Sidebar: Why Rotate?

Subaru’s turbocharged Boxer engines are generally quipped with a small, top-mount intercooler from the factory. This set up simplifies the induction path from the turbocharger through the intercooler and into the throttle body. This setup works fine for factory horsepower levels and is responsive since the pathway from the turbo to the engine is quite short. For significant horsepower increases, it is essential to switch to a front- mount intercooler. This adds quite a bit of piping to the induction circuit, especially with the rearward-facing throttle body. Fortunately, Subaru’s intake ports are symmetrical making it possible to turn the intake manifold around to position the throttle body facing forward, reducing the amount of piping needed to complete the front-mount intercooler pipe path.

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Down To The Ground

Holding three-times the horsepower compared to the stock engine would almost certainly slip the factory clutch. To ensure complete and efficient power transfer to the driveline, an Exedy triple-disc clutch and lightened flywheel replace the stock unit on the crankshaft. An ACPT carbon-fiber driveshaft transfers power to the rear differential while Drive Shaft Shop Stage 5-axles keep all four Dunlop-mounted SSR Type F wheels turning.

Making the most of the sticky Dunlops, TEIN Flex adjustable coilovers lower the STI and add on-the-fly damper adjustments by way of TEIN’s EDFC controller. A host of chassis stiffening components supplement the coilovers to improve the STI’s manners around turns on the street and the track.

An AutoPower bolt in cage helps to stiffen the chassis while custom back-seat-delete panels finish the rear seating area.

The factory-equipped Brembo brake calipers satisfied Scott’s street-car needs but improving the brake system feel was a must. Disc Brakes Australia (DBA) Series 5000 two-piece rotors replaced the factory front units while DBA Series 4000 one-piece rotors took their place at the rear. Hawk Performance HPS brake pads were selected to apply friction to the new rotors. Goodridge stainless-steel braided brake lines ensure the hydraulic pressure reaches the brake calipers reliably while providing improved brake feel and feedback.

So Long Suckers

The build time was a bit lengthier than Scott had anticipated, but it proved well worth the wait. Back on the streets, Scott enjoys an immeasurable satisfaction when motorists, admirers and haters have to stop and stare when they hear the roar of his EJ257 or the sound of his wastegate. What’s even better than that? Scott replies, “Hearing the big-displacement, domestic gear heads exclaim ‘Holy $#!t!’ after a stoplight encounter or an innocent drive by. I am an older gentleman so many don’t expect to see me behind the wheel of this all-wheel drive screamer.”

Changing Of The Guard

Unfortunately for Scott, his battle with a disability made driving the STI difficult. He made the tough decision to sell the car to a like-minded enthusiast from Indiana named Kyle Watson. Without Kyle’s generous donation of time and effort to bring the vehicle to Ohio for the photo shoot, the world may never have seen this vehicle. Kyle purchased the car with the intent on taking it to the drag strip and maybe a local circuit. In either case, the legacy of this STI will continue on.