steve0

What is the difference between the Newage JDM Sti 8/9 and the Spec C?? I mean it terms of power/performance/handling/looks/cost/insurance.

Cheers

GazTheHat

better in every department except lOOks. It lOOks pretty much the same, 'part from a roof vent i guess.

Think raw & lightweight.
Litchfield Imports

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Performance is pretty much the same, biggest differences are the rollerbearing turbo on the spec c so quicker spool up, engine and transmission oil coolers, smaller 50ltr tank in the spec c, 12 ltr water tank in the boot, misses some of the goodies, has a different subframe to make it lighter, no sound proofing, lighter glass, different suspension setup, slightly harder than the normal sti, lowered by 10mm over the normal sti.

Tony

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

I should add that its no where near as comfortable as the standard JDM sti, dont buy one because they are "fast", if you do you may as well wave some cash goodbye as you will probably end up selling sooner rather than later

Tony

steve0

Right, cool. On top of that; how tuneable is the STi compared to the Spec C? Ie, the Spec C may be slightly quicker in stock form; but can be tuned to similar levels??

scoobytyson

My Spec C is in at the min having a bigger turbo (single scroll) and FMIC, hoping to get around 450bhp on stock internals so im hoping there strong

salsa-king

this is a good thread.


so what is the better car?

Spec C is faster
JDM is as fast but more driveable?

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Both have similar engines, same pistons etc, so can be tuned to about the same bhp.
A 400+ package is available from powerstation for the JDM twin scroll cars, you dont lose any drivability, ie normally with a single scroll turbo you get the power coming in higher up the range, common on most other 400+bhp impreza's (power comes in at 4k for instance) still have the power coming in at 1500 rpm on the twin scroll cars

Tony

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Depends on what you want, as a daily driver your better off with the standard STi as the spec c can be a little tiring due to noise intrusion etc, for a weekend toy then its the spec c though some people do use them on a daily basis, though not a good idea if you have had a long day as they take a bit more concetration to drive sometimes

Tony

gar

Having owned a euro 2.5l STI and now a spec C, I have to say that these are two very different cars in many respects. I have not driven a JDM STI and assume it would be somewhere in the middle.

STI is a very nice and relatively comfortable daily drive. It has an ok sound proofing, goes very smooth and, to me, it is a little bit soft.

Spec C is, well, a Spec C. All you heard about it is true. To me, the biggest difference between the two is Spec C loves the abuse, it was built to be raced and it gets disgusted if driven with the flow; STI is a very nice and strong car, but it was meant to be driven on public roads, with comfort.
Regarding the power, I can't speak for 2.0l JDM, however regarding 2.5, I think the power delivery and how you take it depends largely on your driving style. If you are a polite person on the road, 2.5 will be a faster car for you. To go fast in spec C you have to spin it in every gear until passed the 7k rpm mark and then a quick shift and another spin and again, some clutch work, spin, shift .... you get the point.

STI is a softer car. That doesn't necessarily mean it corners worse, on the contrary, on bumpy roads it will probably even be a little faster for most drivers, since you wouldn't get a feeling that it's about to take off.

The roof vent on Spec C is a small detail with a huge effect. Don't be fooled by the size of it, at 70 M/H It converts from a little hole on the roof into the baddest aircon you have ever experienced.

Another small detail is all the passenger gadgets are not there (at least in my version, maybe in Ltd? ). My Mrs. Was surprised to find out that ALL models that year came without a passenger sun visor in favor of the sun roof.

I love my Spec C, but I knew exactly what I wanted. IMHO if you don't already know that you want a Spec C there is a high chance you'll be better off with a standard car. It will not make you go faster almost anywhere apart from track, but you will feel what most people refer to as discomfort.
However, a discomfort to STIer is a race joy to specCer

gussy

iTrader: (2)

Well said gar

salsa-king

so is this the best £14k you could spend then?
SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX STi TYPE RA SPEC C - Auto Trader UK

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

More or less identical then

TX.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Why single scroll fella

TX.

gar

This is a very good deal!

Andy S.

My 04 JDM Sti only has a 50litre tank!!!

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

^^ What happened to other 10l's

TX.

scoobytyson

I thought the twin scroll turbo was a little out of breath from 6.5k to the redline and there is not a twin scroll out there that goes much over 400bhp,

Martin2005

The 2lt twin scrolls rev all the way to the limiter (just ask any Spec c owner).

The 2.5lt (twin scroll) is a different matter, runs out of puff by 6k rpm, by then though most things have vanished to small dots in the rear view mirror.

Given a choice I think I preffer the low down power and torque of the 2.5lt (I would though wouldn't I)

Andy S.

maybe someones poured 10 litres of lead in the bottom!!!

jimser

iTrader: (1)

Zen Performance - Turbochargers

vt272-64,3 versions for up to 480 bhp

jim

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

^^ Martin.

My car has peak bhp at 6800rpm so I always change up then at latest. Shift light is set for this too. There's no point in me hitting the 8000(ish) rpm limiter is there?

TX.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Only if its a spec c the standard JDM STI has a 60ltr tank

Tony

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

I'll quote this again
I take it you didnt have a panel filter?
My original thoughts with my car was that it was a little lacking above 6.5k, felt very restricted, changed the filter to an STI one (accessory) and it pulled all the way to 8k then

Tony

T123VOR

iTrader: (2)

I drove both the Spec C and the JDM STI and chose the JDM STI because I don't get to 'drive' the car enough to warrant a Spec C. So went for the more daily drivable JDM STI- suspension, soundproofing, stereo. If it was my weekend car and i lived a bit nearer some driver's roads it would have been the Spec C for sure

bluenosewrx

iTrader: (2)

There is already a thread on this car, apparantly very rough and the Motorsport version, also the No plates have the "dreaded"Kieley Trade centre on them, so not a good deal!!!!

Mac

T123VOR

iTrader: (2)

No the best under £14k would be my JDM STI

Cheeky...

Andy S.

Some one must have changed it as I cant fit more than 50 litres in it even when I ran out of Petrol LOL

Hol

iTrader: (1)

Personally, I think there is waaaay too much hype over the spec c.

Its a better start for building a rally/race car. Which IS what it is designed for.

Don't get me wrong, its not bad in any way, but the JDM STI 'GL' model has all the best bits, and none of the drawbacks.

If I could change anything over (as a specification item), it would be the front wishbones, but to be honest I dont think I would really notice the difference (really I don't).

The rear water spray tank means you don't have to fill it so aoften, but when you do it simply takes longer and weighs more.
The turbo spins up quicker, but not so you would really notice.

Both have a quick rack, same transmission etc.

Cyberevo

iTrader: (1)

Isn't the Spec C lighter, if so then reducing the weight had a lot of advantage, not only does it make the car quicker but also turn of direction etc is much improved.