GB270 Top Speed?

[Ursicles]

Looking to buy one of these as just sold my 996 turbo as we have a euro road trip next yr and need something quick.

My only concern is that the trip is very autobahn heavy, and reading the evo review it suggests the top speed is 143mph - is that correct? Given that the car will pretty much be the slowest on the trip anyway, a low top speed would sadly rule it out

[drumsterphil]

Seriously, how often are you going to exceed 143mph for any length of time, given that stretches of unrestricted autobahn are getting fewer and not too mention usually busy?

Unless there's a specific reason for buying a Subaru then surely something Germanic would be better suited to autobahn blasting - I can think of better cars for sustained high speed runs than an Impreza seen as your post seems to be indicate that it's the most important factor of the car.

Edited by drumsterphil on Saturday 12th December 13:02

[vxr2010]

Its a capable car , I'm sure it would top out around 155 ish , but I would look for an sti , I agree what is the chance of getting top end on an autobahn I doubt it , I don't know if they like sustained high speed but they are good for a quick burst of speed, I had a Foz sti up to 167 on a track day that was interesting

[texaxile]

I used to work in Mannheim and commute there every week from the UK, trust me, during the day there's little or no chance of hitting serious speeds as the traffic is simply too heavy.

however, as previously mentioned I've found Imprezas quick to reach top speed but not really enjoying it for a sustained duration.

[themanwithnoname]

vxr2010 said:

I had a Foz sti up to 167 on a track day that was interesting

Apologies for the threadjack...

Where did you manage that?! and how is your car set up to achieve it? Purely for science and whatnot. Mine is brisk up to 120ish but 167!

[drumsterphil]

The biggest issue with sustained top speed with Imprezas' was the TMIC and insufficient airflow at high speed.

I'm also intrigued by a Foz hitting 167 on a track day (given that my ex-wife used to own a genuine 520hp RB5 and I know how fast it accelerated at Bruntingthorpe); details would be good.

[themanwithnoname]

Just to add that I've just been out for a pint with my mate who has a Spec C who, on talking about this thread has seen a verified 168 in it. He's running similar power as my FSTI just a really fat guy less weight.

[Konan]

Ursicles said:

My only concern is that the trip is very autobahn heavy, and reading the evo review it suggests the top speed is 143mph - is that correct? Given that the car will pretty much be the slowest on the trip anyway, a low top speed would sadly rule it out

I think the stock WRX was 143 so it might be they didn't revise the figure on the spec sheet.

I've not seen the Prodrive map from the 2.5, but the 2.0 in '05 appears to have retained a 155mph limiter.

[drumsterphil]

themanwithnoname said:

Just to add that I've just been out for a pint with my mate who has a Spec C who, on talking about this thread has seen a verified 168 in it. He's running similar power as my FSTI just a really fat guy less weight.

How much power?

I've no doubt that a Foz can do 167 at say Elvington (or any decent runway) with enough power but I'd be very surprised to pull that kind of speed on a UK circuit.

(And as you have a FSTI I am officially jealous...next year hopefully )

[vxr2010]

It was a track day at raf marham , speedo is about 3 mph out even at top speed , the gearing is longer in the Foz plus loads of grunt and a very long straight bit of runway , it was regularly hitting 164 plus , I had a race with an Aston Martin and we were neck to neck the whole way he must have been gutted , car handled very well , 150 litres of fuel used , and a set of tyres , but in right conditions speed was achieve able , quiet a bit of wind noise too , it was pulling very well in 6th but I was running out of grunt before I ran out of gearing , my pick up that I want to max next , I think runway is around 2700 metres long

[vxr2010]

Great fun in the corners it felt like it was virtually cocking a wheel up , but still stayed very flat , plus I have never been in a car you can floor round a set of s bends and feel the diff work so well , but I did find don't lift off or you are off , yes there were faster cars but it's a very understated car , I would put a baffled sump in next time , my pick up is a 500 ish brake 6.2 v8 I don't think there is much in it until stupid top end speeds , the Foz is very quick to 150 plus mph and easily hits 160 even taking off the speedo off set which you get on all uk cars but you don't get on Aussie cars

[drumsterphil]

vxr2010 said:

Great fun in the corners it felt like it was virtually cocking a wheel up , but still stayed very flat , plus I have never been in a car you can floor round a set of s bends and feel the diff work so well , but I did find don't lift off or you are off , yes there were faster cars but it's a very understated car , I would put a baffled sump in next time , my pick up is a 500 ish brake 6.2 v8 I don't think there is much in it until stupid top end speeds , the Foz is very quick to 150 plus mph and easily hits 160 even taking off the speedo off set which you get on all uk cars but you don't get on Aussie cars

Thanks for the reply, the speed made sense as soon as you mentioned Marham.

