Category Archives: AWD

AWD, STi, Subaru, Turbo, USDM, WRX

How to shift with AWD or a Manual Transmission.

How to shift with AWD or a Manual Transmission:

Where can I find good background information of transmissions? A good general reference for new people as well as a refresher for more advanced users is How Stuff Works’ Transmission Tutorial.

Where can I find good background information on differentials? A good general reference for new people as well as a refresher for more advanced users is How Stuff Works’ Differential Tutorial.

Shift: STi Shifter
Shift: STi Shifter

Is shifting different with an AWD car vs. a FWD or RWD car? One has to visualize the power transfer in a car to get a better understanding. In a FWD or RWD car, if you shift or launch the car too aggressively, the excess power is transmitted to the tire(s), which will spin. Put another way, excess power is “burned off” through tire smoke. In an AWD car, if you shift or launch the car too aggressively, the excess usually isn’t enough to overpower thetires’ grip. In this situation, the excess power must be absorbed somewhere else in the drive train. Though some drive train shock is normal, in an overload situation, excess power is transmitted to the various driveline components, which can accelerate wear and tear.

Where are the shifting differences most apparent? Starting off in first gear and the 1-2 shift are the most common causes of driveline shock. Obviously, there is reason to shift responsibly in every gear but these are the most commonly seen problematic shifting issues.

Is resting my hand on the shifter bad? From the WRX Owners Manual: “Do not drive with your hand resting on the shift lever. This may cause wear on the transmission components”. This advice should apply to every Subaru MT model. That being said, the safest course of action is to keep both hands on the wheel unless actually shifting.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
AWD, gc8, Prodrive, STi, Subaru, TMIC, Turbo, UK, wrc, WRX

Prodrive GC8 WRX Special Editions

22B “Type UK”

In late 1998, Subaru UK officially imported 16 22Bs (described below), and passed them on to Prodrive for modification. The UK cars differ from the privately imported 22Bs, not just in their 3 year factory warranty, but with revised gear ratios more suited to UK roads.

This was achieved by changing the final drive ratio from 3.9 to 4.44 to lengthen the gearing. Cosmetically, the car got the headlights from the ‘99 model, UK rear light clusters and driving lights (not fog lights!) were fitted where the normal 22B has blanking plates. From the back, you can tell you’re looking at one of the rarest cars in the world by the “Type UK” and “Prodrive” stickers. The price was £39,950, and demand for the cars was overwhelming.

The rear of a Prodrive 22B Type UK.
The rear of a Prodrive 22B Type UK.

Interestingly, Subaru UK were not able to put their 16 cars through the Single Vehicle Approval scheme because the maximum of 50 privately imported 22Bs had already been registered in 1998. Consequently the Type UKs were registered in 1999. The cars do not meet European Type Approval regulations for noise and emissions.

Pages: 1 2 3 4
AWD, gc8, Rally, Turbo, UK, WRX

McRae UK WRX 1st Gen special editions

McRae UK WRX 1st Gen special editions

Series McRae

In June 1995, to celebrate their winning of both the manufacturers and drivers World Rally Championship titles, Subaru in the UK released a limited edition run of two hundred cars (numbered 1 to 201 – no number 13!) prepared by Prodrive going by the name of the Series McRae. The main improvements over the standard model are:

  • Special mica blue paintwork
  • 6.5 x 16 inch eight spoke gold Speedline Safari alloy wheels
  • Pirelli P Zero 205/50 ZR 16 low profile tyres
  • Recaro sports front seats with open headrests and Series McRae motifs
  • All seats (front and back) and door panelling retrimmed in Le Mans/Avus material
  • Factory fitted electric tilt and slide sunroof
  • Interior numbered Series McRae plaque
  • Side and rear Series McRae decals

On the road price was £22,999

A official Subaru WRX poster for the Series McRae.
A official Subaru WRX poster for the Series McRae.

Next page will be the Catalunya edition!

Pages: 1 2 3
AWD, brembo, Impreza, STi, Subaru

WRX/STi rear wheel stud replacement

WRX/STi rear wheel stud replacement:

Careful cleaning of the threads/lugnuts and using hand tools (AKA NOT an impact gun!) will help prolong the life of your studs. When the day comes though, here’s how to replace the studs in the rear with stock length studs. If you want to replace them with longer length studs (ARP, etc.) you will have to pull the hub entirely and buy new wheel bearings.


Subaru 28365FE001 Wheel Stud

ARP 1007716 Wheel Stud Kit for Subaru

 

Things you will need:
Stock length wheel studs (As Required): NAPA has these for ~$3 a piece. Part # 641-3209
M8x1.25 bolts (2): Home Depot Racing
M8 washers (~6): Home Depot Racing
19mm Socket: Lugnuts
14mm Socket: Caliper bolts
12mm Wrench: ABS Sensor bolt
7mm Allen Key: M8x1.25 bolts
5mm Allen Key: ABS Ring bolts
Hammer: of the BFH variety, for beating on studs that have misbehaved
Telescoping Magnet Tool: Optional, but will make life much easier.

New wheel stud in the freezer.
New wheel stud in the freezer.

Sticking the new studs in the freezer will cause them to shrink slightly and really help you when it comes time to seat them in the hub. Throw them in the freezer before heading out to Home Depot Racing or leave ’em in overnight, just make sure those puppies are ice cold. Leave them in the freezer until you are actually ready to use them.

