MConte05's 2.5i Rally wannabe (RIP)

[MConte05]

After finding out I was going to Baltimore to start an 8-month long co-op designing Roller Coasters, it was understood that I needed a car. I used to have a 1997 Ford Taurus that I hated/loved, but that was traded in for a 2005 Honda Civic coupe for my younger sister when I went to college. So for 2.5 years I was without a car. Over the summer I worked with my dad at Monsanto so I didn't need a car in the summer for work. However I was starting to look for a car to get, I had my sights set on a GC8 Impreza, as I loved how they looked, the AWD, the handling, just everything about it. But my dad was rather strange, he insisted I get a used car (which I wanted) but insisted nothing over 40k miles.... which there were no GC8 Imprezas that fit the bill..... After searching for months, arguing with my dad about how I absolutely did not want a Mazda or a Civic, but rather an Impreza, and how I wanted to pay for it all out of my own pocket, he gave up and went down to the Subie dealership, asked me if the 2007 2.5i on the lot was what I wanted, I was shocked. We agreed that I would help pay for the car and my own insurance but since they had bought my sister a brand new car for nothing on her part, they didn't want me paying for the entire thing out of my pocket..... Sooo, I drove off the lot with a 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i with 5 miles on the odo.

First thing I did? Take it back home and find some good roads.






Then very quickly (less than a month) she got her first boo-boo. I was driving on a gravel road rather quickly, hit a dip in the road and the suspension went to full compression and there just happened to be a nice sized rock waiting to eat some Subie bumper.



After knowing I was going to be doing all this dirty driving a lot more, I quickly put in an order for some Rally Armor mudflaps. Classics with the grey logo. And shortly thereafter, entered my first rallycross. I didn't do too bad I think, but I was running on RE92's (one which rolled a bead ).



After that RallyX I got completely hooked on Rallying. Wanting to learn more and more about it, and prepare my car to suit it more and more. And whats the first thing any proper rally car needs? STICKERS!





I then splurged $25 to get rid of the fugly silver hazard button for a STI Limited red one. I think it makes it look bitchin'.



I didn't do much at all for performance upgrades at home, simply cause I didn't have the money at all. So I just played in the dirt a lot.



However once I moved to Baltimore and started working at my new job.... that is where the mods have started to come in masses.... first starting off with the cheap and easy mod. The DIY Garage Door lip.



After getting my first large paycheck, I rewarded myself with a full swaybar kit from Rallitek, some shifter bushings, and a license plate frame. With the help of rllyrckt we finally got the swaybars in after nearly 6 hours.... but man do they make a huge difference in handling. I had a giant grin on my face the entire way home, even though it was 1:30am when I left his place.







Next up came an STI Axleback that I picked up for $80 from a local member on NASIOC. I spent the better part of 2 hours doing battle with the top bolt on the exhaust flange, but afterwards got it all hooked up and set to go. It sounds great especially in the lower RPMs.





And that brings us up to the present day, earlier today I finally finished installing my Hella FF200's driving light kit that I had gotten a while back, but never got around to finally hooking up. I had to fabricate a custom light bar, as well as drill some new holes for it to fit up, but it looks great I think. Just took some time to get it there. hah.







And the other final mod to this point, getting rid of that ridiculous piece of plastic....





I love this car so much.

[Not All There]

nice man, good luck with it and your goals

[newbie101]

those lights look good... now that u got that giant piece of plastic gone u can listen to that BPV...its quiet but not annoying like a BOV

[RS-ti_Andy]

looks great! was that andy under ur car? or did u cut your hair?!

[kevinblahh]

i think you should paint the headlights black, i have the same car with that color and black headlights give it a nice feel.

[rllyrckt]

yes Andy that was me, in my garage with my tools about 12am i beleive, but that was a long night, i.e. angry face look, but it was fun, matt car looks awesome and i know youve got great plans for it, have fun...

[I Like It Sideways]

Originally Posted by newbie101

those lights look good... now that u got that giant piece of plastic gone u can listen to that BPV...its quiet but not annoying like a BOV

He has the 2.5i


Excellent progress so far on your impreza!!! I love the aux lights.
Do you have plans for different tires for rallyx?

[MConte05]

I would love to pick up a set of used Rally tires, or else mount some used winterforces onto some steelies. However, like most things, money is the deciding factor. Right now I am running Michelian Pilot Exalto A/S's which do wonderful in the mud/snow/gravel, I ran my 2nd rallyX in them and felt it being much grippier than the old tires. So for now its still "competitive" in a way...

Thanks for the compliments!

For my future plans, this is what I have in mind:

• Front Skidplate (ASAP)
• UEL Headers
• WRX seats
• Red stiching on the shift boot and ebrake handle (DIY)
• Red light interior (DIY)
• Short Ram Intake
• RallyX Tires

I am sure the list will grow as time goes on...

I also forgot to add that I already have the OEM Subaru Rear Diff protector on the car, as well as Hella Supertones, if you didn't notice. The rear diff protector has already done its job several times... very very good investment.

[VMethos]

Those first two pics are awesome.

I have one thing to say about the look of the car with the new fogs...
Nice!

[04caliwrx]

that is a good looking 2.5 man, nice work!

[Salvator Rizzo]

car is looking awesome! sweet 2.5i

[ten80]

Awesome! Smart upgrades make even non-turbo subarus a total hoot.

[MConte05]

Got the rally bloodlines pumping a bit.

Pictures from a guy named Travis on NASIOC.









2nd place out of 8 drivers running on All-season tires with about 50% tread left.

[VermillionX]

Those are awsome pics. I really like the last one. Oh and I cant wait fot this months school and rallyx.

[rllyrckt]

yep me niether thats gonna be an awesome weekend, nice job matt