Bream

On the verge of buying a 93 type RA.

Can anyone tell what makes this different from the standard WRX or an STi? And is there anything nasty I should be looking for on this model?

Appreciate you help, may be joining the Scooby ranks soon!!

submannz

There is nothing set in concrete between these models.

The main differences are higher boost levels, lighter (hardly and electrical systems). It will have stronger pistons Hepolite type which are good for 18PSI max.

Some have different inlet manifolds and injectors

Some have close ratio gearboxes

scoootie5

I have a 94 RA and have no goodies like electric windows, electric mirrors or central locking etc but did have a Air conditioning unit fitted by previous owner.
It hasn't got any boot lining (carpet etc) and i think there is less sound proofing as it does get a bit noisey sometimes, NO Jesus Christ handles!!!!!, hard suspension, higher boost level of 1.2bar.
Low gear ratio 120mph max on redline. 0-60 in about 4.8ish secs though. As you probably already noticed it hasn't got any side skirts/rear skirts.

Some come with the Roof vent but mine didn't.

Thats about all i can think of for the mo

Scott

spurner

My observations from owning a 1993 WRX RA:

- has aluminium bonnet/boot/guards
- has an IC water spray with reservoir
- has a 5th injector ontop of the manifold
- has no sound deadening material
- has no spotlights
- has no rear spoiler
- black (not colour-coded) wing mirrors
- has no centre rear seatbelt
- has no interior handholds
- has no air conditioning
- has no radio/stereo
- has no electric windows
- has no central locking
- has thinner light-weight glass
- has blueprint STi engine
- has bucketseats
- closed deck engine block
- low compression 8.0:1 cast pistons
- very close ratio gearbox
- front and rear LSD

The normal WRX of my time was 1260kg and the RA version was only 1170kg. The STi RA's were built later, from '95 on I believe, and have roof-vent, more stuff than the old ones, and heavier. Basically the newer the model the more luxuries it will have and the more it will weigh.

JeffIV

Cheers chaps,

What about standard performance specs, WRX v STi v RA? And what does the 5th injector do (apart from spray more fuel in!)?

Spurner, have you modified your engine at all and have you dyno'd it recently?

davecoombs

I have a 95 RA that has no luxuries except air con. It does have a roof vent, spoiler and electronic diff though.
They are super quick, the gear box is just fantastic.
I have put an induction kit and magnex exhaust

Bream

Dave,

Have you changed the downpipes and taken the cat out?

Also, have you ran it on a dyno recently? If so what reseults did you get back?

Cheers.

davecoombs

Bream,
I have a magnex oval and cat replacement with an HKS induction kit
It was dyno'd at 274 bhp and 246 ib/ft at 6400rpm

I'm selling it as it goes..

Bream

Dave, the penny has just dropped, I e-mailed you last week (I think) about your RA for sale. Have you had any viewers and are you still asking 9.5k?

Cheers.

davecoombs

I have had about 20 chuffing timewasters !
The price is 9.5 but I am open to reasonable offers. The price reflects the condition. I have had a lot of people telling me what its worth (in their opinion). Its worth a look..

submannz

The key thing to remember is not to allow someone to spin you a yarn that the car has forged pistons because non of them came out with forged pistons from the factory.

The pistons are still case but the edges are cleaned up and they use a higher grade metal which has a tighter grain, giving the piston more strength.

The pistons are stronger than the Non RA models.

Not all of them have STI blueprinted engine or 5th injector.

Most of the STI or RA should have an intercooler sprayer from that year.

Nor do all of them have close ratio gearboxes.

Apart from that if you read spurners post you will know very quickly by just looking inside the car whether it is a RA or not.

spurner

Jeff

I have done a fair bit of modifying. It dynoed 200kW atw in 4th gear, around 360HP I think, on 15.5 psi.

The RA is a great platform if you want it for performance.