WRX Engines
 

I'm building off a subject in a previous thread, where I questioned the integrity of the WRX engine block. I was surprised to see that so many people defended the engine. I realize that the WRX can run over 500hp. But not as an everyday driver. (I'm in no way referring to the STI)

Arguments have been made that anything over 350hp out of the stock motor is ridiculous, and some even say much less. Most of this is due to the cast engine parts as opposed to using forged materials.

But if someone wants to prove me wrong, I've got open ears. I'm sure there are examples that prove both sides.

here is a link to get things started:

www.spdusa.com/

Sorry mods, just realized I probably should have put this in the General Automotive section.

try any of these places for more info.

www.i-club.com
www.nasioc.com
www.i-speedusa.com (these are the guys that do the EJ20 engine swaps with older i.e. good looking, Imprezas)

The WRX engine is very reliable, stock and modded, many people have upwards of 300whp on stock internals and have many problem free miles.

A guy one clubwrx goes by the sn MJU1983, has like 300+ whp and had 50000 problem free miles (stock transmission) before he wrecked his car.

Silverscooby has 353whp and has been problem free for months, toasting M3's and chirping tires in third and such.

Both of these people have stock internals and have "bolt-ons", new turbo, fuel, engine managment, exhaust, intercooler.

I have seen around 3 wrx engines blow on the site, and these are usually driver error (misshift, driving without coolant due to rallying accident ;), etc).

www.clubwrx.net, or www.nasioc.com will have all the info you need on high hp imprezas.

Good stuff, I can't say I'm swayed from rotaries or Chevy V8's, but I have much more respect for Subaru than I used to.

Awesome glad i could help :). That little flat-4 is an amazing machine. Rotaries rock too though. Nothing quite like the sound of the boxer rumble though.

Any other WRX questions i'll be glad to answer ;)

Since you offered, do you see many people using M2 Performance for their WRX's? Always heard good things about them with RX-7's.

Not a majority of peole use them, but they make good quality stuff, one of the only dual tip mufflers (like stock look, but bigger) around. Good sound, good performance, there are better downpipes, but their catback is nice.

And M2 makes the BEST brake kit for the WRX.

Stoptech, Brembo, etc all take a back seat to the M2 kit.
The M2 kits runs a bunch more $ cash than most too but that's only if you care about little things like that...:D

I haven't even heard of the M2 kit.

All i know is stoptech ownz. :)

www.m2performance.com
The m2 kit provides the SHORTEST stopping distance from 60 to 0 mph compared to ANY other brake kit out there... but only if price isn't an issue.:)

Very nice, never even heard of it. Learn something new every day. Anyone else care to update me on some WRX stuff :D.

Back on Dec. 20th 2000, the Bay Area I-club had a photo shoot for Drive magazine in the heart of San Francisco in the Presidio military base. This was soon after the initial allocation of the original WRX in the US. We had 63 cars show up with 2 faux celebrities showed up!!!

At the time, i-club founder/president Alex S. showed up and the M2 guys DROVE out from the East coast to make it!!!

There were rumors circulating to the effect of, the M2 brakes were so powerful that if applied with abusive force and in the correct situation, it would set off the airbags. Now I've never seen this but cool sounding nontheless!!!

Here's a pic of the meet.
http://members.nasioc.com/UserPics/4...ot_Dec2000.jpg

Quite a set of brakes.

Nice picture, so whats your story? Former WRXer?

Actually a little older, but the latter is correct.

My car was a 2001 Impreza RS sedan.

Got the car back in Jan. of 2000 then promptly totaled it in Dec. of 2001. Much to my own sadness the $ from insurance was nowhere near enough for a WRX nor did I want an ugly GDA RS and at that time there was no one selling used GCs so I was rushed into buying a 02 Sentra SE-R. I'm still a Subienthusiast but since seeing the RX8... it must be mine!!!

I'm still a fairly active member of i-club/nasioc but it just isn't the same, but I try to keep up with the times.

You should check out clubwrx. Good place.

Sad story ya got there. The WRX is a lot of fun.