The Beat Block

Ken Block WRX STI
Engine
Engine Code: Crawford Race S3L
Type: 2457cc, horizontally opposed four, DOHC, turbocharged and intercooled, aluminum block and heads, variable intake cam
Internal Modifications: 79mm Crawford billet crank, long rods, forged pistons, and head porting, Inconel valves, single springs, titanium retainers, baffled oil pan
External Modifications: Crawford CP30R turbo kit, FMI, oil cooler, intake and five-inch aluminum racing exhaust, 255 l/hr fuel pump, 720cc/min injectors
Claimed Wheel HP: 525
Claimed Wheel Torque (lb-ft): 525

Drivetrain
Layout: Longitudinal front engine, all-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission
Drivetrain Modifications: Exedy triple carbon clutch, Driveshaft Shop axles

Suspension
Front: Tein Super Racing w/dual EDFC
Rear: Tein Super Racing w/dual EDFC

Brakes
Front: 12.7-in. slotted rotors, fixed four-piston Brembo calipers, Ferodo ceramic pads
Rear: 12.3-in. slotted rotors, fixed two-piston Brembo calipers, Ferodo ceramic pads

External
Wheels: Volk RE30 18x10.5
Tires: BFG R1 (R-comp) 285/35/18 (track), BFG KD (street-comp) 285/30/18 (gymkhana)
Body: WRC replica widebody kit, Crawford carbon roof skin, carbon door skins, crabon fiber WRC rear wing
Interior: Recaro Pole Position seats, Sparco six-point harness]

M-Workz 350Z
Engine
Engine Code: VQ35DE
Type: 3498cc V6, DOHC, turbocharged and intercooled, aluminum block and heads, variable intake cam
Internal Modifications: Cosworth pistons, rods, CNC ported heads, cams, valves, and valve springs, Nismo oil pump
External Modifications: Jim Wolf Technology Sport 900 twin turbo kit, JIC exhaust system, K&N air filter, EFI Technology engine management, RC Engineering 750cc/min injectors, 255 l/hr fuel pump, Setrab oil cooler, C&R radiator, Hose Techniques hoses
Claimed Wheel HP: 560
Claimed Wheel Torque (lb-ft): 475

Drivetrain
Layout: Longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission
Drivetrain Modifications: Tilton triple-plate 7.25-in. rally clutch, Nismo GT 1.5-way LSD

Suspension
Front: Moton Club Sport dampers, Swift Springs, Hotchkiss anti-roll bar, SPL control arms
Rear: Moton Club Sport dampers, Swift Springs, Hotchkiss anti-roll bar

Brakes
Front: 14-in. slotted rotors, Brembo GT fixed four-piston calipers, Pagid pads
Rear: 12.8-in. rotors, Brembo fixed two-piston calipers

External
Wheels: Volk 18x10.5
Tires: Hoosier R6 295/30/18 (F), 315/30/18 (R)
Body: AIT Racing Carbon Fiber doors, hatch, and front bumper, C-west side skirts, rear bumper, and Neo II rear wing
Interior: Technosquare roll cage, Sparco Evo 2 seat and steering wheel, Impact harness

Diary of Ken Block - Rally America 2007As the driver of the #43 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI, Ken Block competes in Rally America's fiercely competitive Open Class division with co-driver Alex Gelsomino. Built by Vermont SportsCar, the SRTUSA Open Class STI uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, five-speed dogbox, programmable DCCD ECU, Ohlins rally coilovers, AP Racing brakes, full roll cage and BFGoodrich tires. The rally car doesn't make that much more peak power than stock, thanks to a 34mm inlet restrictor, but can still run an 8.8-second eighth-mile time on dirt, and a 12.9-second quarter-mile run on tarmac (for full data, see our February 2008 issue).

The real selling point of the rally STI is its versatility. The Rally America series sees competition on mud, dirt, snow and gravel, and requires the driver and co-driver to make jumps, slides and blast at triple-digit speeds through narrow forest roads. It's this variety of terrain and conditions that no doubt assisted Block in his adaptability through our testing, showing that, in this case, going fast and going sideways do go hand in hand.

By Andy Hope

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