Tag Archives: STI

2015 – Car Photos

I’m going to try something different.

I’m attempting to document each color option of 2015 STI/WRX with real-world pictures. It’s very obvious when looking at the site states that people are interested in seeing pictures of the 2015 STI and WRX, so I’ve created galleries of each color:

Crystal Black Silica:

Crystal White Pearl:

Galaxy Blue Pearl:

Ice Silver Metallic:

Lightning Red:

World Rally Blue Pearl:

I’m still trying to determine how to reference the galleries (each color has it’s own gallery), as I won’t always want to post 20 photos into one blog entry. I’ll figure it out soon, though.

Aftermarket Heat Shields

Leave a reply

I posted earlier about my turbo heat blanket research and my findings. I mentioned in that post that I would look at aftermarket heat shield solutions. My plan is to use both a good turbo heat shield and the turbo heat blanket.

My choice will be one of the following:

Nameless Performance Downpipe Heat Shield

CB Titanium Heat Shield

The Nameless Performance example is normally $85 (subject to change, obviously) but there’s also the option of a ceramic coating, which adds $40 more to the cost. There are also free color options.

The CB example is fully titanium and is $4 more than the Nameless version.

I’m obviously biased since I’ve several Nameless products on the car already (a Nameless product would better fit the current motif, and with the option to add different coloring, I can better coordinate a desired look). I’ll more than likely go Nameless, but I wanted to mention the CB option, since they’re close in price and because titanium is one of the more exotic materials to use.

Subaru UK to attempt to set new lap record at Isle of Man TT course

Leave a reply

https://plus.google.com/114005208860575868874/posts/VsXChe47HPc

+Subaru UK has announced plans to attempt to set a new lap record at the Isle of Man TT course with the 2015 #WRX #STI.

Set to be driven by British rally champion Mark Higgins, the model will attempt beat the previous record of 19 minutes and 56.7 seconds. That particular record was set by Higgins in the previous-generation WRX STI in 2011.

As a refresher, the 2015 WRX STI has turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 227kw and 393nm of torque. It is connected to a six-speed manual transmission and a symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

While Subaru says the car is a standard production model, it will be equipped with retuned springs and dampers to “minimize any potential damage when the car encounters the many bumps – and jumps – at high speed along the course.” The model will also be outfitted with a roll-cage, a racing harness and a fire suppression system.

According to Higgins, “Setting the record was totally exhilarating and one of the highlights of my career – Bray Hill certainly added to the thrill! As a Manxman, I love the TT Races and I have a huge amount of respect for the TT riders and what they do. It will be a real honor to attempt a new fastest car lap.” (WorldCarFans)

Batman Slap Memes

Leave a reply

Do you ever get tired of those guys commenting on 2015 STI videos and articles that continue to say things like:

Ew — looks like a Corolla

Looks like an Evo

No hatch, no sale…

Those are really annoying to read and really offers no value to a conversation. I get sooo tired of the drivel comments because WTF cares about another person’s interpretation of how this car looks…it’s ALL subjective, even the hatch debacle. It’s obvious that not everyone cares about the Corolla/Evo/hatch comments because the car is selling very well (to the point that there’s a problem with dealer markup). So, to blow off some steam, I went to one of those meme-maker sites and created a few meme responses to the stupid comments:

The following one wasn’t created by me (I saw it on Facebook):

2015 STI – CWP Photos

Leave a reply

In looking at my hit stats, it’s become apparent that the pictures I posted of the 2015 DGM STI are very popular, so I’m going to post some photos of the STI in CWP (Crystal White Pearl).

UPDATE: I’ve also added more STI photos into galleries (by color). I’ve posted about them here.

I found these on Google Images. If these are yours, let me know and I’ll give credit, but at least a few of them are from reviews on Mazda Raceway.

2015 Subaru WRX & STI – Cars 101

Leave a reply

Ever had statistical questions about the Subaru WRX and/or STI? Cars101.com can educate you.

The site even has pictures of various options on the cars.

I haven’t checked yet, but I believe that the site may even cover many more makes and models.

What I’m currently reading is the 2015 WRX/STI section.

Nameless Performance Cold Air Intake Installed!

Leave a reply

If you remember, I received my Nameless Performance cold air intake a few weeks ago. I didn’t plan to install my Nameless Performance cold air intake this weekend but I ended up doing just that.

I had a bit of a time trying to figure out how to remove the stock air box and how to install the new CAI. Only two bolts hold the stock air box in place. The bolts were difficult to reach but weren’t too difficult to remove. It’s reinstalling the stock air box that might be troublesome, IMO, because rethreading those bolts back on might take awhile.

In hindsight, I think I probably would’ve been better off getting the Cobb SF intake and airbox. I still might look into going that route, but I absolutely love the way the NP intake looks in my engine bay. I sorta wish I’d been able to see the different color options (that wasn’t available when I ordered mine, but it’s on the NP product pages now….they’ve many color schemes depicted.

