V6 WRC V-limited Type RA?

[n3v3t2]

Hi,

I have seen this car which matches most of my requirements,
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/SUBARU+IMPREZA/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-4294966910-4294966911/advert.action?R=200823311386299&distance=33&postcode=le10+0fe&channel=CARS&make=SUBARU&model=IMPREZA&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
but there are a couple of things that I am not sure of. The rear wing doesn't seem like the standard V6 WRC V-lmtd item, it doesn't have the fog light covers, doesn't have the roof vent and it doesn't have the DCCD. all this makes me wonder if it is the Type RA V-lmtd, however the chasis code seems to state that it is, any suggestions/help would be appreciated

Thanks
Steve
P.S. I'm having trouble with the link so I hope it works

[n3v3t2]

I've just noticed it has ABS, I think this doesn't work with the DCCD so I'm guessing you could choose 1 or the other as an option from new:confused: and I guess you could also choose not to have the roof vent?
Still any further advice is welcomed.:)

[rooferman]

Yes the car is an Ra......its only the sti variant that comes with a roof vent,dccd and no abs etc.

The car has correct rear spoiler and alloys.

However i,m not sure about the front fogs..........they may have been fitted at a later date.

[type-ra]

I've just noticed it has ABS, I think this doesn't work with the DCCD so I'm guessing you could choose 1 or the other as an option from new:confused: and I guess you could also choose not to have the roof vent?
Still any further advice is welcomed.:)
The RA Limited did have ABS & front fogs as standard. The STi Type RA did not. It's only the STi RA which has DCCD & roof vent.

HTH

Dean

[rooferman]

So it does.........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/rooferman/Untitled5.jpg


:D

[n3v3t2]

The RA Limited did have ABS & front fogs as standard. The STi Type RA did not. It's only the STi RA which has DCCD & roof vent.

Is this the only difference between the RA and STI RA (i.e. DCCD and roof vent) or are there others, like power, brakes, suspension, weight etc?

Thanks
Steve

[amigo]

v6 STi type-ra v-limited comes with front LSD from factory, non STi model didn't, maybe only as an optional extra.
STi type-ra was available with double ally rear spoiler on request.
you can check dealers brochure here http://www.northursalia.com/download/sti6ra/sti6ra.html
on the last page the is a list with equipment...
It looks like the STi had STi ECU, but type-ra didn't so there should be some power difference, but it's hard to say how much, because they all had 280 official BHP.

[rooferman]

The only non sti wrc ra limited i have seen in the flesh had pink sti suspension bits on it,and one that was posted on scabynet also had these items.........these may have been an option i suppose.

[n3v3t2]

So if I want a car to do track days with, the most desirable would be a STI type RA, however failing that which is better, the (non STI) type ra or a (non ra) STI
I'm thinking the advantages of the RA is the close ratio box, quick rack steering, and weight saving. But the advantages of the STI is the LSD (if it has one) engine specification and suspension?
Please help as I am struggling to find an STI type ra version 5 or 6 for what I would think is reasonable money, and that hasn't been modified to the hilt. but don't want to spend all year waiting for 1 when it probaly won't turn up and I will miss all the good weather.
Thanks
Steve

[Dunk RA]

So if I want a car to do track days with, the most desirable would be a STI type RA, however failing that which is better, the (non STI) type ra or a (non ra) STI
I'm thinking the advantages of the RA is the close ratio box, quick rack steering, and weight saving. But the advantages of the STI is the LSD (if it has one) engine specification and suspension?
Please help as I am struggling to find an STI type ra version 5 or 6 for what I would think is reasonable money, and that hasn't been modified to the hilt. but don't want to spend all year waiting for 1 when it probaly won't turn up and I will miss all the good weather.
Thanks
Steve

if it was me i would be going for the STi whether its the RA version or not, you "might" be limited by your top speed during trackdays (dependant on which tracks you use) due to the shortness of the gearing depending on which version you go for, i think the version 3 STi RA onwards had slightly longer gearing over the V1 and V2 but im not 100% sure on that, some of the more technical guys could give you more info

[amigo]

here you have full transmission chart so you can compare all the versions
http://spda-online.ca/modules/tinycontent/rewrite/tc_28.html

[n3v3t2]

oh man, thanks very much amigo, don't know what people did before the internet, now I'm making graphs to compare and allsorts, this is brilliant.

I'm still keen to hear which people think is better, the standard type ra, or the WRX STI, I know Dunk RA is up for the STI, any other thoughts?

[amigo]

no problem ;-) here is a link to a file that can compute theoretical speed on each gear at certain revs from a gearbox details. Unfortunatelly the legend is in czech and the file is locked so I can't translate it, but it's very simple, just change the values in already filled in green cells and you should get a result with a graph at the bottom of the sheet ;-)
to make it even easier here is a translation of the most important labels
stupen = gear
seriove pneumatiky = road tires
koncovy prevod = final drive
otacky motoru = red line
http://disk.jabbim.cz/amigo@jabbim.cz/speedometer.xls

IMHO you can't say which one is better, they are all good, they are all imprezas :-) but each version was build for slightly different purpose

[rooferman]

oh man, thanks very much amigo, don't know what people did before the internet, now I'm making graphs to compare and allsorts, this is brilliant.

I'm still keen to hear which people think is better, the standard type ra, or the WRX STI, I know Dunk RA is up for the STI, any other thoughts?


The wrx type ra would be my choice over the wrx sti..........after all its an ra!!!!

The wrx sti ra has the features though....ie roof vent dccd no abs and on the limited models comes with the helical front differential.

