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View Full Version : easiest set up for rally cross and just recreation


yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 07:49 PM
OK, so i have seen a lot of set ups for rally, but those are all insanely priced and not street legal. what would be a good set up for rally x and recreational driving? i.e. country and fire roads, while being street legal? skids for sure, what about tires and suspension? i have heard mixed things about forester suspension struts used on an impreza, and coil overs are insane.

Thanks for the input :headbang:

RS MN
02-24-2010, 07:52 PM
tokico d-specs with STi springs are a great all around strut/spring combo, many people here swear by them.
what kind of car do you drive? and what year?

nkx
02-24-2010, 07:55 PM
what are you seeing thats not street legal? anti-lag is the only thing i can think of that comes close!

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 07:57 PM
what are you seeing thats not street legal? anti-lag is the only thing i can think of that comes close!

a true fia roll cage wouldnt be street legal would it? or if it is then i couldnt put people in the back seat!

tokico d-specs with STi springs are a great all around strut/spring combo, many people here swear by them.
what kind of car do you drive? and what year?

Im still looking, but hopefully a 01 rs. not a wrx but its ok, and itd be cheaper. id like to know some decent info before purchasing though.

nkx
02-24-2010, 08:00 PM
a true fia roll cage wouldnt be street legal would it? or if it is then i couldnt put people in the back seat!

stage rally cars are supposed to be street legal since the transit stages take place over roads open to the public.

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:03 PM
stage rally cars are supposed to be street legal since the transit stages take place over roads open to the public.

well, considering the magnitude of what i would be doing, it wouldnt be such an expensive roll cage. most likely just something cheap that would be added reassurance for me.

RS MN
02-24-2010, 08:03 PM
a true fia roll cage wouldnt be street legal would it? or if it is then i couldnt put people in the back seat!

its legal, but yeah you lose the back seat lol.
in fact, stage rally cars need to be street legal for transits.

edit: damn nkx beat me to it...


Im still looking, but hopefully a 01 rs. not a wrx but its ok, and itd be cheaper. id like to know some decent info before purchasing though.

i love my 01 RS, and i love how my suspension is set up, and the thing is, the only suspension mods i have are OEM replacement (aka. virtually stock) KYB GR2 struts and a 20mm rear sway bar. it handles great and gets a little tail happy when i want it to ;-)

i say unless you have the extra money sitting around, once you get the car, get a bigger rear sway bar, get the ebay strut tower braces (package of front and rear braces for $45 shipped) and then drive her like that until you feel really confident behind the wheel with it :D

they are great little cars, right out of the box, and dont need much tweaking at all to be an awesome backroad toy.

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:07 PM
its legal, but yeah you lose the back seat lol.
in fact, stage rally cars need to be street legal for transits.

edit: damn nkx beat me to it...



i love my 01 RS, and i love how my suspension is set up, and the thing is, the only suspension mods i have are OEM replacement (aka. virtually stock) KYB GR2 struts and a 20mm rear sway bar. it handles great and gets a little tail happy when i want it to ;-)

i say unless you have the extra money sitting around, once you get the car, get a bigger rear sway bar, get the ebay strut tower braces (package of front and rear braces for $45 shipped) and then drive her like that until you feel really confident behind the wheel with it :D

they are great little cars, right out of the box, and dont need much tweaking at all to be an awesome backroad toy.


lol ya the back seat would be good for my friends and i to go skiing. thats great info, do you use skids at all? i was thinking that when i got it i would get some skids, again just as added reassurance.

PS. this isnt counting my chickens before they hatch, its my way of looking into options and planning in a sense

nkx
02-24-2010, 08:10 PM
skidplates are good, i have a set on my rx car, and will be getting a front plate for my wrx. a big chunk of snow/ice decided my undertray needed to be replaced....

