The heavily modified Subaru Impreza WRX

Our customer Chris, owns this heavily modified Subaru Impreza WRX. It's got a 2.0 litre engine and is estimated to be running at 360bhp. Chris regularly uses the 'Car & Custom garage' in Bristol to perform the work on his car, and what amazing work it is. It 'wows' people when it's out on the track and it's easy to see why!

Let's check out the modifications on the Subaru Impreza WRX...

Engine Modifications

• 2003 EJ205 WRX engine upgraded with Mahle Forged Pistons
• Cosworth Baffle Plate
• Up rated oil pump
• RCM light weight pulleys
• RCM exhaust manifold
• VF34 Turbo
• Hayward & Scott full exhaust system
• Standard 440cc injectors
• Spec C Anti-Surge Fuel Pump Assembly with RCM 340 fuel pump
• Fully custom fuel rails and fuel lines
• Polished intake manifold
• Custom intercooler pipe work
• Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator
• RCM K&N induction kit
• Solid engine mounts
• Group N STI gearbox mounts
• Alkatek ECU with launch control and anti-lag
• Full SFS silicon hose kit, coolant and intake
• Custom heater matrix delete pipe using -8 fittings
• Oil Cooler with modine delete

Transmission 

• Lighten flywheel
• Exedy up rated clutch
• 5 Speed DCCD low ratio Group N Spec. 4.44 final drive
• Plated rear differential R180
• STI quick shift with up rated Super Pro Bushes

Suspension 

• Full GDB sub frames
• Lateral arms
• Front lower arms
• STi 8 Spec C quick rack with custom UJ
• Power steering lines
• GDB remote power steering reservoir
• Super Pro steering rack bushes
• Fully Super Pro bushed
• Eibach front and rear anti-roll bars
• Super pro drop links
• All suspension parts powder coated
• AST 5300 series 3-way adjustable custom valving and spring rates
• Car and Custom alignment settings
• GDB R180 rear suspension

Brakes

• Front – AP Racing 355mm brake kit with Project MU brake pads
• Rear – Brembo 316mm brake kit with Project MU brake pads
• Vertical Hydraulic handbrake
• AP Bias valve
• Car and custom garage full braided brake line installation removing ABS

Wheels and tyres

• 18x8 Revolution Millennium alloy wheels
• 225 40 18 Toyo R888 tyres for track
• 225 40 18 Yokohama Prada Spec 2 for drift fun

Body work

• My2000 JDM WRX 4 door GC8 Shell
• Modified Narrow Body Factory 22b style front bumper
• WRC P2000 rear wing
• Kevlar sill guards
• Rolled arches
• Genuine 22b bonnet vents
• RCM reverse carbon scoop
• Aero catch bonnet pins
• RA roof vent
• Lightened where possible
• Carbon mirrors

Interior modifications

• Full carbon door cards
• Carbon fire wall
• Carbon parcel shelf
• Carbon foot wells
• Light weight wiring loom
• Custom made dash defi pod and switch panel
• Removable sparco dished steering wheel
• Flocked dash
• Carbon cased ECU relocated in glove box
• Full multi-point weld in roll cage, painted green
• Lifeline plumbed in extinguisher
• Life line hand-held extinguisher
• Cartek battery isolation switch
• Sparco Pro 2000 seats
• Sabelt 6 point harnesses
• Washer bottle relocated behind passenger seat
• Odessey pc680 battery relocated behind seat
• Heated front windscreen with screen controller
• Heater matrix and heater box removed
• DEFI BF series 60mm gauges and controller

We also asked him some questions about his experiences within the car world...

When did you first discover you had an interest in cars?

Very young. From growing up on a farm driving tractors, motorbikes, and quads, I then learned to drive cars.

What was the first car you ever owned?

Peugeot 306 XS (I bought it standard and modified it - a lot).

Are you attending any car shows in 2017?

I plan on attending: Rally day, Action day, and Volksfest. I also plan to attend some official sprints / hill climbs and night rallys.

Has your car ever been featured in any magazines?

Yes, in fact, my car was actually featured in this months' Japanese Performance Magazine.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to modify their car for the first time?

I'd advise everyone to sit down and plan where you want the car to go, as well as what you want it to do. You must consider both the speed of the car as well as the looks. Do you want to focus on both? Or one or the other? In my opinion, there's no point putting a 300bhp engine in a car that is full of subs and amps. Also, write a plan and stick to it! Changing plans throughout a build will waste so much money when buying the parts along the journey.

If money was no option what car would you buy? And why?

I would buy an S5, or maybe a Group A Impreza.

Do you have any plans to further modify your car?

No - it's an excellent package as it is and doesn’t need anything else. Even events I have entered the car into have been very competitive, but has still own its class. Saying that, I am currently in the process of another Impreza project. So, this one may be passed to a new owner - if I can dare to part with her.

Insurance for a modified Subaru Impreza WRX

Chris' Subaru Impreza WRX is extremely modified, as you now know. A car as modified as this would need to be insured under a specialist scheme to ensure that all parts are covered in the event of a claim.

Chris' Subaru Impreza WRX is insured via our modified car insurance scheme. Within this scheme, we can set-up 'Agreed Valuation'. We can also set up 'Like-for-like' cover for the modifications. To ensure your pride and joy is fully covered, a modified car insurance policy is worth research. A standard car insurance policy doesn't always cover all types of modifications (some don't cover any).

We would like to say a huge thanks to Chris for taking the time to talk with us about his car. He would like to say one more thing; "Just to say thanks to Nik Baker from 'Car and custom garage' for all the hard work in building the car, from the ground up."

Further Information: Modified Car Insurance | Performance Car Insurance | Japanese Car Insurance