[type-ra]

So if I want a car to do track days with, the most desirable would be a STI type RA, however failing that which is better, the (non STI) type ra or a (non ra) STI
I'm thinking the advantages of the RA is the close ratio box, quick rack steering, and weight saving. But the advantages of the STI is the LSD (if it has one) engine specification and suspension?
Please help as I am struggling to find an STI type ra version 5 or 6 for what I would think is reasonable money, and that hasn't been modified to the hilt. but don't want to spend all year waiting for 1 when it probaly won't turn up and I will miss all the good weather.
Thanks
Steve
Steve,

My thoughts are:

Can you drive well? I'm not being rude when asking this.

I've owned 4 Imprezas from 1999 onwards, 2 UKs, 1 STi Wagon & my current Type RA STi.

I don't drive the RA like the others - the DCCD bites back & hard. & I'm not a good enough driver to control it.

If you can drive well the DCCD will reward you many times over.

If you like the manic acceleration the RA is for you, but you will run out of steam on a long track.

If you like comfort & speed. Go for the STi - not RA.

Come to see us on Sunday at Santa Pod. You'll see more RAs in one place than you can shake a shitty stick at.

Dean

[n3v3t2]

I realise this thread has gone off topic somewhat, so apologies for that.
I would love to come to Santa pod this weekend, faces to names and bore all of you with question after question, however I have agreed to go on a stag weekend, and I don't think you should let mates down, especially on their stag do's, so I will reluctantly decline and patiently wait for the next event. Are there any more this year as i think I have missed jap show and japfest?
As for good driver, everyone thinks they are a good driver but after my last track day I'm not as good as I think I am lol. Crashed my Leon CupraR into a wall on Craner's. I'm hoping to have my next car for a while and so will take my time getting to grips with it, so I hope i will get the hang of the DCCD. Thanks very much for the advice though, all taken on-board and very useful.

Steve

[type-ra]

I realise this thread has gone off topic somewhat, so apologies for that.
I would love to come to Santa pod this weekend, faces to names and bore all of you with question after question, however I have agreed to go on a stag weekend, and I don't think you should let mates down, especially on their stag do's, so I will reluctantly decline and patiently wait for the next event. Are there any more this year as i think I have missed jap show and japfest?
As for good driver, everyone thinks they are a good driver but after my last track day I'm not as good as I think I am lol. Crashed my Leon CupraR into a wall on Craner's. I'm hoping to have my next car for a while and so will take my time getting to grips with it, so I hope i will get the hang of the DCCD. Thanks very much for the advice though, all taken on-board and very useful.

Steve

Our next outing will be another very fast blast around a forest in a WRC Impreza - as passengers. No date confirmed as yet, but definately on the cards.

Regards the DCCD. The first Type RA STi had 275ps as standard - made in 1994. No ABS, traction control or driver aids & was basically rwd with the diff in open.

Fantastic car, but drive with caution :)

Stag do does come first ;)

Dean

[Dunk RA]

i like the sheer power and acceleration from my STi RA and thats with 400 odd BHP as well, even standard these things are bloody quick off the line, the perfect B road assault vehicle! i bought mine as a daily driver/track car im not into the top end stuff as i like my license too much lol, but the gearing in mine is perfect for knockhill and some of the smaller tracks which suits me fine :D

[Chunk]

I realise this thread has gone off topic somewhat, so apologies for that.
I would love to come to Santa pod this weekend, faces to names and bore all of you with question after question, however I have agreed to go on a stag weekend, and I don't think you should let mates down, especially on their stag do's, so I will reluctantly decline and patiently wait for the next event. Are there any more this year as i think I have missed jap show and japfest?
As for good driver, everyone thinks they are a good driver but after my last track day I'm not as good as I think I am lol. Crashed my Leon CupraR into a wall on Craner's. I'm hoping to have my next car for a while and so will take my time getting to grips with it, so I hope i will get the hang of the DCCD. Thanks very much for the advice though, all taken on-board and very useful.

Steve

Ouch!!!!

RA's are built for track days

[Andy916]

Hi all,

Very soon I should be equiped to give a comparison of v6 RA limited STi versus non-STi. On Friday I'm picking up my newly purchased STi, and a pal of mine has the non-STi which he's owned from new. Both about 50k miles, although his has the stronger history. Both with remap/decat/filter.

Another couple of differences not yet mentioned are brakes (non-STi has only 2-pots on the front, which you'll want to swap if they haven't been swapped already, and single pot rears) and tints (STi has rear tints - all the ones I've seen, at least).

I'll be using mine on the road and possibly trackdays and sprints, having done the same previously in a '98 STi4 and a '95 WRX, both with suspension and brake mods.

cheers
Andy

[n3v3t2]

Thanks Andy, would be intreagued to hear your verdict, and also a comparison against the V4 STI.
The V5 V-Ltd that you looked at before choosing the V6, is that still for sale?
Good luck with your V6!
Steve

[Andy916]

I think it is ... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/551068.htm (and also on autotrader now I think)

Very well kept car, highly polished by its owner. Am pretty sure it's not had any remap which, especially in combination with the HKS filter and decat pipe but no knocklink or similar, made me wary. Having said that, it ran very well indeed. It was a close call, but in the end I went for the v6 which had been remapped for UK fuel, and at the same time was quicker all through the rev range due to additional boost.

The v6 (and v5 also I think) have the optional longer 5th gear - 1-4th are close, then there's a step to 5th for more relaxed cruising. Even so, 5th is lower than that of my STi4 and '95 WRX. First impressions of the v5/6 with this gearing were all good, and am looking forward to a more extended drive. My pal who's had his v6 from new reckons I'll find this gearing a pain on trackdays, but we'll see ... I might like it so much in standard(ish) form that I'll not want to thrash it round the track!

Andy