RS MN
02-24-2010, 08:12 PM
thats great info, do you use skids at all? i was thinking that when i got it i would get some skids, again just as added reassurance.
actually, after the strut tower braces im planning on getting, im going to try and get a primitive skidplate and rear diff guard. if not, ill probably end up making one myself.



PS. this isnt counting my chickens before they hatch, its my way of looking into options and planning in a sense

i know exactly what you mean dude, i do this all the time lol.

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:16 PM
actually, after the strut tower braces im planning on getting, im going to try and get a primitive skidplate and rear diff guard. if not, ill probably end up making one myself.




i know exactly what you mean dude, i do this all the time lol.

the primitive ones get mentioned alot. if i dont make mine capable of some little rally stuff my uncle will kill me lol, he still thinks i should get a BRAT cause he hates the stock subarus.

Ya i have a terrible habit, and im always changing my mind on stuff, but usually go back to the original idea haha.

RS MN
02-24-2010, 08:18 PM
lol brats are awesome, i wanna get my hands on one and build it up.

and yeah primitive is a very good company and is a great asset to the rally community.

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:21 PM
it seems like they have potential, short ish wheel base and can be lifted, 4wd with limited slip differentials ya? but when ever i see one for sale its always beat to hell

RS MN
02-24-2010, 08:24 PM
dont they have dual range transmissions as well?
that would be insanely fun.

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:25 PM
ya they do. whats the curb weight on one?

RS MN
02-24-2010, 08:26 PM
lol no clue

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:30 PM
lol ok so i just wikipedia that **** and it didnt say, but theyre only 95 hp motors but come turbo-ed and super charged.

nkx
02-24-2010, 08:38 PM
they either come carb or maybe turbo if youre lucky

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:40 PM
ok back on topic. i dont really want this becoming a BRAT thread. so best/cheap set up is ebay tower braces, rear sway bar (what size?) primitive or homemade skid plates, and the strut set up that you mentioned. what about lifting it? or is stock ride height sufficient? and what engine mods have you done to your rs?

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:41 PM
they either come carb or maybe turbo if youre lucky

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Brat

3rd paragraph or so but wiki is usually wrong

RS MN
02-24-2010, 08:44 PM
engine is stock except for some rallitek plug wires lol.
suspension and brakes always come before power.

my rear sway bar is 20mm, but i am thinking about maybe upgrading to an adjustable 22mm.
and as for the strut/spring combo, i'd stay stock until you are more comfortable behind the wheel, and know your car a bit better, as the struts are pretty expensive, and not completely necessary. and i'd like a lift sometimes, but again, not necessary yet, maybe sometime soon though.

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 08:48 PM
engine is stock except for some rallitek plug wires lol.
suspension and brakes always come before power.

my rear sway bar is 20mm, but i am thinking about maybe upgrading to an adjustable 22mm.
and as for the strut/spring combo, i'd stay stock until you are more comfortable behind the wheel, and know your car a bit better, as the struts are pretty expensive, and not completely necessary. and i'd like a lift sometimes, but again, not necessary yet, maybe sometime soon though.

thanks, and do you think you could link me to the sway bar?

RS MN
02-24-2010, 08:56 PM
they can be found everywhere, i have an 04 (or 06?) STi rear sway bar, but i would recommend a 20mm WRX RSB over the STi RSB as the STi one had to be mounted to the outside of my endlinks, while the WRX one fits just like its supposed to, on the inside.


for aftermarket ones go to www.rallitek.com
or anywhere that sells whiteline.

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 09:00 PM
so hit up the pick n pull if there is a newish wrx? i wonder what else would fit onto an rs just bolting on, most anything from a rex in the 02-06 range ya?

RS MN
02-24-2010, 09:06 PM
well theres only a select few WRX's that had the 20mm RSB, so it'd be pretty hit or miss at a junkyard

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 09:11 PM
itd be worth a shot, cheaper than most other options. have you tried anything in the front?

RS MN
02-24-2010, 09:13 PM
nope, ill keep my stock one in the front, i feel that the more independent suspension travel i can get in the front, the better.

