One of my Formels is bent, so instead of spending money on replacing one of four (which I'll eventually do anyways), I decided to wait until a good set of aftermarket wheels came along to use instead. I've had the Formels for over two years, and even though I have the P1s, I felt like something new.
Luckily a local NASIOC/RMIC guy had a set of wheels for sale that fit the bill, and the price point. I picked them up on Sunday and had them mounted this morning. I even washed the car!
Rota SDR 17x7.5" "Hyper Black"
I like it. I was afraid that they'd be too black, but they're glossy enough that they're not contrasted-to-death by the white body paint. The wobble and noise from the bent wheel is gone now, so I'm happy. It's almost a shame to get them dirty, but hey, they're only Rotas
I'm having some overheating problems...again. Probably the radiator getting clogged up...again. I was thinking last night about a WRX EJ20 swap, but realized that I'd either have to get an 03-04 bumper and do a front mount or get a Baja Turbo hood. We'll see how it develops.
Why an 03/04 bumper? I think I'd keep the bumper you have (better looking IMO. Don't let "THEM" hear me say that though) and run a front mount anyways.
The side vents in the bumper will allow decent airflow, and the core itself will heat-sink much of the heat out of the air. You could even make louves behind the openings to direct air at the core. We've taken the snapon heat gun, set it at 800 degrees F and rested it inside the inlet of a TurboXS front mount core. You could comfortably put your hand in front of the outlet without any air blowing across the core.
Plus, it'll look sexy. Plenty of cars make due with big ass front mounts with little frontal exposure, and still make stupid sick power.
Supra TT guys can make a TON of power on stock sidemounts, and they don't get jack for airflow.
You should definately do that! That'd be so sick!
Or, if it were me, and I'm just throwing this out there...
I'd use an STi block, WRX heads (and all WRX electronics), a Forced Performance 18G turbo, and whatever exhaust you so desire (I'd recommend a TurboXS 3" with the 2.5" "quiet" muffler). We've seen 370lb-ft made with that setup, with a cat and a TXS top mount.
It'll cost a little more up front (Parts for swap. Block, Turbo, Modified Fuel Injectors, Fuel Pump, UTEC, exhuast, and inevitably a transmission) but it'll be totally badass.
XNTRCK75 on SLI and Nasioc has a similar setup in his 98GT. His car is totally sick.
Thanks for the info. The 03-04 does have better cooling. Maybe even a SYMS front bumper...
A friend who used to work for Cobb has a very similar setup to what you're talking about. He had an older JDM closed-deck EJ20 and replaced everything he could think of but the crankshaft bearings...guess what failed? Now he's running an STI block with those heads and a front mount in his 93 Impreza wagon.
I like the idea of keeping it simpler and going non-DBW with 02-05 WRX electronics and using the experience a lot of places have with those ECUs. I have a lot of friends at Cobb, and they seem to know their way around
If I did go that way, I'd definitely need a stronger transmission than what I have now. If it does turn out to be a serious problem that a replacement radiator (the fourth, if I'm counting right) won't fix, then I'll start looking into XNTRCK75's exploits as an example.
They are any post 99 case and gearset. PPG stuff was designed around a 2000 WRX in Australia. The pre 98 engagement hubs have a much more stout design that was ditched in 99 for greater smoothness. Your current transmission would be perfect for the build.
I see no distinct advantage to drive-by-wire, other than ease of packaging.
