hogman Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 OK guys you have been a life saver in the past so am hoping you can help me out again! Am thinking of buying a Subaru WRX STI Type 5 1998 (import) with a recent engine rebuild as a track day car only. I need some advice as to what to look for with the car - anything specific? Had a recent full engine rebuild with Millway and covered 1000 miles since. Aer these cars prone to needing engine rebuilds regularily? What things are to look for and whats to avoid? Will be looking at stripping out the car and getting a cage built inside. Any help, info or advice would be appreciated Cheers Kevin Quote
Tim Reid Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 What things are to look for and whats to avoid? There are a LOT of dogs out there, old Scoobys are cheap so ragged by iddiots and not maintained as they need to be. Look for a good service history (aftermarket is full of good Scooby servicing places), remember this is a high performace car and should have been treated like it buy ensuring it is maintained well. Take a look, check out the history (phone garage where the engine was re-built), go for a drive and take a risk. Once you have it, buy or make an earthing kit as by improving the standard subaru loom makes a big difference to idle and general electrical smoothness. Quote
hogman Posted December 17, 2008 Author Posted December 17, 2008 Many thanks TimDave25! Engines to be rebuilt every 60k sound about right? Just going what other people have said. Not worried about insurance as it will be a track day only car, will not go on the roads so wont have MOT, tax or insurance. I can imagine there are some rough cars out there, will be taking a mechanic with me to check on normal things. Would an Evo 6 be a better option over the STi do you think? Cheers Kevin Quote
Lurksalot Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 You Have a westfield............. and want a Scooby for a track day toy Quote
hogman Posted December 17, 2008 Author Posted December 17, 2008 Yip, gonna strip the Scooby out and have it as a raw track day car only, my westie is too nice to do that to it! Plus fancy a bit of a project too, the westie is complete how I want it and quite fancy pulling a car to bits and stripping it out. Quote
Tim Reid Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 Would an Evo 6 be a better option over the STi do you think? IMHO, no, I loved my scooby and there just wasn't the same enthusiasm from the Evo camp. Same sort of car really though. Quote
higgsti Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 the evo would require a lot more maintenanace centre diff needs a service every 6000 m and generally dont do big mileage without rebuilds and a lot of them get clocked you dont see many with over 60k on the clock .which to me seems odd.scooby gearboxes are a bit agreculteral unlike the evo especially the six speed in sti7 onwards which i have .i have had mine on track and given the choice between that and something rwd id go for rwd.does this car have active diff were you can alter ratio front to back although i think thats only on the ra Quote
hogman Posted December 17, 2008 Author Posted December 17, 2008 Think I will stick with the scoobies. Yes it has the central diff as its a Type R v5 so this will make it more enjoyable! Quote
Pilot Pete Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 Tbh, tracking a scooby makes not a lot of sense when you have your westy. Apart from the speed thing, in the scooby you'll be forever changing brake pads and tyre's. You will find trackdays all of a sudden becoming a lot more expensive! Having said that, I have really enjoyed the tintop experience so far! Quote
samcooke Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 Do not underestimate the lameness of a heavy 4wd car on track. I know Tiff Needell gets them to oversteer but they to be driven with serious flickage to get any sideways fun out of them and that will get you sent home on lots of trackdays. They also consume tyres, brakes and fuel at a silly rate. Have you considered something rear driven like a 200SX or RWD Skyline? Or the ultimate 2 litre turbo charged tintop - the Sierra Cosworth? Quote
hogman Posted December 17, 2008 Author Posted December 17, 2008 Well the westie is going and the scooby would be its replacement for now. Well the scooby as standard wrx sti type r weigh in at 1200kgs, stripped out with cage added might be able to get it down to 1100kgs so not toooooo heavy! Hear what you are saying with regards to tyres & pads though, hmm more to ponder. Not really considered other options really, might have a poke about abit more, a Skyline could be fun! Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted December 17, 2008 Posted December 17, 2008 Had a couple of scoobys, only WRX 220 ish bhp jobs and they will run forever - bet they would be as slow as anything on the track Quote
higgsti Posted December 18, 2008 Posted December 18, 2008 mine kept up with most cars on track except seven type cars and slick shod mines 305bhp though but weighs 1400kgs.had more fun in a 924 2.0 though round the old anglesey track Quote
hogman Posted December 18, 2008 Author Posted December 18, 2008 Seen a 460bhp scooby around Elvington and NOTHING could keep up with it including the Westies and Aerial Atom there. I think 300 bhp and 1100kg would be quite fun myself, different to the westie yes, but still fun. Got an insurance quote for the scooby incase I decide to keep it on the road - yikes - £622! Only pay £112 for my Westie! As for other cars - Skylines are out - too expensive, dont like the 200sx and cant find any Cossie Sierras or Escorts to play with either. Hmmm decisions decisions! Quote
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