craig79

Nice wee write up mate, would be my evo of choice if/when funds allow. Unlike you tho I've not had a shotty yet. You certainly sound like everyone I'm talking to re. them; they pack a big punch performance / handling wise but a bit too hardcore for run of the mill driving. Craig.

Cheers Joe

Thanks lads, there's no really a definative reason why the evo is in ma heed it's just I'm looking for an extreme toy as possible that can be arranged through the means of what I've got - if that makes sense. My brother worked in Mitsi in fife for a few years and had tested everything except the 400, he claims there is nothing that can match an evo when it comes to handling and braking (within reason). Ofcourse he's biased but he has been in a PPP'd 2.5 impreza and still says the evo 340 would out perform it. I know how this thread will end up, only I can decide on what to do just trying to gather as much experience from people as poss so as not to flush whatever money I do spend doon the lavvy !! Wonder if GMac's is still no up for sale mmmmmm ........ Craig.

Ahhhhhh sorry mate lol wondered if thats what you meant It's all about whats financially possible at the end o the day. But do agree that the JDM's are a very good bench mark.

No really a big enough fan of the focus' mate to buy one, they look good but it's still a focus at the end of the day. It's the same old story both the impreza and evo, they can very easily be used as something else other than a track toy, exiges, caterhams etc are just no quite as practical. Re the self comitment of not driving a billion mph everywhere I've developed a wee bit of self control wi the bike so thats no a big deal for me but do know what you mean though Craig.

Appreciate the input mate, my car's roughly at 280 the now, so have spent a little bit on it with all the supporting mods to compliment the remap. It is a crap thought to just sell up all that dosh and effort but if buying the mr means less heart ache later on down the line then I'm thinking it's the better decision. I know nothings guaranteed but was just looking to see if people have had real issues with taking a wrx to this level without having to remorgage every 6 months Don't get me wrong really love being part of the subaru niche but it's all about grin factor and how often the hand has to be in the pocket. When I hear of people having to continually fix their cars due the power levels I just think I couldnae be ersed; personally would take the fun away from owning the car fae me ?? Craig.

I'm going to get a drive of an evo to help this decision, tbh mate think I'd be doing ok if I got 9k for my car things being the way they are at the mo. Figuring 9 for the car, 4ish for the bike and the rest on finance, so ultimately costing myself more money each month but then there is no outgoings for the bike any more. Ok it is more money but from the sounds of things you're getting more of a car no ?? By my rekoning I'm needing to throw 3k at the impreza to get it to evo terriatory then as Grant mentioned you're risking the g/b letting go......... b.loody ell my heed hurts !!! Craig.

Thanks alot Grant, alot of useful pointers there, based on what you're saying the evo is looking more and more likely. This is kind of what I am puzzled with; taking a car to a level that is renound for breaking bits or actually buy something that is designed to cope with the useage that I've got in mind ?? By no means am I rough with my cars but I would be truely p.issed off after spending approx. 3k getting it to the 350 bench mark for the g/b to let go. As you say mate bit of a now brainer Craig.

Lol no quite sure if I'm pickin up yir subtle advice there Gus lol. Cheers mate

Tbh mate if I had the readies I'd buy the new sti but that's never gonna happen so I'm faced with the above choices. I know alot of people may be a little biased considering the forum we are on at the moment ..... but an objective view of any kind would be a big help. Love my car and would love to throw countless amounts of the queens finest at it to make it a bit special but, a) I'm never gonna see any of that money back and most importantly will the car cope and not melt gearboxes / clutches with every run I make. Whatever car is decided upon it would be a fast road tool with the possibility of seeing a track now and again. In a nut shell basically looking for somehting to give as close a buzz to a bike as possible ?? Craig.

Long and the short is the car has become a weekend toy, I have a bike at the moment but am selling to do one of the above. Big problem is I've not idea how my car would be / cope with 350+ brake ?? I've full intensions of having a go in an mr340 to see what all the hipe is about but I'll still not be sure as to how my car would compare with a serious power / handling upgrade. Question is has anyone been in a highly tuned newage wrx and a mr340 to make an accurate comparison ?? Really would appreciate any input with this as it's a bit of a gamble without knowing for sure. Thanks people Craig.

