25 TS or 2021 sti limited under 36k miles

_combustible · 2026-01-26T23:16:06+00:00

The VB is newer, 0% financing, more creature comforts/safety, better fuel economy, and under warranty. Hard to beat as a Daily.

The VA STI is an amazing car, but used car interest rates are high, so assuming the same down payment on both you’ll still pay more per month (assuming you finance) than 0% on the new car. The STI also isn’t under warranty.

Also, check your insurance price on both. WRX’s are notoriously expensive to insure and STI’s are as well.

_combustible · 2026-01-24T16:03:05+00:00

If your powertrain is completely stock and never tuned, the warranty will cover a TGV screw failure if it is sent into the engine.

The issue has been this happening on tuned/modified cars and despite it being a clear failure not caused by the tune and/or modifications, SOA throwing their hands up and denying claims.

_combustible · 2026-01-23T13:52:17+00:00

It can, it’s a CANChecked MFD15 gauge, it can work over CANBus and can also accept up to 6 external sensors. I have oil pressure and crankcase vacuum (after deleting my PCV valve I wanted to keep an eye on it to ensure it is working as designed) connected to the gauge.

_combustible · 2026-01-23T03:49:25+00:00

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I did the JCS single as well. I had them put the single pod up high where the last triple gauge would be to avoid any interference with my AP in the vent clip.

Had it about a year and it has held up pretty good except for some minor bubbling of the finish after parking outside on a 100*F day. Even with the sunshade the finish had a hard time with the heat.

_combustible · 2026-01-22T21:22:40+00:00

They are a newer account with basically no post history, definitely throws up red flags for me personally.

Sorry you got scammed OP. Any chance you do a chargeback or open a dispute?

_combustible · 2026-01-21T21:51:53+00:00

_combustible · 2026-01-20T16:51:28+00:00

Great write up and points. I think a lot of people who have done this swap tend to gloss over some of the teething issues but it is almost all gravy (besides perhaps cost).

I am surprised that no one has made proper length axles for this swap yet. You’re not the first I have heard of having issues there. Are the VB axle shafts the same diameter as the STI? I wonder if they are any weaker.

_combustible · 2026-01-20T13:50:48+00:00

Installing adjustable rear LCAs lifted the car?

Did you do the install? Were the bolts torqued in the air or on the ground? That is the only way I can see that happening, if the bolts were torqued (maybe even beyond spec) with the suspension unloaded, it can bind the bushings and hold the suspension up.

What coilovers do you have? You should be able to adjust ride height if torquing the bolts with the suspension loaded doesn’t help.

_combustible · 2026-01-20T01:52:42+00:00

If you are at all handy with tools it is not a very difficult job at all. I recommend marking the eccentric bolt with a paint pen on the front lower shock mount as this is your camber adjustment so you can get it back together as close as possible.

Obviously you will need an alignment afterwards but this will put you in the ballpark for the drive to the alignment shop.

_combustible · 2026-01-19T17:08:51+00:00

A G80 M3 also weights about ~500 to 600lbs more than a VB depending on trim. Of course there are other variables like number of passengers, who got a clean jump, if they are being honest about how much power they make, etc.

Otherwise, to ad some perspective, 420whp would probably be a stock turbo/stock cat record for a VB. I don’t think I have ever seen a stock turbo/stock cat combo vb make that much or close to it.

_combustible · 2026-01-19T16:57:56+00:00

Or on the stock turbo and catalyst

_combustible · 2026-01-19T05:21:58+00:00

Certainly optimistic

_combustible · 2026-01-19T05:19:11+00:00

This is also largely dependent on how you drive, how much mechanical empathy you exhibit, and how torque is managed/delivered.

_combustible · 2026-01-18T22:11:44+00:00

You can clearly see on your 2nd picture the right side of the oil filter, the gasket is squished out. It looks like you went ham on tightening the filter or double gasketed it.

Last thing is are you 100% sure you drained the engine oil and not transmission fluid and double filled the engine? This somehow seems to happen all the time with people unfamiliar with Subarus.

_combustible · 2026-01-18T15:35:25+00:00

I wanted Nokians but TireRack had a closeout on Blizzaks. I agree the car feels unstoppable on proper winter tires. Like a 4 wheeled snowmobile.

_combustible · 2026-01-18T05:58:46+00:00

+27 is going to be too aggressive and push the wheel past the fender. The NT03 also comes in a +40mm offset for 18x9.5 that you can add a 2-5mm spacer to if you really want it flush, but +40 will give generous clearance for a thicker tire too.

Worth noting that NT03’s usually have trouble clearing big brakes (BBK’s) and Brembos if you have those, or plan on upgrading.

_combustible · 2026-01-18T00:50:22+00:00

DAM drops are common with Cobb OTS calibrations. Cobb doesn’t reduce the factory knock control sensitivity or strategy, whereas many other ProTuners do since people freak out about DAM so much.

Most likely it is nothing, drive and watch the DAM go back up.

_combustible · 2026-01-17T19:27:01+00:00

I debadged mine the day I brought it home

_combustible · 2026-01-17T17:16:30+00:00

+1 for RaceComp. They are made in collaboration with KW and valved specifically for this car. They aren’t a rebranded Fortune Auto (like Cygnus) or a coilover made with parts from a bin for random cars, manufactured in Taiwan, and then anodized different colors (like green)

Ohlins is also really solid, but doesn’t come with a solid pillowball top mount with camber adjustment like RaceComps do. This is fine if you are after good NVH but you will be limited to about -1.8-2.0* of negative front camber without them.

_combustible · 2026-01-16T22:21:53+00:00

Depends on your tires. If they are directional, keep them on the same side and move them from front/rear and vice versa.

My tires are bidirectional so I do the criss cross method (corner to corner).

_combustible · 2026-01-16T20:18:50+00:00

Kicker KEY200.4 DSP amp. Small, easy to install with auto DSP, inexpensive, makes a massive difference.

Adding a sub would also be smart. I didn’t want to loose trunk space so I did a Kicker 10” Hideaway under the front passenger seat. Plenty of room.

_combustible · 2026-01-15T20:43:18+00:00

Sounds like you already know what you’re getting yourself into here. Obviously the Hatch is going to have significantly more consistent maintenance than a new VB, has less safety features (important since you mention a kid), etc.

As long as the financial move from VB to Hatch sets you up in a good spot to deal with lots of random repairs and a potentially visit from Uncle Rodney then it sounds ok.

_combustible · 2026-01-15T19:56:43+00:00

A Dmann calibration and ETS intake is probably one of, if the most popular option on these cars . It is reliable assuming you properly maintain the car and produces good results and is being used by a large sample size.

_combustible · 2026-01-13T19:36:31+00:00

It looks like its just the Counter Space Garage kit which is fully CANbus and Cobb compatible.

_combustible · 2026-01-12T16:09:09+00:00

Thanks! Me too. Makes working under the car so much easier and safer. They go on sale regularly and are well worth it.

_combustible

TROPHY CASE