The install of the CAI wasn’t all that bad. It’s a tight fit and the product uses the same mount points as the stock equipment, although you have to remove a bracket. I had to search on the web for a picture of a mounted NP CAI to see how to mount it. It comes with no instructions. Fortunately it didn’t take me all that long to figure out and install. It took me 1.5 hours to install, but that’s only because I kept stopping to take pictures and video clips, and I kept double-checking my work (since I didn’t have instructions).

Here’s a picture of my extremely dirty stock air filter (I don’t think the dealer replaced it like I asked them 9 months ago and the car’s barely been driven since then).

Here’s a shot of where the stock air box used to be:

Here’s the close-out and MAF housing that I managed to figure out how to mount:

Here’s where I mounted the MAF sensor (it only fits this way…I suggest you mount it before mounting the close-out…that way, you don’t end up dropping the little screws in the engine bay):

Finished!

I can now hear turbo spool-up…it is very noticeable. I can also hear air rushing into the intake.

Note that this CAI requires a tune. This unit is compatible with Cobb’s AEM maps. I’m currently using the Cobb OTS Stage 1 91-octane AEM map. I’ve logged a few miles with pulls included…the logs are kosher.

There’s a slight hesitation at throttle tip-in from idle. It only happens from idle and it almost sounds like the throttle plate is fighting a vacuum, but I’m not sure that’s possible. There’s no boost leak (I’m hitting peak boost without issue). I’m trying to determine what’s going on. I wonder if this is just a map issue that a tuner can tune out.

Oh, and here’s a video:

Did You Know?

Leave a reply

Did you know that the 2011-2014 Subaru WRXs and STIs use the same turbocharger? Although they’ve different nomenclatures, they are the same. The VF48 is mounted to the STI, while the VF52 is mounted to the WRX. The VF52 requires a different mounting flange (it makes them less than compatible where swapping between STI and WRX generations, but I believe there are adapters that allow interchangeability).

Most people think that the WRX has a smaller turbocharger that gives the WRX an edge at the drag strip. What makes the WRX quicker is the fact that it has one less gear cog (meaning the gears may be more suited for drag strip pulls). In quarter-mile testing, the WRX always finishes in one less shift than the STI. It’s the same for the rush to 0-60, too. Basically, it can go most distances with less shifting because it requires longer ratios since it is a 5-sp transmission. It’s not quicker because it is more powerful. The only reason it is quicker is because there’s less shifting (which saps time). The WRX is at a 40-hp disadvantage when compared to the STI…with a 6-sp with identical ratios, the WRX will not outrun an STI. The reason that Subaru used the 5-sp is purely for ecomony-sake (monetary, not fuel). The added benefit is that it requires less shifts, but it does not handle powertrain upgrades all that well. 350-hp and it’s done…that’s the most you should expect out of the 5-sp before problems arise. Can you swap in an STI gearbox? Sure, but they’re not cheap and I don’t think that’s an easy swap…the STI gearbox is expensive, too. That type of swap isn’t for the meek, IMO, and even if that mod is done, the car will never be an STI…there’s more to the STI than swapping it’s parts onto another car…it’s more than the sum of it’s parts.

References:

http://www.wrxtuners.com/forums/f121/my-turbo-vf39-vf52-29176/

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37631014&postcount=36

Instagram for this site!

Leave a reply

I’ve created an Instragram site just for this blog:

http://instagram.com/sti_infatuation

I’ll be adding pictures as I take them. I’ve a ton of pictures already, but they’re archived and not on my phone or tablet, so it may be counter-productive to add those images. Most of what I add will be of Subarus, but the images won’t always be of STIs and WRXs; I plan to add other car makes as well. We’re all car lovers at heart…at least true enthusiasts are.

I’ll also be adding a Pinterest site…gonna see if I can bake them off to see which is better (gonna skip Tumbler for now).

Nameless Performace CAI has arrived!

Leave a reply

This is the Nameless Performance cold air intake (CAI) that I ordered a month and three weeks ago. I’ve been waiting for this a long time. At first, I was upset because I thought that most of this was pre-built, but after making a complaint to Jason (of Nameless), he e-mailed me stating that they were almost done building it. I did a mental double-take. Then, when I received it, I got a good look at the craftsmanship…it’s good enough to where I can mount it over my fireplace (I’m not joking). It’s almost a work of art. The close-out is powder-coated. If I’d have known it would look that good, I’d have maybe chosen another color. I opted to have the MAF housing as black in color. Overall, it looks great!

I’ll probably end up mounting it a week before my protune is scheduled. No, this CAI doesn’t need a protune, as it is compatible with Cobb’s AEM OTS tunes (although, a protune would be more efficient/safer). If I could, I’d get the car dyno’d and tuned before the parts are mounted and afterward, but I can’t/won’t. I’m also still mulling over getting an e-tune. I’ve a few e-tuners in mind, but will need to get the low RPM stumble fixed (there’s an online mod how-to here).