Topic: 1997 Impreza wrx Jdm

[KyleM97]

Hello. I am new to the Subaru world. I just purchased a 97 Subaru impreza. With a 2.0L ej20k turbo engine in it. I'm in Edmonton and wondering where  is a good place to get performance parts for it. I find it hard to find anything under 2002. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[NiceEqualLengths]

Intake - Hard to find. some people have made their own.
Turbo Inlet - Vex can get em for about 400
Any Subaru-ready turbo will fit
Exhaust - Any exhaust from a 02 - 07 WRX/STi will work as long as its a Turbo Back, the catbacks dont work with the JDM downpipe
Brakes - Your front brakes should be the 4 pot subaru ones, which are the same as the 06-07 WRX Rears are a little harder to find info on
Suspension - anything that fits a GC8 (93-01) will work for your car.
Shifter - The Japspeed one works, or swap out the entire shift linkage for a 02-07 WRX and you can use any short shifter you please.

Check out my build thread, or GC8REX for what works with what.

And for a tune/ECU. There is no "Robs Tune" available yet, so the other option is Apexi. I recommend Husky 94 (thats the closest gas station to my house) or Shell. SOme mixed reviews on both. Ideally you'd want the one you're tuned for, but because thats not an option...YMMV

Any questions,shoot me PM

[Rick]

Brakes - Your front brakes should be the 4 pot subaru ones, which are the same as the 06-07 WRX Rears are a little harder to find info on

02 wrx rear brake pads fit my 98 STi, I'm pretty sure aslong as you have 1 pot on the rear, 02 wrx's will fit.

[NiceEqualLengths]

I've heard about that, but I didn't want to say much because I personally haven't done the brakes yet. Did you try the rotors yet?

[Rick]

I've heard about that, but I didn't want to say much because I personally haven't done the brakes yet. Did you try the rotors yet?

No, haven't tackled those yet.

[NiceEqualLengths]

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1265631

According to this the 1 pot rear brakes are the same for the WRX up to 05 - 06/07 have the 2 pots.

So brakes are 06/07 fronts, 02-05 rears

[KyleM97]

What year would work for a clutch?

[gc8guy]

A 20k STi is already very aggressively tuned - you should be running at least 1.0 bar so other than an intake and a full exhaust I wouldn't do anything else performance wise because unfortunately that's all the 20k engine can take and be "reliable" on octane 94 of course

[NiceEqualLengths]

02 - 05 WRX clutch will work. I recommend the Exedy Organic Stage 1. I also recommend a Chromoly flywheel
Clutch kit
Flywheel
Machining the flywheel can cause a shudder (I currently have this after doing my clutch almost a year ago)

[Rick]

02 - 05 WRX clutch will work. I recommend the Exedy Organic Stage 1. I also recommend a Chromoly flywheel
Clutch kit
Flywheel
Machining the flywheel can cause a shudder (I currently have this after doing my clutch almost a year ago)

When you say shudder you mean its like really bumpy and thud, thud, thud kind of deal, almost like your stalling?
I also got mine machined.

[NiceEqualLengths]

Yeah, like you can feel the clutch contact the flywheel but there is a very noticable shake. Almost like having the e brake on while trying to let the clutch out.

[Rick]

Yeah, like you can feel the clutch contact the flywheel but there is a very noticable shake. Almost like having the e brake on while trying to let the clutch out.

sounds like what I got going on but it only happens sometime.

[NiceEqualLengths]

sounds like what I got going on but it only happens sometime.

Mines anytime I drive the car, even after letting it warm up. I personally had issues with the clutch when I installed it, long story so mines sorta different. Back on topic. I recommend doing those two together because you got to take em out any ways.

[Rick]

A good shop to go to in Edmonton is First Gear, I'm a little weary on them doing installed after I had my clutch done. They acknowledged their wrongs and took the time to go back over what they did. For maintenance items and performance I would try them, I've gotten my Motul oil and brake pads from them so far.

[KyleM97]

Thanks for the info guys. I will be doing the clutch and fly wheel myself as . Am a mechanic. Has anyone tried apex Specialized for parts?  any good?

[NiceEqualLengths]

Apex is the equivelent of Vex for edmonton, I assume its the same. Maybe shoot em an email and see if you could combo the clutch kit and get a deal. YMMV

[KyleM97]

Thanks guys!  another question. This one might seem stupid  y car doesn't really seem to pull like it did. I've only had it for 2 weeks. The first week the thing would throw ya back in ur seat when u stepped on it. Now not as much. No engine light. On and it doesn't seem to be misfiring. Any ideas

[KyleM97]

Any ideas??

[KyleM97]

Another question does any one know if the 1997 Jdm impreza is obd2??

[VanCharvel]

They aren't OBD2, and I have no idea as to it having less power. Are you sure you're not just getting used to it? They aren't that fast, but they are super quick... Could've just been the honeymoon period haha.

[NiceEqualLengths]

Yeah, it has the port that makes it seem its OBD2, but its not. Do you have a boost gauge? when I got my car I was only pushing 7 pounds so I installed a MBC and she works great now.

[KyleM97]

Thats what I am figured. So how do u scan these little buggers.

[NiceEqualLengths]

http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/stock-ecu-discussion/30024-how-read-subaru-cel-gc8-stock-engine-control-unit-only.html

[KyleM97]

So there is actually no.adapter to read engine data I kno with obd 1 on gm vehicles I.have an adapter to plug in and use the tech 2 to do some special functions and data.

[NiceEqualLengths]

nope.