sheikhlala

I went to see a Spec C today but was beaten to it by someone else

I`ve decided that my Wrx300 isn`t quite as responsive as I would like. I want something that feels a bit more brutal and instantaneous when you accelerate.

What I don`t want to do is spend shed loads like I did on my Gto and end up with something that is unreliable.

So what is the best way to go, do I modify what I have, a 2005 WRX300 or do I look at buying a Sti with ppp? Money is obviously a major factor but so is reliabilty.

Any ideas would be gratefully appreciated.

Cheers

Simon

frayz

iTrader: (7)

Go STI, its a better base to start with, gearbox, brakes, internals, suspension, intercooler etc etc

Dont waste it on a WRX, its not worth it in the long run.

Cocker

iTrader: (3)

Agree with Frayz, but think about when you first bought your 300. Bet you thought that was quick but have now got used to it? Moneys on that you'll feel the same with an STI PPP after a while

Even though after a year of owning mine i still grin everytime i drive it, i always think when can i get it mapped? Bet those who have had theres mapped are also thinking hmmmmm wonder if i can get it to 400bhp.........

You'll always be wanting more. Perhaps you should buy a Micra for your daily driver then get the thrill of the 300 at the weekends?

frayz

iTrader: (7)

You get to 400 ish and want more lol.

But at least with the STI the money you spend will go on the cars performance not fixing it cos the stock stuff isnt up to the job.

400bhp from an sti can be had very cost effectively.

Turbo,
Air filter
Exhaust system
Injectors
Fuel pressure regulator
Remap
Ported headers

That will net you the sexy side of 400 with good response and reliability and the suspension and brakes will cop just fine, not to mention the transmission.

Throw that at a WRX and you'll be eating gearboxes weekly.

Not knocking the WRX but if you want power... an STI is the best bet.

A 2nd car is also a great idea, i couldnt live with my car everyday.

Cocker

iTrader: (3)

Rough ball park figure for the above list fella?

frayz

iTrader: (7)

Turbo, FP Green £1000 new £600+ S/H
Air filter £150 new £50+ ish S/H
Exhaust system 3" £450 new £300+ S/H
Injectors £300 new £150+ S/H
Fuel pressure regulator £150 new £50+S/H
Remap £450 Mocom Racing
Ported headers £150ish if done by someone else free if you do it yourself

So all new, £2750 new pluss some fitting but to be honest all can be fitted yourself if youre half competent.

So under £3K for a genuine 400+bhp car

Okay so even if its gonna cost you a little more its not exactly the earth when you think about the kind of performance you could have for the money.

Well worth it IMO.

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

Where did you go to look at the spec'C'?

sheikhlala

Castle Sports Cars in Stansted Mountfitchet, I had a feeling it was yours and have seen it a few times on their site but today I had a few hours to kill at work, so as I was in Newport I thought I`d have a look in the flesh and a test drive but when I got there some bloke was just leaving in it for a test drive and when he got back he was grinning big style rang them later on to see if it was sold and he was on the way back from the bank to pay for it, gutted.

sheikhlala

Frayz, cheers for the replies mate. I did think that Sti was the way to go but its always reassuring to hear it from people who really know what they are talking about. Is PPP still worthwhile as a good starting point or is it a waste as most will be upgraded in the future?
I don`t need a second car as I use my van everyday...all day and if this potentially new car gets used as much as the wrx, then it`ll only do a couple of thousand a year.
Thanks
Simon

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

shame. Hope the car stays around....

53

iTrader: (41)

Lots of reasonable MY06 2.5 STi's around. If you can stretch to it they are fantastic from a power point of view.

sheikhlala

I think my main problem is justifying spending too much on a car that spends most of its time on the drive, been there before and still paying for it
Having had a look at Frayz`s pricing I think I`m going to look for a low mileage sti with ppp as a starting point and see how I go. I`m not neccessarily after 100s of bhp but I do want to arrive there quickly
Are the imports with the twin scroll turbos noticably quicker than the standard uk version?
Cheers for all the advice
Simon

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

Definately. go test drive one.

53

iTrader: (41)

just park it in the road occasionally

frayz

iTrader: (7)

Yes mate the JDMs are more urgent than the UK counterparts. although i woulnd go out of your way to get a PPP one as you'll change those parts anyway.

If you can stretch to it go for a UK 2.5 sti but if its a choice of the 2ltrs, JDM all the way baby

sheikhlala

can you lend us some road tax then

pinseeker

iTrader: (3)

I wondered which to go for (JDM or UK) & decided that the UK with the 2.5 was for me. I know you get a few more toys with the JDM (twin scroll, rear wiper ) but as I was enhancing the performance anyway I thought that the UK offered me the right way to go. My baby is currently getting some additional bits replaced at Mocom so can report back what the car feels like after . Zak drove me in his car & said I would have similar performance on the road & I was blown away with the comparison to how mine runs at the moment.

Andy

frayz

iTrader: (7)

Andy, yours will be a very, very quick road car mate.

2.5 is deffo the way forward for big horses with proper useable torque.

Mocom Racing

iTrader: (2)

Sheik, what's your budget?

Euro 2.5ltr makes the ultimate road car if you can stretch to this, JDM 2.0ltr if not. Forget the PPP, it's barely any better than the normal STi and less circa £500 spent elsewhere would see you with better performance.

My advice would be to drive a few to see what you like the feel of, try to get as much time behind the wheel as possible as it's easy to get overwhelmed in a 2 minute test drive yet be dissapointed once it's yours.
Driving others will also give you a feel for what sort of power would suit you, once you have this in mind factor the cost of this work into your budget and your left with how much you can spend on the car

pinseeker

iTrader: (3)

Hiya Frayz, yes looking forward to having a bit more torque

The decision to go 2.5 was influenced after having a chat with Zak.
Zak offered really good advice that I could relate to & more importantly understand

Andy.

frayz

iTrader: (7)

2.5 is the way mate. Its useable power and the area under the curve is massive compared to a 2ltr.
Its the whole package that makes it such a good powerplant. That fact that i will have over 1.5bar by 2.5k and it will hold that and more right the way to 7.5k.
Thats a real 5krpm of full tilt powerband.

My 2ltr makes 1.5bar by 3800rpm and whips around to 7.5k very quickly.. and thats quite a handful with only a 3700rpm powerband.

Put that flexibility of a 2.5 next to a 2ltr and IMO there is just no question.

Make that a built 2.5 and woo hoo, proper giggles

53

iTrader: (41)

No but I will demonstrate the 2.5ltr if you come to the next HWH meet

sheikhlala

Cheers for the offer but due to the long 12/14 days with the 0445 wake up in the morning, I tend not to go out during the week but really appreciate the offer.
Thanks

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

my alarm goes at that time 5 days (maybe 6) days a week.

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

yeah baby

thanks again