Anthony713
02-24-2010, 09:15 PM
Hey "rs mm" when u say lift kit what is that? All I was seeing was a anti lift kit by white line. Is that the same?and what does that do for the car? Also when I do some rallying in dirt how would I set my coilovers? Soft and give it some clearance? Or idk haha
Thanks for the help

RS MN
02-24-2010, 09:18 PM
Hey "rs mm" when u say lift kit what is that? All I was seeing was a anti lift kit by white line. Is that the same?and what does that do for the car? Also when I do some rallying in dirt how would I set my coilovers? Soft and give it some clearance? Or idk haha
Thanks for the help


Jackson Rally and Subtle Solutions make a lift kit that consists of a billet aluminum spacer the goes on top of the tophats to give you an extra 1" of lift.
not the same as the whiteline ALK.
and also, with your coilovers, what kind are they, and what spring rates do you run?

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 09:20 PM
Hey "rs mm" when u say lift kit what is that? All I was seeing was a anti lift kit by white line. Is that the same?and what does that do for the car? Also when I do some rallying in dirt how would I set my coilovers? Soft and give it some clearance? Or idk haha
Thanks for the help

lift kit lifts the car, usually an inch or so. you could do a body lift, but you want a true lift. im still trying to find one. anti lift kit drops it. opposite effect. coil overs are expensive, start simple

RS MN
02-24-2010, 09:21 PM
anti lift kit drops it. opposite effect.

wrong, it is a stiffer bushing that i think is for the control arms and keeps them more solidly mounted to the car, so the car doesnt "lift" away from them in a hard turn, it has nothing to do with the ride height of the car.

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 09:26 PM
wrong, it is a stiffer bushing that i think is for the control arms and keeps them more solidly mounted to the car, so the car doesnt "lift" away from them in a hard turn, it has nothing to do with the ride height of the car.

http://www.rs25.com/forums/f9/t88178-will-anti-lift-kit-help.html

sorry i was basing my input off of this. i only read a little bit of it, so i just assumed that when he was talking about his car being lowered and installing a "Anti" lift kit well ya get my drift.

so it reduces body roll?

RS MN
02-24-2010, 09:28 PM
yep lol.
keeps everything mroe solid.

Anthony713
02-24-2010, 09:32 PM
I haven't picked the car up yet bit it has bc coilovers on it. Not sure of the spring rate but they are fully adjustable. But it would be good to get a lift kit to raise it a bit and and alk to keep it more solid? The maybee some sway bars:) any input?

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 09:40 PM
no idea. what car is it i.e. year and model

wolfman79
02-24-2010, 09:58 PM
I haven't picked the car up yet bit it has bc coilovers on it. Not sure of the spring rate but they are fully adjustable. But it would be good to get a lift kit to raise it a bit and and alk to keep it more solid? The maybee some sway bars:) any input?

You don't need a lift kit, you already have height adjustable coilovers. Raise the ride height on the car with the coilovers, don't adjust the spring tension though. Skip the lift kit and the ALK for now and just drive the thing. Wait until you truly know what the car's limitations are before you start worrying about changing things.

Anthony713
02-24-2010, 10:03 PM
Ok thanks. It's a gc8 with 04 wrx swap. Pretty excited to get it

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 10:07 PM
Ok thanks. It's a gc8 with 04 wrx swap. Pretty excited to get it

wow thats cool. if you dont mind me asking, cause thats similar to what i was looking for, where did you get it and for how much?

Anthony713
02-24-2010, 10:20 PM
I just found it searching forums and
Craigslist. And they run like 8k. I love turbo tho so that's like the cheapest to go. And from what I exsperienced at the machine shop I was at for 2 years is the 02 and 03 wrx motors spin rod bearings pretty often. So I would look or a swap with a 04 motor

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 10:22 PM
lol i was looking at an 02 for a while. so that limits me to the 2001 rs, anything habitually wrong with those?

