what can you tell me about these cars?
what to watch out for, what is usable off of the GD's?

Picking up an immaculate 97 GF8 STi, and would like to know more about the general issues with the car.

 

Kind of a broad question, I'll touch on a few things.
I'm not too familiar with the JDM engines and stuff, but mainly, ask when they replaced the timing belt and possibly the head gaskets, they like to go on the older model engines. (not sure about the wrx ones though.) The gaskets haven't always been metal, so they wore out and were weaker. not sure when they switched over though.

As for what to use, a fair amount is compatible. The cars haven't changed a whole lot for awhile, you could swap out a lot of parts here and there.
Sway bars and stuff are compatible, they bolt right on. Same goes for brakes and stuff, except for some of the Sti's, they use the 5x114.3 pattern, different hubs.

Main thing really, you can use GD front suspension, but the top hats for the rear suspension is different for the GC/GF than the GD, you'd have to swap those out. Seats and stuff are all compatible etc. If there is something more specific you have a question about, I'm sure someone would know the answer as to what you could use.

hope that helps some

 

that's a good start, and thanks.
pretty positive that the gaskets haven't been changed. car has only 10,000 miles on it.

Had a GGA in the states so do have some familiarity with the cars, just wondering what is important to look out for.

 

dude 10k? thats awesome. how much you picking that up for? I really want a GF so bad, i almost did my swap into one of those instead.

 

paying $5500 for her. One owner and this thing is clean.
Giving them the money today, should have her next week.

 

o my god that is so awesome. i paid 5700 for mine and that was pretty much stock with 123k.

you will love that care for sure

 

i loved my GG, can't wait for the GF. Pick her up Monday. Paid for her today

 

Better pictures next week...IF I can find my damn camera...

 

I am so jealous. i love those wagons so much. version 4 is the best imo, best hood and front bumper combo ftw.

 

just too bad that the v3/4 loves to spin main and rod bearings. sadly it is one of the great ej20 motors. Revs to around 8k correct? The problem is that sti used forged pistons stock, which are lightweight compared to the hyper-eutetic ones.
This is the reason that the ej20K sti/wrx motors are cheaper and why they are hard to sell. they are amazing performers, yet the bottom end issues and the weak headgaskets seem to seal the deal.
Not that it wouldnt be hard, or very expensive to rebuild, just watch out for it!
V

 

I think thats the kind of info he was looking for

Marc.......I'm jealous! Don't forget to ship those seats to me for safe keeping!

 

Anymore info on what causes this? Excessive redlining? Gonna keep it close to stock for a while. I go out to sea in a month and won't get to do jack to it for the summer.

Probably intake, exhaust, boost controller, PowerFC and suspension are all I will do to it. Hopefully with 10,000 miles on it, I won't have to worry about much for a while.

Where is the best source out there on the internets for the earlier STi's???

Thanks for the info definitely what I am looking for.

Matt, will keep an eye out for seats for you and figure out how to get them back easiest.