Hey just got a hold of a cheap Impreza Sport - Manual - 2.2L. No hopes or dreams for speed in this thing, only good MPG, and hopin there's an economical way to make this thing handle like an AutoX champ. I've got speed already with my bike and the built caprice, i'm really itching to have something that actually handles. I've been outta the Subie scene for quite some time now, just lookin to re-aquaint myself. Is there any affordable suspension possibilties for this. Any larger sway bars and that be swapped from another car? Or any suggestions on some stiffer struts/springs? I don't at all mind frankenstein-ing this, a part from this - a bolt from that, just looking to save some money. Thanks in advanced for your time.
I would say yes you can make this car handle very well. I also think that the more $ you put into it the better it will handle. There is only so much you can do without dropping alot of money. For starters, getting a larger rear sway bar (RSB) with help promote oversteer. You can get a 20mm RSB from an 02 WRX sedan. Otherwise there are an ample amount of 17mm RSBs from 02+ WRX wagons, and 03+ sedans. There are also numerous aftermarket options like Whiteline, but oem will be cheaper. for struts and springs it comes down to what you want to spend. You can score some sweet RCE coilovers for $1k, or some BC Racing coilovers for alittle less, or you can stick to struts and springs. In which case the KYB AGX adjustable struts can be had for around $100/corner. for springs there are several options most of which are listed on this chart: http://www.northursalia.com/techdocs/spring/spring.html I am running V5 STi Pink springs on my 95 Impreza and I love them although they are noticeably stiffer than the Eibachs. Supposedly fender braces help a considerable amount on the GC chassis cars. I have not yet done this so I cannot elaborate but it sounds promising. Tires very well could be most important improvement for Auto-x. I would skip over strut braces until the last thing, they seem to add very little. you might try searching in this forum: http://www.rs25.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9 There is a huge amount of information about suspension stuff for the GC era cars there. Hope this helps. I am running KYB AGXs with Pinks springs, the 20mm RSB, front and rear strut bars, and 225/45/17 Falken Azenis RT-615s on a 95 Impreza and I think it is a blast to drive, although I have never Auto-Xed it.
STIs are Imprezas, so the only difference between your car and an STI is the parts used. Bump suspension and tires up to STI level, and it will handle like an STI. Look into STI take-offs as well. It's a cheap route to get to STI levels. However, you're stuck with only the 100x5 bolt pattern version, i.e. 2004 STIs I think. Someone else can clarify which year(s) the STI had the 100x5 bolt pattern. Most have the larger 114x5 bolt pattern and hub, and the mounting points for the struts are different on those. The bolt holes are spaced farther away from each other. However, the 100x5 bolt STIs had the same mounting setup as all the other Imprezas, so they bolt right up. Up spring rates, damper rates, swaybar rates, toss on some sticky tires, and get a good alignment and you will have a very corner happy car. I will also suggest you look at upgrading some suspension bushings too. They help a ton in getting rid of handling slop, delay, isolation, etc. Steering rack bushings, ALK, and rear lateral links are good starts (~$500) for turning your car from a sloppy mess into a precision tool.
STis (at least the ones here) are the newer chassis style and as such are slightly different. The newer chassis is considerably stiffer, which affects handling (good or bad is up to you). The point is that is will be difficult to reach the same level of chassis rigidity in a GC. But you can steal some parts off of the newer cars. The 2004 STi used the 5x100 wheel pattern, and all STis 05+ use 5x114.5. Very true! I have very little experience with FSBs and did not comment on them for that reason.
