serpico

As above really. This is not to start a slanging match as I know the widetrack is the one to have & it commands a premium. I'm just genuinely interested what the real world difference is between the two? How do the two compare in terms of everyday driving, spirited drives & track days?
Has anyone had both? If so was the difference vast?
Cheers & Happy New Year!!

thenewgalaxy

The MY05 model has a longer wheelbase as well as the wider track. In the UK it also meant an adjustable DCCD but some imports will not have this option.

For daily driving the wide track model is largely the same as its forerunner but has a slightly better ride. Pushing the car towards its limits reveals better stability, better damping and more grip, though this does depend on tyre choice as the 05 models came with better tyres as standard. If driven hard on a really twisty B road or track I think an early Blobeye would struggle to keep up with a widetrack model.

A reasonably skilled driver can really change the character of the car in some circumstances by adjusting the DCCD, it is possible to go like an M3 into a corner and GTi out lol. However in auto mode my personal feel is that the wide track model would flatter a more inexperienced driver to a greater extent than the earlier cars.

I think the DCCD models command more of a premium because they are newer but also perceived to be all round better and similar in spec to the JDM models.

I absolutely loved my Blobeye PPP car and actually much preferred it to the Hawkeye that I ran before because it just felt so... chuckable.

serpico

Cheers for the synopsis mate, quite interesting really. It seems the widetrack would be superior in the twisties. Tho can't see me messing about with the dccd too much in everyday scenarios.
Can a 04 blob sti be changed into widetrack without breaking the bank (I'm not too bothered about the dccd especially as it probably won't be cheap to convert - tho it would be fun to mess about with the dccd every now & again!) or should I sell up & buy a widetrack??

Trippie

iTrader: (1)

full list of differences (options) between the both,
allot more than you think.....

Engine/Suspension/Drivetrain

larger wheel hubs and bearings
larger wheel bolt circle diameter (from 5x100 in 2004 to 5x114.3 in 2005)
17x8 wheels (17x7.5 in 2004)
1 inch wider rear track
revised power steering rack
power steering fluid cooler
stiffer steering rack mounts
3-point rear suspension crossmember
aluminum rear suspension lateral links
helical limited-slip front differential (Suretrac LSD in 2004)
revised DCCD system
new Yaw sensor for DCCD (part of the lateral G sensor)
revised ABS controller
optional short shift kit

Exterior

aerodynamic underbody panels
rear wheel arch flares
redesigned rear bumper
revised exterior badging (black instead of chrome STi badges)
smoked headlight lenses
new paint color - Crystal Grey Metallic

Interior

smaller diameter steering wheel with black center area
redesigned center console
2 cupholder indentations in center console (no more dashboard pop-out)
redesigned center stack with aluminum-look trim
automatic climate control with automatic vent selection feature
80-watt, 6-speaker AM/FM stereo with integral 6-CD changer standard
revised seat cushions with new side bolster material
revised interior door trim
side mirror controls moved to driver's door (from center console)
DCCD controls relocated on center console
upgraded sunvisor material
redesigned anti-glare finish on windshield behind mirror (no more center visor)
Immobilizer key
redesigned keyless remote keyfob
cruise control standard
air filtration system standard
rear passenger cupholders standard
optional auto-dimming mirror with Homelink

thenewgalaxy

I imagine it's possible but I wouldn't have thought it was worth it.

I guess there's two choices really - take a DCCD model out and see if you think it's any better or get yourself a set of suspension, brace and bushes for your current car. You would be able to create a better car than a stock MY05 quite easily - it's amazing what a bit of stiffening can do and remember the MY04 STi is already a very grippy and capable car.

Herbie.

I never used DCCD on my Haweye, left in auto all the time as I dont drive like a loon on the road.
I have a nice 2005 Blob STI (non-widetrack) and I dont miss DCCD at all.
IMO not worth paying the extra premium for.

serpico

This is my dilemma as I was thinking of either selling up for the widetrack or just spend about 1400 for the scoobyworld handling package, which includes bc coilovers, anti lift kit, front & rear strut brace & geo set up. Do you think with these mods it will vastly improve the handling or make it at least on par with the widetrack?
If I did opt to sell up or px for the newer version I may struggle to find a mint example like mine & with such little mileage (mines only on 28k).

