tons of good info in their shaun,

Would be nice if they could implement that layout instead of the projects thread forum. Much much more user friendly..

 

YouTube - STI MEGA TEST - STI Fast On Four - Best Motoring International

 

MY05 the engines are the same, only diference is the Spec C uses a VF36 roller bearing turbo, JDM STi uses a VF37 sleave bearing turbo, externally to the engine the Spec C has an oil/air heat exchanger on top of the modine water/oil heat exchanger.

 

stock oil pump up to scratch?

 

Also need to compare to prices of the 03-05 normal STI. and see if that cost difference is worth it.

 

scoobyc buy tc's car honestly, i've seen it in the flesh, it looks and sounds gorgeous and is a all round better car than the normal sti.

 

What would be a standing 1/4mile for the spec c?

 

looks like normal blob STIs can be got for about 8-8.5k with semi decent milage. (double tc;s tho)

Compare this to the 12-14k for the spec c call that 4 to 6k difference.

Im wondering if a sti + 4k worth of modding would be a batter/faster/track capable car?

It is an interesting choice...

 

night & day if you compare older examples ie MY03-05. Legend has it that the hawkeye STi & Spec C are pretty similar though

TX.

 

What price to convert STi to Spec C though? I'm guessing way more than £4-6k How much is the thinner glass

TX.

 

For a standard car, subaru quoted 13 dead@108mph, no doubt that could be bested, the type R for instance was about 13.4@104 (subaru quoted) so some improvements

Tony

 

Well, if i did go for another scooby over the m3, it would be to produce 450+ horsies.

So that would involve changing turbo, probably fmic & tmoc too. So whether spec c or sti those parts would be binned.

It seems the engine internals and gearbox are the same, so can take the same power, also id probably upgrade the arbs on the spec c too (from what ive read) so they would be binned too.


So really the only bits the spec c would have over the sti would be the lighter weight (20kg's?), roof vent, gear ratios, radiator tank, IC Spray, ECU. Headers, cams (not sure how much an issue these are?)


Now for the price difference between STI and Spec C, those can probably be carried out / ignored.

Are the suspension struts the same?



Clearly im making some assumptions here, but does this logic make sense?

 

The standard spec c IS quicker than a standard e46 M3 anyway, harder against a newer one, 360bhp should see one off though

Tony

 

Weight difference is like 80-120kg depending on model.
Arb's and springs are different on the Spec C.

Tony

 

o really? Ok. Also quick rack is appealing. However that can be retro fitted too if one can be sourced.


Yeah the m3 would be bought to leave alone, not a total rocket but something quick and comfy with toys n good looks.


If i decided on another scoob it would be a project to turn into a real beastie for about a year or two then move on...

 

Thats good to hear when i have a 05 Jdm Sti

 

I did a 12.5 with only 343 hp, that was with a 1.8 60ft.

 

I came from an M3 E46, even the spec-c when it was standard would of left the M3 on the bends but would of been close on the straights from a rolling start, but the spec-c is so easily tuned as the M3 was a waste of money when i tuned mine

 

Yup applies to MY03 to MY05 Stis. AFAIK.

The Spec C from the factory has a more aggresive map for the cam set up which when re-mapping on ECUTEK you can overlay the Spec C CAM set up on the std STi

 

I think the OP would be better off getting a normal STi and turning that into what he wants rather than remove the exclusivity of a Spec C by changing everything

 

thats indeed the question scooby-tc

 

The "poor mans" Spec C then

The Spec C is the base car for rallying isn't it so I guess things are supposed to be changed ...

TX.

 

scoobyc,
The equation is EASY.

How much have you got to spend in total for the car and what mods do you want?

You say circa £18k.

You will be able to buy more power by unting a STi as that will be cheaper initially. You don't need anything that the Spec C has, to make 450bhp on either of them. The Spec C is the better car, as it is lighter out of the crate by quite some amount. Both at the same level of power and the Spec C will be quicker, assuming you do not do any body mods to either of them.

So... what do you want? The best track focused production Impreza that Subaru STi built (Spec C) or the cheapest way to get an Impreza to 450bhp.

If you want the cheaper route get a UK/EU STi. If you want a better spec'd car go for a JDM STi, if you want the bollocks go for a Spec C.

Scooby-tc,
But is that not I have done to mine..... it is still a Spec C though and should always command more money (and respect in many ways) than an equivalent STi!

It all depends on what you want and the fact that it is a Spec C may not be a major factor for some people.

 

I doubt that very much..... an e46 M3 should make mince meat of a standard Spec C in M3 territory, i.e. 90-150mph. Whilst the Spec C is wheezing it's **** off, the M3 will be pull hard and strong.

Saying this though........

I remember doing some acceleration tests against a e46 M3 at a proving ground last year, when mine was being set-up.

Both cars at 90mph. The M3 dropped it down to 4th gear (SMG box), I stayed in 6th. I never floored it until I heard his induction roar and I then planted my foot to the floor. The only bit the M3 pulled on me was distance gained from him flooring his throttle and me hearing his induction noise.... about half a front wing.

I literally then left him standing (I mean LITERALLY).... it was like I was on a high powered motorbike. That was me in 6th all the way from 90mph up to 150mph. When I looked back he was so far in the distance it was stupid. The driver of the M3 could REALLY not believe that the difference was so great.

I know people say stuff like this and you go "yeah yeah", but I am honestly telling it how it was.

 

Can believe it Shaun as my old M3 did 13.3 @ 106mph at pod, where your car should do an 11 dead with the right driver

 

ok.

Do we know where the weight savings have been made in the spec c then? glass, panels, roofs? any chassis further structuring or anything?

I think the STI would probably be the cheaper choice to get a car just/almost as quick on track and road as the spec c

although i have no doubt the spec C will probably be the better balanced car.

(flame suit on - also having a nosey at some evo's)

 

Shaun, wasted plenty of e46's on the standard map more than capable of leaving one for dead, through or in gear

Tony

 

Glass, boot Lid, spoiler, electric windows delete, electric mirrors delete, no central locking and sound deadening. This the extreme case and comparison of something like my Spec C which was the lightest apart from the motorsport edition.

When I weighed my Spec C with the heaver boot lid, heavy high level spoiler, AP 6 pots, 18" wheels and different struts, but with no interior and bucket seats, it weighed in at 1330kgs. That was 120kgs lighter than the UK STi BOOK weight, but when you consider mine was FULLY fuelled as well, that makes for a heavty weight saving which really does make a big difference overall.

Please be aware that the JDM 6sp box (fitted to STi and Spec C) has shorter ratios than the UK equivalent STi box, which provides better acceleration in 5th and 6th. 1st to 4th are the same on JDM and UK.

So if you decide on a STi... the next decision is whether you go JDM or UK.

 

Their VANOS must of been fubar'd then, if you left them for dead from 90mph!

 

JDM would get the vote i think.

However if the right UK came along ....

lol going to look at couple m3's tomorrow. still trying to work out what it is i actually want