We've gone through a few WRX projects in recent years. It seems as though right when we start getting one sorted out, an updated version comes along to replace it. Our last one didn't make it very far past its introduction before it was hauled off. Well, we just took delivery of an all-new 2008 Impreza WRX from Subaru. To avoid any confusion, we'll call it Project WRX V.08. This one is slated to stay in our fleet for a few years and we're not wasting any time. Research and development are already well under way.
It might appear as if this project is moving a little too fast. Normally, the speed of development is governed by the need to test the car after each modification. But this time, our short-term objective is a little different-and coming up really quickly. We have to prepare the car to be displayed in Subaru of America's booth at the 2007 SEMA show, which will have passed by the time you read this.
If it looks like we've gone to full-on Pimp My Ride status, don't worry. There'll be plenty of time to reverse-engineer and test everything after the show. But for now, we're blazing forward. At the time of writing, we've had the car for a little less than a month and we only have a couple of weeks left to get it ready. Here's a brief rundown on what we've done so far.
To save time and avoid future embarrassment, we've taken a fairly conservative approach. Instead of loading up with unfamiliar products, we're working with aftermarket companies that have already proven their worth within the Subaru tuning community. Without taking the time to really shake the car down, it's hard to say if certain modifications are really necessary. But going with established tuners gives us the best shot at making our WRX better.
The first stop for Project WRX V.08 was Stillen subsidiary Brake Pros. With the entire staff of SCC being track junkies, we knew this project would be spending a good deal of time doing threshold braking. After a few hot laps, the brakes are usually the first things to go away. The crew at Brake Pros took measurements and put together a front brake kit using 13-inch diameter two-piece rotors and four-piston AP Racing calipers. The front mounting points on 2008 WRXs are exactly the same as older 2002-on WRXs, so many existing brake kits will fit the new model.
The must-have Suabru dealer optional Sport Mesh Grille is a dramatic improvement over the chunky stock piece.
A big plus for the AP Racing kit is that, amazingly, the larger brakes manage to fit under the stock 17-inch wheels. This will be great, as we will still be able to use the stock wheels and tires on rainy days. While Brake Pros finished the rear kit, we grabbed the car to get the next group of parts started.
Aside from the obvious association between K&N Engineering and rally racing, the company really made its mark in the Impreza community with its Typhoon intake system. Powder-coated in wrinkle red, to match the STI's intake manifold, the Typhoon drew plenty of attention. However, power increases proved that it was more than just a showpiece. After two days of prototyping, K&N adapted its Legacy 2.5 GT cold-air intake to our Impreza, netting impressive peak horsepower and torque gains of 27 wheel-hp and 32lb-ft, respectively. FThe K&N intake doesn't affect driveability at all, but it does raise the 'wooshing' noise of the turbocharger compressor and the stock bypass valve significantly.
The car was becoming more fun to drive as we headed from K&N over to APR Performance. While the car still looked bone stock, the turbo was now screaming "I am not a Camry." Still, you couldn't help but notice that no one else found our WRX worth a second glance. That was about to change.
KC Chow handles all the R&D at APR. His work can be seen on several former USCC entrants and on many current time attack cars. Our car got the usual treatment, included a large 3D carbon fiber rear wing, relatively small carbon fiber side-view mirrors, plus a front splitter and subtle air dam insert that fit just right.
Our first upgrade was these four-piston 13-inch diameter AP Racing front brakes from Brake Pros. We'll have something for the rear soon and will publish some testing results in a future installment. | 
Surprisingly, the huge AP Racing brakes fit under the stock wheels. | 
These APR mirrors are much lighter than the stock ones and should cut down on drag. For the street, however, we prefer the flexibility of the factory power-adjustable mirrors. |
The K&N Typhoon intake gave us a decent increase in power. But, more importantly, the car now makes all those great suck and blow sounds like any turbo car should. | 
APR prototyped a carbon splitter and lip insert on our car. If you want these to go into mass production, call APR. They're in our source box. | 
After going through two rear wings, our trunk was full of holes. Then, of course, it started to rain. Masking tape made for a temporary fix until we could get them welded up. |