johnmacdonald

I have been able to buy replacement Prodrive centre caps for PFF7s on eBay. Worth a look.

Hi Jak, Welcome!! A fair number of blobeyes appear for sale with PPP fitted and having had PPPs on three of our Imprezas, I have always been pleased with the extra BHP and torque. Not an expert on earlier blobs, but our current 2.5 WRX's PPP involved uprated ECU, front sports cat and s/steel back box, plus a high flow intercooler hose - nothing else. The standard centre pipe and its silencer were retained. Decent replacement panel filter helps, I believe - ours has a Pipercross foam version. I know rear struts can be a problem, but otherwise a hugely enjoyable and reliable cars. If you have the time, low mileage Imprezas do come up for sale - for example, our very early 2006 has only done 32,000 with full service history (but it's not for sale!). Love the 350...

John

As John said, go drive a few, try widetrack version and earlier (interiors are different ish) mechanically very different.

I wouldn't go PPP if you have the least incling to modify as it's wasted pennies at the outset.

Try to get one with history and lower mileage, but like any other car you need judge each as you see it. I fear a WRX would be to big a step backwards performance wise from your RS

Only reason for suggesting PPP is that a high percentage of late STis came with "free" PPP and at least you know what you are getting - so many dogs breakfasts of performance upgrades out there! Didn't Subaru sponsor PPP within the basic price for a period of time? We love our current WRX PPP, but the STi was quite simply an awesome machine...

Prior to current 2.5 WRX, had a 2005 wide track 2 litre STi Type UK with PPP (300BHP), Prodrive springs, Green cotton panel filter. Definitely sub 5 seconds, with what I would describe as frantic performance. Also fantastic sound from de-cat centre pipe and Hayward & Scott jap style 4.5 rear box. Fuel consumption terrible, but worth every penny! And, standard dump valve is silent, although I did replace with a Forge VTA and liked the fairly "quiet" venting. So far as I am aware pre March 2006 models do benefit from £260 road tax. Others will confirm. STis had RAC Trackstar and Cat 1 security, so not so easily stolen. Finally, you must test drive a wide track STi and personally, I would go for an unmodded version with PPP. Not biased towards Scoobies - have only owned five since 1997!!! Happy hunting...

John MacDonald

Must have just been me , was wanting a bit of exotica flying round the track , each to their own .

Kenny

Kenny, You are not on your own - I totally agee with you!!

Thanks for that. Are they competing with Tescos? But I don't need to spend £50 on groceries!!

Blimey, that's some result! What were the other "minor mods" to acheive such a massive power increase? Have had standard PPP on RB5, STi Type UK and current WRX, plus replacement high flow air filters and have been very pleased with performance, while admitting that the PPP is very expensive

Having read your good opinions regarding Falken FK452s, I'm having a full set fitted to our Honda Accord 2.4ivtec and if happy with them, I will consider fitting to our Impreza. The Falkens appear to be a bargain and that's probably why I haven't considered them in the past.

.

We all do it (once!). Having swopped to new PFF7s, I took off with the locking key still attached. Subaru dealer managed to supply replacement next day. Can't recall the cost, but it certainly wasn't hugely expensive.

Not really surprised that the Impreza (or Evo) isn't top of the list. Am I right in suggesting that we love driving our awesome machines, don't have the radio/CD on much (because you can't hear it), are not distracted by having mobiles fixed to our ears/don't text at the wheel. Basically, we are all fantastic drivers!!! Or is it simply that we may on occasions slightly exceed the speed limit and thus on guard for cameras and also keep a regular eye in the mirror for trouble - here in Hertfordshire there are a number of innocuous looking Modeos in all colours to be wary of, plus a few unmarked BM 5 series...

I had the Avon ZV5s before but will never use Avon again - terrible in the wet or going round corners fast, unsure what the ZZ5s will be like but they would need to be a quantum leap on to be worthwhile.

I have just replaced my tyres with Toyo Proxes which I got for £103 a piece!! They are a very comforting tyre to drive on for my style - very sure footed if a bit noisy - but not as noisy as the exhaust!!

If I do go for the Avon ZZ5s, I will post comments. Built a championship winning Caterham 2 years ago for my son-in-law and in Roadsport spec. complete with sticky Avons, he was more than happy with the tyres... And he won two years running!!

Im no sure mate, can anyone clear this up?

If they fit then i would maybe b interested in buying them depending on condition.

As said before, our Hawk has 18" 5x100 51 offset PFF7s and they adequately cleared the original Subaru calipers and also now, the big Godspeed two part 335mm discs and huge 4 pot Brembos. Also had 18" 5x114 51 offset PFF7s on our previous Blob STi Type UK and again no problem with standard Brembos. To reiterate, fairly certain that GB270 would be 5x100 - measure across from centre of one stud to centre of opposite stud - simples!! Further point, if buying PFF7s, just ask seller to confirm offset - it's stamped on the inside of the rim and beware of the cheap non Prodrive copies, which often are only 7.5J and possibly, different offset. Finally Subaru part no. for Hawk is SACC2561 (Gold) or SACC2562 (Bright flitter - i.e. silver). Again, this is stamped on the rim.

