If 2015 WRX STI is truly still using the EJ257 engine...

"BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast." (boxerfanatic)
01/14/2014 at 11:45 • Filed to: Subaru WRX STI

Color me VERY DIS A POINT ED.

Now, I have owned a Subaru with the EJ25 Turbo engine, and I like the engine very much.

But this is 2014, model year 2015. The WRX STI came out decades ago, and 11 years ago in the US market, with an EJ turbo engine.

It has been a workhorse, but FA20DIT is supposed to retire it, and improve on it, with direct injection, timing chain, equal-length twin-scroll turbocharging, and generally 21st century tech.

If a brand new STI that has been 3 years in the making since the new impreza platform came out, and WRX and STI were supposed to be more distinct from that...

For WRX STI to look like an Impreza with a wing, and use the same engine it has been using in the past, still with the same horsepower, still with the same 35-40K price tag...

Even if the chassis is a decent drive... other brands have done more in the last 10 years than that. A few more DCCD modes, and torque vectoring that is likely a function of the individual wheel braking feature in the traction control system...

*I expected more.*

They should have just put the updated DCCD gearbox on the WRX, and tuned the FA20DIT for the 296 hp of the JDM Legacy DIT out of 2.0 direct injected liters.

Or they should have built a proper H6 performance engine with significantly more than 300 horsepower. At least EZ-family engines have timing chains rather than belts.

Next Verse, same as the first, Impreza sedan with a wing and an EJ turbo... is something I can get in a USED car for far less than $40K.

I'll wait for a 6MT FA20DIT powered XV Crosstrek... maybe, if that ever happens... Then if it needs a DCCD/Torsen driveline swap... do that.

DISCUSSION (21)

d1ck > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 11:49

Also worth noting: Piston ring lands. Subaru has a hard time with them.

Jordan Clifford > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 11:50

Kinja'd!!!

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 11:52

I'm not one of those people on Facebook or Autoblog right now complaining how "no hatch=no care" or "looks like a Prius," but when the WRX came out, I didn't really like the shape and even imagining the body kit that the STI would get, I knew that this wasn't going to be that good looking of an STI. Sad face.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 11:52

I actually wanted them to use the 2.0 DIT in the STi as well. as of lately Subaru has really been dropping the ball on their performance vehicles. I'm just hopfull that in a few years the FA20DIT will get cheaper so I can aford to put one in my 99 RSTi, I have no idea how long my EJ20K will last.

maximillious > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 11:53

I am very disappointed as well, but equally relieved, because now I really don't give a shit if I ever get one. Maybe they willl get crazy and bring out a hatchback with the FA as a crazy surprise for 2016 or something. I swear I am not on drugs.

dinobot666 > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 11:55

Car & Driver and Motor Trend are both confirming that it's a carryover EJ engine.

I've always been a Subaru apologist, but not in this instance. What a major letdown.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
01/14/2014 at 11:56

The only thing i really like about the new design is the front end up to the front doors the rest is pretty uninspired.

dinobot666 > maximillious
01/14/2014 at 11:57

I hope you are, because that's the STI I actually want.

maximillious > dinobot666
01/14/2014 at 12:05

Dude i know. I was really disappointed with the styling of the new WRX. (Especially after the concept!) Then I saw the styling of the STI and i cringed. I understand the big wing is kinda a staple of the car but they literally did NOTHING else to it to make it stand out. Now this engine, i mean come on. I honestly think that the new STI is going to get dethroned by the incoming Golf R that is absolutely ridiculous in terms of tech and engine, and is hatch back to boot. And then you have to look at the other vehicles that are out there at a fraction of their price. For example the ST, sure its 50 less HP, but you drop the weight of the AWD system and it will make a difference (not saying it will be nearly as fast, but definitely not 10 grand slower) Or this new Kia that they showed off, 300hp RWD, that shit could cause real problems for the BRZ/FRS and now the STI. Subaru had to really go crazy this time around to secure the markey they have been dominating (300 hp BRZSTI would have been a smart choice and a 320+ HP WRXSTI almost seemed so obvious we shouldn't have had to say it. Sorry i get wordy when I am pissed.

YSI-what can brown do for you > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 12:08

The FA20 also responds better to boost. You give it the same turbo with the same boost pressure and the FA20 will make more power. The only problem with the FA20 was the DI, not for any other reason then it wouldn't work properly sometimes. I think they got it fixed though.

YSI-what can brown do for you > d1ck
01/14/2014 at 12:12

Isn't part of that due to unequal lenght headers? The rings don't fail ever at 10000 miles or something like that, it is usually at a 100k+.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 12:17

I was hoping that a 2.5L STI would be a new FA25DIT engine.

EJ had a long and great life, amidst a couple of niggling reliability issues like ring lands and such, due to trying to make it meet government regs and cutting corners.

