95 WRX / UK question
 

Why is it that that the imported wrx is rated at 260 bhp and the uk car of the same year only 215 bhp, is it just restricted more, ecu differant ?????

Being no expert myself, but from what I've picked up over the last month or so.

Cars which were released to the Japanese market were tweaked to run on 100 Ron fuel which is readily available over there. Exported cars for UK, Europe etc etc are tweaked to run on lower octane fuel 97, 95 or even lower.

These slightly detuned versions ensured that the longevity of the engine was preserved when usng lower octane fules by preventing detonation, knocking etc etc............

Thats why you will hear/read about higher octane fuels (super unleaded, optimax etc) being widely used by most of the import owners along with octane boosters to try and reach the 100 ron design.

I found the Haynes book, you and your Subaru Impreza a mine of useful info.

Well worth getting a copy.

Cheers

WRX has different ECU and higher compression IIRC.

To be pedantic UK 95 car actually has 211PS or 208bhp (they did until 99 when they got 218PS or 215bhp)

95 WRX is 260PS which is about 256bhp and that is on 100RON fuel so it would be unlikely to produce these figures on 97RON.