When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Picking up my Impreza STI Spec C Hatch in Sunrise Yellow tomorrow from the lovely chaps at Torque GT.
I'll will be using this thread to post any questions I may have under my ownership, maybe the occasional photo on my travels and for the future owners to look back at its history
To say I'm excited is an understatement. Don't think I'll sleep a wink tonight
Really surprised me the way it drives, didn't expect it to be so engaging with the short gear throws, how it handles itself down the road etc. You can really feel that diff pull you, its amazing but also a little terrifying haha!
In my head I was expecting it to be very similar to the Evo IX GT, but I think this actually trumps it.
It's crazy really as there is only 3 years between them both, yet this feels so much more modern but doesn't take away that raw driving experience that a lot of newer performance cars seem to lack.
Very happy.
Here's the first fuel stop on the way home, I'm sure this will be a regular thing
I do actually have a few questions if anyone can help me out.
So if you're not away its got Tein Suspension fitted with the fancy EDFC. Now Torque GT told me the previous owner (who I've spoke too) had it set up for basically a Fast Road setting.
Front 12 12 & Rear 12 12 settings were a happy middle ground supposedly. I've not fully looked into this system yet, but I noticed it was always adjusting on the way home (and makes a really annoying little bleep everytime it does). Mainly going down rather than up.
If anyone knows what's best or where to go to get it "properly" set up, please let me know.
Next questions, what OEM looking headunits have you all fitted?
It's got a Japanese headunit in it and all the lady does it randomly shout at me lol. I managed to connect my Bluetooth, god knows how. It's okay when it first connects, but if you turn the car off and get back in the music starts to skip.
Finally, I was told by the previous owners that when they sold the car to Torque GT they never removed the Decat downpipe as that's what it was mapped for, however Torque GT supposedly asked for the Standard Downpipe back and I'm a little concerned that they did refit it to pass their MOT on it. They told me they never did swap it, but I've got my doubts, main reason as I wouldn't want it to upset the map and cause problems for the engine.
The car has got a Cat-back Milltek system on it, so it's fairly loud on boost, but quite refined and comfortable when you're not on it. I was expecting it to sound loud all the time no matter what. When I floor it too, I get some sort of odor smell, not petrol as if it was Decat, but a tangy scent. It's difficult to describe. Almost like the standard cat has gone back in and its burning off? I'm not too sure, unless these are smelly engines when they've been mapped etc lol I'll get one of the mechanics at my work to put her on a ramp and I'll have a look underneath to see the downpipe. I did try and have a nose yesterday when I collected it, but couldn't see very well.
Finally, I was told by the previous owners that when they sold the car to Torque GT they never removed the Decat downpipe as that's what it was mapped for, however Torque GT supposedly asked for the Standard Downpipe back and I'm a little concerned that they did refit it to pass their MOT on it. They told me they never did swap it, but I've got my doubts, main reason as I wouldn't want it to upset the map and cause problems for the engine.
The car has got a Cat-back Milltek system on it, so it's fairly loud on boost, but quite refined and comfortable when you're not on it. I was expecting it to sound loud all the time no matter what. When I floor it too, I get some sort of odor smell, not petrol as if it was Decat, but a tangy scent. It's difficult to describe. Almost like the standard cat has gone back in and its burning off? I'm not too sure, unless these are smelly engines when they've been mapped etc lol I'll get one of the mechanics at my work to put her on a ramp and I'll have a look underneath to see the downpipe. I did try and have a nose yesterday when I collected it, but couldn't see very well.
Panic over, it's got the Decat on it. Mate in work just checked it over for me. Smell is running slightly rich from the map. Thought I would have got that having a few cars that ran rich, but never smelt like that. Boxer life lol?
Panic over, it's got the Decat on it. Mate in work just checked it over for me. Smell is running slightly rich from the map. Thought I would have got that having a few cars that ran rich, but never smelt like that. Boxer life lol?
So how did they MOT it? Sounds similar to my Spec C which had no functional dipped beams after they "MOT"ed it.
Thought I'd update you all after nearly 4 months of ownership and the first 1000 miles down!
I'm enjoying it so far, have booked a track day at the start of June to give her a run out, however I do still have a few niggles with it that were/are slightly annoying.