Anthony713
02-24-2010, 10:29 PM
Not to my knowledge. I'm pretty new to subarus but all igear are
Great things about the 2.5 rs's! I think they look better too! Haha there's a couple good ones for sale around the country. Just gotta fly to get it!

yee-buddy
02-24-2010, 10:41 PM
lol im trying to find one thats kinda stock, one that hasnt been abused like 99 percent of all the others on the forums. checking c list.

Anthony713
02-24-2010, 10:52 PM
Where are u located!? I can't point u in the
Directions in the ones that I've been looking at that are stock? They are all pretty damn good condition? Are
U willing to fly to get it?

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 06:48 AM
I know of a super clean swapped RS out here in Denver for sale. Beautiful car with a perfect swap.

Anthony713
02-25-2010, 12:02 PM
I know of a super clean swapped RS out here in Denver for sale. Beautiful car with a perfect swap.
O really? How much? U have the link?

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 06:13 PM
This is a repost from a different forum.

I'm selling my 2000 Impreza 2.5RS coupe. I've had it a number of years and been through a lot with it. Its been in its current state for two years and running great. Has about 103k on the body, ~40k according to what ECS told me the motor had originally.

I'm in some CC debt from the car and other dumb moves. Selling the car would pay that off free and clear. I'm looking at applying for a loan to pay off those debts, but that would just make me owe more money in the long run. I think starting with a clean slate would be better off in the end.

Some highlights:
- 2004 USDM EJ205 WRX swap done by ECS
- JDM STi v2 5speed, 4.11 FD
- SixGun Racing USDM STi front hubs/bearings
- JDM STi 4pot brakes/vented rears

Pics:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4311026476_8ed66e80ef_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4310288335_1fa8ed4f87_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4311034578_e47b46df24_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4311031944_4e15d472c3_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4310287087_fae545f87f_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4310286831_6a81278a04_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4310286663_d4de2ac25a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4371849080_3e05db96b5_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4371100589_f14663f819_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4371848824_bb46d32799_b.jpg

The bad:
- I bought the car with a long key mark down the passenger side (some drunk keyed the car), its been filled in with touch up paint but its plainly visible.
- There's some rust forming at the rear quarter panels, about 2" in diameter currently on both sides. Inhibitor has stopped it but should be fixed.
- I was in a minor accident on Halloween that I'm still dealing with the uninsured motorist. I doubt that will ever get resolved, sadly. The bumper has a gouge in it, the corner light is cracked (will replace, its cheap enough) and the fender has a crease above the corner light. Headlight is fine.
- Car was tuned in NY for 91 octane, so it could use a retune out here. MPG is good (23-28 depending on mix of highway/street) but its missing some power up top due to altitude differences.

Damage:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4310288699_7d90a586d0_b.jpg

The complete mod list:

Engine/Drivetrain
- 2004 USDM EJ205 WRX swap done by ECS
- Visteon aluminum radiator with Faal fans
- Perrin 3" turboback, single tip
- KSTech MegaMAF 83mm Short Ram Intake
- Manual boost controller
- Walbro fuel pump
- OpenECU tune by Innovative Tuning
- STi v2 4.111 tranny and rear diff
- ACT clutch
- Carbign Craft pulley/alternator cover

Handling/Brakes
- KYB AGXs with STi Tarmac/Gymkhana springs and GrpN tophats
- 20mm rear sway bar
- Whiteline 22mm front sway
- Paranoid Fabrications fender braces
- SS lines
- Vented front fender liners
- Whiteline Roll Center Adjustment Kit
- 6gun Racing STi 5x100 bearing retrofit
- OEM 6-spoke wheels with all-seasons

Interior
- STi v3 Nardi steering wheel
- WRX pedal covers
- Omori Multicolor electric 60mm oil pressure gauge
- Omori Multicolor electric 60mm boost gauge
- Alpine Digital head unit with 40gig iPod
- Prodrive floor mats
- Audiovox aftermarket cruise control unit

Exterior
- Cleared corners with white bulbs
- STi fog covers
- Bakemono replica STi v6 front lip
- USDM STi rear diffuser
- 35% tint
- IMPREZA badge
- Carbon STi badge

Price: $9,700 OBO
RS25 Member Journal: http://www.rs25.com/forums/f145/t77868-hell-back-back-again.html

Anthony713
02-25-2010, 06:37 PM
Yeah I saw this one. It's in Colorado or something right? What forum is it on?

