Rob's 1995 Impreza WRX STI Type RA

[RMDavis]

Coming along nicely!

Thanks bud! :blush:

 

[Darren S]

View attachment 181880

Random photo after making the paintwork white again! [emoji23]

Turned around whilst locking up the workshop, and thought it looked pretty smart.

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Love the work and effort put into this car. It looks fresh, clean and purposeful. Of course, being a Scoob (and my personal preference) - you could always go for much bigger mudflaps - but at least you've made a start! :tongueout:

Just reading through some of the recent purchases you've made and having visions in my head of what Mr. Joe Public would say/think. "You've spent how much on a 20+ year old car??" "It will do what to the handling? No, no, no - it sounds dangerous enough as it is. Look at me - I can't go wrong with my 1.6 Astra...."

We've got loads of people like that at work who think I'm bonkers in servicing a 12 year old Clio - let alone what they would think about yours. They don't get it though - even after you've added all the suspension and bush mods, they would still be thinking "so what?".

Thank god a good number of us can see past the generic!

 

[super_ted]

Nice car.

I have a standard front bumper left over from a car i broke years ago. It's red but unmolested. Free if you collect.

 

[RMDavis]

Love the work and effort put into this car. It looks fresh, clean and purposeful. Of course, being a Scoob (and my personal preference) - you could always go for much bigger mudflaps - but at least you've made a start! :tongueout:

Just reading through some of the recent purchases you've made and having visions in my head of what Mr. Joe Public would say/think. "You've spent how much on a 20+ year old car??" "It will do what to the handling? No, no, no - it sounds dangerous enough as it is. Look at me - I can't go wrong with my 1.6 Astra...."

We've got loads of people like that at work who think I'm bonkers in servicing a 12 year old Clio - let alone what they would think about yours. They don't get it though - even after you've added all the suspension and bush mods, they would still be thinking "so what?".

Thank god a good number of us can see past the generic!

Very kind Darren thank you!

I know exactly what you mean.

At the end of the day, nothing stays factory fresh and even a 12 year old Clio with renowned handling will not be as good as it did when it rolled off the factory line. But you renew those tired/worn bushes with 'Powerflex' or even just new rubber bushes you would easily feel the difference. Especially if you take your car around track!

My Impreza is a perfect example of that, and at 22 years old it's fair to say there's certain components that need renewing and in my case that's the suspension. 😂

Nice car.

I have a standard front bumper left over from a car i broke years ago. It's red but unmolested. Free if you collect.

That's very kind mate thank you.

I have a chap that is sorting me a white bumper as we speak, but if that falls through I will certainly drop you a PM!

 

[RMDavis]

*Update*

So last Sunday, me and a couple of mates tackled more suspension work, and managed to get a fair bit done!

* Bilstien B16's and STI group N top mounts fitted
* Powerflex camber bolts front and rear
* Whiteline anti lift kit fitted
* Whiteline bump steer kit fitted

Followed up by a tracking session to set things up after all those changes.

It all went really smoothly, and the only issue we came up against was not realising we had to reuse a little tapered washer that sits underneath the front top mounts... This caused the front end to knock like crazy, and we had to remove both the front struts to rectify it! [emoji30]

I managed to get a few pics whilst we were working on the car, but haven't got any of the finished product! (I'll take some later)

Safe to say that the car looks much more purposeful at its new height, and the handling is incredible! Granted I've only driven it on the road so far but the turn in is fantastic! It feels like a much newer and agile car, I'm over the moon!

The B16's were definitely worth the money... However it's not all good news which seems to be the case with this bloody car!

I've been suffering with a horrendous rattle from my exhaust for quite a while, and have ignored it because it's been so far down the list of priorities, but on the Sunday we fixed it! Great you must say!?

Well yes and no... The exhaust noise has gone, but it's revealed another, and further investigation has confirmed my rear differential is whining like f**k! [emoji23]

This car is really trying my patience, but I'm staying positive. [emoji15]

I'm going to use the same transmission specialist I used for the Trophy gearbox to take a look at it for me, and whilst it's out I can throw the rest of my Powerflex bushes at the rear suspension.

I really do love this car, I just wished it loved me back!

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[jamesycc]

So what your saying is your scoobs is a money pit......

Mates got bugeye and has spent 20k on it. Granted some of that was a forged engine rebuild but he's always finding ways of spending cash on it, mad b*****d.

