I've just bought a 1997 JDM Impreza WRX... (or so i thought??)

But am trying to work out if i've ended up with an STi. What should i be looking for?? As a few people have commented as it has intercooler spray and an aluminium bonnet.

Thats about it though, so what else should I be looking for??

The manifold isnt painted red, but i guess that could have easily been changed or re-painted.

Cheers, Mark

 

Check the applied model code on the VIN plate.

Based on the APPLIED MODEL number on you VIN plate you should be able to find out, your exact model type.

The 7 digit "applied model" code found on the vehicle identification plate inside the engine bay is decoded in the following way.
1.Series code G=Impreza S=Forester B=Legacy etc.
2.Body type F=Wagon C=Sedan
3.Engine type 8=2.0L Turbo
4.Year code A=MY93 B=MY94 C=MY95&96 D=MY97 (facelift) E=MY98 F=MY99 G=MY00
5.Number of doors 2=2 door coupe 4=4 door saloon 5=5 door wagon/hatch
6.Model type 8=WRX 7=RA type E=Sti D=Sti Type R & RA
7.Transmission D=5 Speed Manual AWD P=4 Speed Automatic AWD

Then you need to check engine code and even the gearbox code

 

Nice one, just what I needed mate

Ta

 

May be worth posting up pictures as well of the instrument cluster (pretty sure this should say STI but may be wrong).

Problem with identifying imprezas is that you can fit some STI parts to WRXs.

Rear light clusters on STIs are red and white not the orange and red that wrxs

 

The cars proper chav-tastic at the minute, funny lights on the front and back, was difficult enough identifying it as an impreza at all to begin with!!

The VIN plate should reveal all I guess

 

 

Quick question RE the back lights, They are them lexus lights and have had the fog lights wired up to a button (non standard i'm guessing) on the dash... If i now fit standard rear lights will the fogs work off the normal fog light button or the non standard button or not at all??? Or will it be a do it and see kind of thing???

 

Sti will have a silver intercooler. Wrx will be black. If it has waterspray it could be a RA. Does it have a rear wiper?

 

Yes has rear wiper mate

 

So its not a RA then. STI will have, as said silver intercooler, strut brace sti seats. Think on a 97 red line will be at 8K. To be sure put up the applied model code on the vin plate or compare it to these; Eta Tauri Site Impreza Reference - WRX Frenzy

 

I wired the fog to one of the reverse lights. Just replaced the white lamp with a red one, good for the MOT, and no rubbish extra lights hanging off the bumper!
Also, an easy way to tell an STi, it has a 7.5k red line, as opposed to the 7k WRX.

 

Late classic wrx had a 7.5k red line and sti 8k. This is version 4 on. Not sure about version 3.

 

Ah yes! I think 97 was the changeover year, as you say, if it's the later one, the limits are 7.5k and 8k.
The early clocks have the speedo/rev counter in the middle, and fuel and temp each side.

 

The VIN plate has revealed all... Its a WRX

Performance wise, are they both 276bhp??

Aye, might go for that fog light idea like, gotta get rid of these rear lights, there terrible!

 

yes as per gentlemans agreement with the govt to restrict power.

doesn't matter imo as ,although the STI is a better car, you still have a car with great performance,practicality,****ty fuel consumption and a great noise

 

Nowt worse than a gentlemans agreement like, never mind... i'm not a gentleman :P

Aye am loving it like, never had one, only ever had vauxhalls.

Cheers for all the advice lads, much appreciated