Just recently, we brought you the announcement and video of Revolution Motorstore’s Subaru Impreza STi that it dubbed "Project STi" becoming the fastest Impreza to ever lap Nürburgring. Well, a car like this is never safe from the poking prodding of the folks here at Topspeed. After a quick email exchange, we were able to get the information needed on this super Impreza->ke1319 to pass on to you.

After getting all of the juicy details from the UK, we quickly realized that this is no simple tuner throw-it-together-and-pray-it-works kind of car. Nope, Revolution took to this Suby->ke86 to task, stripping it of the majority of its tunable parts and either tweaked or outright replaced the ones that were not absolutely perfect for this run around the `Ring->ke999.

From the engine all the way to the discrete tailpipes, Revolution’s engineers and builders racked their brains to figure out how to squeeze every bit of power and knock off every ounce of weight while still keeping the car relatively streetable – and we emphasize the word “relatively.”

Click past the jump to read all about this insane build

2003 Subaru Impreza STi by Revolution Motorstore

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2003 Subaru Impreza STi by Revolution Motorstore
  • Engine/Motor: Boxer-4
  • Horsepower: 518
  • Torque: 508
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

When this beast is lapping Nürburgring at breakneck speeds, it may appear to be just another Subaru Impreza, but once this Suby comes to a stop, all the details come into focus. First thing we notice is that Revolution fattened up its stance by way of an A-B-W wide-body kit that coverers those massive 19-inch OZ Superturismo LM Wheels wrapped up in super-sticky Yokohama AD08 rubber sized 255/30R19.

All Impreza enthusiasts likely notice that this is unlike any other one they have seen; it’s missing two doors. This thanks to a two-door conversion kit; yup, Revolution Motorstore decided it did much fancy the two rear doors, so it got rid of them. You may also notice that the front fascia doesn't match up to a 2003 model; that's because Revolution chose to replace it with a Hawkeye front end.

Up front, you’ll find a WRC carbon-fiber lip, a set of tinted headlights to help give the ol’ Suby a more sinister look, a carbon-fiber hood, carbon-fiber mirrors and a Zunsport custom-built grille. Around the backside, there are tinted taillights to match up the headlights, an aluminum trunk lid and a carbon-fiber rear spoiler by APR. In a more unorthodox more, Revolution cut out the spare-tire well and welded in a flat panel to help air flow underneath the car unimpeded. Covering the body is a coat of Lamborghini Grigio Telesto Grey paint.

Interior

Revolution Motorstore added some mods to the interior to go along with the craziness that it injected on the outside. Unfortunately, we don’t have any images of the interior, but we do have plenty of information to pass on; so, you’re going to have to use your imagination here.

The tuner started off by replacing the factory dashboard with one from a 2012 WRX STi and adding in some carbon-fiber dash inserts to help dress it up a bit. Sitting in this new dash is an AIM digital unit with data logging and LED gauges, and a Pioneer head unit with iPod integration. The drier now grips a Spec-C JDM steering wheel that Revolution trimmed in Alcantara for extra grip and reduced slippage from moisture.

A pair of Recaro Position front seats now sit in place of the standard seats and TRS FIA four-point harnesses hold the driver and passenger in place. So how about the rear seats? A `Ring monster has no need for rear seats, so Revolution deleted them to help save weight and make room for the custom-built half roll cage.

Capping off the interior mods is black WR1 carpeting, black-painted gear shifter and headliner, and the obligatory handheld fire extinguisher, should things get a little hot inside.

Drivetrain

As expected, under the hood is where the majority of the modifications took place. Revolution Motorstore had a few options here, as a 2.5-liter engine delivers awesome low-end torque, but its builders had doubts about the strength of the block. The other option was to use the Japan-spec Impreza’s EJ20 2.0-liter boxer-four. However, the EJ20 just couldn’t deliver the 500-horsepower and 500-pound-feet goal that the tuner had in mind.

To alleviate this problem, Revolution stripped the EJ20 down to the block, bored it out, honed the cylinders and soda blasted the block. It then installed a 2.1 stroker kit to increase the engine’s displacement beyond just the revised bore. Then came the actual build...

Revolution started off with replacing every inferior part with upgraded components, including the crank, connecting rods, valve springs and gaskets with Cosworth parts. The oil sump was replaced with a high-volume, baffled Cosworth unit. The block was polished off with the addition of a Kevlar timing belt driven by lightweight pulleys – that’ll keep things moving in sync – and a set of 14 mm Cosworth head bolts.

What good are all of high-dollar internals without some good old boost, right? The pressure is put on by a Turbo Technics S206 turbocharger that is rated for 500-plus horsepower. Keeping the pressurized air cool is a Hyperflow Monster intercooler.

With extra CFM heading to the intake, Revolution saw it fit to up the amount of fuel via a 400-liter-per-hour (105-gallon-per-hour) in-tank fuel pump and a Bosch 044 external pump, which pumps 300 liters per hour (79 gallons per hour), inside the engine bay. All of this high-tech fueling is controlled by a Sytec fuel pump and pressure regulator that delivers the petrol to a set of 1,000 cc ID injectors mounted in Tomei parallel fuel rails.

After all of this, Revolution Motorstore capped things off with a 15-row oil cooler, Forge Motorsports silicone hoses, a Mishimoto alloy radiator, Millers Lubricant, a dry-cell battery and air-conditioning delete.

This attention to detail adds up to Revolution Motorstore meeting its goal by squeezing 518 horsepower and 508 pound-feet of torque. The engine can be detuned for safety or reliability, but the 500-plus ponies are there and ready for action.

Delivering the power to the wheels in a six-speed quick-shift transmission linked to the engine via an Exedy Hyper CompR multi-plate carbon-fiber clutch. Oh, and the much-needed STi gear shifter knob!

Suspension and Brakes

When tackling the twist of Nürburgring, a perfectly tuned suspension system is key. Revolution Motorstore was happy to oblige by adding in Tein ProFlex coilovers, top mounts and Electronic Damping Force Controller; in-house front and rear strut braces; Powerflex suspension bushings; Whiteline anti-lift kit, and antiroll bars and sub-frame bushings to keep the rubber on the road.

Dragging this 500-horsepower monster to a stop is no easy task, so the tuner bumped up the braking power significantly. It installed a Tarox 355 mm (13.97-inch) front brake kit with a 10-piston caliper, a set of Tarox rear rotors and pads, Tarox brake lines, a four-port master cylinder with a Cusco master cylinder bracket, and filled the brake system with DOT 4 brake fluid for good measure.

Conclusion

Well, there is little left to say about Project STi than saying it is simply incredible. Revolution Motorstore made certain that every bolt and nut was ready to handle the stress of circling the twisty Nürburgring. So many tuner fail when it comes to the little details and these folks definitely passed the test with flying colors. It’s no wonder this is now the fastest Impreza to ever lap the `Ring.