Forget the fads, trends and whatever the trolls on Instagram are telling you to complete. If you want to determine what a badass car seems like, look no further. You won’t find any bright colors, flashy parts or stretched tires. This murdered-out Subie is all about performance with a built motor, tight chassis plus a stance that’s designed to go, not show!
We tracked down this buff STI to the Bay Area. It’s taken the owner Matthew Tomczek six years to get his project where it is today. And from your interview with him, we realized he believes strongly in one rule: performance over looks.
He got his feet wet in the scene shortly after high school graduation with a ’97 Honda Civic. Geared track of the usual bolt-ons, he became addicted to autocross. But after a number of years, he had to put his passion for cars on hold because he relocated to downtown San Francisco-not exactly the most welcoming location to own a modified car (think potholes, steep hills and hard-to-find parking). Matt sensibly acquired a sport bike for his daily commutes. It took a couple more years to travel by until Matt met his wife, which in turn required him to get something with passenger seats. And what better choice than an all-wheel-drive, track-ready sedan like the STI, a car that he’s idolized for years since his days ofBy tackling the turbocharged flat-four, matt kicked off the six-year project. Keeping the motor and intercooler stock at first, he added several bolt-ons along with the car tuned for E85. He told us by just switching from 91-octane to the ethanol fuel blend, the auto made 100hp and 100 lb-ft of torque more about the dyno! Impressive numbers but the increase in power and regular abuse ultimately pushed the limits of the motor too far. The piston ringlands eventually gave way and cracked. Matt did his research and learned it absolutely was a common problem for modified STIs so he wasn’t discouraged. Instead, it only made him more determined to build a stronger and faster Subaru. Using the motor pulled apart, he decided to go balls out by rebuilding the base-end with CP pistons and Manley rods. More boost and fuel was added with a larger Element Tuning turbo, 2000cc injectors, a fresh fuel pump plus a meaty front-mount intercooler.
Unfortunately, Matt discovered later the shop he trusted the engine build to didn’t have their shit together. And once his Subie got back on the road, it never ran smooth and catastrophe struck again when the cylinder walls cracked. For the second time, the motor had to be torn apart. Matt didn’t want to mess around anymore and called the aid of reputable shops Race Engine Development to resleave the block while Rob’s Auto Machine and RBMS Autocare ensured the other engine will be properly balanced, blueprinted and assembled. Should you ask us, GST Motorsports took proper care of the final tune and the 2.5-liter threw down a respectable 457 and 422whp lb-ft of torque-a good amount of power to the streets.ACT and clutch lightweight flywheel. Stiffer engine and tranny mounts, plus new steering and rear diff bushings ensured a far more positive driving feel.
When it comes to suspension, merely the best parts were attached to all four corners-TEIN Flex coilovers. The latest coils allowed Matt to regulate damping force from the driver seat for either his daily commute to work or perhaps for weekends in the track. Plenty of bracing stiffened up the chassis including a Cobb rear sway bar, Cusco strut bars, plus a lower H- and rear V-braces.
Since Matt was an autocross fiend, the widest wheels and tires were high on his priority list to find the most traction. Stepped around wider Enkei RPF1s after installing the fender flares, though he originally ran an aggressive set of Rotas. In everybody, their and time mother using a Subaru started picking up RPF1s so he switched to something a little different, yet still lightweight and evil-looking-18×10.5 Advan RG-Ds.
He couldn’t stop there as he drew up plans to make the exterior pop. Keeping everything motorsport-inspired, he fitted a Chargespeed body kit, plus a Seibon front lip, rear wing, canards plus a rear diffuser-the majority of which was created from carbon.
The interior’s game was also stepped up with Bride seats, Sparco harnesses with harness bar and Arai Motorsport carbon door cards-something Matt was very happy with because they’re the only set in the States.
We’ll admit Matt’s WRX isn’t the anything innovative in today’s scene, nor could it be going to win any awards or break any track records; but on the real, it’s got the whole package and shows us that an aggressive all-black and track-themed project car never gets old.
