Hi all !!! ... yea this is my first post but I have been lurking for quite a while now . Ok here is the situtation... I am going to try the Canadain rally series this year, I have purchased a 1995 impreza wagon with a blown 2.2 , automatic tranny & factory 4wheel disc set-up. This car has 328000 km's on it so the suspension and drive line is used up ... I have located a 1998 legacy wagon in Quebec with a 2.5 5spd at a salvage yard that was rolled & I have also located a 2002 WRX sedan that was rolled both are said to be running gear fine rolls. What is the better choice for ease of install I know about the gear ratio difference between the three cars & I also am aware of the clutch differences from the new WRX and the 95 impreza If I choose the WRX I will not take the 2.0 turbo because I want to run in the production class ...as this motor was not available in that car in 95 I can't utilize it . My hope here is to do a complete running gear swap and use a 2.5 or 2.2 engine with either the legacy or wrx running gear, suspension, clutch pedals all related manual trans stuff. I can't afford new DMS 50's for the suspension I would like the boards thought on cost effective ways to make this car drive reasonable on a rally stage .I am an ex off road racer and my team is well versed in fabrication so what I am after is the best combo to put in the wagon that will work ok I am not trying to win here just run competitively for the first year I just don't want to start out and look bad ... sorry to be so long winded but I just wanted you to have all the facts for an educated and informed answer...
steve.

 

Stick with the complete 2.5 drivetrain. Simpler, cheaper, and will be sure to work harmoniously. Also, the ratios in the WRX would also probably through you out of production class.

 

That is a great point... (that I never thought about) and am VERY happy that you did ... I really want to stay in production class as this is my first year so its the 2.5 then... ok do you have any tips on suspension build or set up that may help?... is there a cheaper way to go than the DMS 50's to start with ? has anybody tried rally with the AGX's ( I may be able to get those sponsored by a local autoparts store ) or has anyone got a good stock setup that has been working?? is there any weak spots in the suspension that I should look at befor I start racing ??
thank you again for your help
steve

 

Honestly I wouldn't spend too much. Starting with an older, street-driven car, you're gonna bst it up pretty good in your first season, it may not even be usable the next. So give cheaper stuff a try. Get some Ground Control coilovers, they are cheap and their staff is supposed to be pretty good with help I hear. Then call Eibach and Koni and KYB and see what each of them recommends. I would guess that STi struts and the Eibach springs would do ok for you. Also be sure to add a rear sway bar and upgrade as many of your bushings and endlinks as you're willing to spend on. In the meantime, don't make goals as far as competing, just get your car out there, have fun, and see what you can do. You'll be sure to get your money's worth out of it that way. For further inspiration, call Primedia too and get the back issues of Sport Compact Car with the Rally Beater articles. I actually bought a 1984 Celica with the intention of following their lead... but then I realized I would never be able to get a house or another car by doing that, haha. Good luck, and keep me posted.

 

hey Ban... thank you for you input... as it stands now the interior is stripped ,engine is out ,I am dealing for a 2.2 5spd and all the maunal trans stuff I have just landed 4 kyb AGx's from a long time sponsor of our off road program... the roll cage is on order the paint scheme has been picked ... just need set up info and strength pointers .We are aiming for the Baie des Chaleurs rally in July which is a national & regional event in Canada I am sure that I will be asking lots of questions in the very near future I hope you will be around 'cause this will be an adventure not knowing a thing about car suspension the learning curve is going to be steeeeeeep
here is a pic of my off road truck the paint will be very close to this on the wagon