I have watched the FSTi VBH video loads but nice to hear an owners opinion of the car.

[vxr2010]

I have had many a Subaru over time , the benefit of the sti gear on the forester is really good , it is a very fast competent car , a lot of fun to drive and if I drive at motorways speeds and economically I have seen between 33 and 35 mpg with three up and a full load so the best of both worlds , my friend had a spec d remapped and they were the same to 60 , when it does finally give up , I will get another one , I have kept same type turbo on it but have had it rebuilt with cosworth hear gaskets arp bolts forged pistons and race crank bearings , it's on about 130,000 miles now , I managed a bath a sink and a crapper in one trip from b and q when I was doing my place up so its practical too

[drumsterphil]

I've previously owned 5 Imprezas and a Tribeca but never a Forester. Just waiting for the job situation to sort itself out then it's time for another Scooby.

I need something very practical and fitted with STi running gear - FSTi's seem to be the perfect blend of practical all weather speed. Thanks for the comments, sums up what I was hoping the car would be like.

[Konan]

vxr2010 said:

I ran out of gearing , my pick up that I want to max next , I think runway is around 2700 metres long

They switched directions at lunch time this year. In the afternoon, there was a very fast bend leading on to the straight and I think I was over 90 coming on to it (I think... I'm not good at checking speed mid corner... something to do with trying not to die )

[Ursicles]

Thanks for the input gents - and this proposed trip (we go each yr) is down to modena, then a few mountain passes etc on the way back.

Reading up the gb270 is 5 gears so I'm guessing cruising at any speed will become a pain given the high revs. STI might be a better option if i go the subaru route.

[themanwithnoname]

vxr2010 said:

I have had many a Subaru over time , the benefit of the sti gear on the forester is really good , it is a very fast competent car , a lot of fun to drive and if I drive at motorways speeds and economically I have seen between 33 and 35 mpg with three up and a full load so the best of both worlds , my friend had a spec d remapped and they were the same to 60 , when it does finally give up , I will get another one , I have kept same type turbo on it but have had it rebuilt with cosworth hear gaskets arp bolts forged pistons and race crank bearings , it's on about 130,000 miles now , I managed a bath a sink and a crapper in one trip from b and q when I was doing my place up so its practical too

Jeez dude, you must drive like an absolute saint to see that. I've seen 30 out of mine once. Any idea what sort of power/torque you're running at the moment?

Totally agree on the fast, competent and fun though. Nearly 16k in 8 months on mine, nearly 3x the average it's done per year in the last 10!

[themanwithnoname]

drumsterphil said:

I've previously owned 5 Imprezas and a Tribeca but never a Forester. Just waiting for the job situation to sort itself out then it's time for another Scooby.

I need something very practical and fitted with STi running gear - FSTi's seem to be the perfect blend of practical all weather speed. Thanks for the comments, sums up what I was hoping the car would be like.

I've not updated for a while, but I have a readers cars thread on mine, mostly practical stuff, but a bit about my ownership experience so far.

You have, however summed it up perfectly, this weekend its been the tip run car, the get a 7ft Christmas tree car, the take the dogs out car, the supermarket runabout and the full of mountain bikes and body armour wagon, in mud, standing water, motorways and b roads. Oh, and a pisshead taxi for Mrs Noname.

[vxr2010]

Hi Luke , I do 70 mph and shift up early plus avoid boost and it's easy to get over 30 , the best change I did recently was at some cost I changed the pre cat 02 sensor and mpg greatly improved , the old one was showing no faults but slight starting problem when car when warm , mid section is a straight through pipe and hks back box plus a remap thicker rear arb , once you are at motorway speed and staying there it's good mpg , the Mrs has stolen the car off me so I get the less economical Impreza , less economical prob due to it being close ratio and she gets the economical Foz , about 320 brake horse and I assume same sort of torque , I wonder between two subarus which is quicker , I would really want to drag race all four in one go , I reckon subarus quicker to 70 80 and after that other two take over as long as it's dry lol

[AndySpecD]

I don't think the gearing between fifth gear on the WRX gearbox and sixth gear on the STI is much of a difference. I believe there is an electronic limit within the ECU of 155mph though(there certainly is on the STI), and this can be removed with a simple remap. Gearing on the STI allows for a theoretical top speed of about 175mph, but the boxer engine is not the best for prolonged high rpm cruising.

Think I'd be looking for a cheap 911 and hoping for the best!