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I know people have BHP ranging from 210bhp up to and over 600bhp.
A few people who have owned Imprezas have told me that when they got above 350 it became a handful to drive in rush hour and inner city traffic.
They ended up dialing back the map, or replacing the turbo with a smaller one.
What are peoples experiences with this?
When going above 350 is it worth getting two maps done? One for inner city and one for track and everything else?
I am intrigued as I'm heading that way soon. I don't commute and don't drive that often in city centers...but when I do I'd rather not have my car eat the one in front.
I do understand that BHP goes hand in hand with revs and peeks around the 5.5k rpm mark for me currently...but I don't come close to hitting 5.5k rpm on a general drive, let alone in a city center.
How drivable will be down to
1. The turbo choice
2. The map
3. How heavy is your right foot
Personally I like two maps. Relaxed and Full Nutter.
Also the bigger the power more like you are to need an more aggressive clutch which can become hard work in traffic. However my AP clutch is remarkably easy to use compared to some competition clutches.
How drivable will be down to
1. The turbo choice
2. The map
3. How heavy is your right foot
Personally I like two maps. Relaxed and Full Nutter.
Also the bigger the power more like you are to need an more aggressive clutch which can become hard work in traffic. However my AP clutch is remarkably easy to use compared to some competition clutches.
Cheers
Steve
1. Potentially an MD321
2. I will get 2 maps done...Relaxed and Full Nutter as you put it
3. Not very heavy at all. I Save the heavy foot for the track. People really don't like being stuck behind an Impreza who's driving just under the speed limit.
Clutch, Gearbox, drive shafts...all taken care of. Upgraded. Clutch is new custom track clutch and a little aggressive currently, but it's not been worn in properly yet. Even so, not having any major issues driving in rush hour at the moment.
Its all down to Clutch for me, I dont use my car much so do find it a pain in heavy traffic or city work but I guess thats just down to feel, after a weeks trip to Le mans It was fine.
a few maps is always a good idea, something funny about killing normal car in the economy mode...
Im running 500 bhp on an MDt with an excedy pink box clutch and it drives just as nice in town/traffic as it did when it was standard with 270 bhp. Its down to the mapping and the parts used.
Its all down to Clutch for me, I dont use my car much so do find it a pain in heavy traffic or city work but I guess thats just down to feel, after a weeks trip to Le mans It was fine.
That's the lovely thing about a turbo car - you can run silly max BHP but it can potter about town all day off boost as if it was normally aspirated.
My car was mapped at a nominal 430bhp but behaves off boost just as it did when standard. The most noticeable thing, as mentioned, is when I replaced the clutch for a ASP unit which has put the pedal effort up. You get used to it but it can become a little tiring.
That's the lovely thing about a turbo car - you can run silly max BHP but it can potter about town all day off boost as if it was normally aspirated.
My car was mapped at a nominal 430bhp but behaves off boost just as it did when standard. The most noticeable thing, as mentioned, is when I replaced the clutch for a ASP unit which has put the pedal effort up. You get used to it but it can become a little tiring.
JohnD
I agree with John on this one. Stay off the loud pedal and below 4k RPM and it will behave like a 1.1 Citroen Saxo!
I agree with John on this one. Stay off the loud pedal and below 4k RPM and it will behave like a 1.1 Citroen Saxo!
A 1.1 Citroen Saxo and similar cars always leave me at lights.
I very rarely get close to 4k rpm.
Originally Posted by BrownPantsRacing
Why do you want a big BHP car for traffic heavy city driving?
I don't commute for work.
This car is essentially my "toy" for fun and track days, that I've wanted since the 90's. Didn't have a car for 4 years until this one came up for sale 100m round the corner from my house. On the odd occasion I did need a car the other halfs company mini was used...the day I purchased the Impreza was the day when I found out that my 100% clean license and over a decade of no claims simply went out the window due to not having my own car for over 2 years. 1st three big named insurers wouldn't touch me! Sorry, side tracking there.
The other half now cycles to work and has no company car so my car is our only car...sometimes I do have to head into Leeds for bits and bobs and wanted to get peoples advice on here as like I said, I don't want to eat the car in front of me.
Rather find out peoples experiences and suggestions 1st instead of getting a massive bhp upgrade and cause a crash in town. 350+bhp is new territory for me.
Safety 1st. Fun 2nd.
Fair enough. If you don't use it in traffic that often then it shouldn't really be a problem. My every day car had a fierce paddle clutch at one point and I loved it. Was sometimes rather hairy in traffic but still possible once you've got used to it.
As said above though the Exedy pink box clutch will give nearly OEM feel and handle more power.
I'm running 350/380 on my standard original 70k mile WRX clutch now and have done so for years without slipping. But I'm just lucky!
you not have a variable accelerator pedal like the rest of us?
No. The previous owner installed an 80's Simon electronic game in place of the accelerator pedal. Changing speed is done by pressing the buttons and replicating the sequence of lights.
Can be a pain in rush hour traffic when it's a 20+ light sequence.
It's all how you use Simon in reality, any high power car won't spool unless you provoke it and as long as you don't get a paddle clutch it will be fine.
I've take my heavily modded classic into central London many times. The map and turbo have little effect in the way it drives. Maybe I'm lucky and the mapper has done a good job?
I'm using a helix clutch which has performed faultlessly both in traffic and track. The excedy pink box clutch used to stink in heavy traffic.
Light weight flywheel is a pain in the ****.
Coil overs make the car horrid On Pot holed city roads.
26 July 2015, 04:00 PM
Comfortable max BHP for city driving?