Cheers

serpico

Interesting mate. Did you find much difference between the two on the twisties? I probably wouldn't ever track mine but may give it a spirited drive every now & again on the B roads ;-)
Cheers

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

This is the us spec above, uk cars dont have cruise control,dimming mirror and a few other bits

Herbie.

No difference at mate, but my Blob feels much better since I replaced the rear struts and fitted lowered springs.

But if you aint tracking the car maybe no need for DCCD?

But I know where your coming from, the widetrack model will be more desirable and easier to sell on.

serpico

Cheers mate, I think I'm swaying with keeping mine & spending a bit on the handling in that case.

sivo

iTrader: (30)

Roll bars, anti lift kit, coilovers and a good geometry set up will completely transform your car
I will eat my hat if you fit all that and don't think "my god"
Night and day mate and you won't be worrying about dccd settings when your full chat round an island with complete control
Happy new year

serpico

Cheers mate. I think I will probably go for it I was a bit dubious at first whether all these products would be better than the oe set up as some aftermarket products are crap at best. Tho from what I've read BC coilovers are very good & used on many uprated scoobys. I've also heard good things about the whiteline products. It's gotta be worth a punt!

sivo

iTrader: (30)

Go for it you won't be disappointed
I have the bc coilovers on my 03 sti and seem a good quality product
I had the white line bars and anti lift kit on my previous blob and they did the job well although I would advise having the bars powder coated before you fit them as the finish goes off pretty quickly

richie001

iTrader: (3)

I have all of that plus DCCD . To be honest I mostly drive with the dccd in auto anyway.

Trippie

iTrader: (1)

just trying to help the guy out with a few of the differences,

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

I know but telling him wrong info wont help

Trippie

iTrader: (1)

The title reads
full list of differences (options) between the both
I didn't say US,Euro, JDM,or uk, just a general discription.
but just for you and because you think people are stupid
eough to look for tinted headlights ect ect ect.
the aboved list is for US cars people its just a guide,

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Basically alot of the features of the Spec C made its way across onto the MY05 model, thicker roll bars, different geometry (slightly longer) etc, so they are improved over the older models.

Tony

Jay Cartay

iTrader: (3)

That's not to say the non widetrack car wouldn't be fun to drive, I'm sure?

I was wondering while reading this actually, would running staggered alloys not even up the balance between the widetrack and non widetrack?

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

No, not really, the improvements outweigh anything else, most of it is mechanical, its not just the wider track but the longer wheel base (10-20mm?) that improves the car and the uprated electronics (A-DCCD with uprated G sensor for better response) and those thicker bars taken from the Spec C (most of the developement from the Spec C ended up in the MY05 cars).

Tony

rickya

iTrader: (18)

DCCD A (auto) reduces under steer dramatically as compared to non auto dccd, - non wide track. This is especially noticeable on track. These yaw sensors that are similar to later evos make a big difference Imo.

serpico

I think I'm gonna have to try a widetrack out & see what the difference feels like to a non widetrack. I just don't know if it's worth spending say £1500 sheets on uprated handling mods or just putting a couple grand on top of my 54 plate STI & buying the widetrack dccd??

ade_sti

iTrader: (2)

I am in same situation. I bought an 03 sti with 38K, PPP and Prodrive Speedline 18's. Do I sell and get a wide track or get BC's on it and whiteline bars?

I did drive a wide track before I bought it and on the road did not feel much different, but did only drive it for 20 mins. I only bought the 03 as it has been dry stored since 2008 and was a fair price - however am not sure about keeping it and spending loads on it, to the sell up for a wide track soon??????

gurdas

iTrader: (7)

I've owned 2 widetracks now and i've never driven a non-widetrack to compare, but I do like having the option of putting the diff into lock mode as you do get much more grip in the wet.