'02 OBS playing in STS (or AutoX help)

[Whit]

Howdy I autocross my '02 OutBack Sport (Impreza wagon) in STS locally, the OBS is classified in HS but I had to have the 20mm rear bar so my only other option is DSP(Pppfftt.. not a prayer with out spending $$$)

I'll never win in this class without really modifying the car (read spending $$ I don't have) so I'm just out to have fun and be as competitive as possible with what I've got.

Last year I bought some used 205-50-15 Victoracers on 15" steel Forester wheels, I tried them once and was amazed at the grip, but they put me in DSP where I was 6 seconds slower than the next-to-last guy

I'm thinking I'll get a set of the Falken Azenis this year and stick with STS. I have an extra set of WRX wheels that I planned to use with the Falkens, but it occured to me that I could change the gearing by 7% using the steel wheels with 15" Falkens.

The 15" tires cost less, I don't know if the steel wheels are much heavier, but changing the gearing might be worth it. What do you think, 15" Azenix on steel wheels or 16" with WRX wheels?

Thanks

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[mofugga]

wrx wheels with azenis, the wrx wheels weigh in at 16.5 lbs and i'm sure the steel ones are much more even though they're a 15", plus you'll get a bit more grip outta the wider 16" azenis

[FlooredSubaru]

doesn't the '02 OBS have the 2.5 motor?

so it shouldn't be in h-stock... right?

Erik S.

[KC]

OMG! Could we have an underdog that got through the rules? That would be so cool. If when the 2003 Rule Book comes out and it's listed there, throw some sticky rubber on the stock wheels, and some good konis.... YUM!

--kC

[hillman]

OMG! Could we have an underdog that got through the rules?

We have lots of underdogs, I think what you are looking for is an overdog [g]. An '02 OBS was an HS car last year, too, btw. The only Subarus not in HS were the WRX, SVX, and RS.

That said, I'm not sure a 2.5 OBS is going to be one against a Mini. All Legacies are already in HS, even the ones with that motor, and isn't an '02 OBS a fairly heavy Impreza?

On the original topic, the steel wheels might not be as heavy as you'd think. I have some that are fairly close to the weight of similarly-sized alloys.

FWIW, the option I'd pick would be to ditch the sway bar and run the Victoracers in HS.

[Whit]

Originally posted by hillman


On the original topic, the steel wheels might not be as heavy as you'd think. I have some that are fairly close to the weight of similarly-sized alloys.

FWIW, the option I'd pick would be to ditch the sway bar and run the Victoracers in HS.

That crossed my mind also, but this car in an understeering dog with the 13mm rear bar, IMO. It's the same motor as the 2001 RS with drum brakes in the rear, but ~300 pounds heavier. The other downside is we had maybe 4 HS entries in all of last season.

I do have a couple spare Victoracers, I think I'll take one and a mounted wheel/tire and weigh them, find out what the wheel really weighs.

I tend to think the lower gearing produced with the smaller dia. tires might be worth more than just sticky tires on 16's.

[mofugga]

if you decide to stick in STS get some new endlinks as the stock ones are plastic and it's amazing the difference after the upgrade!!!

[jeddy]

It might depend on how wide those 15" steelies are. If they're 6.5" (same as the WRX wheels), i'd say go for some 205 Falkens on those, since you already have em, and the tires are cheaper. If they're 6" or less, you're probably better off with the WRX wheels, and 205-215 Falkens.

[KC]

I don't think it would be an issue. Why? The 2.5RS has a 13mm bar also. Do both the TS and the OBS have Drums in the rear? Isn't one of them disc?

I think with a good set of struts, hoosiers or victoracers, and a good driver and you'll see that car show some good numbers.

--kC
(Yes, I mean Overdog. )

[paultg]

Do both the TS and the OBS have Drums in the rear?

Yup..

Isn't one of them disc?

Nope, just the WRX wagon.

Paul G.

[Matt]

Cool thread.

I've got an 02 OBS in the stable as well. Great car. The missus and I went to an event recently and won the class (HS)--because we were the only one in it. We probably won't take it out too often since its a 4 EAT and we've got my manual 01 RS which she likes better on the autox course. If her car was manual, I'm sure we'd race it more often.

