Yes the AWD system can make up for the smaller tire size especially around weird corners where RWD cars struggle for traction. The exit of Turn 3 at NHMS is a perfect example of this, if I follow a Subi an Evo or god help me a GT-R through there they smoke me on the exit, but in more steady state corners I am quicker. Stock for stock I think the Z is slightly faster than the Subi and Evo, but once they start playing with the boost it all changes. In the stock classes they aren't allowed to touch the tune, but in the prepared classes it is anything goes. The Evo and STi are in my class but haven't beaten me yet. There is a 500whp monster STi headed to WGI so I fully expect to get smoked there. I don't care, I only have to complete 1 timed lap to win the class for the year.

P.S. At the track event on Mon/Tues a kid with a new Evo came up to me and told me he was impressed with how quick the Z was. I told him it wasn't really a fair comparison as my car had coilovers and better tires, but even in a straight line the Z was pulling the Evo pretty hard. I think he was having a little doubt about he choice of vehicles, LOL. If I had to daily drive the car through the Winter then I think I would have considered a Subaru or an Evo pretty seriously.

Method-- I didnt both bringing this up in the other thread amidst all the madness, but the wrx doesn't have the fancy vectoring systems or anything you see in the Sti or evo. There's a viscous coupling front to rear, open on both axles.

But it is a computer controlled viscous coupling, unless you set it manual mode. You are right though, the Evo system is far more complex with the computer using yaw sensors and wheel speed sensors to adjust output to every wheel, not just front to back.

No, it doesn't have all the stuff the STI and Evo do, but it does still have that symmetrical system in it. As I said before, I was close to getting a WRX, but the tranny issues they have had with them in the past sort of scared me away, along with the fact that the numbers were a little closer with getting a Z to my old Evo. BUT... as I said before too, the Z has quite a limited aftermarket for NA mods... i'm going to do them, but after that... that's it. I know how addictied I get to modding so my choice of this car was for my own bank account and sanity :tup:

P.S. I didn't bring it up here as to argue ... it was just because it seemed more appropriate of a thread to talk about it.

Not trying to argue either sir:tup:


It was tough not to bring up that thread after seeing the prosolo d stock wrx about six-tenths ahead of the c stock z though :rofl2:

Wrx doesn't have the dccd that's in the Sti. It's just a 50:50 viscous coupling. No computer control that I know of.

I was thinking STi, that's my main competition.

only way wrx can outrun a z at the track stock and with same driver is if it is in the rain or snow....

passing some dude on the track doesnt really matter given you dont know what skill level the other person is at

This is true. However I've run with some skilled STi drivers (instructors) with lightly modded cars (coilovers, sways, intake etc) and they can't keep up. In the rain it is usually role reversal.

it makes sense as i believe z is a faster car under most circumstances, also you need hp to go fast. the z has more and it is an advantage. i have seen many stis and evos on the track, their accelerationis amazing, but they all seem to run out of breathe at about 120mph.

Top end is usually pretty limited. Tracks like VIR rape the wrx. Tighter stuff usually turns out pretty favorably though. Especially if the track prep is not ideal.

sti yes, not wrx. you are still down a ton of power no matter how you look at it. my 370 has 40 more hp than the 350, the difference is quite big under acceleration, especiallhy as the speeds get higher. i believe i have a picture of it posted somewhere

You know the wrx and Sti lay down essentially identical power numbers, right? They dyno within 4-5 hp of each other, with the WRX having a fatter torque curve. The spec sheet numbers are separated to help people justify the cost of the trans/etc that you get with the Sti.

The boost begins to taper if I remember correctly around 6300 rpms? I could be off a little, but I don't think I am on that. I know that a GSR is limited to 155 as I think our cars are as well stock? I think 172-178 or so is the top speed for the 5 speed GSR. The MR i'm not sure about with the extra gear, but IMO it's not smart to race the MR anyway as the trans does get pretty hot in the X and in the VIII's and IX's the MR has thinner gears which break more often because of adding that 6th gear. I'm sure you all probably knew all of that already anyway.

I had my old X up to about 140 or so I guess and yes it took a little while to get there... I had 380 whp with the X, my IX only had a few bolt on's and no tune, so obviously one did get there a little quicker lol.

Stock for stock I can say most definitely the Z is a faster car, but without having the AWD i'm always more safe approaching a corner at a speed that is close to what I would do in my X... just not really sure of the car yet.. it's only got about 2300 miles on it right now anyway... i'll get the feel of it :)

The STI IMO is an overpriced car for the performance you get... which is really good performance, but when compared to the 10k less WRX that STI should be running high 12's and the suspension should be revamped to leave the WRX in the dust.... just my opinion. I think the Evo is/was an overpriced car as well, the inside of it and the paint are cheaper than any car i've seen. Some think the Z's paint is bad? LMAO!! Look at any Evo that is a DD and has 5-10k miles on it.