All modified cars are expensive as we replace/fit stuff that normal people dont even think of.

Looks good though. I'm not a Scooby man per se, but I like yours as its understated.

 

[Scrooge]

Coming along nicely!

 

[Mr R.]

What can I say mate!

Cracking work though mate. [emoji41]

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[RMDavis]

So what your saying is your scoobs is a money pit......

Mates got bugeye and has spent 20k on it. Granted some of that was a forged engine rebuild but he's always finding ways of spending cash on it, mad b*****d.

All modified cars are expensive as we replace/fit stuff that normal people dont even think of.

Looks good though. I'm not a Scooby man per se, but I like yours as its understated.

Yeah pretty much mate! 😂

Moral of the story is don't buy a 22 year old Japanese import without your eyes wide open! :wink:

Coming along nicely!

Cheers bud! :blush:

What can I say mate!

Cracking work though mate. [emoji41]

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Thanks Scott it's getting there slowly. :spanner:

You still coming to CSF17?

 

[Mr R.]

Yeah pretty much mate! 😂

Moral of the story is don't buy a 22 year old Japanese import without your eyes wide open! :wink:



Cheers bud! :blush:



Thanks Scott it's getting there slowly. :spanner:

You still coming to CSF17?

Yes mate, I'd it's not raining. [emoji106]

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[RMDavis]

With the diff removed and currently at the specialist awaiting his diagnosis... :sweat:

An early start allowed me to make great progress this morning by renewing all the bushes on the rear end with with either 'Powerflex' or 'STI Group N' bushes. Essentially the entire car now has renewed and up-rated suspension components front to rear! [emoji2]

Please be aware that the underside of my Impreza doesn't resemble anything like @Phase1sr masterpiece! I would of loved to of been able to send various components off for blasting/painting etc but unfortunately the perks of being able to use a two post ramp whenever I like has the con of being attached to a garage, and customers car's take priority and I can't have mine stuck there for days on end...

I've done the best I could for example where I'm unable to get my nuts/bolts plated I have just replaced them with genuine items so future adjustments will hopefully be much easier.

Whilst everything was stripped I also adjusted the rear anti-roll and set it to it's 'medium' setting as apposed to it's 'hardest' so I will see how I get on with that.

Interesting to note that my diff carrier/bushes are housed into the rear subframe as apposed to a separate bracket like Scott's bugeye. Although they are very similar suspension wise there are some subtle differences.

More updates to follow when I get the diff back! :up:

 

[NorthloopCup]

Pics aren't working @RMDavis

 

[RMDavis]

Pics aren't working @RMDavis

Cheers bud all sorted! :blush:

 

[RMDavis]

What do we think of this 'Group A' replica rear silencer chaps?

Personally I think it looks fantastic! However I doubt it's going to be track day friendly, especially as mine would need to be 3" pipework and my current centre pipe has no silencer...

Another issue (although not major :wink I will have to deal with a wife that already thinks the 'scoob' is far too loud! 😂

 

[NorthloopCup]

What do we think of this 'Group A' replica rear silencer chaps?

Personally I think it looks fantastic! However I doubt it's going to be track day friendly, especially as mine would need to be 3" pipework and my current centre pipe has no silencer...

Another issue (although not major :wink I will have to deal with a wife that already thinks the 'scoob' is far too loud! 😂

The pics aren't working again mate.

 

[loggyboy]

Considering Thruxton is our local and most frequently visited I think that answers the exhaust. Go for that style - not the silly 5inch jap cans - but with silencers for practicality/wife/trackday reasons.

 

[RMDavis]

Considering Thruxton is our local and most frequently visited I think that answers the exhaust. Go for that style - not the silly 5inch jap cans - but with silencers for practicality/wife/trackday reasons.

Yeah you're right there bud. Or I could source a centre pipe with silencer?

'Happy Wife, Happy Life' 😂

 

[Mr R.]

I spy shiny bolts...[emoji41]

What was the out come on the diff mate?

 

[yeecup]

that group a silencer is really loud, somebody was selling one recently and quoted something like 108 db.

 

[Mr R.]

that group a silencer is really loud, somebody was selling one recently and quoted something like 108 db.

Sounds perfect. [emoji106]

 

[RMDavis]

I spy shiny bolts...[emoji41]

What was the out come on the diff mate?

