Subaru WRX - Turbo Conversion - Turbo & High-Tech Performance

It's no secret the Subaru WRX is a damn good thing but there's always a downside. Rewind to 1999. The Zen masters of power at HKS are hard at work on an Impreza 2.5RS. They are coming on full force, pumping up the volume of the 2.5RS that has all the looks of Subaru's awesome rally car, but no boost.

HKS developed a number of go-fast parts for the Scoobie, including a really trick turbo conversion. You haven't heard much about it because as it was being finalized, Subaru announced it would be bringing the real WRX to the States. The announcement was the HKS conversion's swan song. But the car was an absolute blast to drive, and as we remember, it must have been driven hard. The interior was dusty and the driveline had an extra dose of gear noise, but the engine was strong and willing. We really put our foot into the car and it didn't flinch, making the kit's death all the more frustrating.

The turbo kit featured one of HKS' signature turbo manifolds and a T25 turbo that provided instant boost. True to form, the car used a custom top-mount intercooler to chill the intake charge. The 16x5x2.5-inch cooler was considerably larger than what Subaru would offer on the WRX.

Post-combustion gases were escorted out by a Super Drager exhaust system, which is one of the few vehicle-specific parts on the car to graduate to production.

Brembo used the car to develop its 12-inch, four-piston caliper brake upgrade. These brakes will bounce your head off the windshield if you get on the pedal too hard.

The suspension consisted of HKS Hiper Damper coil-overs, which is the other vehicle-specific part on the car still available through HKS. The Scoobie rolled on lightweight 17x7.5 Volk TE37 and 215/45ZR-17 Toyo tires that look to have endured a number of gravel trail power slides.

Being on the downside of the WRX is tough, but there is hope. Stay tuned for details.