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 07:26 PM
It's in Denver. That post was copied from awdpirates.net, let me know if you're interested. It's a beautiful car, and if I was in the market for a swapped GM6 I'd be all over it.

Anthony713
02-25-2010, 07:45 PM
If my other gc8 falls through then maybee. But 9600 is way to much.

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 07:52 PM
Find a better swapped RS for a lower price and I'll buy you a DI beanie. No hack jobs, or back yard specials. This thing is clean and professional better than the factory.

RS MN
02-25-2010, 07:55 PM
i can, wolfman, i actually know of one right now.
i watched it get built over my local thread.


ill take your bet, and its half the price of that one too lol.


actually i can think of at least 2 :p

RS MN
02-25-2010, 07:57 PM
just found another :p

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 08:03 PM
i can, wolfman, i actually know of one right now.
i watched it get built over my local thread.


ill take your bet, and its half the price of that one too lol.


actually i can think of at least 2 :p

Then that's a shop that's losing money hand over fist. Wiring alone is $800+, not to mention the trans and rear diff are $1500 minimum, all the little odds and ends in the interior add up as well. To replicate his build you're looking at $6000+ just in parts, then the chasis and finally the labor. Trust me, we've done a swap or two, to do it right it isn't cheap.

Anthony713
02-25-2010, 08:05 PM
Pmed u rs mn:)

RS MN
02-25-2010, 08:08 PM
Then that's a shop that's losing money hand over fist. Wiring alone is $800+, not to mention the trans and rear diff are $1500 minimum, all the little odds and ends in the interior add up as well. To replicate his build you're looking at $6000+ just in parts, then the chasis and finally the labor. Trust me, we've done a swap or two, to do it right it isn't cheap.


i know this lol.
ive done plenty of math in trying to figure out how much a swap would cost me, and i always estimated high.

and i realized one of them i was thinking of still needs the gas tank swapped for the fuel temp sensors and evap and whatnot, but comes with the tank to put in, so i dont need to include that one if you wouldnt like me to.

yee-buddy
02-25-2010, 08:12 PM
rs mn where are you located and you better post those links lol

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 08:13 PM
i know this lol.
ive done plenty of math in trying to figure out how much a swap would cost me, and i always estimated high.

and i realized one of them i was thinking of still needs the gas tank swapped for the fuel temp sensors and evap and whatnot, but comes with the tank to put in, so i dont need to include that one if you wouldnt like me to.

Show me links then, and JDM swaps don't count.

RS MN
02-25-2010, 08:13 PM
rs mn where are you located and you better post those links lol

im in mn hahaha.
and i will lol.

RS MN
02-25-2010, 08:17 PM
Show me links then, and JDM swaps don't count.


damn 2 are JDM.
why dont they count?
and the one with the gas tank needing to be swapped is the only USDM one.
but also, remember that this was with 5 minutes of searching so im still sure you guys can find cheaper.

JDM:
http://www.rs25.com/forums/f171/t128359-95-sti-swap-impreza-gc8-tons-extras.html
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1613400

USDM:
http://www.rs25.com/forums/f171/t126198-impreza-l-02-wrx-swap-6500-a.html <- in this one there is also a link to the previous owners fs thread. as i said i watched him build it online, and it is a perfect swap, even has leather interior :headbang:.

