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THE FINAL RESULT

By the time the project car arrived at the SEMA Show (October 30-November 2), it featured flat orange paint and a full complement of modifications from a number of sources. A press release from Harman Motive Inc. pegged engine performance at 449 horsepower and 411 lb-ft of torque at the wheels!

Modifications:
  • Advanced Engine Management, Inc. (AEM):
    • AIT and map sensor
    • Digital display gauges
    • Dryflow air filter
    • Programmable engine management system
    • Water injection kit
  • APR Performance, Inc.:
    • Carbon fiber canards
    • Carbon fiber front wind splitter
  • DC Sports: custom 3" B-pipe exhaust
  • Deatschwerks: 850 cc injectors
  • Garrett: GT3582R turbocharger
  • GEN-X Signs & Banners: custom decals
  • Harman Motive Inc.:
    • Air/oil separator
    • Front-mount intercooler kit
    • GT35R turbo kit
  • JIC Magic: coilover suspension
  • M. O. B. Works, Inc. – custom flat orange paint
  • Prodrive Ltd.:
    • GT1 rims
    • 330 mm front brake conversion
  • Sinister Race Cars: full roll cage
  • Sparco Motor Sports Inc.:
    • 383 suede steering wheel
    • 6-point harnesses
    • Circuit Pro seat
    • Torino seat
  • Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT):
    • 1.3-bar radiator cap
    • Battery tie-down
    • Cat-back exhaust system
    • Oil cap
    • Sport mesh grille
    • Sport pedals
    • Twin-plate clutch
  • Subaru:
    • Reversed stock intake manifold
    • STI 6-speed manual transmission
  • TiAL® Sport Inc.:
    • 50 mm blow-off valve
    • V44 wastegate
  • Toyo Tires™: R888 245/40 R18
  • Walbro Engine Management: in-tank fuel pump


To see more images of the Subaru SEMA Show car, click here.
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CONCEPT CAR - A WORK IN PROGRESS: SUBARU SEMA SHOW CAR

Photos and Story by John Rettie

arrows EVEN THOUGH IT’S ONE OF THE VERY FIRST PRODUCTION WRX MODELS TO MAKE IT TO THE UNITED STATES, IT’S ALREADY BEEN PARTIALLY DISASSEMBLED.

arrows THE SCENE

The moment of truth has arrived. For a casual observer it just looks like a bunch of tuner dudes standing around idly watching, while a couple of them work on an anonymous-looking black ’08 WRX.

We’re in an uncrowded workshop, with an older blue WRX lurking in the back. Somehow, the older car looks the part, while the black WRX has yet to reveal its true self.

At this time, the new WRX has just hit U.S. dealerships, and yet here is one being heavily modified so it can be displayed on the Subaru stand at the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas in four weeks. For the past month this black car has been nothing more than a guinea pig – at Subaru of America, Inc. headquarters in New Jersey and here in California.

A couple of weeks ago, Sinister Race Cars in Upland, California (www.sinisterracecars.com), installed a custom-made roll cage, which has yet to be painted. Now the guys at Harman Motive Inc. (www.harmanmotive.com) in Torrance, California, have just finished making their first turbo kit for the ’08 WRX.

A technician sits on the ground with a laptop hooked into the Engine Management System from AEM (www.aempower.com) in Hawthorne, California. Another technician pores over the engine with a yellow funnel, keeping the cooling system topped off. Everything is being carefully monitored.

arrows THE TEST


 

The guy sitting in the driver’s seat (the only one remaining in the 5-Door) turns the key, and the starter motor spins, but the engine does not fire. The guy under the hood fiddles with some wires, and the engine splutters to life. There’s a little smoke coming off the Garrett® GT35 turbo as some excess oil burns. Pretty soon, the driver is given the go-ahead to increase the revs, and the engine starts to scream.

Smiles all around indicate that Harman Motive’s new turbo kit is working, and there are no major glitches. This show car is a goer – not just a static looker. Soon, it’ll be tested on the brand-new dyno that Harman has installed in its new shop. (Final performance figures won’t be released until the car is ready for show.)

arrows MORE TO DO

In a few days, the car will go to a nearby body shop where the enigmatic black will be replaced by orange. The only bodywork mod is the large opening in the front bumper for the massive intercooler required by the turbo kit.

Inside, the roll cage will be painted; Sparco Circuit Pro bucket seats will replace the two front seats; and a Sparco steering wheel and harnesses will be installed. If there’s time, Greg Nakano from AEM plans to put in a single rear center seat, giving the solo back passenger a unique view of the world. Otherwise, this will be a two-seater WRX ready for autocrossing or as a hard-core but well-rounded street machine.

arrows THE REST OF THE STORY

Online Exclusives show how the WRX looked when it went on display in Vegas. We know AEM intended to swap the stock wheels and tires with a set of 18-inch Prodrive GT1 wheels shod with Toyo Proxes R888 245/40x18 DOT-approved competition tires. Plus, stock brakes will be exchanged for Prodrive components. You can bet some more trick parts appeared on the car by the time it was finally finished.

All in all, this car showcases what can be done to the new ’08 WRX with parts available from Subaru Performance Tuning and other highly regarded aftermarket companies such as AEM and Harman. See the Online Exclusives for a complete list of parts.

Read about another Subaru SEMA Show vehicle here.
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