WRX or RS-T ?? UK newcomer !!
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Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7
From: Birmingham, England, UK
Car Info: Impreza GC8 Turbo Wagon@ 280bhp
WRX or RS-T ?? UK newcomer !!
Hi there I'm currently living in UK but I'm soon to move to LA, At the moment I'm drivin a GC8 Impreza turbo with 280BHP, when I get settled over there I would like to get another Impreza, But you dont have a GC8 with turbo just the 2.5 RS.
My options are a 2002/3 WRX or a GC8 RS with either Turbo kit or full WRX conversion ? What max Boost/BHP can get with turbo kit ?
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanx Dave
My options are a 2002/3 WRX or a GC8 RS with either Turbo kit or full WRX conversion ? What max Boost/BHP can get with turbo kit ?
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanx Dave
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,646
From: NYC
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
The problem with buying a turbo'd or swapped car is that you're buying someone else's project. Depending on who did the work and how well, the car could either be a pleasure to own or a disaster. You also need to consider how mechanically inclined you are since you can expect such a car to need more owner/shop involvement than one that is stock. If you can't or don't intend to work on it yourself you need to be sure you have a shop lined up that can deal with it. There are also emission compliance issues to be considered, especially in CA. If the car does not comply with the appropriate regulations and can't pass inspection you could end up with a very nice lawn ornament.
That said, in general given the choices you mentioned a WRX swap is preferable. Many of those have been done and there is a good knowledge base regarding the conversion on this site, NASIOC and elsewhere. Locally here in the Tri-State region (NY,NJ,CT,PA-yes four states I know) we have a bunch of them running around.
The NA 2.5 in the RS, at least the US version, does not lend itself well to turbocharging and is not reliable above 5-7 psi boost max. Even at those levels the proper engine management must be used. With good used WRX engines widely available most people opt for the swap. Due to the lighter weight of the GC chassis compared to the GD, an unmodified WRX setup will provide better performance in the GC than in the WRX.
That said, in general given the choices you mentioned a WRX swap is preferable. Many of those have been done and there is a good knowledge base regarding the conversion on this site, NASIOC and elsewhere. Locally here in the Tri-State region (NY,NJ,CT,PA-yes four states I know) we have a bunch of them running around.
The NA 2.5 in the RS, at least the US version, does not lend itself well to turbocharging and is not reliable above 5-7 psi boost max. Even at those levels the proper engine management must be used. With good used WRX engines widely available most people opt for the swap. Due to the lighter weight of the GC chassis compared to the GD, an unmodified WRX setup will provide better performance in the GC than in the WRX.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7
From: Birmingham, England, UK
Car Info: Impreza GC8 Turbo Wagon@ 280bhp
Originally Posted by Mulder
The problem with buying a turbo'd or swapped car is that you're buying someone else's project. Depending on who did the work and how well, the car could either be a pleasure to own or a disaster. You also need to consider how mechanically inclined you are since you can expect such a car to need more owner/shop involvement than one that is stock. If you can't or don't intend to work on it yourself you need to be sure you have a shop lined up that can deal with it. There are also emission compliance issues to be considered, especially in CA. If the car does not comply with the appropriate regulations and can't pass inspection you could end up with a very nice lawn ornament.
That said, in general given the choices you mentioned a WRX swap is preferable. Many of those have been done and there is a good knowledge base regarding the conversion on this site, NASIOC and elsewhere. Locally here in the Tri-State region (NY,NJ,CT,PA-yes four states I know) we have a bunch of them running around.
The NA 2.5 in the RS, at least the US version, does not lend itself well to turbocharging and is not reliable above 5-7 psi boost max. Even at those levels the proper engine management must be used. With good used WRX engines widely available most people opt for the swap. Due to the lighter weight of the GC chassis compared to the GD, an unmodified WRX setup will provide better performance in the GC than in the WRX.
That said, in general given the choices you mentioned a WRX swap is preferable. Many of those have been done and there is a good knowledge base regarding the conversion on this site, NASIOC and elsewhere. Locally here in the Tri-State region (NY,NJ,CT,PA-yes four states I know) we have a bunch of them running around.
The NA 2.5 in the RS, at least the US version, does not lend itself well to turbocharging and is not reliable above 5-7 psi boost max. Even at those levels the proper engine management must be used. With good used WRX engines widely available most people opt for the swap. Due to the lighter weight of the GC chassis compared to the GD, an unmodified WRX setup will provide better performance in the GC than in the WRX.
I am quite mechanically able, but I would prefer a good shop to do the full swap if i were to opt for the GC with WRX engine.
How could I make sure that the swap would be ok for use in CA ? I assume the US engine would be used as JDM engine take higher octane gas. Does anyone recommend at good shop in CA area that can do this swap ? and what cost involved ?
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 29
From: Baltimore
Car Info: 99 Impreza RS
Unless you are going to buy race fuel all the time, you are suck with 91 octane in CA. (sucks for you guys) So be careful with how much modding you do. As far as the swap as long as it is a stock swap you should be ok with emissions, but then again I could be talking out my *** since I'm for Maryland.
To make the swap legal in the CA, basically the main thing is that the motor needs to be newer then the chasis and must be completely stock when you get it smogged. It'll have to pass a sniffer test and an OBDII test.
LIC Motorsports in the Novato (north Bay Area) is quite knowledgable in a swap if you are interested. I would try them first.
LIC Motorsports in the Novato (north Bay Area) is quite knowledgable in a swap if you are interested. I would try them first.
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Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7
From: Birmingham, England, UK
Car Info: Impreza GC8 Turbo Wagon@ 280bhp
Originally Posted by nKoan
To make the swap legal in the CA, basically the main thing is that the motor needs to be newer then the chasis and must be completely stock when you get it smogged. It'll have to pass a sniffer test and an OBDII test.
LIC Motorsports in the Novato (north Bay Area) is quite knowledgable in a swap if you are interested. I would try them first.
LIC Motorsports in the Novato (north Bay Area) is quite knowledgable in a swap if you are interested. I would try them first.
Thanx nKoan, I'll drop them e-mail . Ask about time/cost.
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From: Novato,CA
Car Info: Jaguar XJR, VW Corrado, 911 Carrera
Lic Motorsports does good work but I have run into problems with them. I take my car to FLI (Fine Line Imports) in Santa Rosa CA(North Bay area as well) the guys up there all have WRXs with STi motor swaps and are very nice guys and cool to work with. Check em' out at www.finelineimports.net
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