STX WRX Setup / Discussion thread

[screechf50]

Yes, turn down pipes are legal in ST classes. Plenty of people run them at national events. I run one on my 06 that I made out of a flange and 45 degree exhaust pipe I found online (total was something like $13). I take off the muffler section, and put it on the end of my midpipe. I haven't weighed it, but it probably takes 20+ lbs off. You'll have to make a small bracket that mounts it onto the diff carrier. I have a Cobb catted DP and a 2.5" midpipe, it's still WELL within the sound limits.

Last thing, you may want to look at a retune, I found mine to make the car run slightly lean.

EDIT: To clarify, I use the bracket at the same point the midpipe meets the turndown. There is no exhaust hangers anywhere near there, so I just bolt everything together (including the bracket) and the other end to the diff carrier to keep it from moving around. I'll try and get a picture up next time I set it up for an event.

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[machwon]

Awesome- thanks for the info Screech! I'll be having a shop fab up a turn down for me . Would love to legally shed a few more lbs off this pig. Would be a nice rear offset to lowing 10-15 lbs with a light battery up front. Thanks for the retune heads up- I'll keep an eye on the wideband!

[machwon]

Okay- a new question that will both display my ignorance of SCCA rules, and our AWD drivetrain in one!

It appears in the rules that AWD cars that didn't come with a LSD stock (us correct?) can add ONE.

Okay- so what are our options, and what would be most beneficial? I would assume front LSD correct? Thanks and sorry for my lack of smarts in regards to this stuff!

Edit- nevermind- I guess that rear LSD sort of screws us from adding any front. Bummer.

[subydude]

Not to mention you also have a center LSD

Even the new WRX with open front and rear can't add one because they all have a center LSD.

[machwon]

Originally Posted by subydude

Not to mention you also have a center LSD

Even the new WRX with open front and rear can't add one because they all have a center LSD.

Haha told you I would be showing my ignorance... totally forgot about that. So I guess the challenge is keep those 4 wheels on the pavement...got it

[tracknerd]

According to http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/impreza2002.html none of these were optional so the answers are likely no, but figured I'd ask anyway just in case I'm not understanding the rules / allowances correctly. Keep in mind that I'm a highly competitive person and want to be completely legal so that I know that my times are more or less legitimately comparable to my competition.

After a few years away from subarus I picked up a poor abused 2002 wrx wagon last fall on the cheap and am currently using it in STX (first real autocross yesterday, I'm hooked). I've fixed a crap ton of things that were wrong with the car, but the car still has many things wrong with it, some of which are just dead weight for my needs and I'd much rather just remove them as I'm definitely not going fix them.

1. Fog lights: Can I switch to fog light covers? (one light is cracked and the other has a short). Looks like they weren't an option for my specific model, but I've seen pics of bugeyes in stx with covers from years past.

2. Cruise control: Can I just remove it all? (doesn't currently work at all, car is strictly a city / race car, no need for it at all)

3. A/C: Pretty sure I can't remove it even though it's very much broken, but figured I'd ask.

[machwon]

Hey Tracknerd-

From what I understand so far...here is what I would say in regards to STX classing:

1) Fog light covers: I run them on my 04- that being said I asked our local SCCA director before and he said they are pretty relaxed at the local level about non-performance oriented cosmetic mods. However, if you ever want to do anything other than local / regional events (like nationals, etc.) they are a strict no-go as they adhere very closely to the rules.

2) Cruise control can't be removed as I believe it was standard on all WRXs - unless I'm wrong. However, if the other folks in your class don't mind, and again- you only want to do local events... it probably wouldn't be a huge deal.

3) A/C: It used to be legal to remove but several years ago (2009-2010 I think) they changed the rules to where it had to be on the car if it was originally. Since there is a good deal of weight to be shaved there I think this is probably a NO-go even at the local level.

Hope this helps- have fun!

[screechf50]

Simplified answers from the rule book (National level):

1) Yes, you can even route brake cooling ducts if you want.

2) No.

3) No.

[tracknerd]

Cool, bummer and bummer. Thanks machwon and screechf50.

[machwon]

Showing that there is at least still one old subie doing AutoX in STX (local club is lenient on cosmetic mods obviously).

So far leading the season novice points...hope to keep it up. Unfortunately this car is getting traded in on a 15 Focus ST this weekend- will be sad to see it go.

[tracknerd]

Don't worry machwon, you're not alone.

