New Subaru STi site

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
The Forester XT's quick acceleration is because of its low 4.44 final drive ratio. The WRX and the STi both have 3.90 final drive ratios.
In fact, the 5-speed manual transmissions in the WRX and the XT are identical except for the final drives. The XT does ride on 26.2" diameter tires (215/60/16) compared to the WRX's 24.9" tires (205/55/16) and the STi's 25" tires (225/45/17), so that does help a bit, but it doesn't change the fact that the gears are very short. The XT is not faster than an STi... no way. And its top speed is much lower than an STi... about 120 mph from what I hear.

Among other things, I'm fixing this issue by switching to 24.4" tires (235/40/17) on my WRX. No rubbing with 8" wheels, handling will much better, and gearing should be a little shorter with a little quicker acceleration. Only drawback is that the speedo will be roughly 1.9% off, so when it reads 60 mph, I'll actually only be doing 58.8 mph (no big deal, speedo are farther off than that right out of the factory).
 

Vich

Platinum Member
Apr 11, 2000
2,849
1
0
Interesting, has anyone experimented with 8" wide wheels on there subies yet? Havent run into many people who have...

Subiedude is making these wheels that are 8" called torques sweet looking. :D
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
Originally posted by: Vich
Interesting, has anyone experimented with 8" wide wheels on there subies yet? Havent run into many people who have...

Subiedude is making these wheels that are 8" called torques sweet looking. :D
8" wheels and 235 tires will fit under the sedans with no problems (even when lowered), but will rub on the wagons because they don't have the flared fenders. I've heard that some wagon owners have been getting their rear fenders "rolled" to fit the larger wheels/tires.

Yeah, the torques are pretty nice -- copies of Work Emotions, but cast instead of forged and you can get 4 torques for the price of 1 emotion. Torques are only 18 lbs too.
 

Vich

Platinum Member
Apr 11, 2000
2,849
1
0
Yeah i have a wagon and id want those rims, how much $ does getting the fenders rolled cost ya think?

-Rich
 

SoyBoy004

Golden Member
Oct 23, 2000
1,768
0
0
Originally posted by: Jejunum
Originally posted by: Michael
<yawn>

C&D results put the XT right up there with the STi and it is a much more practical car.

I have 2 kids and drove an Impreza ('93, first year available in the USA) for a long time - it was too small in cargo space so a WRX was out of the question. Outback is my wife's car.

Michael

yawn...but DEFINATELY not fast as u directly state
dont get me wrong i love the forester xt. id like to see longer gear ratios though

turbo legacy it is forme.

tubo legacy for me too. i will have to skip the STi....

 

Michael

Elite member
Nov 19, 1999
5,435
234
106
I needed a new car last year so i couldn't wait for the Turbo Legay. That's the one I wanted as well.

Now I'm moving to Singapore in 4 months or so and will have to sell my 1 year-old car. Breaks my heart, I like to keep cars for 7+ years which is why I like Subarus.

Michael
 

kami333

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2001
5,110
2
76
Originally posted by: Vich
Yeah i have a wagon and id want those rims, how much $ does getting the fenders rolled cost ya think?

-Rich

What it involved: link. Body shops etc usually have it, should take ~1hr per fender, so you should be looking at $240ish.
 

KEV1N

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2000
2,932
1
0
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: Vich
Interesting, has anyone experimented with 8" wide wheels on there subies yet? Havent run into many people who have...

Subiedude is making these wheels that are 8" called torques sweet looking. :D
8" wheels and 235 tires will fit under the sedans with no problems (even when lowered), but will rub on the wagons because they don't have the flared fenders. I've heard that some wagon owners have been getting their rear fenders "rolled" to fit the larger wheels/tires.

Yeah, the torques are pretty nice -- copies of Work Emotions, but cast instead of forged and you can get 4 torques for the price of 1 emotion. Torques are only 18 lbs too.

The Torque model wheels are made by Rota. Another similar wheel is the 5zigen mk5: http://www.jspec.com/185zigenmk5.html
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
The 5zigen mk5's don't come in 17x8. They only come in 17x7 and 18x7.5
 

KEV1N

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2000
2,932
1
0
Originally posted by: Vic
The 5zigen mk5's don't come in 17x8. They only come in 17x7 and 18x7.5

Oh, right.. I was just saying they're similar in appearance. I would get the torques but I don't think they have it in my bolt pattern (5x114.3)