morpheus1870

Ok people comparison between the two cars in relation to reliability when running 340-350 bhp and 370 lbft respectively

gear box and clutch
pistons and head gasket
Engine in general

Cheers

matth76

Hi.. I'm pretty sure there was a thread very similar to this not too long ago. Both are extremely good cars but also very different. Bang for bucks you can't go wrong with a WRX.. very good value for money. Re. comparison: STI gear box is much more solid. When I test drove a WRX the gearbox was not as precise and a lot of give and movement in the gear stick and I didn't like the leather top, plus it only has 5 gears which is a bit strange in this day and age imo. The turbo is much beefier in the STI and has bigger injectors, bigger TMIC and other changes. And (if it is the same as the earlier models) the engine internals are uprated too, to handle bigger power, but only a specialist like a mapper or engine rebuilder will know for sure and be able to answer that, as many people will say different things. I'm running 356bhp and 375 lbs.ft on my STI and it is very solid but you certainly need the sixth gear. Even in 6th gear at 70mph it will haul you into license losing territory very quickly. To "turn" a WRX into an STI powerwise you may as well have spent the money and buy an STI in the beginning as it will be cheaper. The WRX is a very good car and the turbo spools up very quickly, which I really liked when I test drove it. The STI turbo spools up a lot later as it is bigger. Depends what you are after really. If it's amazing value for money and great looks and drivability go for the WRX. If it's outright power go for the STI. External looks are pretty much the same (you will get a lot of attention) apart from smaller silver wheels on the WRX, and the interior trim is better quality in the STI. Are you looking to buy one of them?

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

Both have their merits I went from wrx to jdm sti and the sti is better for me but must add my wrx was a great car, if you want a comfy quick daily driver the wrx will be good. But the sti has much stronger gearbox and a larger clutch so will handle the power better. Also has better brakes and handling but is a much firmer ride. At the end of the day both are capable cars. The sti will get to your target with an exhaust and remap the wrx will need a turbo change as well. Also wrx will need handling and braking mods to make the most of the increase, but I must say my wrx with ppp and sti brakes and whiteline rollbar was a good package. But I still wanted an sti so really money spent on my wrx would have been better spent to get an sti in the first place.
Don't think the engine would be any different reliability wise between the two the 2.5 wrx already has 550cc injectors so no change needed there.