In anticipation of the new RallyX season, I was ready to make some upgrades on my Subaru. I started by swapping out the clutch and adding a lightweight flywheel and crank pulley. This really freed the engine up, allowing it to rev easily. I also added a Borla header, a track pipe, and a Greddy Evo2 ca-back to free up the exhaust and allow the engine to breathe better.

Subaru Impreza on Water

I purchased some steel wheels and snow tires, which would give me the extra traction needed for competition in the modified class. And last but not least, I swapped out the suspension. My first suspension setup came out of a 98 Subaru Outback wagon and gave me a substantial lift. The lift was so substantial that I decided to take my car to Azusa Canyon OHV and do some river fording! People in their lifted trucks were looking at me like I was nuts (well, I guess I am a little)!

While the uber suspension lift was fun, it raised the car’s center of gravity too much and I decided to make another change. I got hooked up through a sponsor with some used Subaru Outback Sport springs and purchased some used KYB EGX adjustable struts. I also added some upgraded sways to help with car rotation and a quick ratio steering column to reduce the amount of turns lock to lock.

All of these modifications coupled with everything I learned during my rookie year culminated in me taking home 1st place in the Street Modified 4WD class. I was ecstatic and could not wait for the next season and to modify my car even further.

Subaru Impreza

That pretty much brings us to today. After a bit of a hiatus in 2009, my rally car build is moving forward again. In less than a month I will be putting a roll cage in my car in preparation for my stage rally debut this October! I can’t wait to hit roads and turns at over 100 mph screaming past trees, rocks and cliffs. It’ll be scary but awesome at the same time.