But it is due for retirement.

Now the ONLY reason for a WRX STI is the DCCD gearbox, and I am not sure if that is enough for the price difference. I was skeptical about the price difference between 07-09 Legacy GT vs. GT Spec.B with the gearbox change... and it didn't even have the manual DCCD control switch, even though the gearbox is related to the STI's 6MT.

WRB... do-able on WRX.

Gold wheels... aftermarket anyway.

Short shifter... aftermarket anyway.

Keyless access and start... Subaru would be stupid to hold that off the WRX's option list as enticement to STI... it isn't enough to upgrade, and is a convenience option that shouldn't be held hostage like that.

I would rather not have the big wing, anyway.

I would rather have the increased ride height, and the rear hatch of an XV Crosstrek...

If XV EVER gets the WRX drivetrain, that would be what I would buy over any Subaru sedan at this point.

And frankly, without that... and after owning two Subarus and being a big proponent of real 3-diff AWD, and boxer engines...

There isn't anything about Subaru that is asking for me to consider buying anything new or late-model used.

Stupidru > YSI-what can brown do for you
01/14/2014 at 12:46

It's due to the OEM tune. Get the car tuned early enough and you 'll avoid those problems

Stupidru > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 12:49

So the real question is: Is it worth the extra coin to buy this over the new WRX with the 2.0DIT? No. Especially since the WRX doesn't have the wing, it has a 6-speed (but no DCCD), it has the 5x114.3 bolt pattern, brembos will bolt up, and $10k will buy a crap load of mods

YSI-what can brown do for you > Stupidru
01/14/2014 at 12:52

Getting a tune soon! The OEM tune for the 86 was pretty crappy as well. Can't wait to get a nice bump in power as well!!

Rico > maximillious
01/14/2014 at 13:14

You took the words right out of my mouth. Ever since I was a teen the WRX STI was always my dream car, as I got older and my tastes changed I no longer wanted one. Then at the car show last year I saw that concept and it blew me away I was hell bent on getting one if it was going to be made.

With all the promises from Subaru saying they will make the WRX on a different platform from the boring as shit Impreza I had high hopes, those hopes were destroyed by what was unveiled in November. Now, just like you I couldn't give a shit about getting one. Had I been at the car show in Detroit I'd be thrown out for screaming "BOOOOOO!" or inciting a riot by starting a chant "Bring back the concept!"

Lekker > Rico
01/14/2014 at 14:19

Just to sort of budge into the conversation, I definitely whole-heartedly agree that this generation of the WRX/STI was expected to raise the bar, and then some. And what did it do? Raised the price tag, and nothing else. I would much rather buy an older model, and wait until they do something a little more out there. That being said, they still make for great track cars with little expenditure (compared to..lets say my track car, a Z34 Nismo). I want a WRX and/or an STI in my garage some day . I am just not sure this is the gen I want. Great post

Saracen > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 14:34

"I'll wait for a 6MT FA20DIT powered XV Crosstrek"

If they won't even bother bringing a WRX or a manual turbo legacy, you'll be waiting the rest of your life..

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Saracen
01/14/2014 at 14:44

What do you mean?

They ARE bringing a WRX. Manual Turbo Legacy doesn't fit with the grandpa car that Legacy has become now.

(I say that as a recent former Legacy GT owner., it is sad that between WRX and the former Legacy GT's demise... now Subaru only has 'Boy Racer' or 'Grandpa'... not the 'responsible adult enthusiast' segment anymore.)

They aren't bringing a 5-door WRX... but that is precisely why I think XV might get a turbo drivetrain infusion after the '15 WRX and STI limelight has passed.

CAFE.

An XV Crosstrek is a light truck, averaged less harshly than a passenger car, which a WRX 5-door would be.

Same car, two different ride heights... averaged more leniently by the government regs with the taller suspension.

Why wouldn't Subaru put the turbo in the taller 'light truck', and give themselves a fleet average fuel economy break on a thirstier turbo motor?

If half the units can be shifted from previous 5-door WRX and STI that were passenger cars, to a turbo XV that is a light truck, with a lower fleet average hurdle... those migrated sales give Subaru an advantage in meeting CAFE standards.

Saracen > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
01/14/2014 at 14:56

I meant bringing a WRX hatch.

Rico > Lekker
01/14/2014 at 15:43

They made a whole stink about separating the WRX from the Impreza and using a completely new platform but in the end they didn't.

Besides the non-refreshed looks, it also has a non-refreshed engine to boot. For some reason I feel like Subaru is making the same mistakes domestic auto makers were making for the past 10 years. Recycling the same old thinking that those loyal to Subaru will lap it up but 'lo and behold you've given people who have older gen STI's nothing to look forward to.