John, You can also try Ian Godney of Godspeed Brakes, there's not much he doesn't know about brakes like Craig.

Thanks for the heads up mate, the cars currently running 280ish with aboot 60k on the clock. To achieive the mid 300 figures a complete 3" decat system would be needed anyway irradicating the cat worries, but the head gasket is a bit of a concern ?? Would really need to talk to Andy F re. any possible preventions before I take the leap. Craig.

What's wrong with your car's paint Neil ?? Craig.

Looking very nice Andy, the stance of that car is just sheer perversion You're bound to still be chuffed with the muck aboot 9.9 eh ? Craig.

John, answer to all the troubles : http://www.restorationramps.co.uk/phdi/p1....ment∂=3 Craig.

Thanks for that John, so suppose your car's a different beast entirely then It appears Andy has been updating his site : http://www.andyforrestperformance.co.uk/58901.html I was thinking level 3 terratory but he does state that depending on usage the g/b could take a pounding just wasn't too sure if this was your after effect ?? Anyway thanks for that mate, will keep going with the homework - it's looking good tho Craig.

John, apologies for the very broad question here but what performance / handling mods have you carried out to date ?? Your car is a WRX isn't it, am currently mulling over the idea of selling the bike and go down the 'big' upgrade road myself with my '03 wrx. Do remember you having a tale of woe re. your g/box and thought it would be pretty beneficial to do a bit of homework and see what level you can take things to until they start to break. The car has become a weekend toy now so can justify the possible useage of methanol but again I want to be able to use it properly without thinking 'only another 2 months before things start to melt ' Generally any advice related to what not to do would be of great help mate. Craig.

Did the exact same thing on Saturday at John R Weir's in Perth. Had a go in their white STI, all I can say is that I was more than impressed with the overall package that the car has . It's never gonna have the presence that the blob / hawk eyes have albeit it can be improved by perhaps fitting p/d springs and a set of 18's ?? Was very impressed how planted it felt around corners, very confidence inspiring, wasn't too sure about the 6 spd gear box think it's just becasue I'm used to the typical 5 spd ?? Re. the interior I thought it was an improvment across the board seats were def comfier than mine. Gus; the guy i spoke to said the P/D version's not out as of yet but when it does it should be pushing 340~350 bhp, should be interesting !! All in all a very purposeful car and with a price not to be sniffed at, but it def is lacking in the 'subaru' qualities that all the previous versions come with. It might be the overall shape I don't know but If you're someone coming into the subaru fold from new and haven't experienced the previous incarnations you certainly won't know what you're missing and should just buy one - it's a good all rounder Craig.

Totally agree with the above, if only alot of other lads were as curtious as yirsel Russ - a true gent Whats planned then, you gonna be going somewhere else mate ?? Craig.

Lol you're no wrong mate Just ordered the discs / pads from Ian think he's on holiday until next monday so winnae get them until maybe a week wednesday Good luck wi your brake dilema buddy Craig.

Alright Dennis, noticed that aswell with the D2's ? Just after the offer was put up there was a post saying something like "change of plans", pretty weird I thought ?? Are you sure the K-Sport one is still going I'm sure I saw a post from the guy saying it had finished could be wrong though ?? Will probably go with Godspeed myself, am kinda having to ride out this month in terms of dosh and see how the funds are, got the anniversary coming up Craig.

No worries mate Craig

Lol in the same kinda boat mate, I'm needing discs and Ian Godney could prob do a deal with pads for the 200 mark. Then again you're getting the D2's for aboot 680 inc postage and I could sell the brembos and discs which would mean I'm spending aboot 400 depending what I got for the brembos....... oooooooo ma heed hurts !!!!! Craig.

Don't know if it's any interest to ya mate : http://bbs.scoobynet.com/group-buys-356/69...brake-kits.html Craig.