Impreza STI 330s Hatchback - anything to look out for?
Discussion
I'm off to look at a 330s Impreza STI, the hatchback one.
I know that a lot of people on here (and in general) quite dislike them, but I've always thought they were quite a good looking car and had a soft spot for them, the saloons were always a little bit too 'in your face' for my liking.
And a 4wd 330hp car has got to put a smile on my face, even if its a little softer than the older variants.
I'm coming from 2.5 years of driving an N54 powered estate, so despite the reputation, this will probably be a reliability upgrade for me.
Outside the engine issues which are pretty well documented everywhere, is there anything else I should keep an eye out for?
They are getting on a bit now, I've heard the arches can be prone to rusting on the older ones, but anything in particular to look out for on the hatches?
I know that a lot of people on here (and in general) quite dislike them, but I've always thought they were quite a good looking car and had a soft spot for them, the saloons were always a little bit too 'in your face' for my liking.
And a 4wd 330hp car has got to put a smile on my face, even if its a little softer than the older variants.
I'm coming from 2.5 years of driving an N54 powered estate, so despite the reputation, this will probably be a reliability upgrade for me.
Outside the engine issues which are pretty well documented everywhere, is there anything else I should keep an eye out for?
They are getting on a bit now, I've heard the arches can be prone to rusting on the older ones, but anything in particular to look out for on the hatches?
Rust and engine , subframes I heard get rusty , rear arches under the arch plastic trim and I assume rear sills , I use dinitrol on any car I buy , if I find rust then zinc primer then dinitrol , the engine just check it's been re mapped as the factory map appeared to be a lot of the issue , I just did the back box and mapped mine , jdm so different engine to the uk models , if it's a 2.5 does not mean it will go , maybe it's already been done , a rebuild and a re map on a 2.5 makes a world of difference
Cheers, well I went ahead and bought it.
Got it for what I think was a decent price, though watch this space if the pistons melt or something expensive breaks!
Had what would have been a fantastic run back across the Cairngorms in Scotland, but slightly ruined by torrential rain & bloody average speed cameras on what felt like 99% of the A95 and then A9.
The only hiccup very fortunately happened turning into my street, the hose clamp on the lower radiator hose decided to break (one of those crappy spring clip types) and dump the coolant. After a 400 mile drive, for it to happen when it did, I got bloody lucky.
That's already fixed with a stainless one I had in the garage.
Overall it seems like a great car, I think being the 330s version helps with another 30hp on tap compared to standard, despite owning a ton of Jap imports from MR2s to RX7s back in the day, I never owned anything AWD or Subaru, so when not comparing it to the older Imprezas, it feels pretty good to me.
It does have a forged engine & its only standard power, so hopefully that should give the engine some longevity.
Lets see.
Got it for what I think was a decent price, though watch this space if the pistons melt or something expensive breaks!
Had what would have been a fantastic run back across the Cairngorms in Scotland, but slightly ruined by torrential rain & bloody average speed cameras on what felt like 99% of the A95 and then A9.
The only hiccup very fortunately happened turning into my street, the hose clamp on the lower radiator hose decided to break (one of those crappy spring clip types) and dump the coolant. After a 400 mile drive, for it to happen when it did, I got bloody lucky.
That's already fixed with a stainless one I had in the garage.
Overall it seems like a great car, I think being the 330s version helps with another 30hp on tap compared to standard, despite owning a ton of Jap imports from MR2s to RX7s back in the day, I never owned anything AWD or Subaru, so when not comparing it to the older Imprezas, it feels pretty good to me.
It does have a forged engine & its only standard power, so hopefully that should give the engine some longevity.
Lets see.
Bonefish Blues said:
The dealer principal used to lend me his when my RB320 was in for service bitd. Really nice drive, I recall. Enjoy!
Cheers. I'm going to book a track day so I can get a feel for how it handles at a proper pace, and then start considering how I'm going to modify it from there. I'm expecting lashing of understeer, but maybe it will surprise me.
Only thing is after reading horror stories, I'm wondering if I should install a sump baffle first.
