Hi all,
I’ve been trolling in the background of Subaru forums for several years but now that I’m finally in a position to buy one, I can come forward. I have a 98 Impreza L coupe 5-spd for sale nearby that if I bought would become my rally project car. It wouldn’t be an overnight 22b replica, but a few years of time, effort, and money would go into it, mostly waiting until I graduate college and can race with some frequency. I’m loosing my sanity trying to plan an engine arrangement and have considered everything from a JDM STI to canceling everything and buying an awd DSM with a manual boost controller.
Some questions I have about the 98 Impreza;

-It is a 2.2 liter engine right? If so, what’s the compression ratio? Would I be able to lower that with pistons, (or just get a ej22t block), bold on the ej25 phase II heads, and turbo without having to run a Link Plus or Haltech?

-The L’s chassis code is a GM4 I’m pretty sure. If so, then all OEM and aftermarket suspension and otherwise parts from GM/GC6 would bolt right on, correct?

Here is what I am more or less aiming for: around 450hp at the very most; I’m not really trying to make huge horsepower, I’d be fine with 350 or maybe even 300. I want consistency and not having to risk detonation from 40psi or rebuild the engine every other race. I also need a transmission that would be able to take that kind of power. The $5k for a 6spd STI tranny is out of the question as of now but a 2.5rs trans with the RA gearset isn’t too bad. Then again, RS-T owners sometimes complain how their first gear is nearly useless. I’ve read that a WRX tranny will bolt right into a 98-01RS. If so, what if anything will have to be done to put one into my 98 L? How would this fare with holding 450hp when compared with a 2.5rs trans with the RA gearset?

I DON’T want to deal with dyno tuning a standalone EMS now. I don’t live in a place where I can take it to a dyno for the weekend or something like that so a piggyback setup would be best as of now. And, I’d like to avoid the wiring harness hell if possible, but from what I gather there may be no way around that. If I were to use the stock ej22 block with lowered comp ratio, or ej22t as is, with SOHC phase 2 ej25 heads (as I understand, MAP sensor instead of MAF + turbo = less problems plus these heads are said to flow much better and produce more torque than WRX, or phase I RS heads) with a turbo, would I use the ECU and wiring harness off the 2.5 or the 2.2 Impreza, or a spliced up variation of both?

Lots of questions, I know. Not trying to be a PITA, but I’d like to buy within the next two weeks so I need to start clearing up all the gray areas. Thanks a lot.

 

Simple. Test drive the Eclipse, then test drive the WRX.

Say Hello WRX......Hello.

 

Two easiest, cheapest ways to avoid buying an Eclipse:

1 - Look at one.

If that doesn't work,

2 - Watch Fast & Furious 2

 

if i ever paid money for an eclipse to look like that, let alone for a 3rd gen elcipse itself, i will hold you personally responsible for coming to my house and kicking me in the nuts.......repeatedly

 

fair enough!