I've always wanted to rally a 4 wheel drive car so when a shell came up on ebay with the reg S55 ACC I just had to have it because it had 'got my name on it'!

Now I've got a donor car as well, but I'd like some guidance please.

The donor car is I think a straight forward M reg Turbo, but it seems massively slower, acceleration wise, than my Legacy RS, (mentioned in a previous thread) and yet there are several things that make me think that it might be a WRX, such as the body panels all seem so light, and so on.

But my question is, should a standard turbo be slower than a Legacy RS, and if I want to buy another engine and gearbox for a Group N rally car, where do you think I should start to look? I believe that from about 1996 all WRX, RA and STi's had the same engine and gearbox, but am I right?

 

There are several different Legacy RS models (a Type-RA and a Type-R, although they dont differ as greatly as Impreza models with the same designations), which do you have?

The only body panel that differs on JDM vehicles is the bonnet, which is made of aluminium. Tales of alloy wings, doors and boot lids on JDM models are fanciful. The WRX Type-RA was the cheapest WRX model and it shares the standard engine, but WRX STI and WRX STI Type-RA models have hand built engines assembled to closer tolerances; running different pistons and cylinder head assemblies.


Simon

 

If its an M plate car how has it got the S55 reg???

 

As above

 

To get the most out your engine for rallying depending on gravel or tarmac you will need to do a fair amount to make it reliable and give a good response. In order to run sensible boost levels you will need forged pistons and a set of rods. We run modified cam timimg as well giving better mid range results. You will also need an engine management system that will allow anti lag. You should also get a proper Prodrive spec baffled sump these are not cheap but will help to protect your engine.

 

I suggest you join a motor club if you havnt already and have a good chat with the guys that do it.

 

If you read the post again I actually said, 'now I've got a donor car as well'! The S55 ACC shell is a '99 car.

I've been 'doing it' for about 30 years, just never in a Subaru. That's why I joined Scoobynet!!

 

Thanks for that. All Group N legal?

 

Yes all legal if you need any advice your more than welcome to contact me.