It was the best I could do buddy! Not quite up to 'Scott Spec' :wink:

Ah yes the lovely diff...

Specialist stripped it down, and found nothing wrong whatsoever. In-fact he said the bearing's look brand new, and I should just leave it as it is. (Fortunately he didn't charge me a penny)

Whilst the diff was out I took the opportunity to check the rear wheels bearings, and they're both spot on. So I refitted the diff along with some new driveshaft seals as the offside was leaking slightly then refilled with some 'Motul 90 PA' and as I thought the noise is still there.

It's strange as its quite audible at lower speeds 40mph or so, but then when your on a motorway doing a steady 70mph it's gone!? It sounds bad but I'm not going to pursue it any further. The car is rock solid, everything is poly or uprated, and being the RA it has no sound proofing whatsoever! Also the DCCD / short ratio gearbox is known to whine and it's quite normal.

I can only think that maybe the introduction of all these bushes etc have added more vibration/resonance into the cabin at certain speeds?

If it all goes tits up and something breaks at least it will be easy for me to diagnose! 😂

I just want to enjoy the car instead of constantly chase possible faults. On the plus side the new bushes etc have totally transformed the car in so many ways! It's incredible and I can't wait to get out on track with some sticky tyres! CSF17 is going to be loads of fun! :laughing:

 

[yeecup]

came so close to buying a v3 sti ra from japan but ended up with a standard v3 sti as it was a case of the importer finding either one that was up to my standard and after a while it was a sti that came up. was a grade 4 with low miles back in the day and i paid around £4500 landed, shame it wasnt an ra and id kept it as it would be worth a lot more now.

 

[RMDavis]

Secondhand front bumper bought!

Just need to make it fit, and get it painted...

The gappy front end will be no more, and I can't bloody wait! [emoji1]

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[cat171]

That's great news!! It'll really transform the car!

 

[Christopher]

Awesome updates.

 

[RMDavis]

That's great news!! It'll really transform the car!

Cheers bud, It's been on the 'to do list' for quite a while, but what with all the issues I've had it hasn't been a priority until now.

I'm also toying with the idea of spraying the intercooler black for some stealth points! :blush:

Awesome updates.

Thanks Chris! It's getting there slowly.

Still lots to sort out before Blyton...

 

[cat171]

Yeah I'd do it back, the more OE / stealth looking the better I think

 

[Christopher]

Agreed on the OE front bumper. Much better.
Even if you have to trim it like a savage to get it to fit.

 

[RMDavis]

Really like this photo a total random took of the RA at a 'Jap meet' this evening!

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[imprezaworks]

Mean, like it.

 

[green]

Thought id better post on your thread so I get notifications of what looks like another awesome build :up::up:
Who wants a quiet trackday car! :wink:

 

[RMDavis]

Here's a video somebody took of a local meet I recently attended.



Skip to 4:00 to see the old nail leave with a pop of flame! [emoji6]

The blob eye, Monaro, R32, are some good mates, and even @loggyboy Clio made an appearance!

It was a good meet actually and I haven't attended a car park meet like this for years! [emoji23]

Some lovely cars just a shame so many bell end's owned them...


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[RMDavis]

Up for sale!

http://www.cliosport.net/threads/1995-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-type-ra-£9750-ono.808068/#post-11399118

 

[Mr R.]

I don't like you. [emoji22]

 

[RMDavis]

I don't like you. [emoji22]

I'm sorry!

 

[Mr R.]

I'm sorry!

How comes mate, fancy something else?

 

[RMDavis]

How comes mate, fancy something else?

I think it's fair to say my RA ownership has been rocky to say the least and although the car is now in a really good place, and a thousand times better than when i bought it last year. If i'm honest i'm always worried about what might go wrong next. Which is no bad reflection on the car just what you get from being on the planet for 22 years I guess.

As for it's replacement I'm unsure at the moment. The first cars that come to mind are either a DC5 Integra or a Nissan 350Z. Whatever it will be has to be fun both on and off track!

Firstly I need to sell the RA and It's priced keen, but I think it's fair given its condition, low mileage, mods etc and compared to what's out there in the market at the moment it stands out!

 

[imprezaworks]

Dc5

 

[loggyboy]

Sad you/we didnt get to experience her on track, however i am looking forward to seeing the next project!

 

[leeds_182]

I think the 350 would be a bit of a let down.