The boot compartment’s lining has been
stripped to save weight, and a 12-litre tank that houses water to spray the
intercooler has been installed (the larger tank is only found on the
stripped-out Spec C model; standard STIs have a 6-litre tank). This hosing down
of the intercooler’s fins reduces the temperature of the intake charge air
entering the engine, which results in the engine being able to operate at the
limit for longer periods of time.
This hosing down of the intercooler’s fins reduces the temperature of the
intakecharge air entering the engine, which results in the engine being able to
operate at the limit for longer periods of time.
And this “Rex” really could go the
distance – Mr B went for an uprated Exedy super single clutch and a 6-piston
brake kit from Rotora featuring cross drilled, slotted rotors (the latter for
greater brake fade resistance).
Complementing the mods that help this
yellow STI’s “endurance” are API Racing’s Type RS coilovers, which lets it go
harder. These feature independent damping compression and rebound adjustment to
better adapt the car for the terrain ahead.
Complementing the mods that help this yellow STI’s “endurance” are API Racing’s
Type RS coilovers, which lets it go harder.
Helping all that are mods that benefit
quite possibly the most important thing of all – ergonomics. Mr B’s “throne” is
a fixed-back Bride Vios Low Max bucket seat, while the “reins” of his yellow
steed is an OMP deep-dish steering wheel.
For his WRX and its potential to be
driven hard and for extended periods of time, it was interesting to learn he
never harboured such lofty ambitions before buying his “Scooby”.
“I just wanted a car with the looks
and soundtrack to match. If it could go, it would be a bonus,” he quips.
So it shouldn’t come as too much of a
surprise that, when asked which mod he likes the most, he didn’t hesitate: the
Fujitsubo exhaust with its bassy burble.
“I just wanted a car with the looks and soundtrack to match. If it could go, it
would be a bonus,” he quips.
“There’s nothing like the growl of a
boxer engine to start the day,” he says.
But it seems that since owning his STI
for three years, Mr B has grown to love it for its ability to hustle as well.
On what he likes best about his car,
he has this to say: “It feels like a proper racecar. A 6-speed manual gearbox
combined with good ergonomics makes driving a pleasure.”
And perhaps more than the rally
pedigree – and the affordable performance – it’s the WRX STI’s visceral nature
that has made it such a cult car. Whatever it is, it’s capable of putting a big
grin on Mr B’s face, and perhaps that’s the most important thing of all.
And perhaps more than the rally pedigree – and the affordable performance –
it’s the WRX STI’s visceral nature that has made it such a cult car.
