Hi All,

I've just had quite a long debate about the RB320. I've always believed the RB320 engine wise is just basically a 2.5 WRX STi with the PPP taking power up to 320bhp. Other revised things are the suspension set up by Pro-drive, lowered with Bilstein dampers and revised Anti -Roll bar etc...

However this guy reckons that the engine internals are different on an RB320 than those of a standard STI PPP. He reckons the RB320 comes with forged pistons etc and that the RB320 comes out of the factory as is with 320 bhp and does not have the PPP on it.

He also reckons the RB320 is the fastest Subaru to date. I said it is not faster than a Spec C but he reckons it is faster than even a Spec C??? Now I don't believe any of this stuff.

In a straight line I believe there is no difference in performance between an 07 2.5 STI PPP and a RB320 but that the RB320 would perform better in the twisties. And that a Spec C would wipe the floor with an RB320 no problem.

Please can you guys confirm this and put my mind to rest as this debate was going around in circles and basically did my head in as I firmly believe that what I know is correct.

So answers to the following please and any extra info you have:

1) Does an RB320 have different engine internals, i.e forged pistons?
2) Is it engine wise a standard 07 2.5 STI with the PPP?
3) Is it mapped differently to a standard 07 2.5 STI PPP?
4) Is it faster in a straight line than a normal 07 2.5 STI PPP?
5) Is it faster than the Mighty Spec C!!!! ???

I believe the RB320 is a brilliant car but feel this guy was deffo overating it.

Thanks in advance

 

From what I read about it, the pickup is better than STI PPP, so there must be some differences. Don't know what they are though.

 

1) No
2) Yes
3) No
4) Of course
5) Of course

BTW - answer to 4 & 5 are biased 'cos I've got a 320. LOL.

 

 

It wont even touch a spec c performance wise and the internals are standard and not forged.
It basically reminds me of the prodrive classic car, where you got all the extra's out of the book on the car.

Tony

 

Thanks for the replies, any more info guys, as I wanna prove my point BIG TIME to him!!

 

What more do you need to know? Leebo77 was spot on until his answer to question 5 and maybe 4. The RB320 is a nice car but not worth the money imho. You could build the same car for a lot less but buying parts individually.

 

You could say the same about the RB5, its just a grey UK Turbo with a spoiler, fog light covers and some different seats.. But in reality to buy the car because its a special edition..

 

Legends like Richard Burns and Colin McRae deserve a lot better then a tarted up sti imho. I really hope subaru/prodrive go the whole hog this time for Colin McRae and produce a 400bhp sti/spec c something SPECIAL to pay their repspects to a legend.

 

I think they would love to but they have to also apease the one legged lesbians in brussels so cant make something thats too loud or kills baby seals.

 

Agreed!

 

And erm agreed!!

 

Sad world or should I say sad England!

 

Anyway back to point i doubt RB320 will beat Spec C. The JDM cars go so much better...

 

don't flame me if i've got the figures wrong but a spec c is 280bhp? the rb320 is about 320? the gear ratios are the same 1-4 so even being lighter how can the spec c be quicker?

appreciate there's other factors involved but would they really be that far apart up to 100ish? not forgetting the suspension on the rb320 is tailored to uk roads so i would imagine it would be a hell of alot more comfortable getting there aswell

 

Theres more to it than power look at the WRC cars, they are only normally just over 300bhp and full WRC spec Impreza would no doubt wipe the floor with all of the big BHP imprezas on this site.

 

Its quite simple actually, the 276bhp figure quoted is just that, a quoted figure, most are pushing 300-320bhp out of the box on jap fuel, also lighter, shorter 5th and 6th though you wont notice that really up to 100 but you would basically need a 350-360bhp standard sti to keep up with one

Tony

 

fair enough, but until a spec c gets a uk fuel map and geometry to suit crappy uk roads (that's assuming damper/spring rates suit these roads) it surely can't be a much better 'road going out of the box' package?

is it a case of the spec c being a more focused car without the soundproofing etc that makes you think you're going faster whereas in reality you're not? a sort of karting situation, you're doing 40 odd but it feels like warp factor 10

not trying to run down a spec c or any jdm, but i do wonder if matched against a same spec uk car the jdm would actually be much quicker on normal roads.

 

Also the Spec C has a Twin Scroll Turbo and this makes a differrence doesn't it in terms of pulling a lot better from lower revs. So across the rev range the power delivery is better on the Spec C.

 

The RB320 is a great looking car (saw 1st one in the flesh today) with a few wizzy bits taking it to 320hp/bhp. The Spec C is 300 ish as standard & with a quick exhaust change & remap is now 350bhp. Similar to Tonys comment above, a 350bhp Spec C (& most of them will be 350ish) will need a mighty 400ish bhp STi to keep up with it.

I'd note my bias though as a Spec C owner

TX.

 

when the person said it's the fastest impreza did they not consider the type 25?

 

Type 25 was never a factory built car though

 

Nor is the RB320

My JDM twin scroll with no mods just remapped was 329 bhp most spec C's remap to 350-360bhp.

like tony says "Peak" power is not everything the in gear acceleration is in a different league. I have let a few WR1 and RB320 owners drive my Car, 2 were later that week knocking on Mr Litchfields door

Back on Topic the RB320 is IMHO the best UK car produced (sorry P1 owners) I have driven the Prodrives RB320 Test Car around there Track and the handling was very good, a nicely balanced ride without being to firm. Certainly a good compromise between A/B road handling and Circuit

Although the engine was Torquey it didn't ring my Bell,

As said When the "Spec C" in the 2008 Sti comes out they would be better to consider a UK version for CM

IMHO

Tony