Monthly Archives: January 2014

2015 Subaru STI

So, Subaru put the STI fanbase on their heads earlier this week with the debut of the 2015 Subaru STI.

What’s the uproar? Well, it’s using the same exact EJ257 as it has the last 10 years. There’s been no power upgrades (it’s still rated the same as last year’s model), and the ringland issue will probably be carrying over.

Many people have been stating that the WRX is the better deal. I was initially disappointed when I found that the engine was a carry-over, but after thinking things through, I believe the STI might have the more trustworthy engine.

The 2015 WRX has the FA20, which is the same engine as the Forester (and BRZ, only the BRZ’s engine is NA). That engine is unproven. Sure it outputs 268 HP, but we do not know what weaknesses it’ll have. With the EJ257, we know exactly what we’re getting and know it’s weaknesses. As well, the STI still has some technology that’s exclusive to the STI — DCCD, SI-Drive, tuned suspension, robust brakes, proven 6-speed transmission, and a surplus of HP (compared to the ’15 WRX).

The torque vectoring isn’t really going to help in a track environment, though, as I’m betting it will overheat the brakes…it should be defeatable by disabling VDC, though.

This STI should be just as quick in the 0-60 and quarter-mile tests, as last year’s model, as there’s been no weight gain but the 2015 hasn’t lost or gained any power, either.

I also recorded the debut video:

More 2015 STI News and Articles

So, I posted earlier today about the possibly leaked photos of the 2015 Subaru STI.

I decided to cheat and try to find more information.  What I did was take a saved image of one of the leaked photos and submit it for a Google image search.  This article popped up.  Note that it is a Japanese article.  I asked the browser to translate it and here’s what I got (as an image caption):

The figure is clearly the new Subaru WRX STI, due to the leakage image

Appearance of new “Subaru WRX STI” Subaru expected to debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show kicks off January 13, was revealed by an image that has flowed out before a formal announcement. And performance of the WRX STI is still unknown at this time. It is said in the news-based, four-cylinder turbo engine capacity 2.5L horizontally opposed to exert maximum output 300hp is also to be installed. [Source: Autoforum.Cz ]

So, it appears this may be an actual leak of an official photo.

As well, check out the source within the quote.  This comes from a Czech site and that site also had to be translated.  I clicked on it and it offers some further insight (not sure if it’s credible or not).

As we have previously advised , Subaru will present their offers sporty top model WRX STi, already for a few days at the Detroit Auto Show. Already you about it but we can say more, or more precisely to show you more. Leaked photos depict Japanese news from all sides, even though not surprising, meet expected here worth digging – new WRX STi has over traditionally aggressive look, a giant rear wing, classic blue paint and gold wheels. But I’m not entirely sure how this will be very close to the standard version.

What’s under the hood of the new STi, still do not know exactly. Earlier information indicated that the new STi had once again have the 2.5 H4 turbo engine with direct injection, probably again with an output of around 300 hp, paper consumption numbers but perhaps a little fall.Assuming you can reduce weight, chassis modification and other minor modifications that should improve driveability and maneuverability of the machine.

More information already fans may not completely thrilled, but fortunately it is not just speculation: STi could get a dual-clutch gearbox controlled by paddles on the steering wheel.If that happens, hopefully the Japanese chooses a similar procedure as in the WRX model , which in addition to CVT offers good old manual six stages.

Images which can be found below, although originally official, however, to take the pictures you like for detailed information about this eagerly anticipated machine will have to wait at NAIAS in Detroit motor show, the gates will be opened on Monday, 13 January. Perhaps but Subaru tells us more about a few more days earlier.

 

2015 Subaru WRX STI

Check this out. The first post has a picture of what could be a leaked photo of the upcoming STI. Page 3 has more photos. It looks better than I thought (if the photos are credible).

WRX/STI Killer? Your Thoughts?

For those of you that are pissed that Subaru quit producing a hatch WRX, here’s something to mull over…a 290HP VW Golf R.

More @ http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/volkswagen-golf-r-brings-290-hp-to-the-us?src=soc_fcbks

 

EDIT: Yeah, this news is making the rounds, as here’s another one from Motor Trend:

http://oak.ctx.ly/r/lxi0

Matt Farah Tours Paul Walker’s Car Collection

The following video is actually about a year old, but The Smoking Tire hadn’t revealed who the owner was. This was because the owner, Paul Walker, had asked them not to, and Matt Farah had wanted to respect his privacy. But there’s no harm in saying it now, and it is one hell of a collection. There are a lot of Mustangs, Saleen Mustangs in particular (which makes it more impressive) plus a lot of 911s and BMWs, although surprisingly few Japanese cars of any make.

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/12/12/Matt-Farah-Tours-Paul-Walker-s-Car-Collection-7717599/

’09 WRX – RRE tune @ 270HP 302TQ!

RRE tuned a 2009 WRX to 270HP and 302TQ! The car was previously using a Cobb Stage 2 map (map came in around 235HP, per RRE). Mods: AEM intake, Catted downpipe, cat-back exhaust and 3 port solenoid. The car gained + 58HP and +51TQ at 6050 RPM.

Crazy. Note that they do e-tunes as well. I might try this, since I trust them…been to their shop before and have met some of their crew – Mike Welsch, Scot Gray (dunno if he’s still affiliated with them) and a few others.

My Winter Wheels

I swapped my summer wheels for the winter wheels today, since the temps are going to be in the single digits tomorrow. I should have done it a long time ago, but I procrastinate alot.

For those of you who are new to swapping wheels seasonally, I ran into a little surprise today. I had custom wheels on the car and had hub rings installed…well, I’d forgotten about them (the hub rings) and tried to put the winter wheels on top of them. The first wheel wouldn’t go on properly. Like a dumbass, I got all five lugs snug on the wheel with the ring still in place before I realized something wasn’t right, fitment-wise. It took me a while to determine that I was installing the wheel over the hub ring when the wheel didn’t need it. So, if you have hub rings, don’t forget to remove them when they aren’t needed…also, don’t forget to replace them when needed. They are easy to forget if you don’t swap wheels a lot.

Oh yeah. I froze my ass off changing those outside of the garage. It was 32F but 20Fwith windchill, and was dropping by the minute. I need to get the other car fixed so I can get it the hell out of my garage.

Some pictures:

     

1987 Toyota Supra Turbo – Car and Driver Review

1987 Toyota Supra Turbo – Car and Driver Review

A car has to have the goods before it can play in the sports-coupe major leagues. The combatants in this arena include such potent performers as the Corvette, the Porsche 944 Turbo, the Mazda RX-7 Turbo, and the Camaro IROC-Z—cars fully equipped to devour any competitor that dares to enter the field of battle unprepared. In this fiercely contested market segment, superlative performance is essential to survival.

More @ http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/1987-toyota-supra-turbo-road-test-review