Lack of low end torque for climbing hills in WRX
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From: Bakersfield
Car Info: 06 STI WRB/Gold
if you want a little more wind up going up hills replace your stock crank pulley with a perrin lightweight crank pulley. better low end torque a little more power, but hey don't we all need a little more power.
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it took some getting used to, but its really not that bad driving the car around SF hills. Its got enough grunt and first gear is short enough to get you started at pretty much any incline... after that, you just have to keep the rpms above 3500-4000 to keep it pulling smoothly up the hill. You do have to slip the clutch somewhat slowly around 2000RPM in first to get going and this takes a bit of finesse but can deffinately be mastered. You really have to slip it quite a bit if the incline is bad, but I can do it just fine without smelling the clutch at all and I have over 50k on the stock clutch.
-- Ed
-- Ed
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by SpecWRX
but still, pull off the turbo, and you've got at least 160hp+ but gearing, weight etc. is obviously different...
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From: Santa Monica, CA
Car Info: 03 WRX 5sp
Wow!
didn't think the turbo acounted for half the power, but that's forced induction for you.. like the idea of the lighter pully. Will go that route after 36K.
I sold my #24 SM car to a guy from Silicon Valley.. he stripped off all my old sponsor graphics and must look like any Silver Stone Metallic Miata by now..
Nice thing with Mazda Comp. you can buy a new Bosal BroSpeed Stainless 2 1/4" downpipe back exhaust for $170. Miata's are the best cheap road-race cars....
I raced in SoCal only... did some Ariz and Vegas Region, but never raced Seca, Thunderhill, Sears, etc.
As you guys know, Gary Sheehan has kicked *** in WRX....
didn't think the turbo acounted for half the power, but that's forced induction for you.. like the idea of the lighter pully. Will go that route after 36K.
I sold my #24 SM car to a guy from Silicon Valley.. he stripped off all my old sponsor graphics and must look like any Silver Stone Metallic Miata by now..
Nice thing with Mazda Comp. you can buy a new Bosal BroSpeed Stainless 2 1/4" downpipe back exhaust for $170. Miata's are the best cheap road-race cars....
I raced in SoCal only... did some Ariz and Vegas Region, but never raced Seca, Thunderhill, Sears, etc.
As you guys know, Gary Sheehan has kicked *** in WRX....
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by SpecWRX
As you guys know, Gary Sheehan has kicked *** in WRX....
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From: Northern Bay Area: Larkspur
Car Info: 02 Silver WRX sedan. Eibach springs, Blitz NUR cat back, Rota 17" Attacks, Cobb AccessPort/DP
Yup exactly
Originally Posted by vaus
it took some getting used to, but its really not that bad driving the car around SF hills. Its got enough grunt and first gear is short enough to get you started at pretty much any incline... after that, you just have to keep the rpms above 3500-4000 to keep it pulling smoothly up the hill. You do have to slip the clutch somewhat slowly around 2000RPM in first to get going and this takes a bit of finesse but can deffinately be mastered. You really have to slip it quite a bit if the incline is bad, but I can do it just fine without smelling the clutch at all and I have over 50k on the stock clutch.
-- Ed
-- Ed
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From: Sacramento CA
Car Info: 02 Impreza WRX sedan
This isn't an engine issue, it's a driving technique issue. What you've got with the EJ20 is a low-compression, small displacement engine when off-boost. It does take more skill to start off on an incline in a WRX than it does a Dodge Viper or even late-model 4.6 liter Mustang.
It can be done, though - never encountered a hill in the City or anywhere else in normal driving where I had a big problem with rollback. It just takes practice. It's a matter of revving the engine and slipping the clutch just enough to prevent stalling but not too much that it fries the clutch before you get underway.
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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
It can be done, though - never encountered a hill in the City or anywhere else in normal driving where I had a big problem with rollback. It just takes practice. It's a matter of revving the engine and slipping the clutch just enough to prevent stalling but not too much that it fries the clutch before you get underway.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
Originally Posted by Wingless Wonder
This isn't an engine issue, it's a driving technique issue. What you've got with the EJ20 is a low-compression, small displacement engine when off-boost. It does take more skill to start off on an incline in a WRX than it does a Dodge Viper or even late-model 4.6 liter Mustang.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
Agreed. This is my first manual car, and i can balance the clutch to make the car inch its way up or at the very least maintain it's current position on a uphill climb without rolling back from a dead stop.
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From: New York
Car Info: 2002 WRX wagon
Using the hand brake with careful clutch/gas engagement has always worked for me. Although not a native of San Francisco (I lived close enough to have learned never to abbreviate its name) I have driven there many times, starting with my '40 Studebaker (4 banger, 3 speed w/overdrive) so I know the technique works. Learn it, use it! Besides, once revs are 2-3K, you're ready for takeoff. Love *** Hill!
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From: Reno, NV
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Originally Posted by BlingBlingBlue
Exactly, Ed. I would think a lightened flywheel would make the car less streetable - ie. easier to stall.