Remove the two bolts holding the caliper in place using your 14mm socket, and ziptie it out of the way. I have mine attached to the swaybar in this picture.
Remove the two bolts holding the caliper in place using your 14mm socket, and ziptie it out of the way. I have mine attached to the swaybar in this picture.
Pages: 1 2 3
AST Coilovers, AWD, BBS, brembo, DCCD, EJ257, Impreza, Obsidian Black Pearl, STi, Subaru, Turbo, UK, USDM

2nd Generation Subaru Impreza WRX STi United Kingdom varients

Impreza WR1
Impreza WR1

A limited edition of 1000 Japanese MY04 WRX STI‘s with DCCD were exported to celebrate victory in the 2003 WRC drivers’ championship. 500 were sold in Europe, Australia and South Africa as the Petter Solberg edition; the other 500 were further modified by Prodrive and sold in the UK as the WR1. They had 316 bhp (236 kW) and 309.8 ft·lbf (420.0 N·m), an incredible 0-60 mph time of only 4.25 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h) (electronically limited). They were equipped with Prodrive WRX STI springs, Pirelli PZero Nero tires, mesh grilles, special Ice Blue metallic paint and Prodrive PFF7 Pewter wheels. The new ECU and exhaust were not EU-homologated, so they were fitted after registering the car. The retail price was £29,995.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5
AWD, brembo, Bride, Cusco, DCCD, JDM, STi

The 2008 Cusco Subaru Impreza WRX STi Super GT

Cusco's Impreza in GT300
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Super GT

The Cusco team have been campaigning a heavily modified STi with a rear drive conversion as required by regulations since the late nineties and having no two-door model available at present, the Super GT committee gave a special permit for them to race with a four-door model instead of a two-door one. The rear drive conversion rule was lifted in 2006, and since then they returned to all-wheel drive with a transaxle gearbox.

GT300
The Cusco Subaru Impreza in 2008.

In 2008, Cusco’s Impreza won the first GT300 race in Sepang. It marked the first AWD car victory in Super GT/JGTC history. Even though they were having very impressive results(with 1 win and 2 podiums) that season, Cuscho announced that they would not participate in the 2009 season as they want \ The performance of Cusco was outstanding even though they were using a 4-door car, it later lead the Super GT committee to officially allow all 4-door model cars to participate the series. The Toyota Corolla Axio followed suit in 2009.

Cusco's Impreza
In 2008, Cusco’s Impreza won the first GT300 race in Sepang. It marked the first AWD car victory in Super GT/JGTC history.
Pages: 1 2
AWD, BBS, DCCD, Impreza, JDM, Recaro, STi, Subaru

Impreza Second Gen WRX JDM special models

Second Generation Impreza WRX JDM special variants:

This car was an S-series Impreza based on the Spec C. All of the suspension and powertrain parts included STi parts from the STi part catalogue.
Subaru Impreza S202: This car was an S-series Impreza based on the Spec C. All of the suspension and powertrain parts included STi parts from the STi part catalog.

S202
This car was an S-series Impreza based on the Spec C. All of the suspension and powertrain parts included STi parts from the STi part catalog. The interior included special edition yellow seats with red STi logo stitching. A smaller, lightweight AC compressor was fitted to save weight. The brake rotors were gas slotted. The wheels were STi labeled Rays Volk alloys.

Subaru Impreza S203
Subaru Impreza S203

S203
This limited edition Subaru was an S-series Impreza based on the WRX STi. Again it is basically a car with all the STi parts available. It was sold with custom made 18-inch (460 mm) BBS alloys with Pirellis.

The new S204 was released at the end of 2005.
Subaru Impreza S204 render
Pages: 1 2 3
AWD, BBS, brembo, DCCD, ej20G, gc8, Impreza, JDM, Recaro, Subaru, Turbo, WRX

22b: First generation Impreza WRX STi special variants

22bRare japanese widebody STi
22b STi

Japanese special variants

22B STi

(03/98 – 08/98)
In 1998, Subaru of Japan produced a widebody, 2-door, Impreza called the 22B STi. The 22B was used to commemorate both Subaru’s 40th anniversary as well as the 3rd consecutive manufacturer’s title for Subaru in the FIA World Rally Championship. On the release of the sales, all 399 sold out from 30 minutes to 48 hours, depending on the report.The cars had the starting VIN code of GC8E2SD. Another 25 were produced for export markets – see the 22B Type UK below.

The 22B had the EJ22 engine as opposed to the regular EJ20 engine. Note: internal Subaru material states the block comes from a V3 EJ20G NOT the EJ22G as most think. Also the intake manifold and heads were from the V4 EJ20K. This means the displacement was increased from 1994 cc to 2212 cc. The block is a closed-deck design. The heads (valves, valvetrain and such) were lifted from the STi Version 4 engine. It produce 350 PS (260 kW; 350 hp) at 6000 rpm and 363 N·m (267 ft·lbf, 37.0 kgf·m) of torque at a lower engine speed of 3200 rpm. The redline was lowered from 8000 rpm to 7000 rpm. The compression is an 8.0:1. The turbocharger is an IHI RHF 5HB (the internal company usage code is VF23).

This car was given a unique color of blue and had fender flared widebody taken from the Peter Stevens designed WRC car, thus widening the width by 80 mm (3.15 inches) for a total of 1,770 mm (69.7). During assembly, a WRX Type R chassis was taken off the line. The fenders were replaced with the 22B STi fenders. The car’s curb weight is 1,270 kg (2,800 lb). The suspension is provided by Bilstein. The brakes were standard 4-piston/2-piston brakes. However, the color is red and the Subaru name cast on the brake calipers and painted white.

Pages: 1 2 3 4