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 08:43 PM
You realize that the one in UT has been up for sale for 18 months, there's a reason....

JDM swaps don't count because they are a crap shoot. No way of telling what you're getting for your money without a full rebuild, at which point any cost savings are gone. JDM motors with few (expensive) exceptions aren't any better, they don't make more power, they don't last any longer and they aren't "legal" in the US.

And that USDM swapped 95L has/is being sold twice since November 09, why? That motor is a huge question mark with that mileage.

And I said no backyard swaps as in "I did all the work myself".

yee-buddy
02-25-2010, 08:53 PM
janky.

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 08:59 PM
janky.


What is?

RS MN
02-25-2010, 09:07 PM
that USDM swap was done extremely well. i know for a fact.
i dont know why the new owner is selling at all, but i know that everything was done and maintained extremely well with the first owner.
the only problems are the typical subie rustage, the door cards, and the fact that the tank hasnt yet been swapped.

i still dont see why that one you posted is going for so much with all the body damage, rust, steelies, etc. but if you think its a good deal, i guess.

also, whats wrong with doing the work yourself?

yee-buddy
02-25-2010, 09:14 PM
by janky i meant the fact that you dont know everything about the cars, but i suppose that if you know what you are doing and the swap is done correctly it would be close to the quality of a shop doing it yea?

yee-buddy
02-25-2010, 09:15 PM
and the one with the steelies is a no go, i live in cali so it would need to be local, and i havent seen too many on cl

RS MN
02-25-2010, 09:16 PM
well it all depends on the person doing it, the only reason i can contest to the swap quality on that USDM one is because i followed the build and the guy really knows his stuff.

cant really trust any used car, though, when its through a private party seller.

RS MN
02-25-2010, 09:17 PM
and the one with the steelies is a no go, i live in cali so it would need to be local, and i havent seen too many on cl

check rs25.com, nasioc.com, socalsubies, iwsti, iclub, etc etc etc

yee-buddy
02-25-2010, 09:20 PM
the problem with searching forums is that most of them have been abused. im trying to find one thats mostly stock, and that way i know nothing has been done to the car

RS MN
02-25-2010, 09:21 PM
you can find them on forums, its gonna be a hell of alot harder to find a swapped GC on craigslist,

swapped GC's are an enthusiast thing, and enthusiasts are on those forums.

yee-buddy
02-25-2010, 09:25 PM
it would be cool to have a swapped, but thats not what i was originally looking for. thats a little out of price range also, im looking for a "stock" rs, which is why i posted this thread. by having a stock rs, i have the control of putting what i want on the car, and doing what i want with the car, knowing that it hasnt been abused prior. in that project rs build, what he thought was a good car that he got from an enthusiast turned out to have a bent frame and was useless henceforth. i dont want that to happen, so thats why im looking for stock, and people on forums most likely dont have stock non abused cars

RS MN
02-25-2010, 09:27 PM
oh i completely forgot hahaha, yeah you can find those on craigslist.

try carsoup.com? vehix.com? autotrader.com? anywhere like that?
i think finding a stock one on one of those sites would be easier.

Anthony713
02-25-2010, 09:40 PM
Yeah how bout this. Do people rally Naturally aspirated 2.5 rs's? And why kind of power are they putting out? I'm sure they are more reliable than a boosted car. Little lighter as well? How do u tell if the frame is bent? I'm sure u can't just tell by driving it but ugh now if what I want. Swap or NA

RS MN
02-25-2010, 09:42 PM
i love my NA, and yes people rally NA subies, look at the Rally America open light class subies!

Anthony713
02-25-2010, 09:44 PM
What kinda power are they pushing? What is the stock compression for the 2.5 rs? Do the motors respond well to rods pistons cams?

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 09:45 PM
that USDM swap was done extremely well. i know for a fact.
i dont know why the new owner is selling at all, but i know that everything was done and maintained extremely well with the first owner.
the only problems are the typical subie rustage, the door cards, and the fact that the tank hasnt yet been swapped.

i still dont see why that one you posted is going for so much with all the body damage, rust, steelies, etc. but if you think its a good deal, i guess.

also, whats wrong with doing the work yourself?

