I'm confused !
11 July 2006, 08:22 AM
#1
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I'm confused !
Morning all,
I've always thought since the day of purchase the STI Oval sticker placed just behind my wheels were just an after-thought. Even though the guy told me it was an STI i chose to ignore him and assumed it was just a WRX. Reading other posts on here i have also come to the conclusion it was a WRX.
My model code on the VIN plate reas as follows
GC8B48D
http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/wrx.html
Please look at this (one of the first codes under 09/94), which states...
"First appearance of STi, modified from production WRX" and claims 250ps over the WRX 240.
My car doesn't have a red manifold (although i hear this started in 95)
It doesn't have foglamp covers
It does have foglamps, production switch just behind indicator stalk
Has catherineand ken just got this code wrong ? What exactly differs cosmetically from the WRX to the STI so i can tell once and for all what it is ? V5 says its a GL but i don't expect the DVLA to know for definate its model.
I'll post a pic if need be.....
I've always thought since the day of purchase the STI Oval sticker placed just behind my wheels were just an after-thought. Even though the guy told me it was an STI i chose to ignore him and assumed it was just a WRX. Reading other posts on here i have also come to the conclusion it was a WRX.
My model code on the VIN plate reas as follows
GC8B48D
http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/wrx.html
Please look at this (one of the first codes under 09/94), which states...
"First appearance of STi, modified from production WRX" and claims 250ps over the WRX 240.
My car doesn't have a red manifold (although i hear this started in 95)
It doesn't have foglamp covers
It does have foglamps, production switch just behind indicator stalk
Has catherineand ken just got this code wrong ? What exactly differs cosmetically from the WRX to the STI so i can tell once and for all what it is ? V5 says its a GL but i don't expect the DVLA to know for definate its model.
I'll post a pic if need be.....
11 July 2006, 10:03 AM
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I have just checked our STI version one codes against the web site you put the link to, It appears the difference in the 2 GC8B48D codes is the engine code and transmission code. Ours cleary came out as an STI from checking all three codes. 
11 July 2006, 10:06 AM
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Our STI V1 has 'no23 of 100' plate on the drivers side of the engine bay.
Also you are correct with the early STI did not have the red manifold, ours doesn't.
Also you are correct with the early STI did not have the red manifold, ours doesn't.
11 July 2006, 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by DEC14N
I have just checked our STI version one codes against the web site you put the link to, It appears the difference in the 2 GC8B48D codes is the engine code and transmission code. Ours cleary came out as an STI from checking all three codes.
11 July 2006, 10:27 AM
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Well my transmission code is TY752VB3CA. But then the WRX Sti listed on that site shows that to be an STI ? No "No.** of" plate either 
.
Engine type is EJ20G DW2H, also listed under the STI ? I'm really stumped. Where exactly would the "no.** of **" plate be, is it obvious or hidden ?
.Engine type is EJ20G DW2H, also listed under the STI ? I'm really stumped. Where exactly would the "no.** of **" plate be, is it obvious or hidden ?
Last edited by 94impreza; 11 July 2006 at 10:29 AM.
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11 July 2006, 10:30 AM
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that is the same transmission code as ours This is however getting a little confusing! I will pop out in a minute and take a picture or two of the engine bay for you. It might help!
This is however getting a little confusing! I will pop out in a minute and take a picture or two of the engine bay for you. It might help!
11 July 2006, 10:54 AM
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Is this seriously the difference between the 2 ? Are there any other decal's or clues to the STI origin anywhere else on the car apart from the oval pink behind each wheel ? Mine has a 6 inch WRX decal on the boot, next to the l/h light cluster.
11 July 2006, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by DEC14N
urm has it actually been taken off or has it never been there?? looks to me as if it should be there!
STI is not written anywhere else.
Last edited by 94impreza; 11 July 2006 at 11:01 AM.
11 July 2006, 10:59 AM
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sorry we crossed posts there!
Ours has an STI interior (but you can buy the seats etc to put in any early car). The steering wheel was different although we changed ours to a smaller one so cant remember exactly what it was like, I belive it had STI on it and had red stiching all around. Gear **** has red stiching.
Ours has an STI interior (but you can buy the seats etc to put in any early car). The steering wheel was different although we changed ours to a smaller one so cant remember exactly what it was like, I belive it had STI on it and had red stiching all around. Gear **** has red stiching.
11 July 2006, 11:05 AM
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Its my fault editing lol sorry.
Steering wheel is Nardi Tourini (spelling) Gear "****" is aftermarket, but neither feature red stitching. I don't mean to be rude but the STI plate looks like it would be very easy to copy, there has to be a more obvious difference between the 2.
*edit* whats that red switch at the bottom right between driver and passenger seat ?
Steering wheel is Nardi Tourini (spelling) Gear "****" is aftermarket, but neither feature red stitching. I don't mean to be rude but the STI plate looks like it would be very easy to copy, there has to be a more obvious difference between the 2.
*edit* whats that red switch at the bottom right between driver and passenger seat ?
11 July 2006, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by 94impreza
Its my fault editing lol sorry.
Steering wheel is Nardi Tourini (spelling) Gear "****" is aftermarket, but neither feature red stitching. I don't mean to be rude but the STI plate looks like it would be very easy to copy, there has to be a more obvious difference between the 2.
Steering wheel is Nardi Tourini (spelling) Gear "****" is aftermarket, but neither feature red stitching. I don't mean to be rude but the STI plate looks like it would be very easy to copy, there has to be a more obvious difference between the 2.
More pics i think!
11 July 2006, 11:11 AM
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Unfortunately, theres a lot of bollocks talked about early STIs. 'Redtop'; STI lamps, fog lamps (early cars were fitted with them); production numbers etc. Because these cars were 'altered production' (meaning that they were retro-converted from completed production WRXs) they share the same GC8B48D Applied Model Number as the production WRXs.
One simple way to tell is to look at the ECU in the passenger side footwell. If its a U8, W6, W9, or 2C: sorry, youre driving a WRX. If its an SA (or an SC in an original 'Wagon) then its an STI. This ECU was only used in the 300 limited edition cars. The red line will be higher on an STI too, although clocks are easily changed.
Simon
One simple way to tell is to look at the ECU in the passenger side footwell. If its a U8, W6, W9, or 2C: sorry, youre driving a WRX. If its an SA (or an SC in an original 'Wagon) then its an STI. This ECU was only used in the 300 limited edition cars. The red line will be higher on an STI too, although clocks are easily changed.
Simon
11 July 2006, 11:15 AM
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One further thing; an original STI should have an unusual and unique high level rear spoiler made out of aluminium.
When you realise that that these cars were converted in one batch from prouction WRXs, it follows that all chassis numbers will be similar. You should expect all of the original 100 cars to have consecutive numbers and the later 200 cars to have similar numbers also.
Simon
When you realise that that these cars were converted in one batch from prouction WRXs, it follows that all chassis numbers will be similar. You should expect all of the original 100 cars to have consecutive numbers and the later 200 cars to have similar numbers also.
Simon
11 July 2006, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by 94impreza
Thanks for the help fella's looks like i've got all excited for nothing, but hey it was only an hour lol.
11 July 2006, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by DEC14N
This spoiler is really quite different although the pictures dont show it well.
edited to remove stupid mistake
Last edited by GC8; 11 July 2006 at 11:26 AM.