GB270Gaz

Hi Guys,

I had to post as i am still buzzing my nut off!

I picked up my GB270 Wagon earlier today and the drive home had me smiling all the way home, the power is like a drug I WANT MORE!

I did have a Subaru classic turbo years ago and had a Nissan 350Z last year, but the new Scooby feels a lot quicker.

And i know it has 266BHP but 270 sounds better

Also nice to be a member of a great forum, i have already had some great advice from other members.

Cheers

Gaz

B4D HK

iTrader: (15)

get some pics up mate, stunning wagons

wrx fifer

iTrader: (34)

as above it's a great model and think you should go for 350 out of it should'int cost you too much!! lol

Pink_Floyd

Pics mate !

GB270Gaz

I'll give it a wash to clear the bugs off! and get some pics up ASAP.

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

Hi Gaz,

How did you get on with brakes in the end? Great fun cars with reasonable praticality - 3 months before you start modding - six at the outside!

most importantly - Enjoy the car!

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Good choice. Certainly one of the best looking Imprezas. Nice and subtle, easily modded. Post some pics and Welcome !

salsa-king

PIX PIX PIX... or we get you banned!!

GB270Gaz

Hi Henry,

As you know i did not pick the car up when arranged due to a seized piston on one of the front calipers, but when i picked the car up they did not replace the whole caliper (which initially they said they were doing) but must of serviced the original caliper instead and they changed the disks and pads too, which they did not tell me about and i found out when i got the car home and had a good look at it.

So this gives me a chance to save some money towards the 335mm Godspeed disks as i was going to purchase the standard grooved disks and pads from Ian.

The first upgrade is a K&N panel air filter next week.

What upgrades would you like to do to your GB wagon?

Gaz

GB270Gaz

Oops, i have took the pics of my car just need you kind lot to explain how i can upload them to this post.

Spent 2hrs cleaning the car this morning took the pictures for you all as promised and thought "let's go for a little drive" got home 1hr later and i think i hit every bug in Shropshire, i have to clean it again now

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

Hi Gaz,

Glad you got the car OK and hope you continue to enjoy it - regarding the brakes at least it gives you a chance to try it on the standard Brake setup to see what you think of them. You could also look for second hand brake upgrades - Alcon/Prodrive kits for the front come up quite regularly, AP kits and so on.

If you think about any engine/power upgrades then make sure you check all the relevant posts on here regarding the problems associated with upping the power and speak to some respected tuners - again search on here for the right people to talk to. Also gearbox/drivetrain problems with too much power/torque.

it's easy to catch the modding bug and keep wanting more.

Mods all done on mine now - for the time being anyway.

Quick search on here should show you how to upload photos - never done it myself

GB270Gaz

Hi Henry,

I doubt very much that i will get into modding as the car is quick enough for normal road use and i do not want to loose functionality and reliability.

I do think a good brake upgrade is a worthy investment and something i will do as soon as funds allow, the panel air filter i think is a nice cheap upgrade for increased air flow and a few extra ponies and that will probably be it engine wise.

What mods have you done on yours as i am curious.

ATB

Gaz

GB270Gaz

Pics as promised







Gaz

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Nice

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

Looks good Gaz,

You'll be filling up every couple of days for the first few weeks

Couple of points from my wagon - the paint on the side skirts and especially on the splash guards directly behind the front wheels is particularly soft - have had both the splash guards re-sprayed under warranty. Be careful if you jet wash it as you can blow the paint off these if really aggressive with the jet washer.

Running the car on Tesco 99 or Shell V Power?

Also from your photo's your car looks lower than the standard GB270? I looked on the original press brochure's to check?

Brakes and stereo are a must (in my opinion that is). Mods are 'Each to their own' and I think the GB270 wagon is a great road car as is - so much better than my previous standard wagons. I always knew I would want to mod mine though, before petrol and insurance prices prohibited, but had to have a wagon (2 large-ish dogs at the time).

And before people start criticising any modifications (keep it friendly please if you do):-

Caveat:- I am not recommending, condoning, or suggesting these mods for other people and specialist advice from respected tuners/engine builders, garages should be sought before proceeding with any modifications. Others products are avaialable!