The body damage was taken care of by insurance, the rust isn't in a structurally critical area of the car, and the steelies are on for winter, he has other wheels that go with the car. And rust isn't typical to any car, poor maintenance is.

Good shops stand behind their work, ECS is a good shop even offering warranty coverage. At my shop we warranty damn near everything we do, but it's because we trust what we do, and the parts we do it with. Good shops don't cut corners. Not saying that the person who did the work didn't know what they were doing, but there were obviously some corners being cut, hence the reason it's still "unfinished".

And again, one car is a DIY 95 L model sedan while the other is ECS swapped 2000 RS coupe. I can buy a mid 90's L for under $1000, an RS on the other hand is hard to do under $4500-$5000.

wolfman79
02-25-2010, 09:49 PM
What kinda power are they pushing? What is the stock compression for the 2.5 rs? Do the motors respond well to rods pistons cams?

We are currently building one that will be around 13.5:1 CR. I have a friend with a 2.5 with bolt ons pushing 140+ whp on a dyno where base 2.0l WRX's see 160whp. Cams can really help mid and top end.

Stock compression is ~9.7:1

yee-buddy
02-25-2010, 09:53 PM
again, not trying to rally. trying to have fun in the woods and in the snow, need a good first car that wont cost a whole lot. i would consider a 02 wrx but now that you mention the rod bearing issue, its not worth it. unless the rod bearings can be replaced for a small cost and not cause permanent damage to the car.

yee-buddy
02-25-2010, 09:58 PM
there is no way to tell, thats the problem. if i know it hasnt been rallied, then it most likely isnt bent. if it has been, then i dont know what type of damage it suffered.

kemikalembalance
02-26-2010, 01:38 AM
If you are trying to save on insurance, go with a 4 door RS. If the insurance cost is not and issue, WRX. Power is one of your questions, start slow dude. I had an 01 2.5 that i weekend warriored, and now I have a 00 Legacy and an 06 STI. They all cary the same speeds through the dirt corners. And it sounds like you are new to driving, keep it stock (mechanical/electrical) and you will have very minimal problems.

RS MN
02-26-2010, 01:43 AM
If you are trying to save on insurance, go with a 4 door RS. If the insurance cost is not and issue, WRX. Power is one of your questions, start slow dude. I had an 01 2.5 that i weekend warriored, and now I have a 00 Legacy and an 06 STI. They all cary the same speeds through the dirt corners. And it sounds like you are new to driving, keep it stock (mechanical/electrical) and you will have very minimal problems.


exactly,
also, if you want to lower the insurance rate even more, you could get a wagon like an OBS, ive always thought wagons are more fun, practical, and just plain awesome..

wolfman79
02-26-2010, 07:21 AM
An OBS with a 2.5 swap is a fun ride. I know this first hand.

Newk_Rally
02-26-2010, 08:53 AM
well theres only a select few WRX's that had the 20mm RSB, so it'd be pretty hit or miss at a junkyard

only the 02's had a 20mm RSB

to the OP where in cali are you located and how far are you willing to travel for your purchase?? i bought my 2000 rs all stock ex. a cat back but i know that the car was raced in auto-x before i had it this didn't bother me to much because i planed on racing rally-x and since it was kept in stock class and it was an older gentleman racing it, it didn't bother me to much and i haven't really had any problems. i'll keep an eye out for you on anything local

yee-buddy
02-26-2010, 01:48 PM
im in the bay area, and im trying to find something within an hour or two, maybe more. i was looking in the tahoe cl also just so i can justify another trip to tahoe haha

yee-buddy
02-26-2010, 01:48 PM
ya the insurance and overall costs are what made me think rs, plus 02 with the rod bearing breaking...