After almost ten years of looking, I finally found a clean 1995 Impreza 2-door coupe to build. I’m going for a track-only WRX STI-style setup. It’s a base model with a 2.2L engine, but I’ll be making it way more aggressive. If anyone here has done rally or race builds, I’d really like to hear your advice or ideas.
You might want to check out the GC8 sections on this forum — the old spots like rs25 and type-ra used to be packed with info, especially on JDM engines and gearboxes. I even have a book lying around with GC chassis parts lists. It’s old, but still useful. I just picked up a JDM STI again myself, getting back into this stuff after a break. That coupe you found is a great score.
@RuthMitchell
Thanks! That’s really helpful. I was active on those forums years ago, but it’s been so long I need to catch up again. I’m excited to start working on it.
If you ever plan to change out the dash or door panels, let me know — I’m looking for some original door cards. And great find! I got mine back in 2015.
Haven said:
If you ever plan to change out the dash or door panels, let me know — I’m looking for some original door cards. And great find! I got mine back in 2015.
I probably will change them later on — I’ll definitely keep you in mind.
Haven said:
If you ever plan to change out the dash or door panels, let me know — I’m looking for some original door cards. And great find! I got mine back in 2015.
What’s a door card?
@Sadie
It’s the inside part of the door — where the handle, switches, and armrest are.
EmilyToyotaLover said:
@Sadie
It’s the inside part of the door — where the handle, switches, and armrest are.
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks.
Hope it’s a manual. These builds are fun until the wiring starts giving you trouble.
If you’re not using the fog lights, I’d be interested in them. A lot of people switch out the glass headlights for lighter plastic ones, but I still like the original glass ones — mine are still super clear on my ‘95.
I worked at a shop that brought in JDM engines and did swaps, so I’ve been in a bunch of builds like this. My favorite setup was the JDM V7 — it sounded great and had a better gearbox. The newer ones were faster but didn’t sound as good. The GC STI stuff was nice but more raw and rough around the edges. The 5-speed gearboxes don’t always hold up though. The 4.44 gear sets are quick but not fun for longer drives. If I was building one now, I’d go with the V7. Still, those 6-cylinder swaps are wild — some were insanely fast, others just blew up.
@WildWildWest
Thanks, that’s solid advice. I’m starting with basics like fixing the subframe and cleaning up the body while I save up for the rest.
There’s a guy on YouTube named Smeedia who’s working on a similar car right now. Might be worth watching for some ideas.
Arlo said:
There’s a guy on YouTube named Smeedia who’s working on a similar car right now. Might be worth watching for some ideas.
Yeah I’ve seen that guy — he’s got a big budget. Just buying an STI for parts is already a big hit to the wallet.
@Abi
True, I was more thinking of general ideas than trying to follow his exact build.
Arlo said:
@Abi
True, I was more thinking of general ideas than trying to follow his exact build.
Yeah, that makes sense. Good point.
That’s a really good find. I was chasing the same car back in 2002. I’ve got a full JDM setup with AVCS wiring, twinscroll turbo, mods to support it, and a nice exhaust that could be cut to fit. Problem is the clutch is stuck and the car’s been sitting in Canada for a while now. You’d need to tow it or fix it where it is.
Was it a 95 or a 96?
Ciel said:
Was it a 95 or a 96?
It’s a 95.