Every source i have found indicates that the gc8 impreza 2.5rs scores about a .82g's on the skidpad. The 1st gen legacy scored a .80g, and the wrx a .87g.

the rs has stiffer suspension than either car, and wider tires. Weight distribution is better in the legacy, and similar in the rex. Why can't the rs stay on the road? Was it equipped with 215/55t16's???

It can be hard to compare skidpad scores between different sources. Skidpad scores are heavily influenced by the surface, and the weather. The scores may not be as different as it seems.

Originally posted by scottzg
the rs has stiffer suspension than either car

Are you sure about that?

spring rates
...................................front.......... ....................rear
WRX Sedan (MT/AT) ..163/163 .....................119/132
WRX Wagon (MT/AT) .163/163......................132/144
impreza 2.5 RS S..........157.............................. 149
legacy sedan.................132......................... .....132

the rs and the wrx rates are really similar (except in the rear, stupid noseheavy wrx), but a rs is ~2700 lbs and the rex is ~3000

I assume the struts are well matched to the springs.

blah blah blah turn radius, blah blah blah road surface blah blah blah humidity... whatever. I checked about a million sources. my numbers are within .01g of all the figures I found.

SO... does anyone know why the rs can't hold the road? I have a rumor that the rear sway bar is some crazy-small 13mm jobber. If that is the weak link, an upgraded rear sway would do incredible things to the rs.

Please don't quibble about 50lbs or different surfaces, my numbers are close enough, .05g is huge but the rs has all the advantages, and i wanna know why.

the stock sway bar on the RS is a 13mm... i dont know what that does to the skidpad data, but it's true. i can't wait to get my Cusco! :devil:

Stock RS tires are identical to stock REX tires, size and all. I'd say swaybar too.

Sway bar makes huge difference, fo sho.

Would the limited slip in the WRX have anything to do with it?

Originally posted by DILLIGAF Racing
Would the limited slip in the WRX have anything to do with it?

I think it would. Is the RS being referred to a late model one with the LSD? 2000 or 2001?

-paK +2

do the late model's (ie 2003) have a LSD in them? I thought that was one of the differences aside from the motor on the 2.5rs to the WRX.

No only 2000 (as option) and 2001 had the LSD on the rear.

-paK +2

Std. on 2000 and 2001, we've been over this.

JC

I vote for the sway bar too.

Originally posted by scottzg
Every source i have found indicates that the gc8 impreza 2.5rs scores about a .82g's on the skidpad. The 1st gen legacy scored a .80g, and the wrx a .87g.

the rs has stiffer suspension than either car, and wider tires. Weight distribution is better in the legacy, and similar in the rex. Why can't the rs stay on the road? Was it equipped with 215/55t16's???

All RS's have the same size tires stock as the WRX. I don't know where you got your skidpad numbers but .82g's seems kinda low for a GC RS. Back in 2000 Car and Driver tested the RS and I think they got much higher. But a WRX rear sway on an RS can be a big improvement.

Originally posted by scottzg
spring rates
...................................front.......... ....................rear
WRX Sedan (MT/AT) ..163/163 .....................119/132
WRX Wagon (MT/AT) .163/163......................132/144
Huh. Stiffer rear in the automatics. Is this because lift-throttle oversteer isn't as problematic w/ autos?

I wonder if it's possible to switch to the automatic/sedan or automatic/wagon strut when you have the MT and get the same result as you would with a stiffer sway bar with out sacrificing side to side independence.

Hmmm...intriguing.

i had a problem with my RS sliding alot. I bought the stock WRX rear sway bar [20mm] and it went crazy! the handling improved at least 20-40%.

the RS is sort of different. the spring rates might be little higher, but it's not designed to be half as sporty as the wrx. i believe that with about 400 dollars in stiffer underbody parts, it would blow away the stock wrx on the skidpad.

just for the info: the coupe is 2820 lbs and the sedan is 2825lbs with manual trannies.

=brett=

Wow I didn't know the RS was that much lighter than the WRX.

yeah it is and my 93 L was only 25xx lbs when befor the ej20

what size is the front sway bar on a 2.5
rs?

Here's the answer: TIRES.

The 2.5RS comes with RE92 Potenzas, right? So does the Mitusibishi Lancer Ralliart. That car is posting skidpads of about 0.82g also.

It's probably gotta be the tires.

well it depends what 2.5 rs your talking about im assuming you mean like the GM6 and the GF6 or what ever, and the answer is very simple the chassy of the GM6/GF6 Might as well be made out of rubber hehe jk but the chassy is not very stiff at all. Friend of mine has the sti struts springs cusco sway bars and strut bars and that thing absolutly kills thing has to pull a low .9 on the skidpad

GM6 and GF6 = 2002+ 2.5RS's?

Originally posted by dugrant153
GM6 and GF6 = 2002+ 2.5RS's?

GM6 = 2.5l old school coupe
GF6 = 2.5l old school wagon (no such thing though unless it's a swap)

The front swaybar is 19mm IIRC.

bah what ever you guys are so nit picky hehe i ment the sedan.

RS front sway bar is 19mm.

Jay

Originally posted by dugrant153
Here's the answer: TIRES.

The 2.5RS comes with RE92 Potenzas, right? So does the Mitusibishi Lancer Ralliart. That car is posting skidpads of about 0.82g also.

It's probably gotta be the tires.

Yup, the skidpad is largely a measure of how good the tires grip, slalom is a much better indication of handling ability of the car.

Originally posted by JewPac42
Yup, the skidpad is largely a measure of how good the tires grip, slalom is a much better indication of handling ability of the car.

For every day driving, the RE92s grab adequately. They aren't the best if you like to drive aggressive and corner hard though.(As we all know anyways)

Originally posted by 2.5rsCoupe@dfw
bah what ever you guys are so nit picky hehe i ment the sedan.

Nitpicky?

You are literally talking about two different car.

Originally posted by Pakin
No only 2000 (as option) and 2001 had the LSD on the rear.

-paK +2

Nope. Some late '99s had them too.

And I do RC!