As my first post here, I thought I might as well introduce myself and my JDM Subaru.

I first got into japanese cars when I sold my truck and got an old 1987 Toyota Celica from my Dad to commute to work. It was amazing how fun that car was on the turns, and even on the gravel roads and hills. Right at the same time, the 2002 WRX’s started showing up in dealers and I knew I had to get a hold of one of these. I bought a ‘02 WRX Wagon and have been a certified subaru fanatic since then. I am now on my 5th Subaru, and the first one that is pretty unique due to being a JDM car.

This car was brought over from Japan in 2 halves, the front and back from the same car. A donor USDM 1999 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS was sourced, that had a great body, and was stripped completely and the parts were sold off. Every single nut and bolt, and glass and trim was transferred to the USDM shell. Even the rare JDM rear wiper, power folding mirrors, flat fuel door with the cable release and power retractable antenna were brought over. A few new OEM parts were added to improve on some body panels that had seen better days such as the hood and rear doors. Jeremy in NH did all the work as his personal car and did a great job. I purchased the car after he had it sitting in his garage for a couple years. When I bought the car, it had around 45,000 original kms on the whole car (besides the miles on the donor chassis).

Since purchasing the car, I have added a few bits and pieces here and there, but my goal is to keep it as close to JDM-stock as possible. The stock JDM Version 5 came with the 2.0 Liter EJ207 motor with a VF-28 twin-scroll turbo. This one is a 5-speed Manual, since the 6-speeds only came in the Type R/RA models that year. Later in 2001 or so when the version 7s came out, 6-speed became standard on all STI’s worldwide.

The car has the following mods as of today:

• APEX’i Power FC with Commander
• 3″ Custom SS Turbo–back Exhaust
• 3″ Vibrant Cat
• Stromung Axle–back
• IXIZ AOSEP
• JIC FLT–>A2 Coilovers
• Rear swaybar – Whiteline Adjustable 22–24mm
• Rear swaybar endlinks – Whiteline
• Subaru Heavy–duty rear swaybar mounts
• Subaru JDM V7 wheels
• SS Brake lines
• Brembo Rotors
• H6 Rear vented rotors
• UK–sourced Lamco (Subaru OEM) White–faced Triple Gauges
• Kartboy short shifter and bushings
• MOMO alum/leather Shift knob
• WRX pedals
• V6 front spoiler and spats
• JDM aero ‘mudguards’
• Cusco center rearend brace

Driving Impressions:

The first time I drove the car it took a little getting used to. The second time I drove the car it was when I bought it in New Hampshire and drove 10 hours in the snow to Virginia. The car was extremely fast, around 310 HP on the JDM ECU. Shifting with the other had took a little while to get used to (like 2 hours or so), as well as lane positioning. The car handles great and loves to rev. The EJ207 has a 8000-rpm redline, which is a little higher than the US model WRXs or 2.5 liter USDM STIs. The twin-scroll turbo spools quickly and runs about 19.5 psi or so. Acceleration is very good in the car. Of course, the all-wheel drive helps grab the road, but the car’s 400-odd lbs weight savings over the USDM GD-chassis STIs helps quite a bit as well.

I have tuned the car with the APEX’i Power FC to be able to run 93 octane gas safely. My main goal in tuning the car was to get a safe tune to keep the engine healthy for a long time.

I have also dialed in the handling a bit with the rear sway bar, endlinks, and most recently, the JIC coilovers. The car handles corners amazingly. I am still debating putting the STI V5 struts back on with some V6 STI Type R Springs I picked up from Ryan in Japan. I will continue to dial in the handling over the next few months to get ready for a few track days and some spirited driving in the scenic mountains we have out east in the Appalachians.

I will be doing some product reviews and updates as time goes on. The most fun is seeing people’s reactions when they notice this is no ordinary Subaru Impreza. I never knew Subaru fanatics were so nuts about JDM parts!! After spending the last year driving this car up and down the east coast, I can definatly see why. I hope to spread the JDM love by taking it to as many track days, meets, and events as possible in 2010. Enjoy the pictures and see you on the road!