Mods (in order done) on mine are:-

RAC Trackstar and subscription (I could not insure new without it)

Godspeed 335 Big brake kit and DS2500 pads
Godspeed grooved rear 290mm discs and DS2500 pads
Braided hoses (these really improved pedal feel for me)
dot 5.1 fluid

Powerstation T25 handling kit:-
AST coilovers
Whiteline 22mm adjustable ARB's front and rear
Whiteline ALK
Alloy drop links front and rear
fast road 4 wheel Geometry (yearly)

Stereo and speakers

STI TMIC, diffuser and bellows
K&N panel filter
full Milltek 3inch stainless exhaust with sports cat
Scoobyclinic SC42 billet turbo
Ecutek remap to 363BHP/351lbft torque
Prosport gauges oil temp, oil pressure and boost

Any further mods will require engine rebuild with stronger internals and uprated/stronger gearbox/drivetrain so mods "might" stop here

Long post - I'm sorry!

GB270Gaz

Hi Henry,

That sounds some well thought out modding and the power figures are very nice, i had to check to see that you still have your GB270 wagon and this is what you have modded.

About my car looking lower than a standard GB, i have no idea if it has been modded in any way by either of it's 2 previous owners, is there anyway i can tell if it has been lowered by looking at the suspension? Oh and do you have a link to that brochure you are referring too.

I agree the stereo SUCKS! what head unit do you have now? what sort of cost did the stereo and speakers set you back? and did you do it yourself?

I have not been in a standard unmodded GB270 and assumed mine was just that, as i have nothing to compare mine against and i have no idea if the car has had any mods done on it, luckily there is no loud dump valve (fine if your young and want to be noticed by everyone, each to there own) from inside the car i can hear the turbo spooling up (different whistling pitch, not loud though) and when i accelerate through the gears there is a slight pause from the turbo on each gear change before it goes, does that sound normal?

Finally is it a good idea to have the geometry checked now and again? it is just like having your tracking checked on a normal car isn't it?

Gaz

matth76

It looks as though the previous owner has removed the "silver metal-like mesh grill" (or painted it - cant make out from your pics) on the front, as I thought all GB270's had that, unless it is only the saloon? http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc...u_impreza.html Pic 6 shows the silver grill.

Either way your's looks better as I wasn't a fan of the silver grill. But I would question as to whether they have modified it cosmetically or more. The black wheels aren't standard either so look as though they've been painted, although the alloy itself behind the paint looks correct. Your car does look very nice though so whatever has been done it looks subtle and very well done (only issue is your insurance may need to know of the changes if any have been done).

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

Gaz,

Externally your car is correct. Mesh grille on the front of the wagons was always black - saloon was silver. Wheels on the wagons were always black as well and again saloon were silver.

Yes it's my GB270 wagon that I modded - it's a GB370 now.

Standard shocks are black and prodrive springs are blue. Your car looks as low as mine is now with the coilovers on it - 25mm or so lower than a standard GB270 all round (slightly more at the rear on mine). You could measure from centre of hub to underside of wheel arch on both front and back and I'll check against mine - should be close enough to tell.

You should be able to hear the turbo whistle in the car but quite quiet - same with the dump valve just hearing it (standard is a re-circ type).
I assume you warm the car up sensibly (10mins/10miles of driving - not sitting in traffic) and cool down as well? Can not believe how many people do not do this in similar/turbo cars!

Turbo lag is the hesitation in gears before it gets going - all perfectly normal -generally the bigger the turbo the bigger the lag - the TD04L is the standard WRX turbo and is quick to spool being so small. Engine bay should look standard as well apart from a blue prodrive intercooler hose.

A good geo setup will make a real difference to the feel of the car - search on here or ask the question of where to go - your local tyre place is not the place to go as they will just use standard settings. You want a decent geo from a subaru specialist - I use Powerstation but it's each to their own again. uprated ARB's and an ALK will also make a huge difference - ARB's most of all.

I went for a pioneer AVH3200 and focal speakers - 6.5 inch fronts 5 inch rear - though this requires some minor mods and speaker brackets. Again search on here before buying to make sure the speakers will fit.

If the car has been modified in any way you MUST tell the insurance so have a good check over.

http://www.filesonic.com/file/878684074/GB270.zip

link for GB270 brochure and Press photo's.

hope this helps/any questions just ask.

Sorry another long post!

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

Nice car, I like the GB270's .

I have heard (read on here somewhere) that the standard WRX filter works better than k&n filter.

