Preparation of a rally beater

[XmikeX]

me and my friend are looking to get a older subie to strip and make it a rally/ off road car jsut to drive around and have fun in. waht is a basic set up that we would have to do to get it ready so it doesnt crap out on us?

[WRXCMM]

take it to jackson rally in temecula, they'll do some badass welds for ya.

[409industries]

I think the first thing you want to consider is how much money do you have to spend on getting the subaru first? Once you know this... then you can decide on what model to get.. (Impreza L? 2.5RS? Legacy wagon?) If its going to be a beater it might be one of these models... dont expect to get something like a WRX or nicer.

Strip it down, get some good struts and springs, some skidplates and go nuts! I recommend coming out to one of the local CRS or FRX ralllycross events to talk to some other subaru owners that have been doing this for a while to see what its all about. We're always down to help new guys out.

[SoCalBoomer]

BTW - don't know where you're at (nothing in your profile) but CRS and FRX are in the West (specifically NorCal and SoCal, hopefully soon in Utah and Washington) - see my sig for links.

So if you're in the West, that's a great place to start. Our schedules are starting to come together, especially in SoCal.

If you're not in the West, I would check out your local SCCA region (you can find it by going through SCCA's national page at SCCA.org) and seeing what they have available OR by going through the regional forums on DI.

As far as what Subaru, I can only say that I've driven a 2.5rs and it's a BLAST. Usable power from the get-go, easy to drive (well, for an AWD car. . . muahahahaaa) and fast.

[A1337STI]

Awesome, we need more peoples building rally cars and hoping into the sport. I bought a 1993 Subaru Impreza L FWD (Front Wheel Drive) about 18 months ago. I've recently completed my 2nd rally. Made a few mistakes on the car build and part purchases (wasted about $1,000 on a spare tranny, and some non FIA seats - would have been better off spending that on a rally school, or rally suspension)


Figure out who is doing your cage first, and how much that will cost, i would expect to pay about $600 - $1,000 for the metal itself (damn you china!) and $1,000-$3,000 for the labor of your roll cage. so it could be done for $1800, or $4,000. After that if you make the correct purchases you are only about $900 from being ready to pass tech. should be $1100 more including skid plate.

Take your budget subtract your (Cage cost + $1100) and that is what you are left with to buy a car. (you will also need tires + Event Costs , for your first event)

so if you Have 10K to work with, your cage guy wants 4500 , well better find a car for 4400 . either get a car in great running shape for up to that amount, or find a super super cheap one and spend the money you saved fixing it up . good way to learn how to wrench, and to really know your car. (my route)

I personally would recommend finding a 1.8L FWD as they are fun to drive, a great learning car! Although a 1.8L or 2.2L AWD Impreza would also be a great car to start with. (if you run into lots of money later on, buy a JDM WRX in canada for like 7K, and the power train will bolt right up to your chasis) so it gives you a huge upgrade path later down the road.

Factor in at least $1200 more if you want to start off on rally suspension . A great idea, but not Needed.

You do not need power mods to full stage rally!
You do not need aftermarket suspension to rally!

I've driven about 200 stage miles on the stock 93 suspension and rims (rear struts and rims were originals too !) I did do a lot of exhaust damage, but that's due to me not having any flex joint / pipe in my entire exhaust :shootsself: and needing to learn that stock suspension + 70 mph into a !Dip doesn't feel very good.