We are starting to see nicely put together WRX's on a regular basis here at Import Tuner HQ. In fact, it's getting to the point that we are almost blas about "Yet another blue WRX" story dropping into our 'In' trays.
Thankfully, every now-and-then something special crops up and our jaded old asses are suddenly full of enthusiasm for Subaru's factory hot-rod all over again. Jason Kishbach's WRX is a perfect example of a thoughtfully modified car that not only looks slick, but also has the performance and attitude to match.
Jason bought his 5-speed WRX in May of 2001 and it was not too long before he started modifying the car to suit his tastes: " When I got my car there really wasn't a whole lot of stuff available on the aftermarket, but I found an Injen intake and a Turbo XS blow-off valve and that was the start."After making a couple of other minor changes and having a bad experience with a boost controller install that went badly wrong. (Thanks to a shop that didn't know what they were doing) Jason decided to get serious. For almost a year, Jason had accumulated all of the parts that would transform his car into the beast of his dreams.
Teagues Auto of Ashville NC had supplied most of the parts and the owner Dale, had been more than helpful so, it made sense to drop the car at Teagues to get the installation work carried out.
Jason decided he needed more power and Dale was happy to oblige. He started by replacing the stock turbocharger with an IHI VF23 spec hairdryer bolted to an HKS header. The up-pipe was replaced with a Vishnu performance part and a Stomung three-inch downpipe and third-cat eliminator pipe evacuates the spent gases via a three-inch Greddy Evo exhaust system. MRT supplied the massive front-mount intercooler and Samco hoses were used throughout. A blitz blow-off valve was installed to finish up the turbo system upgrades.
The fuel system needed some upgrades to cope with the new induction system so Dale installed a Walboro high capacity fuel pump and a set of STI fuel injectors. The fuel curves were carefully dialed-in with the help of a Unichip ECU. Controlling the boost is a Blitz DSBC and Blitz also supplied the turbo timer.
A heavy-duty dry-cell battery and HKS grounding system ensure that the electrical system is always in the best of health and the cooling system was upgraded with a C&R aluminum radiator, Samco hoses, Blitz radiator cap and Zero Sports thermostat.
With an almost pathological desire for horsepower Jason also decided to install a Nitrous system from NOS jetted to give a 100-horsepower boost. Laughing gas is also used for the Nitrous express N-tercooler system that sprays the FMIC. Next a set of GFB pulleys were bolted on to free up some more valuable horsepower and a trick Cusco oil catch tank was installed. An Unorthodox racing Aluminum flywheel was installed next along with an AP competition clutch. STI motor and transmission mounts were used to keep the whole shooting match in place and finish off the performance upgrades.
Dale moved on to the next task and installed a Kartboy short-throw shifter and bushings to tighten up the gear changes. With that completed the next item on Jason's hit list was the suspension and brakes. Once again compromise was not even a consideration. Dale got started by installing a set of competition-bred DMS coilovers and Cusco front and rear sway bars with Kartboy end links. Finally, a Whiteline anti-lift kit was installed and an STI carbon strut brace was bolted on up front with a Cusco brace at the rear.
The brakes were upgraded with 12" DBA cross-drilled and slotted rotors at the front clamped by Subaru 4-piston calipers. The DBA rear rotors are matching 11" items and all the hoses are Goodridge braided stainless to keep the pedal firm. The 18" Volk Racing GTC lightweight wheels are wrapped with 225/40/18 Michelin Pilots sport tires.
While Dale was kept busy on the mechanical upgrades his Father jumped on-board along with Jason to install some of the other stuff. A JDM STI/Momo steering wheel was shipped from Japan and installed along with the custom blue and black leather interior with red STI embroidered logos. Gauge pods from Defi and Greddy were filled with Blitz black light series gauges and a blue carbon dash kit was installed along with Indiglo gauges and a Momo E-brake handle. An STI titanium knob graces the shifter. Finally a Speedware Harness bar and 4-point Sparco harnesses completed the interior makeover apart from the installation of a kickin' ICE system. Jason opted for a Kenwood CD player and EQ combined with Kicker amps pushing Polk Audio speakers.
Now it was time to turn to the exterior modifications. Zero Sports supplied the wing extensions and front grill and the rear lip spoiler is from STI as is the hood scoop and fender emblems. The Eyelids are sourced from Jun and Greddy supplied the front lip. The side-skirts are from C-west. Aqua tail light covers were installed along with STI fog-light covers. The trick hood is a Cusco part and finally, JDM rear badges let the world know that this is no ordinary WRX. Dreamakers Kustoms in Tunkhannock Pa sprayed the car with World-Rally blue pearl to finish up the makeover.
The remarkable thing about this transformation is that all the work was carried out at one time. Jason dropped off a near-stock Subaru at Teagues Auto and one month later he took delivery of a bad-to-the-bone rocketship that is a joy to drive. " When I saw the car after a month at Dales shop I couldn't believe it." He said. "It was so different from the car I dropped off. My car went from 227hp to almost 400hp. It's a dream come true for me."
Building the perfect car is an almost impossible dream, but for Jason Kishbach that dream is a reality in the form of this radical WRX.