Since the Subaru Impreza WRX debuted in Australia, we’ve
seen all sorts of power-up conversions. It’s easy to fall into the trap of
thinking you’ve seen it all before – but then along comes something different.
Try a MY02 WRX kitted out with an ex-US 2.5-litre STi motor – not to mention
nitrous and all the bolt-ons!
This car – a MY02 Club Spec Evo 5 – is owned by Joe of Melbourne. Joe has
owed some pretty tasty rides, including the all-out Honda CRX seen at CRX-pression.
“After a while, though, I decided I wanted something quick – and the WRX was
it,” says Joe. After deciding on a Rex, Joe opted to splurge a little extra cash
for the Club Spec Evo 5 that came loaded with an in-dash 6-stack CD, electric
sunroof and exclusive stickers. And you can’t overlook that Evo 5 standout
yellow paint! Just 140 Club Spec Evo 5 WRX sedans and 60 wagon versions were
sold locally.
Despite the move up to Rex power, Joe soon got used to the out-the-box
performance. “It’s a good car in standard form, but once you’re used to
modifying cars it’s difficult to hold back,” he says. With a standard output of
160kW (at the flywheel), this Club Spec began walking its modification path with
the fitment of a X-Force 3-inch mandrel exhaust, APS high-flow air intake and a
boost enhancement. With greater airflow through the EJ20 quad-cam motor, Joe
enjoyed a significant increase in performance – particularly in the
all-important mid-rpm zone.
In the current world of WRX modification it takes something pretty serious to
earn any real cred. Joe went the next step with an APS front-mount air-to-air
intercooler, UniChip interceptor, TurboSmart Type 2 blow-off valve, Go Fast Bits
(GFB) pulleys and SR50 roller-bearing turbocharger. Keen on having on-demand
performance, Joe also had G-Tech Performance fit a 60hp nitrous shot that’s
activated via a button on the steering wheel. There is no throttle position
input.
The fuelling system was also upgraded to include a Bosch Motorsport in-tank
pump and high-flow 550cc injectors. The ignition remains factory except for the
use of one-range colder spark plugs.
In this configuration the Club Spec Evo 5 eased out 250kW at all-fours – more
than enough to see off the average modified WRX. But then things got bigger and
better...
By magic, G-Tech Performance sourced a near-new 2.5-litre turbo engine from a
crashed Impreza STi in
America. How
lucky was that?! (Though not so lucky for the original owner...) Fortunately,
the engine came undamaged from the accident and was slid into the snout of Joe’s
car without need to fiddle about with internals (or fixing broken cam banks, as
is often the case with crashed Subarus). The only mod done at the time of
installation was a minor flow job on the DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder heads and
the fitment of an APS billet flywheel and brass button custom clutch.
Interestingly, the Oz-spec MY02 ECU doesn’t have the output to control the STi’s
variable inlet cam timing system – the VCT hardware was therefore removed from
the engine.
The driveline – a common weak link in the armoury of a go-fast WRX – has held
up amazingly well. Joe is still on gearbox Number One – for now! The driveshafts
also remain stock. Unfortunately, there are no power figures available since the
2.5-litre engine has only just been sorted and run-in. However, it’s safe to say
that the engine will make comfortably more power than the original 2-litre, along
with much improved torque throughout the rev range – something that comes in
handy when you’re spinning a fairly big SR50 turbocharger.
The stock MY02’s 17-inch alloy rims are pretty good for a factory effort, but
– like the engine – a bigger-is-better philosophy improves matters considerably.
Giant 19-inch polished aftermarket rims with 235/35 tyres now fill out the wheel
arches to the max. Further visual impact comes from lowered coil springs that
dump the ride height by approximately 3½-inches – a pretty serious lowering
job! While admiring Joe’s WRX in our pics you’ll probably notice its absolutely
immaculate presentation. This should be no surprise when we tell you Joe is a
major organiser of the popular and ever-growing Show-Off events (check out www.showoff.com.au. Ahh, so the personalised number plates and custom grille
emblem (with Show-Off lettering replacing boring ol’ Subaru) now makes sense!
And we can assure you, despite the top-notch presentation, Joe’s WRX is used
almost as an everyday-er.
Inside, the already sports-oriented WRX cabin has received the necessary
gauge upgrade to keep an eye on the tuned engine. The A-pillar now carries an
AutoMeter Pro-Comp air-fuel ratio meter and boost gauge. The OE audio head unit
also leaves something to be desired, so it has stepped aside to make space for a
Pioneer DVD unit. The speakers are standard for now because a simple head unit
swap has already made a world of difference to sound quality.
If you live in Melbourne you might spot Joe’s seriously grunty and immaculate
WRX striking a pose at upcoming Show-Off events – and possibly it’ll be
presented even bigger and better than seen here. How? Well, it seems Joe is
pretty hooked on the idea of stroking the already-large boxer four to around 2.8
or 3.0-litres... There’s no argument when he says, “that’ll be going further than
anyone else has done!”
You ain’t seen it all yet!
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