The STi's are one thing, but the 2.0 Imprezas are turbo too...

A guy at my school has one "badged" to an STi with the complementing exterior STi accessory pieces.

The only reason I know it isn't a true STi is because he brings it to my shop to get its oil changed.

 

This turbocharged "2.0 Impreza" you speak of is known as the WRX.

2.0L turbo up through 2005; 2.5L turbo for 2006+.

The US-spec STI has always been a 2.5L turbo (the boost is higher and there are a few other changes over the standard WRX).

 

The STIs are badged with both STI and WRX badges in the rear. I doubt he went through all that trouble to badge up the exterior and interior of the car with STI badges if it were only a WRX model. As JakeRobb noted, they are both turboed and have top mount intercoolers. The only difference would be the displacement in the block, which will be very hard to see.

 

i seen a '98 gt completely done up as a 03 cobra. had no clue til i beat him by a landslide and got a chance to pull over and talk to the owner.

 

As of 2006, the displacement is the same.

I think the STI uses a larger turbo -- you might be able to see that, and with practice, you might even be able to identify visually which size you were looking at.

I beleive that STI's come from the factory with a strut tower brace. Not that you can't install one on a regular WRX, but if you're sure the car is stock, that'd be one way to tell. Then again, if you're sure it's stock, the badges should be plenty.

 

Hey, I forgot about the 6-speed. That's probably the most reliable way to tell them apart, as it's the most difficult thing to change that's easily observable.

 

I own both a 99 SS, and 2006 STi, the STi is actually a daily driver for me and my wife. The Camaro has it all over the STi in terms of power. On the other hand the STi has it all over the Camaro in terms of handling. They are different cars but fun. I truly wish GM had built something closer to the STi, I would have bought that. The Cobalt SS just did not cut it. Not available in 4 doors and that was big one with the wife.

 

The thing about factory boosted cars like the STi and the Evo are that for $80 you can buy a boost controller and add up to 75 more horse in 15 minutes. Or for $400 you could have a wicked cool digital in cabin boost controller and "wow" your friends LOL LOL.

I had a AWD turbo eclipse and the thing is.....I love going sideways and the AWD just doesnt permit that. On pavement anyway

 

I've seen plenty of STIs and Evos getting sideways. You just need more horsepower.

 

I have a couple of run ins with them. I raced a modded one from a 20mph roll up to 100 and lost by 2 lengths I just had a muffler delete. After headers / cai I was running close to 106 traps and beat a stock STI on the highway starting at 60mph without too much difficulty. They are capable of very good 60ft's, but ONLY if the owner is willing to do the high rpm clutch drop. IIRC, transmissions cost 6k, so many arent willing to do the crazy launches. I have seen upgraded STI's only running mid / high 13's as a result of not doing the 6k rpm launch.

 

ever notice that the cars with the biggest whale tales ('cept Porsche) are the slowest?

 

The WRC is disputed mostly on dirt. Top speed is no major concern because of track type. Would you consider comparing your Camaro with a Humvee on a rock-crawling contest? Just MHO...

 

they talk smack about ralley tracks...and ok, they win on dirt or even asphault ralley, but some of the drivers also talk smack about 1/4 mile so its fair game. both sides of the arguement are valid then. i dont talk sh*t about rock crawlers unless they claim they can outrun me on flat level ground. i seen a nice billboard on this topic before from toyota concerning one of their suv's. "faster than a porsche turbo......... in 6" of mud"