If you watch an old wheeler dealer episode with the bugeye WRX this seems to be backed up when they rolling road the car, power drops with the filter but makes power gain once it is remapped.

It was also confirmed to me by the mechanic that looks after my car (ex Subaru mechanic) that it is best to leave standard WRX filter instead of changing it for k&n panel filter as it would make it run worse.

All depends if your getting the car remapped I suppose but thought I would share the info.

Enjoy the car

GB270Gaz

matth76 - As Henry said the GB270 Wagon has a black grille as standard, black Prodrive 18" GT1 alloys and also a PPP, tinted glass and a few other bits, but what you see on my car is standard as far as looks go.

Henry - I do not take the car over 3500rpm until it warmed up sufficiently and when i am heading home and have 5 or so miles to go, i again do not take it over 3500rpm and let it tick over for 60 seconds before turning it off.

Having looked in the engine bay, the engine has no parts that stand out to suggest it has been upgraded apart from a blue prodrive hose to the turbo, even the air filter is standard, the turbo and cover look old original parts due to oxidation etc.

I have also looked at the suspension and the shocks are all black and the springs are all blue, i also measured from the centre of the wheel cap to the underside of the wheel arch and the measurements were 365mm approx on all 4 corners.

And do not apologise about the long post as i appreciate you taking the time to explain things to me however long the post is thanks mate.

Gaz

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

Gaz,

Just measured the ride height on mine and it's 355 front and 350 rear with the coilover's - I just thought your's looked lower than the press photo's but this could just be a brand new press car against a 3 to 4 year old road car - I assume the springs can settle a little so no worries.

I wasn't being funny with warming up/cooling down. I actually had a mechanic a few weeks ago (non subaru or specialist) insisting that cars no longer need warming up with modern engines and fully synthetic oil. He insists that even on heavily modded cars it's fine to give it everything from cold!

I agree with above post - I wouldn't bother changing the air filter unless you are going to remap - again you could ask/talk to a respected tuner and get their opinion.

Changing the head unit is quite easy if you get another double din unit, just buy the Autoleads connector block for the car. Only thing with this is there is a powered aerial booster in the boot and the autoleads connector block does not power this so the radio reception is poor without - It's the white wire on the subaru loom (no. 14) -this can be powered from one of the spare power leads on the autoleads block - if someone else installs then they need to do this/know about this before hand.

chopperman

Not a fan of wagons but that looks very nice
Didn't GB270 have a front splitter ?

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

The Hawkeye wagon works well for looks, the lowering gives it real sense of purpose

GB270Gaz

WRXrowdy - Thanks for the info and as i am not planning on upgrading any of the engine i will stick with the standard Subaru air filter (especially as you have it on good authority) cheers.

Henry - I know you was not being funny mate and from what i have always understood about turbo charged cars is that they need to warm up and cool down correctly, especially if you are going to thrash it.

I took a look at the air filter and it has a black oily sticky stuff (technical term) on part of it so needs replacing ASAP, i will pop to Subaru in the week and get one, i thought it might have been changed as it was serviced less than 2000 miles ago and i know they inspect the air filter on any service and would change it if they had half a chance, but the service was carried out at a citroen specialist's for some unknown reason and all i have is a stamp in my book and no paperwork to support it, so they will be getting a call first thing next week as i want to know what was done on it's service, all the other stamps in the book are from Subaru.

Gaz

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

No problem, air filter meant to be checked every service interval and replaced every 30k. If yours was in that state it should have been done. My car is in for the full shizzle a week on monday and the subaru guy quoted £5.50 for the filter so its strange that they have scrimped on this.
(I don't know where the air filter is coming from but have been assured that all parts used on the service are of a quality that meet Subaru standards and he could do it cheaper if I wanted inferior parts used)

GB270Gaz

I have just bought an OEM replacement from Ebay for £6.50 delivered so i will change this myself, as i have no paperwork to support the service stamps this always causes me to question what work was done, so i plan on ringing everyone in the service book and asking for a duplicate of the work sheet for my records. The car is at 84K but has been serviced at Subaru at 1,178m, 10,422m, 20,289m, 29,491m, 39,528m, 48,829m, 59,963m, 73,350m and finally the last one was done at 83,204m but at a Chevron Citroen specialist and i picked the car up with 84,840m so it was only supposedly serviced 1,600m ago, i will do some detective work next week.