As above your main horror story was the engines , if it's a well forged engine then should be good for a lot of miles , my last one hit 198 k miles and was still running no issue , I did not fit a baffled sump , not had an issue , but it's not a bad mod , keep fuel above half way in the tank , reduces the risk of running lean and fuel starvation , which could damage things
MiddayGun said:
Only thing is after reading horror stories, I'm wondering if I should install a sump baffle first.
Certain circuits in the dry on track tyres, definitely. Mallory and snetterton both have very long corners.Otherwise, it's still not a terrible idea. I'd consider an upgraded pickup at the same time if I were doing it again, it's a faff of a job with the engine in the car.
Cheers guys.
I've got a few bushes to replace & suspension parts past their best, so I may be asking a few questions.
Did the Prodrive 330s cars get different suspension too the stock STI?
It doesn't ride or handle badly, but the original shocks are massively rusted, and I'm not sure if its worth having them sent to be rebuilt, or I'm better with an aftermarket solution.
My issue is that a lot of aftermarket suspension is just stiffer and lower with no thought to the whole system, it might seem better at first but it comes apart when really pushing on.
I've got a few bushes to replace & suspension parts past their best, so I may be asking a few questions.
Did the Prodrive 330s cars get different suspension too the stock STI?
It doesn't ride or handle badly, but the original shocks are massively rusted, and I'm not sure if its worth having them sent to be rebuilt, or I'm better with an aftermarket solution.
My issue is that a lot of aftermarket suspension is just stiffer and lower with no thought to the whole system, it might seem better at first but it comes apart when really pushing on.
I had new age Imprezas, so a generation behind, but what you'd find is that KYB were actually the OEM manufacture for shocks and you'd find they'd match the spec if you just wanted to refresh.
We do have an SH forester, so much closer to the hatch. Swapped out most of the arms and bushes on that now!
We do have an SH forester, so much closer to the hatch. Swapped out most of the arms and bushes on that now!
MiddayGun said:
Its quite hard to get info.
And parts aren't as common for these as I'd thought tbh.
I'm gonna get it all stripped out and see if I can find some part numbers to start with, I think the 330s got standard STI suspension but have no way of really knowing.
A wealth of knowledge here...you can probably find out most of what you need to know.And parts aren't as common for these as I'd thought tbh.
I'm gonna get it all stripped out and see if I can find some part numbers to start with, I think the 330s got standard STI suspension but have no way of really knowing.
Mechanically the 330s was just an engine map irc.
Only other upgrade the 330s got was recaro seats.
All the mechanical are standard sti.
If you want an updgrade then look to the sti catalog for r205 or 20th anniversary editions. These got all the good stuff.
I’d avoid Japanese branded shocks as they tend to be over damped for uk roads.
If your pockets are deep enough then ohlins r&t and kw v3 are the ones to have.
Id recommend v3 if you are going to use it throughout the year as they are stainless and hold up better to uk conditions.
Get the car on a ramp and take all the plastic under trays off and have a thorough look for rust. They like to rust the rear arches, sills and subframe.
The brembo callipers are a pain. The bleed nipple corrodes to the calliper and snap also the calliper bolt strip out the thread in the calliper.
Other than that they are a robust car. Very mechanical to drive. Don’t be alarmed by the odd noise from the drivetrain. They all do that.
Only other upgrade the 330s got was recaro seats.
All the mechanical are standard sti.
If you want an updgrade then look to the sti catalog for r205 or 20th anniversary editions. These got all the good stuff.
I’d avoid Japanese branded shocks as they tend to be over damped for uk roads.
If your pockets are deep enough then ohlins r&t and kw v3 are the ones to have.
Id recommend v3 if you are going to use it throughout the year as they are stainless and hold up better to uk conditions.
Get the car on a ramp and take all the plastic under trays off and have a thorough look for rust. They like to rust the rear arches, sills and subframe.
The brembo callipers are a pain. The bleed nipple corrodes to the calliper and snap also the calliper bolt strip out the thread in the calliper.
Other than that they are a robust car. Very mechanical to drive. Don’t be alarmed by the odd noise from the drivetrain. They all do that.
Edited by sam.rog on Thursday 2nd January 13:20
Cheers Sam, some good info.
Not sure if I'll go as far as coil overs. Its not so much the money, but the fact that they are usually way too harsh for UK roads, and once I've refreshed everything, I'll be pulling this car into daily duty. Although stainless construction does sound rather nice.