Hey guys, im thinking of changing the standard GB270 alloys for some new ones and was wondering what people think are best looking for a hawkeye, maybe pics with some if possible?

Ive been thinking about Rota Grid Drifts but know these are expensive, also seen BBS CH as well.

Could someone also give me the wheel dimensions, i lknow they are 18"x8.5", someone said ET44, no idea about that and is it 5x100 or 5x114?

Thanks in advance guys.

Jamie.

Hi Jamie,

Our hawkeye has Prodrive PFF7s - 18 x 8J ET51 (ET able to cope with big Brembos or the like). Personally, I think the PFFs particularly suit any new age and of course, they are light and very strong. However, now becoming very difficult to source. I guess the GB270 will need 5x100. No doubt others will confirm.

Hi all,

I just wanted to let you all know that due to extra travelling to work I can no longer justify the costs of running my Impreza. It has been an incredibly hard and sad decision to have to make, but one that has been necessary.

Its not so much losing the car, but more so losing this club. I have only been a member here for a year and a half but in that time I have made so many great friends and had some fantastic days (and nights) out with you all. Having had a brief, but highly enjoyable time within the committee I can only applaud all the hard work and effort that they (and all the RO's) put in. A truly inspiring experience and one that has shown what good hands SIDC is now in.

One thing that I have learnt from SIDC in the time I have been here is that the more you put in the more you get back! Myself and Nick came here when there were hardly any meets or runs out in the Midlands area but now it looks to be one of the busiest regions, alot of hard work has gone into building it up, and I must say, mostly by Nick (Goofy) but it is now looking to be paying off! I leave the running of the Midlands area in his capable hands and I wish him the best of luck for the future; any help and support you can give him will be greaty appreciated I am sure.

I look forward to seeing you all at some future events (as long as Nick lets me join him!) and remember, the more you put in, the more enjoyment you get back, so step up to the plate and get some events organised in your area!

Kind regards

Mark.

Sad news. Until two years ago, wife and I ran current WRX and an STi Type UK. Unfortunately the STi had to go due to unaffordable costs. We do sympathise, but perhaps one day you will be back in an Impreza/STi.

Regards, John & Carol MacDonald

Really liking the look you have there. Seems to be a chrome effect going on. Can you post up a rear/side view pic if you have one?

Cheers.

This image may help - defintitely no chrome; the pods are carbon effect in "gloss" black. In my opinion, they don't need colour coding.

There's been a lot of good press regarding Avons's recently introduced ZZ5s, including a mention in EVO magazine. My tyres need replacing soon and I intend to give them a try. Also fantastic deal on them currently with National Tyres.

The intercooler came from a 2008 STI, it was not an easy fit as there are alterations needed to the turbo actuator, new brackets and pipes and the bove has a different fitting, but also the decat downpipe made a big difference, plus the cold air induction. I also have the racerom map. The map can make a big difference, a good mapper will get more out of your car. I assume you have the standard prodrive map? Have you actually put it on a rolling road to see what you actually have coming out of it? You may be surprised if you have not and may already be running at similar figures to mine.

Thanks for the info. No, never had it on a rolling road and it has standard Prodrive ECU. Must admit that compared with previous 2.0 STi Type UK PPP, the WRX 2.5 has always appeared to be almost as quick (but sadly, not so frantic!). You may well be right - it could be producing more than stated Prodrive figures. Only useful mod is the Pipercross filter and running on Millers competition oil possibly helps a little.

Hi spect,

Very interesting - ours is a 2.5 WRX with PPP (running at about 266 BHP)- which intercooler did you fit and do you think that if I only replaced this component, I would notice increased torque?

John

Have had Forge VTAs on two of our Imprezas. Like them a lot and not too loud. Also fantastic aftersales service from Forge Motorsport.

Yes, I have used an indepedent specialist for years (using EBC pads)and he is cheaper than main dealers by far.

What a beautiful machine! Look after it...

Cheers for the replies, was a tad corcerned when offered them up against the car they look huge! but impressive what tyres would you go for and size, do you think there will be any issues with them rubbing the bodywork.

I have always stuck with 225 40s on 18" PFF7s (and they are cheaper than 235s). Currently running on Pirelli P Zero Neros, previously P Zeros. Both excellent grip and handling wet or dry. You may need to increase tyre pressures with 18 inchers... I guess you would need to take expert advice on possibility of rubbing arches. Subaru technical are always most helpful.

I have Godspeed 335mm two part discs plus huge Brembos and PFF7 51 offset 18 inchers - no problem.

Those Panasonic batteries are very good though, my old 2.5 V reg Legacy managed 8 years on it's original battery.

And yet on our other car, a Honda Accord 2.4ivtec, the Panasonic only lasted 18 months. Probably bad luck - our Panasonic TV, DVDs & VCR most reliable!

I recall similar problem with our WRX a couple of years ago - the battery was past it!