ISDC Featured Member's Car

John Paul's MY00 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA

The story of the Subaru Impreza STi Type RA

The 1995 model year was the first appearance of the Subaru Impreza WRX STi RA which was launched a month later than the WRX Type RA.

As the WRX Type RA the engine type is EJ20G DW4HJ
Transmission type: TY752VB3EA

Power output is substantially higher on the STi at 275PS@6500rpm with maximum torque of 235lb ft achieved lower down the rev range at 4000rpm. A drivers control centre differential (DCCD) is employed to control the torque split between the front and rear wheels. Standard equipment includes the hand built engine produced by STi, exclusive ECU, quick-shift, power steering oil cooler, rear 2-way mechanical LSD, carbon strut brace, larger rear spoiler and roof ventilator. Unlike the standard WRX, the RA has no front fog lights. Instead, STi stickered blanking plates over the holes under the bumper. 16" gold alloys with 205/50/16 tyres were fitted as standard.

How long has the car been owned by you?

I have owned the car for just over 2 years now.

How was the car sourced?

I sourced the car in Japan and a friend of mine who is a car dealer imported it for me.

What makes your car so ‘special’ to you?

I love the noise of the flat four and every time I look at the car I nearly have to pinch myself cause I do forget that I own such a beast!!!

What does club membership mean to you?

The ISDC means a lot to me, since the first meet I went to all the lads were so cool, and always get great advice and have made so many new friends. The ISDC is part of my life !!!!!!!!!

 

What changes are you going to make to your car?

The only thing that will be left to do will be six speed conversion and alcohol injection.

What are you seeking from your car?

I think my car has given me everything I have ever wanted, even now I think that I am use to the power but it stills gets me to tighten my arse up.

When, if at all, will you replace your car?

I could never sell my car. I could not justify putting so much in and selling it for so little and it would kill me to see somebody else driving it.

Is there anyone you would like to thank for this project?

I would like to give a big thanks to Dave from STi Tuning for his legendary work on the car, also the master himself Mr. Bob Rawle, Ritchie and Eddie from Pro-Parts. To all my friends and my girlfriend for listening to me talk about Subarus all the time, and, of course, a big thanks to the ISDC family. Plus a big thank you to my mate Peter for the great detail job done for the photoshoot and to Bren also.

Car Specs:

Engine
EJ22 fully bored and honed by .5mm
Wiseco pistons
Eagle rods
ACL race bearings
Brand new Subaru crank
STI version 6 heads
Power enterprise timing belt
Garett gt30 turbocharger with ceramic coating
Full 3" HKS exhaust
Bell mouthed down pipe heat wrapped
GT Spec headers heat wrapped
Oil catch can with braided lines
New inlet manifold with crinkle paint

Fuelling
Walbro fuel pump
550 injectors
Fuel lab regulator with gauge
Braided fuel lines

Cooling
K&N trumpet with 3" Samco inlet
Autobahn front mount intercooler
Water spray moved to front bumper for intercooler
Samco kit
ASI aluminium radiator

Transmission & Clutch
5 speed Type RA gear box with UK fifth gear
Exedy organic clutch
Lightened and balanced fly wheel

Exterior styling
Crystal lenses with HID kit

Interior styling
Standard apart from Blitz boost gauge, Defi water temp gauge and Apexi SAFC2 which i use for knock sensor

Suspension
K-Sport coilovers
Whiteline front and rear anti roll bars
Whiteline front and rear drop links
Whiteline anti lift kit

Brakes
K-Sport 8 pot calipers up front
Subaru 2 pots on the rear with Mintex pads
BF Goodridge braided lines

Wheels/Tyres
18" Rota Subzero with Toyo T1R tyres
Rigid aluminium competition wheel nuts

ICE
6.5" Touchscreen TV/DVD player head unit

Engine Bay Styling
Chrome battery cover
Chrome fuse box cover
All bolts in engine bay have been replaced with alam key bolts
STi oil cap