I had to change all 4 plugs as spark plug number 3 had burnt out and was causing a slight miss fire when pulling off from cold and pulling. All sorted now.
Still getting this strange odour smell after blipping, I cant describe the smell. I know it isn't fuel or unburnt fuel. I've been reading a few things that oil can leak onto the exhaust. But I'm not getting any drips on my driveway. I have been told it can be headgasket seal. It's going into the garage I use next week as he's owned multiple Impreza's and really knows his stuff.
I'm getting a slight rattle on deceleration and lower rpm in all gears, it disappears when I dip the clutch. Torque GT told me it was just the noise the clutch made, but I've recently started to doubt everything they've previously said about it. I have read it can be the downpipe heatshield rattling. Again, garage is sorting it for me this week.
What will stop the gearstick from making a vibration/rattle in higher rpms from 3 gear onwards. Again, I have seen this can be the aluminium ring surround on the shifter to engage reverse. Some people say its the bushings themselves. If it was the surround, how would you solve this?
Final thing, something I'm quite shocked and appalled at from Torque GT's pre-sale "health" checks is that the ORIGINAL timing belt is still on the vehicle even though its been stickered on import to say it was changed. So that's being sorted ASAP too.
Hopefully all these niggles will be sorted before Summer hooning season.
Components of the Hatch 6MT shifter
Item 4 being the "Slider **** - gear shift" for reverse gear
The actual lever (19) has, on the area where the slider **** sits/slides, a plastic shink fit sleeve as shown below,
However taking the slider off requires removing the shifter cable (23) holding roll pin (5), which can be tricky getting back in place.
Always worth checking the condition of the various linkage bushes - "Stockcar" can supply replacements.
I'd say the vibration through the gear stick is normal and due to the stiffer bushing of the spec C. Mine's always done it from 19500 miles, now 60 something.
Thought I'd update you all after nearly 4 months of ownership and the first 1000 miles down!
I'm enjoying it so far, have booked a track day at the start of June to give her a run out, however I do still have a few niggles with it that were/are slightly annoying.
I had to change all 4 plugs as spark plug number 3 had burnt out and was causing a slight miss fire when pulling off from cold and pulling. All sorted now.
Still getting this strange odour smell after blipping, I cant describe the smell. I know it isn't fuel or unburnt fuel. I've been reading a few things that oil can leak onto the exhaust. But I'm not getting any drips on my driveway. I have been told it can be headgasket seal. It's going into the garage I use next week as he's owned multiple Impreza's and really knows his stuff.
I'm getting a slight rattle on deceleration and lower rpm in all gears, it disappears when I dip the clutch. Torque GT told me it was just the noise the clutch made, but I've recently started to doubt everything they've previously said about it. I have read it can be the downpipe heatshield rattling. Again, garage is sorting it for me this week.
What will stop the gearstick from making a vibration/rattle in higher rpms from 3 gear onwards. Again, I have seen this can be the aluminium ring surround on the shifter to engage reverse. Some people say its the bushings themselves. If it was the surround, how would you solve this?
Final thing, something I'm quite shocked and appalled at from Torque GT's pre-sale "health" checks is that the ORIGINAL timing belt is still on the vehicle even though its been stickered on import to say it was changed. So that's being sorted ASAP too.
Hopefully all these niggles will be sorted before Summer hooning season.
Another thing I forgot to mention. Before I had the plugs changed my car didn't like low rpm's when cold in 1st and 2nd gear. When it warmed up it was absolutely fine. I thought having the plugs change would fix this due to the one plug being blown, however I still get this jerkiness when pulling off in 1st & 2nd when cold. Could this be a coilpack? Or is it normal for boxer engines to do this when cold?
Another thing I forgot to mention. Before I had the plugs changed my car didn't like low rpm's when cold in 1st and 2nd gear. When it warmed up it was absolutely fine. I thought having the plugs change would fix this due to the one plug being blown, however I still get this jerkiness when pulling off in 1st & 2nd when cold. Could this be a coilpack? Or is it normal for boxer engines to do this when cold?
that's the renown GR stumble, it's part of the design
My 20th anniversary did it as well.
There's plenty of info especially in NASIOC on what you can do to minimise it, whether it's worth it is another story. I've learnt to live with it.
