Seems to happen a lot on this thread as there is some awesome work going on with these hatchbacks

 

So much that can be done and not enough money to do them all is the problem.

 

still waiting for my STi red push button the arrive.... it's been in Coventry CUSTOMS the last few days! now awaiting delivery

 

Been thinking of selling my hatch WRX and starting again with either a hatch STI or a type R, but looking at hatch STI prices now I cant believe how many cars are available for sub 10,000 which is good for buyers, but this means I wont get a lot for my WRX. I know you always lose money but I think the hit will be to big.
So do I except the huge loss and start again with the STI/type R, or do I stick a PPG kit in the WRX?
I am planning on staying below 400hp anyway.

 

Hi guys,

Great thread. Nice to see such great community still exists here, much like the old days.

I've been Subaru-less for 2 years now but like a few other familiar names here the bug never leaves. I have two young kids so the practicality (amongst other things) is really drawing me to an STi hatch. I'm looking to build up my knowledge with a view to start looking in a few months.

Ideally I would like to get a MY11 one with the facelift, Spec C suspension etc however they appear to be pretty thin on the ground. I guess most people opted for the saloon. JDM would be good too but again hard to source.

My main question is; is it possible to sharpen up the handling of a pre-facelift to make it on par with the MY11? The car will be a daily driver with family duties so I don't want a bone crushing ride however I would like to dial out the body roll etc.

What would you do in my position? Hold on for an MY11 (at a premium) or get a pre-facelift 330S or STi and stick some money into it?

 

You can get the suspension fully sorted now as the weaknesses are well understood so i wouldn't worry about getting slightly older car, more important to just make sure it's a good one ideally already with forged pistons.

 

What are the weakness's of the hatch suspension?

 

Vague steering feel
Soft rubber bushing
Usual non optimized geometry

Generally soft to appeal to mass market rather than enthusiasts.

 

Thanks Matt. Yes a forged engine would be ideal. Engine worries would take some of the enjoyment out for me. Roughly what needs doing suspension wise and how much?

I previously had a P1 with whiteline front and rear ARBs, drop links and anti lift. It was excellent.

Jamie- it was reported mostly when the hatch was released that it's suspension was a bit soft, had a fair bit body roll and steering didn't feel sharp. That's compared to previous gen Imprezas. I think these issues were resolved with the Spec C suspension mods to the MY11 generation.

 

Something like this from Litchfield (in this case)

Handling Pack - £865 inc. vat

Uprated rear anti roll bar
Revised steering feel
4 Wheel laser alignment with fast road settings
Revised sub frame and chassis bush kit
Litchfield Front Strut Brace
Labour to install

There were some revisions on the later cars, but the above would still be of benefit.

 

That's perfect Matt. Thanks for digging that out. Food for thought.

 

If any WRX owners out there are interested in some STI springs or front grill let me know...I have both sat in my garage taking up space. Springs had done just over 66k miles.
I've also got some original 17inch wheels with Hankook winter tyres on, only did around 2000 miles on them...

 

I went for the 330s.. it's the interior of a MY11- but with another 25bhp.
I like the front end of the 330s... I like the MY11- saloon fronts too. It's personal choice.

I upgraded the springs to the PRODRIVE-Eibach (black springs) handling seem so much better (£400 fitted at main dealer)

The Hatch suits me with two kids (under 4), plenty of room in the boot for two pushchairs, not sure I'd get everything in a saloon.


For me I like the extras you get on the 330s over a normal STi.

Its all down to what you want to spend.

 

look what came today and I've fitted..

 

Very nice salsa

 

That looks good Phil. Cheers for your thoughts too. I'm in a similar situation with kids aged 1 and 3. That's good to confirm the space. I will need to go and have a look at one. Even the other half likes them!

I actually far prefer the looks of the hatch to the saloon.

 

Ive two matching cherry red trimmed Recaro young sport seats.for the kids. You can still get someone slim in between.

 

That's ideal. I've got two Kiddy guardian seats which are fairly wide though. Can fit someone in the middle in my 9-5 however guess that's probably a little wider.

 

My boot I leaking on my 330s not a lot but a lil concerning as the rubber itself is in great condition but sometime when I open the boot there is water sat on top of the seal in the bottom corners but no idea how it's getting there :/ anybody else had this problem ??

 

Tried to find this out but this thread is massive!

What's the stock turbo for a hatch WRX?

Does a stock WRX hatch's engine look like the photo below?

 

Do you have a photo?

 

Can I post a photo on here being an unpayd member ?? Will try get one later

 

yep, host your pix on photobucket or flickR etc, use the [img] code to post them up

 

Bit of advice please. On my 330S I have a Samco hose between turbo and intercooler but I need to replace it. Was this an upgrade as part of the 330S spec or has a previous owner fitted it? And where can I get one? No one seems to list an intercooler hose kit for the hatch sti. There is a 3 piece 'turbo kit' is that what I need?? Thanks.

 

 

Great, thanks Don!

 

This is one pic of water by the latch will try get one off water on the rubber later

 

I am wondering what your thoughts are on the Cobb acces port ?
Haven't seen this popping up in this topic.
Any reason why these are not so common ?

 

AFAIK only designed for upgrading the US ECU's

 

with the standard Cobb provided maps I assume ?
As once you have it tuned by a pro installer it would not make anymore difference, no ?
Or are USDM Ecu's so different from UK/EUDM ones ?