Scooby JT

I agree the manual says the diameters should be the same, but its also a typical OTT statement that most manufactureres will put into manuals to cover themselves just in case. I wouldn't run 17" wheels on the front and 18" on the rear for example, but a few mm of tread wear difference front to rear won't make the blindest bit of difference, if it did we'd all be blowing our diffs up all the time as they'd be unbelieveably fragile. I bet everyone on this forum has launched their car off the line with out giving it a seconds thought and that would be much worse for the diffs, gearbox, shafts etc, than running part worn tyres. JT

I haven't read this all the way through so sorry if its been said, but I'd put the newer tyres on the rear and have the worn ones on the front. So long as you match the tyres on the axle you should be OK, I did this for years with no trouble and my Subaru dealer confirmed that its OK. I'd suggest that as most of the power goes to the rear it would be easier on the diff with the new tyres on the back.

The inlets on the engine should be red as well if its an STI. Looks like an unloved WRX with a few STI bits bolted on.

Proof! Apparently you can have as many laps as you like as long as you have enough vouchers to cover each lap.

Hi I've heard from someone in the know that Redline are doing a Nurburgring special next week with a free lap given away with each issue. I think a lap is something like £20 a shot so if any of you are planning on a trip it might be worth bagging a few copies! Cheers JT

The standard head unit has an auxillary input for an ipod or similar? If yes how do you get the unit out on an 06 car? Cheers JT

Bad Ass Performance - I think the website is getbadass.com or something similar. Seen their ad in Redline and he was at Japfest this year as well.

Totally hideous lights and very last year as well.

Sounds good. I don't normally skimp on parts, but with something thats likely to get a battering particularly with all the speed bumps round here it makes sense to fit something a bit cheaper.

ZCW have jsut brought out a new design called the Race, they look very funky and I would have bought a set had I not had the Inovits sitting around waiting to go on the car. http://www.fastcar.co.uk/04570735435455591...cw-race-09.html - This links to a small piece on the Fast Car website that I found with a google search. Although Redline has a product review on it in the current issue. Well worth a look I reckon. JT

I spotted that Revolution had one for £99. Seems good to me even if I destroy one every year I'll still be quids in for 4 years! Nothing against the Scoobyworld part, but £400 is excessive for a lump of black plastic even if it has come all the way from Japan.

They are, Inovit Tarmac 18"s in Anthracite. I am going to lower it a bit though as its riding slightly higher now than it was on the original 17"s. I know it s a rally car, but its higher off the ground than my old turbo 2000 on the original wheels and that doesn't seem right to me, plus they lower the WRC cars on tarmac rallys! Thinking I might get some tein springs and stick them on the origianl dampers as I'm not going to bother with tracking the car so coilover seem excessive. JT

Na mate you've just not found out how far and fast you can push the impreza round the bends yet. Get decent tyres though as the cheap ones don't help with confidence. Trick is don't go into a bend too fast otherwise it will understeer and might spit you off. Brake in a straight line and then power it through the bend, that way the 4WD helps you get the most grip by sorting out the traction for you. Ain't no way the Clio can keep up with a well driven Impreza, you've just got to work out how to drive it! WRX is more forgiving as the suspension is a bit softer than the STI so you should find it easy to explore the grip and handling, but it isn't as quick as the STI (more power, more advanced diff system, 6 speed box and stiffer suspension and anitroll bars). JT

Some of the old classic cars used to suffer from piston slap but this was sorted out years ago and the new age cars along with the last of the classics got a revised engine package which is pretty bullet proof. I've driven my UK spec classic pretty hard and its never ever let me down and with 90K on the clock still doesn't use much oil, so i'd say fill your boots its much tougher than any of the cars you have owned in the past. In terms of upgrading your WRX you'd probably be best putting the money into an STI, you'd get near 300 bhp as standard and all the running gear is tougher to cope with the extra power, 400bhp should be doable on the standard gear, though at that level it might be worh getting a tougher clutch as thats likely to be the weakest link. One of the biggest differences you will notice with the impreza is the cornering speed, in your old cars you would have had to have slowed right down for bends and then reaccelerated, in an impeza you don't need to slow down as much so theres less strain on the engine and gearbox as you don't need to accelerate as much to get back up to speed! Enjoy.

Hi all Just fitted these new rims and Toyo R888 tyres which sorted out my handling issue as per one of my previous topics. I'm interested to see what the opinions are on them. I like them but I think the profile on this set of tyres is too high and I'm also going to have to lower the car a bit to get the best visual impact. What do you think? JT