ive been reading lots of posts about the differences between wrx's and sti's

one of the things that was mention was a stronger engine, now sorry im new to subarus but i have a late 96 wrx (280hp) and its a red top is this the same as the sti engine ?

also ive heard people mention the "red top" like its something to brag about, what makes it different from a normal engine ?




thanks

 

The STI block is stronger because it normally revs higher, forged internals and all that. can take loads more abuse.

I'm not a big fan of tuning the standard WRX - people say they're strong (and they are up to a point) but i have seen loads of cars with big end bearing failures - newage ones as well.

STI's seem a bit more bulletproof

 

As Cheif said, the STi engines have a lot of parts that are uprated over the 'regular' engines, most STi engines have the 'red top' inlet manifold, but its only paint and easily changed, so having a red manifold is no indication of what engine you have (in fact on a 96 if the paints all good its probably NOT original as its not very long lived!)

Simon

 

Well first understand that the car is an:
Impreza WRX STi
So the STi is a WRX that has higher stock modifications and trimmings.
Anything from ECU, engine internals,exhaust, and tranny.

 

my manifold doesn't have much red paint left on it at all, its mainly on the lower parts where the weather can't get to it.

if it is and original red top would like mean its the stronger engine ?

 

Is every part different on the WRX and STI engines or are some bits similar?