If you want to run 15" wheels, I recommend some old Legacy 15" alloys. Lighter than any Subaru 16" wheel. I used a borrowed set with S03s on them and it was amazing. Really transformed the car.

[Whit]

Something else someone recently mentioned is using 215/45-16 Azenis, but Falken recommends a 7" wide rim. How do you think these would fit?(off to search Tires&Wheels)

Another thing, anyone know of a source for "performance" brake shoes (rear)?

Thanks

[Sean]

You can backdate the MY02 Impreza 2.5 OBS to MY96 Impreza 2.2 OBS rear discs per the update/backdate rules in STS. The MY96 Impreza 2.2 OBS came with the same rear discs as the Legacy Turbo (bigger calipers and pads than the Impreza 2.5 RS).

From: Howard Duncan <HDuncan@scca.org>
Date: Tue Aug 21, 2001 4:27:59 PM US/Eastern
To: 'Sean Sosik-Hamor' <sean@trunkmonkey.com>
Subject: RE: Update/Backdate for MY96/MY98 Subaru Impreza 2.2 OBS?

Mr. Sosik-Hamor,

The STS rules use the update/backdate rule from the Street Prepared category. In SP this change would be allowed, so it is also allowed in STS.

Howard Duncan
SCCA Rally/Solo Project Manager
303-779-6622, FAX 303-694-3654
1-800-770-2055


-----Original Message-----
From: Sean Sosik-Hamor [mailto:sean@trunkmonkey.com]
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 11:03 PM
To: hduncan@scca.org
Subject: Update/Backdate for MY96/MY98 Subaru Impreza 2.2 OBS?


Greetings,

I have a question about the update/backdate rules and found your email address on the SCCA site as the point of contact for vehicle classification questions. I have an MY98 Subaru Impreza 2.2 OBS that came with front discs and rear drums. The MY96 Subaru Impreza 2.2 OBS came with front and rear discs.

Since my Impreza is in dire need of new brakes, I'd like to backdate to front and rear discs to replace my stock drums. Since the MY96 came with front and rear discs, would this be legal under the STS update/backdate rule? Everyone I've asked at local SCCA events has said that there would be no complaints on the local level, but I'd need to get a ruling before competing at a national level.

Thanks for your time.

- Sean Sosik-Hamor
Trunkmonkey Racing

There is no cone | PGT Impreza L Rally Car | P Neon Rally Car
Trunkmonkey Racing | sean@trunkmonkey.com | What is a Trunkmonkey?

[KC]

Originally posted by Sean
You can backdate the MY02 Impreza 2.5 OBS to MY96 Impreza 2.2 OBS rear discs per the update/backdate rules in STS. The MY96 Impreza 2.2 OBS came with the same rear discs as the Legacy Turbo (bigger calipers and pads than the Impreza 2.5 RS).

Not in stock (I.E. HS). Update/Backdate only applies to Street Prepared (SP) or Street Touring (STS/STX)

[Sean]

Originally posted by KC
Not in stock (I.E. HS). Update/Backdate only applies to Street Prepared (SP) or Street Touring (STS/STX)

Right...he said he was running in STS.

There is no cone | PGT Impreza L Rally Car | P Neon Rally Car
Trunkmonkey Racing | sean@trunkmonkey.com | What is a Trunkmonkey?

[KC]

SO help me jeebus, I thought it was an HS question. DOH!

Read, KC... read.

But I still say, run the car in HS until the rules catch up with the car. I know the 2.5 engine would be great with some good struts.

--kC

[Whit]

Where would I look for 'good struts'?

Still toying with the HS idea.

[Sean]

Originally posted by Whit
Where would I look for 'good struts'?

To me, "good struts" would be the stock 2.5 RS struts (the old generation OBS came with them, dunno about the new generation OBS) and Eibach springs. Kris (webkris) ran that setup and said it was the best non-adjustable he's ever run.

To KC, "good struts" would be a $1500 to $2500 set of DMS40, DMS50, Leda or Moriss fast road setup.

There is no cone | PGT Impreza L Rally Car | P Neon Rally Car
Trunkmonkey Racing | sean@trunkmonkey.com | What is a Trunkmonkey?

[hillman]

One could also split the difference between those two strut extremes with a set of off-the-shelf adjustable Konis, Tokicos or KYBs. I don't know which have struts for a new OBS, but I bet you have options in the $400 to $600 neighborhood.