My GC8 2000 Impreza 2.5RS Project....

I like where this build is going

More parts came in, nothing special.....
Complete upper gasket kit....

Also got a set of plugs.
Really excited about getting my EMS back in the mail. I had to send it back to Hydra so that they could make the necessary hardware changes to make it compatible for a 99-01 2.5RS seeing as to how it was originally for a 04-05 STi.
So I got it back all ready to go.

More parts came in today...
AEM wideband...

Grimmspeed phenolic Intake manifold gaskets..

Fuel lab AFPR


Also sent off my exhaust manifold off to grimmspeed for a porting job and their larger opening crosspipe. Gonna have those parts ceramic coated also.

Got my FMIC kit in the mail today. It's used, bit I know it fits good In a GC with the swap I'm going with. Even came with a HKS BOV flange already welded on which is great because my HKS BOV also came in today!!

.025mm Oversized Manley pistons came in the mail today.

Block will need to be sent out to get bored and honed. Just don't really know of any reputable machine shops locally that I trust can do a good job. Anyone know of any local shops?

this is more like a race care then a dd..lol

Zero Cool wrote:this is more like a race care then a dd..lol

Lol, well I'm just replacing all the OEM parts that are prone to failure, most notably the stock STi pistons. The pistons are the only thing on this motor that will be aftermarket. Will reuse stock rods, stock heads, stock crank, OEM bearings, Stock intake and exhaust manifolds, stock VF39 STi turbo, stock reground cams, OEM headgaskets. Only non stock/OEM components are the pistons, injectors, fuel pump, up and down pipes (only cause the stock ones wont fit), and ECU (cause stock ECU won't control a turbo motor). So in actuality it's just a mildly built DD. Should be just as reliable as a stock STi, just with the weak points fortified.

nice. i like your style

Some Grimmspeed goodness....

Grimmspeed MBC


Grimmspeed ported and ceramic coated stock WRX manifold and Grimmspeed larger diameter crosspipe..

Found a reputable machine shop in Austin. They do all the machine work for boostlogic and their 1000whp 2JZ motors, so that's all I needed to know!
Dropped off the block halves today to get bored to 99.75 and honed. Also having them hot tank the block halves and polish the crank. Should be ready to pick up in about a week. There is still one more thing that needs to be done before the motor can get swapped in, and that's getting the stock cams sent out to Delta to have a turbo grind done on them.

More grimmspeed goodness......


Well, seems that the only exhaust manifold and turbo gaskets that work well are OEM. So, Grimmspeed designed their own gaskets which are superior to even the OEM ones for roughly the same price.

looking good!!

So, this project has been going slower than expected, but that is due to waiting on parts needed before the hybrid Sti motor can be dropped in. The old motor has been out of the car for awhile now. Lots of parts were heavily corroded as the car sat for three Indiana winters! No cancer rust though, just alot of surface rust! Will finally get the turbo X-member tomorrow afternoon. The engine bay could use a good cleaning, and even possible respray. Dupli-color doesnt seem to make a touch up spray paint version for Subaru Sedona Red Pearl though....
Also ordered Megan racing engine and tranny mount replacements, as the stockers were shot. Cams will be getting pulled out early next week and will be sent off to Delta for a turbo grind. Good news is that besides the mounts, only the lower ball joints need to be replaced, and everything else although rusty is in good shape! Oh, and as an added bonus, after splitting the tranny from the motor, there was a barely used Spec clutch and pressure plate and lightweight flywheel installed

You ever thought about maybe playing the lotto with all the luck you seem to have?

^ lol

Integratron wrote:You ever thought about maybe playing the lotto with all the luck you seem to have?

Lol, that's a thought that never really crossed my mind.... Hmmm....

On second thought you wouldn't have to play, you'll probably rip your motor apart and end up finding a winning lotto ticket. Nice progress BTW.

So thought I should include a picture of the relatively empty dirty, rusty engine bay.


I always liked OEM style black housing headlights and amber corners combination, so I picked up a set for the impreza. Haven't installed them yet, as I am waiting on the matching amber bumper lights also.
Black housing on right, stock on left...

And comparison between the amber corners and clear corners that were on the car..

I installed all the lights, heres a comparison...
How I got the car with all clear lights...

And with the OEM style black housing headlights and amber corners and bumpers..

Look good.

nice upgrade..

It's been awhile, and not much of an update, but my block has finally got back from the machine shop!
Oh, and my 02-03 WRX OEM 3-piece front lip and GC JDM aero guards came in the mail today..



Yes, I know I don't have a 02-03 impreza, but this lip fits really well with just a small amount of modification on the 99-01 2.5RS bumper. Here are a few pics of what it looks like on a GC

nice!!!

nice one

thats going to look good man