STI 8 vs Spec C
11 February 2010, 10:57 PM
#33
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.
12 February 2010, 12:03 PM
#36
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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.
12 February 2010, 12:14 PM
#38
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...
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
12 February 2010, 12:55 PM
#40
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What price to convert STi to Spec C though? I'm guessing way more than £4-6k 
How much is the thinner glass 
TX.
How much is the thinner glass TX.
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...
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...
12 February 2010, 01:37 PM
#42
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?
12 February 2010, 01:40 PM
#44
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Weight difference is like 80-120kg depending on model.
Arb's and springs are different on the Spec C.
Tony
Arb's and springs are different on the Spec C.
Tony
Last edited by TonyBurns; 12 February 2010 at 01:47 PM.
12 February 2010, 01:47 PM
#45
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...
12 February 2010, 02:09 PM
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12 February 2010, 04:01 PM
#48
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Scoobyc
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
12 February 2010, 04:40 PM
#49
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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
12 February 2010, 04:42 PM
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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
12 February 2010, 05:37 PM
#52
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The Spec C is the base car for rallying isn't it so I guess things are supposed to be changed ...
TX.
Last edited by Terminator X; 12 February 2010 at 05:38 PM.
12 February 2010, 06:06 PM
#53
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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.
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.
12 February 2010, 06:18 PM
#54
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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.
12 February 2010, 06:32 PM
#56
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)
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)
12 February 2010, 06:42 PM
#58
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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.
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.
12 February 2010, 06:43 PM
#59
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