Subaru STI V2 555 Edition

This is the car I always wanted to build in the late 90s. At that time, I was driving a Galant Vr-4 and hanging out with people who had modified GC8 2.5rs. Nothing worked quite as it should but we were having fun. The US had to wait until 2003 to get the proper WRX. Industrious owners were importing engines and half cuts, modifying engine harnesses to fit LHD chassis. It was a messy time. With the help of my friend Craig from Bonsai Rides, an importer in Ontario CA that I highly recommend, I was able to import both this rare 555 edition and another super cool STI Version 1 at the same time. This was just before the JDM importing explosion and good deals were easy to find. I sold the V1 to an awesome guy who restored it completely while I embarked on my own restoration project on the 555. Everything was removed, the sun-faded paint taken down to the metal. Hardware was refinished, some systems were thoughtfully updated to later version OEM. I feel like this project was a huge success. It showed what’s possible on OEM parts with some budget and some maturity. The car is perfectly friendly on the street and a scalpel on the track.

Specification:

• EJ20G engine with standard 16g turbo

• Link ECU with fuel and oil pressure safety shutoff enabled

• Prodrive Group N (early group A) dampers 50mm Bilstein, oil cooled

• Updated late model fuel injectors

• Updated coil packs

• ported manifolds with Cerakote thermal coating

• 3” stainless exhaust and downpipe with catalyst

• Version 4 power steering cooler

• Version 4 water spray tank (3x capacity)

• Version 3 brakes front and rear (2pot/4pot)

• Endless pads and lines

• S201 Mirrors

• Single stage 53C paint job

• New trim throughout, new seals, body gaskets

• low deck wing group A style

• GDB Wagon rear sway bar