johnmacdonald

Have just read, with horror, that 2012 MOT regs state, amongst many other changes, that "A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure." Hope all of you have kept your original cats. Oh, by the way, apparently it's the dreaded EU who are behind this. What next?

During our 16 years of owning Imprezas, I did own two fab BMWs - a 530i V8 and a 535i V8 Sport. Wonderful rear drivers, but vowed never to buy another BMW due to the aggresive and inconsiderate way in which so many BMW owners drive (usually 3 series?). Our other car is now an inconspicuous Accord 2.4i vtec. Quick, comfy, economical and nothing to prove, as they say!

Hello - great to have a new female member! I'm one of those lucky chaps whose wife adores Imprezas (we've had 5 since 1997) - only problem is she tends to drive it more than me. I wash and clean it and have do all the mods...

Welcome! Love the quad pipes...

Have had Forge FMDVSUB01 VTA BOVs on previous STi Type UK PPP and current WRX 2.5 PPP. They work straight from the box and unless you are running a highly modded machine, don't see the need to adjust. Extremely easy to fit and only problem over some 30,000 combined miles was a broken back spring, which Forge identified and supplied a replacement free of charge. Can't get better than that.

Hi, have had Hayward & Scott 2.5" straight through decat centre pipes and their backboxes on 3 of our Imprezas, having retained Prodive front sports cats. Had H&W's 4.5" exit box on an STi Type UK, but be warned - very noisy and probably near the legal limit!

Awesome though. Currently run our 2.5 WRX PPP with H&W centre decat and otherwise prodrive front sports cat and Prodrive back box, plus Pipercross air filter. A good compromise (for me!).

Suggest you email via www.forgemotorsport,co.uk. They are incredibly helpful - may be able to supply direct. When you say adjustable, I know that Forge supply tuning kits that contain different rate springs and spacers...

Hi Dougie,

Please see my very recent post to Peter...

John

Hi Peter,

Only too pleased to give details of my man - but probably unethical to publish his details on the forum. Can you send me your email address to me on ljohnmacdonald@aol.com. New struts have only done a few thousand miles, so I suppose early to draw conclusions. However as they are a fair bit more costly than OEMs, I'm optomistic. Sorry to hear so many other members suffering similar problems. Going back through the years, 1997 Classic Sport, Turbo and RB5 covered loads of miles and never a problem with struts, or anything else to that matter... I think it's called progress - we've had more problems with the current WRX 2.5 than all the others put together and it's only done 32,000!

John

Forgot to mention - no problems whatsoever with new KYB gas struts!

We did have a Subaru approved warranty, but they refused to pay on the basis of wear and tear - just wouldn't listen to me or Subaru dealers, even though mileage so low. Can't remember the name of the b*****s, but they are based in Harlow. Hope you have better luck!

John MacDonald

Our 2006 WRX started knocking at just 20,000 miles and needed new rear struts - fortunately, they were replaced under warranty. Front struts failed out of warranty at 29,000 and Subaru dealer quoted approx £1,000 to supply and fit. However, small independent specialist I have dealt with for many years managed to source KYB gas struts and charged about £400.00 all in. Unfortunately for you, he is in east Essex, but if struts are in fact your problem, I'm sure he could supply and you could arrange local firm to fit. Let me know if you want contact details. Hope this is of help and by the way, I do know that struts are a known problem with Hawkeyes.

John MacDonald

My wife and me have owned Imprezas continuously since 1997. We're both in our 60's, but can't imagine not having a Subaru! Welcome back to the definitive ultimate driving machine!

Currently, one of our cars is an Impreza WRX, previously a 2.0 STi Type UK, an RB5 and classic turbo. Other car is a Honda Accord 2.4iVtec. Honda clutch/gearbox easy and light. Imprezas heavy, positive and precise. A bit sticky when cold. No problem!!

Have always been very pleased with Hayward & Scott de-cat centre pipes and back boxes.

Agree with previous comments. Forge VTAs easy to fit - no need to spend on expensive dealer charges!! I could fit for free, but I'm in Hertfordshire...

I have fitted Hayward & Scott straight through de-cat centre pipes and back boxes to three of our Imprezas - one to a Classic Turbo, another to an STi and to current WRX 2.5 PPP. Always been pleased (and with the soundtrack).

Thanks so much for the information. The WRX idles and drives fine and the Forge dump valve is not adjustable, other than by choosing differently rated springs. I will ask Forge for advice and then make a decision.

Happy Christmas!

John

Not aware of any problems, apart from replacing spring last year, but currently it seems to be "blowing off" at lower boost than expected and now probably needs a complete maintenance kit. Our WRX runs at about 270 BHP. How do I know if the valve is fully closed on idle?

I'm a bit panicy at present, having just spent £1,000 on replacing burnt out secondary air pump, its relay and also air valve. Could an inefficient or faulty Forge valve have any effect on the air system? Car has only covered 32,000 miles and has always been serviced properly.

Thanks for uour other opinions on this subject.

John MacDonald

Need to be 63 with 20 years plus NCD! I pay £308 for our WRX PPP and the insurers are aware of Prodrive extras and other minor mods...

Thanks for that. I think I will now replace my Forge Motorsport VTA with the original.

99.9% of cases.. nope no remap required..

The problems occur when you either buy a cheap one or a vent to atmosphere (VTA) one which arent setup/configured properly and the valve remains open when at idle.. therefore spewing air out to the atmosphere rather than keeping the intake closed.. There are also the issues with the VTA where the engine doesn't get the air it's expecting, because it's been vented. This can cause irregular fuelling, causing more fuel to enter the engine than should normally go in which can cause other issues. But I've never heard on any reports of failure after an aftermarket dump valve was fitted correctly.

Thing is the car will always run better with a recirculating valve (one that doesn't go whoosh, psshhht, or wheeeeee!) Because the engine is running the way it's intended. Also lag between gear changes can be affected by fitting after market VTA valves because you are getting rid of already compressed air rather than re-using it, therefore having to start all over again..

Worth noting that the fuel issue can be accommodated with a decent quality remap..

What sort of dump valve were you thinking about?

Nice one! Still think the classics were the best. My RB5 PPP was an incredible machine...

Last Tuesday our WRX 2.5 PPP passed its MOT. On Friday, CEL light came on and then smoke from the secondary air pump. Pump and its relay replaced this Tuesday(£728.00). This morning, CEL on again. Car now at Subaru dealers, Welch Group and currently unable to identify problem, but could be stuck air system valves - potentially another few hundred to fix.

Now heard from the dealers - now appears that one of the air system valves has in fact failed (about £200 plus fitting). They can't tell me whether the stuck valve caused the pump to fail or vice versa. If I have any further news, I will update this posting again.

As a retired insurance broker, I must confirm an earlier comment. It would be essential to disclose ANY modifications to insurers and sadly, the premium (if any quotes offered) would be astronomical. Sorry!