T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

What a Fabulous day I have just had

sorry it’s very story but it was just Brilliant just want to read about the 2008 Car jump to next post
I was booked into Powerstation to give my Type 20 some TLC a 6 month service

So I popped next door for a chat with Iain Litchfield about some trackday mods and info for my T20 Every time I visit Litchfield Imports I'm like a small kid in a BIG Sweet shop, I always leave my credit card in the Car LOL

Sat down in the showroom with Iain talking, I was casually gazing around the forecourt etc and trying to decide which to buy, if only their Championship winning 600 bhp Spec C race car, a tiny Supercharged R2, Legacy GUT turbo, Forester STi and MY07 Impreza STi A-Line. But my eye caught glimpse 4 little beauties in the corner a MY06 Spec C, a rare MY06 Spec C Type-RA, a ultra rare Type RA-R and a Cosworth Type-25.

At this piont Iain has notice I’d stopped talking to him and started drooling, so handed me a tissue The RA-R is about the only Impreza I had never driven and it did look gorgeous. Iain said he has to move the showroom around a bit to fit in the new Car in when it comes back from MilTek are you interested in the RA-R, is Pope catholic

The car was awaiting the original suspension back on as no give at all, like a go kart but was awesome for a 2.0ltr, no match for the Cossy T25 Spec C though. IMHO I was very tempted to sell the wife's both Kidneys at this stage, I was told it was provisionally sold, would I like one, if he can get another well could it get any better, YES

Just about to go home and along comes their Trailer with the new car A 2008 S-GT (WRX ish) I had a look around it and TBH not al all bad in the Flesh

Iain said he hadn’t driven it yet, so do I fancy going on a Test drive with him, I no said, I'm too busy and have to get home for my Tea, like hell

Tony

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

The 2008 S-GT Test drive

Sat in the car, you are in a lower seating position than my 06 STi, far more head room. Also there is noticeably more leg room for passengers in the back seats. Dash Clocks was nice red Defi style and nice door cards but rest of Dash was a bit plastically.

Engine was sound was about 240 bhp and the only Mod was a 3" Miltek exhaust and was quiet, hardly noticeable inside or out. IIRC didn't enhance performance till it was Re-mapped about 300 bhp then.The car can be programmed with a number of switchable maps, this Car had a white button (ECO) Economy and must have dropped the power to about 130 bhp. fuel saving MAP for cruising

Up the road it was very soft, smooth and lighter feel. Acceleration was not bad, quite linear due to twin scroll turbo, another 50 bhp would be nicer I did wonder if the car would handle due to it's soft nature, very predictable and diff's worked well. TBH it was better than expected but not brilliant. Braking with the 2 pots was good (sorry I thought they were 4 pots).

On the handling front the 205x50x17 Tyres and wheels were a let down We were both agreement some 18" with 225x40x18 would transform the Car. Even better some slightly heavier and lower springs.

I just can't wait till the Sti comes out

Tony

Martin2005

I'm looking forward to seeing the Type-25 version

Nice write up BTW

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Type 25 will be awesome

I just happened to be there so no Camera and my mobile is utter Cr4P. took a few pic's and battery died









OK it was a little drive and not a full test, It hadn't been remapped etc, i have done a very small quick report on it. but it certainly has Potential

Even in WRX form better in the flesh, more cabin space than my MY06 sti, can't wait to see the STi IMHO

Tony

STI7PPP

Tony you ****** lucky git gosh when i go for a service, I just get bad news

R

GazTheHat

That place is dangerous!

I'd love the 06 Spec C RA.

Ray_li

is the Economy button a standard thing or a mod?

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

.

So would I my eyes glazed over like Toad of Toad Hall, I've probably signed up to by everything in the show room LOL

but sadly going to another customer but if a blue one came along

Standard it was a little button by handbrake. it either had ICOM or ECOM on it

Not sure of Techy stuff as brain was in "Toad" play mode I believe i'ts possible to hold a number of variable Maps within ECU !!! or something like that

Tony

LitchfieldImports

Glad you liked it Tony and it looks great on the STI 18" wheels

Everyones been pleasantly surprised by it both in the way if looks and drives. The potential is massive

Iain

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Not sure you'd agree, as I only drove it for a short ride and you've obviously driven farther now

but as I saw it, as very comfortable roomy car, (far more room in the back seats than a newage.) Even though quite a soft ride it handled not to bad considering. I reckon 60% Wheels 25% Spring rate/hieght and 15% Rear antiroll bar

The downsides are in standard WRX form it could be any very nippy family Hatchback certainly not an impression of rally breed slag.The Twin scroll turbo is progressive which doesn't give a smack in the back like a STD UK car, and give the impression of being very tame.
(UK guys ought to try out a JDM with a Twin Scroll Turbo no kick but pulls from 2 Krpm)

Pushing the car a little bit( still running in) round some twisties I felt the S-GT has so much potential and more tweakable, put PPP, PHP and PFF-7's and would eat a simular MY07 Car, IMHO

I would have loved another 70 miles or so in the S-GT (WRX) But do admit another 50bhp is the order of the day.with a little more grunt and a set of 18"'s an YEEEE HAAAA when you lot get around to try one you will see what I mean.

On the wish list would be sightly lower and a little firmer springs and again only a slightly firmer ADj rear anti roll bar and the car would not be a million miles away.

Tony

Markus

You mentioned 4-pots, were these standard or a modifcation as I thought they were using 2-pots on the 2008 cars, perhaps that's only North America?

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Sure thery were four pots on the S-GT (WRX) perhaps the N/A version had 2 pots !!

IIRC the STi will have Brembo's again

Tony

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

Every pic i have seen of the WRX has had 2 pots, inc the one tested in EVO mag.

Tony.

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

SORRY Guys you are both right and I was wrong, again I thought they looked like Classic 4 pots but Rang Iain today and he comfirmed they are 2 pots .

I Wouldn't make a very good spy

To be fair, I was just on my way home and it did just turn up, they got it off the trailer, scrapped a load import paperwork of the screens, trade plates on and we were off out in it

Also another inacccuracy the button is called ECO and it is a seperate Map which could be, eg, 400bhp instead of a fuel economy MAP

Tony

STI7PPP

Thanks for inviting me make sure you take me next time, git LOL

R

Ps thanks for info on JDM dash change on my UK