Spent gases are whisked into a Brova exhaust manifold, then a catalytic converter and muffler custom-made by CS Hiro. Other creations include a radiator and the body kit.
Before the kit went on, Nakamura had the shell strengthened by a combination of spot and stitch welds. The aero appendage program starts at the front bumper and front lip, then takes in the hood, trunk and front fenders. The rear doors are now made from fiber reinforced plastic. Signal Auto, suppliers to the JDM motorsport world, were approached for a set of side skirts and the acrylic windows have been sourced from HPI.
The driver's seat (the only seat) and four-point harness are also bespoke, sharing the stripped-out interior with a Maruyoshi Sports six-point roll cage. Nakamura doesn't say where the steering wheel comes from, chances are that it's also a Shiki City special, but the six-speed gearbox comes courtesy of the Subaru factory.
Not so the clutch, which is an ORC twin-plate setup connecting torque to front and rear Cusco limited-slip differentials. It speaks volumes about the Impreza's braking system that it's been kept pretty much stock in this instance, with four-piston calipers up front and two-piston calipers at the rear, packed with Performance Friction Carbon (PFC) metallic pads.
In front of the brakes are wide SSR wheels, sized 18x10, rolling on 265/35 Yokohama Advan tires. Keeping them all in shape is a chassis comprised of fully adjustable Koni coilovers, with spring rates set at 22kg (front) and 16kg (rear), plus a combination of Cusco/Full Pilot upper and lower control arms at the front, and Ikeya Formula/Full Pilot equivalents at the other end.
Now this WRX (still classed as a street car; Nakamura used to take it on touge runs) is the fifth fastest of its kind in Japan, completing the time attack layout of the Tsukuba Circuit in 59 seconds. The total build cost runs to something in the region of $250,000 (hope the body shop is still doing well) and Nakamura values the car at $100,000.
The next project looks like a Nissan 350Z with "a big single turbo," says Nakamura with a grin. But whether it's day-to-day work or building something special, his philosophy is always: "Do your best." And as well as taking great pride from what he's done here, Nakamura learned this lesson: "Take my time, and my dreams will eventually come true if I put my mind to it."
If the racing thing doesn't work out, it looks like he could always go on Oprah. It's show business, of a sort.
'00 Subaru Impreza WRX
Behind The Build
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Name.
Takahiro Nakamura
Age.
35
Hometown.
Shiki City, Saitama, Japan
Occupation.
Painter, Race Car Driver
Hobbies.
Racing Cars
Build Time.
Two Weeks
Feedback.
bokky@cshiro.co.jp
Quote
"The front end swap was difficult. i didn't sleep much"
Output
480hp
Engine
WPC-treated crankshaft; Mahle forged pistons; JUN 272-degree, high-lift intake/exhaust camshafts; 1mm metal head gaskets; Trust 15-core oil cooler; Avo turbo kit; Blitz boost controller; ARC V-mount intercooler; HKS Super Power Flow air filter; Bosch fuel pump; SARD 800cc/min. fuel injectors; Motec ECU; Brova exhaust manifold; catalytic converter, muffler and radiator custom-made by CS Hiro
Drivetrain
ORC twin-plate clutch; Cusco limited-slip differentials (F & R)
Suspension
Koni coilovers (F & R); Cusco/Full Pilot upper and lower control arms (F); Ikeya Formula/Full Pilot upper and lower control arms (R)
Wheels/Tires
SSR wheels, 18x10; Yokohama Advan tires, 265/35-18
Brakes
Performance Friction Carbon metallic pads
Exterior
Custom chop top; CS Hiro front bumper, lip, hood, trunk, fenders; fiber reinforced plastic rear doors; Signal Auto side skirts; HPI acrylic windows
Interior
CS Hiro driver's seat; four-point seat belt; Maruyoshi Sports six-point roll cage
By Colin Ryan
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