Spec C New Member + Best Mapper & Servicing Companies to use?
 

Hi all!

This is my first post on ScoobyNet!

I have recently purchased a Subaru Impreza (Hatch) STI Spec C in Sunrise Yellow from the lovely gents at Torque GT, I'm collecting her next Thursday and to say I'm excited is an understatement.

I sold my Mitsubishi Evo IX GT back in June to cash some money into the bank and still have a fun little weekend car, I opted to go for a Golf GTI MK2 (Type 19) that has been swapped with a R32 engine from the MK1 Audi TT's and MK4/5 Golfs. It's not quite filled the void that the Evo left, so I'm jumping back into the AWD Turbo Japanese goodness.

I'll be using this Spec C on the weekends and occasional daily commute to work all year round no matter what the weather. One thing about my Evo is that I was a little to precious to use it even if it was slightly damp out in the Summer, and it was stored away for 6 months during the winter period, so I'm hoping to get down and dirty with this Spec C. I'll most definitely be keeping on top of thoroughly cleaning the underside when the salt breaks out as it's got no underseal protection on it. Do they rot bad if not kept on top of? I know the Evo's were notorious for it and mine underwent a full underside restoration.

I'm in my mid twenties and got into cars from quite a young age as I went to multiple rally stages with my dad. I remember seeing the Top Gear review on the Hatchback and I fell in love with its looks back then and have done since, hence me purchasing the Spec C.

I've tried to have a scan through this forum to find out the general consensus of who are the "best" Subaru Specialist Garages and Engine Remappers around (I'm located in South Wales).
I didn't get a definite answer and thought I'd make this post to introduce myself and hopefully speak to some members.

I don't plan on going mad with this Spec C, as the guys at Torque GT said "the less, the better", especially when it comes to selling it. However, if I do get bored of the standard power I may consider going down the "Stage 1" route for a bit more fun.
At the moment it's already got a full Milltek exhaust system and Tein Suspension with EDFC which is nice.
I'm not too keen on Milltek systems myself, what would you all recommend? I want to keep it OEM+, so maybe a Japanese branded system would be nice.

I'll start up it's own dedicated thread when I get her, post the generic picture update, maybe when I take her on track (I'd like to use it for what it was build for) and any questions I might have!

Look forward to hearing from some of you!

Tom

I would say engine tuner as you’re in South Wales. They are in Devon I believe so not a massive trek for you and they are highly regarded.

it would be best to get the underside protected.
I’ve just bought a jdm legacy that needs doing, I know a chap local to me that does it and is well known on Land Rover forums as that is what he mainly works on, although he does do jap imports. Ballpark figure he gave me was around £400 but he is incredibly thorough.
Sussex though so a long way from you and he needs the car for 4-5 days as he cleans the underside and needs it to completely dry out before he treats it.

Torque's Dinitrol treatment of my yellow hatch was cursory and didn't involve taking anything off. The rear arches, and fuel filler pipe are very susceptible, as are the front and rear crash bars, and anything else Subaru black painted.
There's another yellow hatch in S Wales too.......

If you are based in Cardiff, TDR are closer to you than Plymouth. That's where I've been servicing my Subarus for the last 4.5 years since and I couldn't have been happier.
Regarding mappers, in no particular order, the ones closest to you are Bob Rawle based in Swindon, Mark at TDR and Engine Tuner in Plymouth.
It's a good idea to get the underside protected including the ancillaries (subframes, suspension components etc. It's not the chassis that rusts but the rest of the bolt on ancillaries.
You have PM.

If you want it to last, do it yourself and spend a weekend doing it. And then renew every few years. Get anything under the arches sorted; take all the plastics off and blast cavity wax into every orifice until it's dripping out. Coat all the subframes and everything under the arches and chassis, and pull the wheel arch liners too to get behind them and the fuel filler pipe as @hedgecutter says. He's much more familiar with the hatch chassis than I am but basically, spend the money on lots of product rather than someone elses labour. If you have access to a compressor and a Schultz gun then use them, the product works out much cheaper, but you can still do a good job with spray cans. If you're happy getting dirty I'd even go so far as to take the bumpers and skirts off. Basically, remove every single bit of plastic, use degreaser and a strong jet wash, and believe there is no such thing as too much underseal unless you get it on the hot bits!

Thank you mate. Devon isn't too far from me, however I'm more than happy to drive across the country if it means having the very best work on my vehicles

Torque GT gave me two options, either to leave it for its future resale value if it was to be exported abroad or have it protected if I was to keep it for many many years. I don't tend to keep my vehicles that long, maybe 2 years at the very most. But I will definitely consider getting it done.

Yes Torque GT were very helpful, they give me two options. If I were to keep the car for a number of years they recommended getting it treated so it would last, the other was to leave it fresh just in case someone abroad wanted to buy it. I'm sort of stuck in two minds, do I do it for piece of mind or do I leave it and just keep on top of it?

I know the one you mean if its Caerphilly? I've actually spoke to the lad. He lives about 10 minutes away from me. Would be awesome to meet up with him when I get mine!

Thank you mate, I'll take note of them!

I've also replied :)

Thank you mate, I will definitely look into this ASAP.
I actually took a look through @hedgecutter thread yesterday on his Spec C. Love how in-depth he has gone cleaning behind the skirts etc. Crazy to see the build up behind them and the arches, would have never of thought it would be caked in that thick!

Hi I was first uk owner of this car, great car and I did subtle mods on it and had it mapped by Andy Carr, miltek sounds great on boost, enjoy 😊

No probs. When I took the arch liners out on my Newage there were plants growing in the mud collected behind them. The mountings for the rear plastics had rotted through completely due to mud build up. Mud traps are the enemy of these cars and Subaru sure knew how to create them!

I have a white 9GT - recently had the engine built at Engine Tuner. A whisker over 560HP :D

I'm in West Wales so it's a trek but then everything is from here :)

I also have a Hawk Spec C Type RA that was originally imported by Torque and mapped at Engine Tuner - the Dinitrol covering wasn't the best :) It's all be removed now though.

The yellow hatch did look fantastic. Nice choice.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...6489a74ea0.jpg
Here she is with a couple of friends:thumb:

That sounds incredible mate! I had a Red GT that I won off Dream Car Giveaways around 2 years ago, I only just sold her in June this year, I do regret it slightly but couldn't say no to the money they offered me to buy it back.

Wow, that's quite a selection of motors mate! I absolutely love a Hawk Spec C, but the RA is the dream.

I'm going to pick her up Thursday, I'm very much looking forward to it!

I've got in touch with the previous owner which is fantastic, this is why I love forum pages :)

Looking good! Thank you mate :)

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...36739e3850.jpg
First two in UK, before they were everywhere! In their natural habitat.

I've been through your whole thread on it mate, it was a great read, credit to you for documenting it all!

Nice :cool:

I do DCG every week but nothing so far lol.

Of the two, I do like the Impreza more. Although they do different things. The RA is tiring after a short while but is punchy. The GT is more comfortable on a run and loses out a bit of punch for mid and top (not 100% sure I'll stick with the current turbo)
One thing I'm not keen on is seat position in the Evo. Feels like you sit on top of it rather than in it. Have some Corbeau seats coming soon which will correct the seating position.