[tracknerd]

Originally Posted by thrdeye

BC Racing non-inverted coilovers 10K front/12K rear

Quoting a million year old comment here but when you guys go with stiffer springs, are you getting your coilovers revalved or anything? I've got BC BRs, currently running 8k/8k swifts, but am itching for more stiffness (and a stiffer bar won't do as I'm wanting less front inner wheel lift when exiting turns). I keep hearing that you shouldn't go more than 2k stiffer than the original 8k/6k, but the move to 8k in the back didn't exhibit any perceivable change in the slightly above mediocre quality of damping, so I'm curious how much more can a guy get away with. I'm kicking around going with some combination of 10k and 12k, but don't want to end up with a pogo stick / boat and don't really want to spend extra money on the BCs to support such a though (I would rather put the money to toward some of those cheater RE-71R or better coilovers for next season).

[tronic]

I am excited to finally get my car to the "as prepped as I care to make it for STX" level!

2008 WRX premium hatch
-I finally got an STX-legal etune. from http://iaperformance.com/ (he is a NASIOC vendor)
-PDL catted downpipe
-OBX catback
-AEM intake
-21mm F&R Perrin adjustable swaybars (set on medium)
-Kartboy endlinks F&R
-Koni Sports
-RCE regular guy black springs *for STI*, which are 320lbs F&R and retain mostly stock ride height (for daily driving, non-curb scraping, ice racing, the occasional rallycross event)
-Stoptech Street Performance pads (might upgrade the fronts before I hit a track day next, though)
-17x8 Enkei RPF1
-245/40-17 Dunlop ZII's

I've been autocrossing since 2003, but only make to a couple events a year anymore. Hoping to hit one in the Chicago/Milwaukee region soon.

[MNbiker]

Some of the long-time NASIOC members may remember me - I was one of the very early participants in STX, running an '02 WRX back in the heyday of AWD cars in the class. More recently, I tried a serious effort to build an '08 WRX for the class. Even with a very talented co-driver, the car proved no match for the BRZ/FR-S and larger wheel/tire allowances for RWD cars.

Recently, the SEB released a proposal to increase tire sizes to 255mm for STU, describing it as a competitive adjustment. Frankly, the AWD cars in STX are in even greater need of an adjustment than those in STU!

Once the backbone of STX, AWD cars have now become the bottom-feeders of the class, with most cars abandoning the class in recent years. The class is in jeopardy of losing most of it's rich diversity.

So, I encourage my NASIOC bretheren to write a letter to the SEB/STAC, requesting a competitive adjustment of 9" wide wheels and 255mm wide tires for AWD cars in STX. While this adjustment may not ultimately be enough to level the playing field, it's in line with the allowances already proposed for STU, and a big enough change to make a difference. You can submit a letter online via the following URL: http://www.sebscca.com

Numbers do matter, as the committee's typically get only a handful of responses to any given subject. A dozen letters advocating this change would likely make them take notice.

Thanks!

Steve

[BeBop86]

I'm not in STX, but I agree with your thinking. I have to be an SCCA member in order to write in, don't I? (I've let my membership lapse this year...


Speaking of AWD in STX, any idea how the MY15 compares to the BRZ/FRS? I figure it should do well in the pro, but what about in the tours?

[tronic]

Originally Posted by MNbiker

...
So, I encourage my NASIOC bretheren to write a letter to the SEB/STAC, requesting a competitive adjustment of 9" wide wheels and 255mm wide tires for AWD cars in STX. While this adjustment may not ultimately be enough to level the playing field, it's in line with the allowances already proposed for STU, and a big enough change to make a difference. You can submit a letter online via the following URL: http://www.sebscca.com
...

Letter sent!

[tracknerd]

Sent! Fingers crossed.

[screechf50]

Just a little something I put together. It's relevant to this page.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...4#post43754364

And I'm working on sending a letter, as well.

[The Fan]

Any info on whether the 15+ wrx is competitive in the stx class? I'm on the fence if I should try ds or stx. I have some rce yellows which I love for daily driving and don't wanna remove If they are competitive, I'll continue to build but if not I'm really considering just removing the springs all together.

[justint5387]

Remove your springs

[The Fan]

Originally Posted by justint5387

Remove your springs

I kinda new that was inevitable

[screechf50]

Agreed. Stay DS.

[Madalinu]

Y have subaru impreza bugeye wrx . Subaru car for me its a goooood car

[tronic]

Has anybody heard anything about STX AWD getting additional wheel/tire width allowance for 2016?

[The Fan]

Originally Posted by tronic

Has anybody heard anything about STX AWD getting additional wheel/tire width allowance for 2016?

I've been hoping for this but nothing yet. I'm running 8.5" wheels that I absolutely love which is against the rules but I'm only running practice races in hopes that things change.