ross_jsy

So I see a lot of WRX hate on here so I am wondering how much better are STI's? Particularly in the case of a classic. Looking at the power figures there isn't much in it. Is it a case of all the little things add together to make them that little bit more special?

I bought my 1994 WRX because it was very cheap off a friend and I really enjoy it. It's plenty rapid, especially for Jersey (has a couple of things done like full decat exhaust, piggy back ECU, 4 pot Subaru callipers, front, rear and underbody strut braces, Speedtouch Turini's and lowering springs) and it makes me think is the gulf between it and a 1994 STI that large?

I ask as it is a temptation to upgrade to an STI at some point as I like the car far more than I thought I would once I have finished my degree, but I would hate to spend a fair premium on one. All in the WRX stands me at about £1500 after purchase and replacing a few tired items and I can't think of a car that would give me this much bang for my buck.

Thanks

Ross

N_Scooby

iTrader: (2)

Prestige really.

Later Classic STI's run different turbos than the WRX but power was about the same. There were a few suspension differences but apart from that not a lot. Both WRX and STI are better spec'd and more standard power than UK Turbo 2000 (but these easily be brought up to equivalent for not much money).

RA guise though the STI got DCCD and roof flap, WRX didn't.

Tidgy

owned classic uk, hawk wrx, classic type r.

yes the sti is a step up, but its not as big as some people make out.

ross_jsy

Interesting. Have been doing the classic man maths of do I save and buy an STI, or work to get my WRX to a good standard and use the extra money to spend on a few choice upgrades

Tidgy

depends what you want and what budget you have.

Budget being the biggy lol

ross_jsy

Well it was meant to be a cheap, fun run about but you know how these things end up!

rb5 stu

Newage would have more differences than classics.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

ESL and a remap would be £700, so your talking at least £1000 and a 2000 turbo will be same bhp as wrx or sti

Andy Stevens

ESL supplied, fitted and 2 maps is £550 from RaceDynamix.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Really heres me saving up £750

Tidgy

depends who you want to map your car

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Just been on there website mines v4 I believe 1998, so am I right in thinking the map all around the country?

Pricing:

Version 1-2 : £550 supplied, fitted and mapped

Version 3-4 : £575 supplied, fitted and mapped

Tidgy

presume price doesnt include price of a local RR for the mapping.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Ha ha I will ask them, going end up being £700

plenty

iTrader: (13)

This. The main differences between GC8 WRX and STi are forged pistons and DCCD. The GC8 WRX is still a very powerful, quick car and much closer to STi performance than the newage WRX is to the newage STi.

Given that the newest classics are now 15 years old I would be less concerned about WRX vs STi and more concerned about history and condition.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

The turbos on even the oldest WRXs are capable of 340 bhp with the right supporting mods.

You don't need to spend much money on a classic WRX to match its STI brother. As said, it's all about the "prestige".

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Only the classic sti type r and ra have dccd fella. 4 door standard sti's just have standard 5 speeds.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

I think a lot of people think of it as a named thing.

I mean, if you had a choice of buying a pair of Nike trainers or a pair of Hi-Tec what would you go for? It sounds much better in saying "I bought a pair of Nike trainers" rather than "I bought a pair of HI-Tec"

I reckon its the same as "I drive an Sti" Snobby lol

ossett2k2

iTrader: (9)

More like they're both Nike trainers but one has pink laces

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

And what's wrong with that? lol
I have lime green in mine

ossett2k2

iTrader: (9)

Nothing wrong at all mate,just saying pink laces won't make you run faster

plenty

iTrader: (13)

Yep. So when it comes to vanilla non RA and R cars, the difference between WRX and STi is minimal.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

The differences between a WRX and STI are less significant in classic form, but as a final package the STI is the better car in stock trim.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

The main gripe with the wrx is in newage form vs newage sti (Brembos, 6spd etc)
Classics as said, buy on condition both capable if felted.

Andy Stevens

Yes, mobile to your door, road map, dyno £75 extra I believe.

ross_jsy

The condition is average I would say, but it's rot free and all together in terms of condition of bushes, engine runs lovely (although it has developed a niggle, just about to start a thread about it) and it drives really nice.

I've put 4 matching Falkens on it to replace the mismatched crap that was on it before and done a full fluids service with fully synthetic, top quality oil (Motul). As I say, it only stands me at £1500 all in now so previous history and condition isn't a major concern for me, although it did come with a huge stack of receipts.

I have looked at an ESL board and there is a local company who fits and maps them, quoted between £650-750 so will probably go down that route at some point once the rest of the car is in a standard I am happy with. I'll be replacing things like engine/gearbox mounts, renewing gearshift linkage and a few chassis modifications before I go chasing any more power. It certainly gets to our 40mph limit quick enough

What is a good route to take with the brakes btw without spending silly money? I have refreshed the fluid and checked the pads and discs out and they stop the car ok but aren't exactly confidence inspiring and I wouldn't want to have much more power on them.

Thanks

Andy Stevens

In response to the original question, the difference to a pre 96 wrx and sti is very little, with the exception of the ver 2 sti ra which gets solid lifter heads and dccd.

A v2 wrx has a 260PS Z4 ECU and a v2 sti has a 276PS 6K ECU. The maps are identical but for a touch more boost on the 6K. When mapped, there is no difference, injectors and turbo (td05-16g) are the same. It's worth going to a later MAP sensor to give you extra boost headroom (1.2 to 1.7bar max).

plenty

iTrader: (13)

Lots of people advise big brakes, but for me a well-maintained four-pot setup (refurb or new calipers with stainless pistons), with braided hoses and good pads (I am using RC5+) is more than adequate for the road.

The brakes on my MY99 car however are certainly better feeling than my MY93 car was though, even after changing calipers, pads, fluid, master and slave cylinders on the older car. Not sure why as I'm not aware of any different parts other than possibly a different servo.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

So £575 and they will come to my house and do a road reamp? If so that's great

The Pink Ninja

iTrader: (23)

Yes but make sure you have some decent roads as i know Duncan has mapped cars on unsuitable roads in the past...Or should i say not the sort of roads for going flat out in 3rd 4th gear