Mine is a bit jerky for the first 2 minutes in 1st down the track, but the secondary air pump has been removed which may influence this.
GR stumble isnt in 1st/2nd at start up really; it's pushing on in too low a gear at speed, rather than dropping a cog, normally apparent at around 3000rpm
I've been daily driving it this week to see if it happens in other gears and a different rpm's.
I've found it can happen in 3rd and 4th but when the revs are around 3000rpm. But bear in mind I'm doing 40ish mph. I'd be surprised if it was the gear ratio?
My car is mapped in the 3 different SI-Drive modes, it can be quite lethargic and jumpy in Intelligent mode in all gears and lower rpm...
Sport is what I mostly drive it in, but again that can be jerky in 1st, 2nd and 3rd from 0mph all the way to 30mph.
I'm thinking it might be the map, its mapped by Andy Carr. I've read mixed things about his mapping.
I'm not sure what step is next to take to eliminate it?
I may be barking up the wrong tree, but don't mappers generally concentrate on pulls in higher gears, and wouldn't that be to the detriment of the map in 1st, 2nd and 3rd?
The stumble is apparently caused by a damper oscillation in the fuel line, occurs at around 2800/3000rpm when, for example, you are tootling along at 50 in 5th, and you accelerate reasonably hard without dropping a gear. It's common in remapped hatches and either requires more detailed mapping than most mappers are prepared to give, or an anti stumble kit which essentially reverts to the Hawk fuel dampers. It's definitely a little momentary stutter or stumble. Possibly parallel rails may cure it, but it is simple to drive around.
Jerkyness when cold I would simply put down to, well, the engine being cold, on mine at least.
I may be barking up the wrong tree, but don't mappers generally concentrate on pulls in higher gears, and wouldn't that be to the detriment of the map in 1st, 2nd and 3rd?
The stumble is apparently caused by a damper oscillation in the fuel line, occurs at around 2800/3000rpm when, for example, you are tootling along at 50 in 5th, and you accelerate reasonably hard without dropping a gear. It's common in remapped hatches and either requires more detailed mapping than most mappers are prepared to give, or an anti stumble kit which essentially reverts to the Hawk fuel dampers. It's definitely a little momentary stutter or stumble. Possibly parallel rails may cure it, but it is simple to drive around.
Jerkyness when cold I would simply put down to, well, the engine being cold, on mine at least.
Thank you for that mate! The RPM range is bang on when it happens, its not to much a jerk, its like you said a stumble! I think its just something I'm going to have to live with!
Thought I'd give everyone an update on Easter Bank holiday Monday!
My car is booked in with Tony at TDR for the middle of May.
It's having a Full Service with all fluids and Subaru timing belt changed. He's going to Dyno Health Check it too, they said they'd tweak the map if needed.
Hopefully that little stumble/stutter I've been experiencing when cold is absolutely nothing and I'm just overthinking it (more than likely lol).
I'm also going to order new discs and pads ready for my track day booked at Llandow on the 3rd of June. Any recommendations for fast road brake discs and pads? Don't want to go overkill as this will be my first time on track so I'm not going to try be a hero.
It's then booked in for the end of June to have a Stage 1 Paint Correction with 1 Year Ceramic coating and a 5 Year alloy coating.
Here's some photos I took back in December, shortly after I bought it!
I post regularly on my Instagram if anyone wants to follow... @specc_ginge
pagid rs14 or rst3, ebc RPX
pagid rsl29 old rs29
discs ebc are good to
pf08 or rc6e CL but this costs over 400 quid-well for my ap's , not sure how much for oem brembo
Last edited by JdmSti2006; 10 April 2023 at 05:25 PM.
Where are you guys getting a replacement STI front grille badge from? Mines gone a little faded.
Also seen you can get the wing/fender badges in black instead of the chrome.
I was thinking of changing the front and rear Subaru badge to pink or is that a no no? I know the saying goes "its your car, do what you want". Just want an opinion on it or see if anyone has with a Hatch STI/Spec C
I’d go with the style of badge that was intended, either import car parts or direct from Japan.
(Although previous owner put Spec C sticker on mine and it doesn’t look out of place).
30 November 2022, 12:39 PM
Spec C 2009 - Sunrise Yellow - NY59 TSX
