Hi there!

Thought I'd share my project with you guys.

I currently own an STi 2 Type RA Impreza, which unfortunately has spun a big end bearing (Hoping it's just that anyway!). The car has had an interesting life, there are a lot of scuffs on the underside and it also came to the uk with ohlins coilovers on it, unfortunately they were shot, so the previous owner has fitted a new set of STi shocks and springs. So I have decided to rebuild it. Having owned one or two modified cars, I have learnt the same lesson time and time again, which is to make your project future proof. My case always wanting more power. lol

So having decided on what sort of power levels are reasonably and cost effectively attainable I have decided on capping the power levels at 400bhp. Hopefully if I'm sympathetic I should be able to retain the standard RA box. Having spoken to severall specialists and one or two people from internet land I have decided on the following spec. The initall rebuild is to get the car back on the road at standardish power (however it does have some random Japanese chip). So the current build in hand is:-

Omega Pistons.
Arrow Rods.
STi V9 Crank.
ACL Competition bearings.
Gasket set.
Cometic Head gaskets.
Exedy organic clutch if required.
Parallel fuel rail mod
Walboro fuel pump

Not too sure on an oil pump at the moment a lot of people say the standard one will be fine, but a strip down and investigation will be required to check for backlash and scoring around the relief valve area.

The rebuild will consist of a full strip down including the heads. Heads will be acid dipped to clean, fully rebuilt, lapped valves, re-shimmed and a new set of stem seals (cant be too carefull!).

The blocks will more tha likely need an overbore however with carefull piston size selection I might just get away with honing to the correct size. I am hopefully going to use Omegas as they're one of the best suppliers on the market bar Cosworth and they're a little out of my price range. Having spoken to Mark Shied, I have decided to stick to the standard CR of 8.5-1. Hopefully I'll be able to run good quantities of boost and not to have too much lag.

The future plans wil include. Initially sorting out the suspension and braking then I'll go chasing power. List:-

Eibach lowering springs.
Whiteline anti-roll bar kit.
Anti-dive kit.
4 Wheel alignment.
Polybushes.
STi 4 Pot brakes (and bigger wheels to accept).

I have decided not to go for coil overs as the ride is too harsh having had them before and from other peoples feed back. The intended purpose of the car is for fast road use, Nurburgring and some trackdays. I want to retain some refinement and don't ant the car to be too skittish on bumpy roads.

When thats all been done then I can chase power, if I feel I need to.

Turbo is unselected, poss TD05 20G or garrett Ball Bearing item (owen developments just down the road )
Hybred FMIC
650cc Injectors
FPR
Swirl pot and Bosch 044
Autronic or live mapped standard ECU

Don't think that I've missed anything there.

I'm currently taking the engine out of the car, so not too much to look at. Not that I've a camera at the moment. All of the ancillaries have been stripped off, I just need to release the clutch and I'm there.

Should have some strip down pics soon

Mark