Looking into an Impreza soon...hopefully! I have questions!

[Chil3]

I started an account here to get some info/input on getting a Subaru. I am fairly sure that I will be getting a new job where I can potentially make $1300 a week. The factory is called NISCO and they make weatherstripping for cars, Subaru included. The hours are crazy...so people come and go a lot. I have always wanted an STI. Preferably of the 2000-2004 body style, but I would take 2000-2007.

To the questions...
Should I buy an STI or drop an STI motor into a slower Impreza? I plan on upgrading the car a lot in the long run anyways...

How much should I plan on spending?

What upgrades and brands should I look into to get 400-500hp outta an Impreza? Turbo, etc... (I want to be able to smoke a friends 06 GTO)

PLANS:
Set of summer rims and tires (lo-pro)
Set of winter rims (factory) and knobby winter tires
Adjustable ride height (air shocks?).....high for winter, low for summer
Tint windows
Upgrade turbo/intercooler
K&N filter
Exhaust
anti lag
Lots of engine mods
Suggestions?????

[WREXXY]

I'm confused, you want to buy a normal impreza, and upgrade it to 400-500(whp?)? in that case your going to have to upgrade the brakes (maybe the lines as well? I'm no mechanic so i'm not sure), get a new transmission/clutch etc to handle all that power, upgrade the suspension, get an entirely new engine, a tune, etc..

So if you plan on doing a lot to the car anyway, I'd say go with an STI to begin with, less headaches down the road, stock parts handle increased power more reliably than impreza and wrx. Also, I'm sure others will chime in, 400-500whp is a ridiculous amount of power, and not a great idea for a daily driver.

[Chil3]

I'm confused, you want to buy a normal impreza, and upgrade it to 400-500(whp?)? in that case your going to have to upgrade the brakes (maybe the lines as well? I'm no mechanic so i'm not sure), get a new transmission/clutch etc to handle all that power, upgrade the suspension, get an entirely new engine, a tune, etc..

So if you plan on doing a lot to the car anyway, I'd say go with an STI to begin with, less headaches down the road, stock parts handle increased power more reliably than impreza and wrx. Also, I'm sure others will chime in, 400-500whp is a ridiculous amount of power, and not a great idea for a daily driver.

STI parts handling more abuse and less headaches makes sense...
It would be a daily driver as well...so maybe a small amount of performance upgrades will suffice...intake, exhaust, Superchip or another tuner.

What are the thoughts on the adjustable ride height? How would I go about doing that? The idea is to set the car higher in the winter so there is less of the car dragging the snow. Set the car a little lower than stock in the summer for that race look.

[Calvinball]

So if you plan on doing a lot to the car anyway, I'd say go with an STI to begin with, less headaches down the road, stock parts handle increased power more reliably than impreza and wrx. Also, I'm sure others will chime in, 400-500whp is a ridiculous amount of power, and not a great idea for a daily driver.

Agreed. See this link for the reasons why: I want 400WHP!!!1!juan!

Otherwise, OP, I would suggest reading the link in my sig to get started with learning about how to mod WRXs/STIs.

As far as the adjustable height goes, I confess I'm not a good person to answer that, but are you planning on having to drive through unplowed snow? A truck or jeep of some sort would undoubtedly be a better choice in that circumstance. If not, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Others with more suspension know-how should chime in though.

As far as smoking your friend's GTO...while these cars can be pretty quick in a 1/4 mile (on a bone fide track, I hope, not on the street) that really isn't their strong point. A big V8 in a rwd muscle car is a different kind of car. Subies are more jack-of-all-trades, and while they can be made to be quicker than a true muscle car in a straight line, there are sacrifices to be made, all of which involve your wallet to a great extent.

[mastercaster]

okay......"fairly sure" you will get the job with the "potential" to make $1300 a week only means you don't currently have the job, and likely won't make the "potential" $1300/wk. no offense, but you sound like a rather young buck and your putting the cart before the horse. maybe you should spend your free time reading these forums and becoming knowledgeable on the things your interested in. then after you have that job and have been making that $1300/wk for some time, start your project. just curious, but do you live on your own? have other financial responsibilities? live on that $1300/wk for a while (after taxes, social security, medicare, health insurance etc. deductions) and you'll realize that you aren't going to be as rich as you think. last but not least, read ALL stickies in every forum on here. you'll be amazed at what you will learn.

[wrxtreme06]

^ this is great advice. it sounds like you should hold off on this adventure for a little bit.

take the time to learn everything you can about subaru's. they can be tricky. here is a great place to start learning ---> Unabomber's Manifesto - NASIOC

I have always wanted an STI. Preferably of the 2000-2004 body style, but I would take 2000-2007.

i also just wanted to point out sti's didnt come to the US until 04.

[zax]

IBTL!

[lytlec]

IBTL!

Like.

[lytlec]

Buy this....

Current & Past Projects

[zax]

Buy this....

Current & Past Projects

Fantastic car but you know it's had a hard life!

[lytlec]

Fantastic car but you know it's had a hard life!

Yeah it has, it is cool though. Chad Block sure is talented when it comes to working on EVO's and racing them. I wish he liked Subaru's ha...he thinks they are a pita to tune but he is still really good at it!

The OP would be able to beat his friends 06 GTO though, most likely!

[zax]

The OP would be able to beat his friends 06 GTO though, most likely!

at the thought of a NA Impreza "smoking" a GTO.

Buy a G8 GXP if you want to smoke your buddy's GTO... Pontiacs are cheap these days.

[maus]

[Heide264]

IBTL!

+1becuzracecarrawr



...In all fairness, just take your time. I'd reconsider the choice though. These aren't 'bargain' cars when looking at that level of power. Just my $0.02.

[zax]

I think the cheapest way to get 600whp IMO is to pick up a Terminator Cobra... about $3K worth of mods and you'll have 600whp. $20K + $3K = $23K