My plan is to pull the subrframes / suspension out over the winter / spring, replace bushings, paint up suspension components, and subframe, and generally make sure she's all OK underneath.
Not sure if I'll go as far as coil overs. Its not so much the money, but the fact that they are usually way too harsh for UK roads, and once I've refreshed everything, I'll be pulling this car into daily duty. Although stainless construction does sound rather nice.
My plan is to pull the subrframes / suspension out over the winter / spring, replace bushings, paint up suspension components, and subframe, and generally make sure she's all OK underneath.
MiddayGun said:
Cheers Sam, some good info.
Not sure if I'll go as far as coil overs. Its not so much the money, but the fact that they are usually way too harsh for UK roads, and once I've refreshed everything, I'll be pulling this car into daily duty. Although stainless construction does sound rather nice.
My plan is to pull the subrframes / suspension out over the winter / spring, replace bushings, paint up suspension components, and subframe, and generally make sure she's all OK underneath.
Get onto type-ra.com. Absolute wealth of knowledge on that forum. Wouldn’t bother with scoobynet no one bothers with it any more and those that do generally talk sNot sure if I'll go as far as coil overs. Its not so much the money, but the fact that they are usually way too harsh for UK roads, and once I've refreshed everything, I'll be pulling this car into daily duty. Although stainless construction does sound rather nice.
My plan is to pull the subrframes / suspension out over the winter / spring, replace bushings, paint up suspension components, and subframe, and generally make sure she's all OK underneath.
t. Asperformance are very good for parts and advice.
Importcarparts are also very good for consumables.
MiddayGun said:
Its quite hard to get info.
And parts aren't as common for these as I'd thought tbh.
I'm gonna get it all stripped out and see if I can find some part numbers to start with, I think the 330s got standard STI suspension but have no way of really knowing.
I'll see if I can dig it out of the dealer software from the era. And parts aren't as common for these as I'd thought tbh.
I'm gonna get it all stripped out and see if I can find some part numbers to start with, I think the 330s got standard STI suspension but have no way of really knowing.
Quite often it's the other way arrive though, they have a specific code to the model but it turns out to be the same part.
sam.rog said:
MiddayGun said:
Cheers Sam, some good info.
Not sure if I'll go as far as coil overs. Its not so much the money, but the fact that they are usually way too harsh for UK roads, and once I've refreshed everything, I'll be pulling this car into daily duty. Although stainless construction does sound rather nice.
My plan is to pull the subrframes / suspension out over the winter / spring, replace bushings, paint up suspension components, and subframe, and generally make sure she's all OK underneath.
Get onto type-ra.com. Absolute wealth of knowledge on that forum. Wouldn’t bother with scoobynet no one bothers with it any more and those that do generally talk sNot sure if I'll go as far as coil overs. Its not so much the money, but the fact that they are usually way too harsh for UK roads, and once I've refreshed everything, I'll be pulling this car into daily duty. Although stainless construction does sound rather nice.
My plan is to pull the subrframes / suspension out over the winter / spring, replace bushings, paint up suspension components, and subframe, and generally make sure she's all OK underneath.
t. Asperformance are very good for parts and advice.
Importcarparts are also very good for consumables.
Edited by trails on Thursday 2nd January 16:22
sam.rog said:
Get onto type-ra.com. Absolute wealth of knowledge on that forum. Wouldn’t bother with scoobynet no one bothers with it any more and those that do generally talk st.
Asperformance are very good for parts and advice.
Importcarparts are also very good for consumables.
Cheers. I'll be placing an order with ICP before too long.t. Asperformance are very good for parts and advice.
Importcarparts are also very good for consumables.
Went to my local dealers & they want £37 for a radiator cap!
£12.95 from ICP for a proper Subaru one.
Honestly, I like to try and support local places when I can, but that's the sort of pricing that makes you think a place deserves to go out of business.
I'll check out the rest of the suggestions as well.
I've had a look around Scoobyworld, but a lot seems to be aimed at the older chassis types, I'll have a good dig around later on today though. ~
@Konan, cheers. I wouldn't search too hard, whatever's under there is pretty worn by now, so I think I'm going to be quite limited by what's available on the market right now tbh.
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