Attack" rims in the import circles. If you are trying to stay away from an import-tuner look, I wouldn't reccomend them.

My car was fine at the last RallyX, and that was like driving in pudding. It was actually Honda's R&D stage rally cars that had to be tugged out! I'm thinking of making the trek up to Crystal MI for next week's RallyX there.

$115 each which is about the same as a good summer tire. Though these will see rougher treatment than a summer. The downside is, rally tires SUCK in the snow. So I'm still going to have to get snow tires for the winter.

Yeah, if you look at them, there's no variance in the size of the treadblocks like a normal tire would to break up the howl. These are going to be LOUD. I'm still going to have summer tires on my stock rims for getting TO events. These aren't DOT approved, and they don't grip well on tarmac (lots of tread squirm). From what I've heard, you can drift around on dry tarmac with these.

Bingo I needed new tires for the summer. But since the WRX is for rallycross, I didn't see a point in buying summer rims if I could get 15s and rally tires for the same price. So basic summers on the stock rims and these bad buys for the dirt. And they'll become my winter rims, unless I win the Team Dynamics contingency and get a free set of rims.

Quick, blame the avatar pic on him too before anyone realizes!

Just got these tires, rims next week. Hankook Ventus R201s. Can't wait to break them in: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2368896797_86b3780001.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2369730470_720d8e3ea9.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2368898575_50e9cc6633.jpg Anyone want to go from a dig.. in the dirt?

God I love this stuff.

TO V8 Beast: If you want to go FI, then I say head in that direction. Enjoy the car this year and lay plans to have it apart next winter. Upgrade your "Driver Gasket" and put the money towards the forged internals you want. Now this is worth it. $12/hp is a good ratio. V8 Beast is looking at nearly $50/hp.

WHat about white wheels on a blue car? I've actually never really been a fan of white. I feel it obscures the lines of the car as much as black does. Whereas black hides the shadows, white hides the highlights. f I wanted a car just to look nice, I'd go with silver. The Vette looks good. Though to "Murder-out" white I think you need to go one step further.. Black out the targa top, or go glass, (I'm not sure if 'd like the b-pillar hoop white or black,) then black out the headlights and tint the front and rear side markers (tint the tails too if you are willing to risk the attention of the police.) That, I believe, would be a properly "murdered out" white car.

You know.. in reading all of this, and other threads in the NCL, I dub coupe_no as "The Anti-Thorne"!

Llleeeerrrooooyyy Jenkem!

Please re-read the first sentence and apply that context to the second as it should be.

It is somewhat egg-shaped actualy, but the large part is towards the top. However, it's very close to spherical.