P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

My personal view is that 450 is really pushing the limit of a classic driven in an everyday environment.

I have driven mine to work throughout its various guises over the years. Mid 300's was the most fun, as it was just a case of fill it with fuel, jump in and off you go. As things progressed it gradually wained away from the true everyday car status it had.

When it went above 500, it was certainly fun going to and from work (42 miles each way), but by god, you had to be switched on before you did anything serious with the pedal on the right.

Laterally i have been spoilt by my M3 for the everyday commute, which makes the scoob seem even more raucous, awkward and challenging to drive in the everyday commute.

Dont get me wrong, i love it to bits, especially when it didnt have the stickers on, as it would shock the hell out of most things on the road. However, the side effect of having serious power and torque is you cant just use it when you want to, you have to consider its application.

This is something you should do in any car, and most people do as an automatic function, its just at this level, your more aware of what you have to do as a driver.

Hope that helps

Pete

Thanks for that, very interesting and HONEST, I think i`ll stay with mine at 330 for now and see how things go..like you`ve said, it`s fun now, fill up and of you go with hopefully not any mechanical failures..

p1mark

Although not having had Steve Darleys experience of running a BIG bhp car daily, i have driven a couple of classics now with around 500, and lived with my own at 400 for a couple of years.

You would not think there is a masive difference, but for the 25% increase in power, you have to think about things 50% more.

A 500 BHP classic really is quite intimidating on the road if you try and use it, 400 is far more manageable.

dave247

this guy from works is a blob eye one (supposedly)

Tim W

iTrader: (1)

How Freudian

Brun

Pete

Mark, are you still running standard gearbox in your P1??


...Pete...

p1mark

Yes mate.

It's done 75K now, 55K at standard power/torque, 5K at 310/305, and 15K at 405/360.

It's never been rebuilt or opened up and it still feels spot on.

Pete

That`s fantastic really, just goes to show they are pretty damn strong, all these folks that swear anything over 300-330 kills them.

R4LLY

iTrader: (1)

P1 and STI 5/6 Drivetrains are quite strong with a few people running over 400/400 with them. So your ok with yours Staffi, it should easily handle your targets.

terryb

I was running 455/420 in my STI 5 RA Ltd with standard DCCD gearbox - but changed for PPG straight-cut dog kit before the standard kit when KABOOOM

Pete

How long for Terry?? no porkies either

terryb

About 2 to 3 months, included a trackday at Donington

R4LLY

iTrader: (1)

The 2nd gear on my STI 3 RA with Standard DCCD just went now at around 400lbs torque as well, but it did last around 6 months though...
the Sti 5/6 are stronger, but the high boost levels and power delivery in yours must have been the killer...Obviously driving style may also affect it.
PPG will always be the best option for longevity.

Pete

R4LLY, do you think PPG is a better way to go than a 6 speeder then??

R4LLY

iTrader: (1)

I chose the PPG. It will and can take more abuse than the 6 speed and The 6 speed ratios would not have suited my setup at all. i believe the 6 speed is slightly heavier as well.
I wanted a bullet proof drivetrain that will allow me to increase the power with peace of mind, cos you will always want more...

terryb

I was running over 2 bar of boost - well still am

Staffi - it depends on how you want to use the car and how far you want to take it in the future.

The 6 speed is a lovely gearchange and I think would potentially be a better option if the car is a daily driver and you don't plan to go up to the 500/500 level in the future.

Mine is for track work and Time Attack only - plus the odd jaunt to the Nurburgring. Plus I plan to take mine well beyond it's current circa 500/500 (on race fuel) level

Have a drive in a newage STI that has a 6 speeder and see what you think of it - I think you'll be impressed

stluciascooby

Most people that want 500+ hp have no idea what it is like, and I would bet 90% of them when they get there wish they had stayed at 400-450.
The car is really fun at these power levels.

stluciascooby

Staffi, I have a specific goal in mind so its about getting that point more than anything else, the engineering involved is what I enjoy.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

Same here Jon

staffi, i recently took Alan Bell out in my own car, he was used to his sti7 running 450bhp/480lbft back then, and he could not believe the difference in acceleration between the 2 cars.

His is an instantaneous flat torque curve, with over 400lbft available from 3000 rpm. Mine isnt, its a different hit, but when it hits it hits hard.

At that level, i maintained that his car was the best everyday impreza i have driven, because it had bags of grunt available, when you wanted, and most importantly, the chasis wasnt screaming blue murder at you.

Alan's now pushing out 500/530 and it would be interesting to compare them now.

martyp1

I am running around 550bhp in my rcm P1,must admit once you get into 3rd and 4th gear and the boost hits 2.1 bar you have to have full concentration,you have to make sure theres not much traffic around ,i loose traction in 4th when turbo kicks in ,and thats in the dry .

Andy.F

550 bhp on a 2.0 is too laggy for the road (in my experience) the transition from off to on-boost is to late and too much of a step change. Mid/high 400's would make a quicker road car.

I have 2 settings on my modified 2.5 Spec C. One is P400/T400 and the other is P480/T540 with full boost from 3000rpm its as quick as you would ever need on the street.
I use the 400/400 setting most of the time, the higher setting requires real concentration and a good surface, preferably free from bends

At this level it is also reliable as a daily driver clocking up around 2k miles per month.

My race car on the other hand is also reliable and although I have not had it on a rolling road, during acceleration at 100mph, it produces exactly twice the G force of the Spec C on its high setting !
It is however only reliable at this level due to the intermittant loading and limited mileage it sees in a season. Certainly not something I would recommend for everyday road use !

Andy

Pete

Andy, so basically a 400-450 makes the better road car in your opinion and for realiabilty aswell? i`d only use it weekends mainly anyway so not huge amount of milage, would you stay with the 2.0 for that kind of power aswell??

Daveo

Is that still on the md321T?

I'm having alan's old turbo fitted in a couple of weeks...I'll be happy with 400/400 to be honest.


Alan's now pushing out 500/530 and it would be interesting to compare them now.[/quote]

Andy.F

I'd go for a 2.5 on a MD321T, throttle response of a td04 on a 2.0 but with mid 400 capability.

I've no intention of pushing for more on this engine as its still on std rods, Alan has a fully build bottom end.
I also wouldn't want to sacrifice any response, in fact I'd consider dropping bhp as a trade for even earlier boost

Fishface

Most people aren't good enough drivers to handle 240 BHP, why on earth would they need a road going Subaru with 500 plus BHP?

Pete

You speak for yourself...

alanbell

iTrader: (6)

Fishface

Yes, skilled driving is going in a straight line.

ReggieMY99

Here is a 620 claimed bhp from Denmark

Subaru Impreza 2,2 GT TIL SALG - Bilgalleri.dk - Danmarks største bilgalleri

its for sale 43.000 gbp and its yours