Impreza WRX STI

The GRB Impreza WRX STI

For its third generation the WRX STI became a five-door hatchback. The GRB went on sale in Japan on 24 October 2007 with a 2.0-litre EJ20 flat-four, now with a twin-scroll turbo and variable timing on both camshafts, rated at 308 PS and 422 Nm. Drive goes to all four wheels through a six-speed manual and a multi-mode DCCD centre differential, and the rear suspension changed from struts to double wishbones.

The lighter Spec C followed in July 2009, with an aluminium bonnet, a ball-bearing turbo and intercooler water spray; the 18-inch version was limited to 900 cars. The R205 of January 2010 had 320 PS. From July 2010 the GRB shared the new four-door's revised front aluminium lower arms with pillow-ball rear joints and a 5 mm lower ride height. The A-Line automatic is a different car, the GRF, with a 2.5-litre engine. The hatchback was sold until 2014.

What GRB owners upgrade

Power is the focus. A turbo kit is a common step for the twin-scroll EJ20, together with intake piping, a larger radiator, and sports catalytic converters and full systems from the exhaust range. Timing belts and engine mounts come from the engine range.

A stronger clutch follows the power: clutch kits from ORC, OS Giken and Cusco lead the drivetrain orders. Varis aero kits restyle many GRBs. HKS, Tomei, Sard and Project Mu are among the other names owners choose.

Genuine parts

Check that a GRB has had the recall work on its secondary air pump relay, which could overheat; the recall covers cars built from September 2007 to September 2013. The Brembo brakes squeal and make dust by nature, and on a Spec C the ball-bearing turbo's whirr and the rear LSD's noise at slow full lock are normal, not faults. The timing belt is due every 100,000 km under Subaru's schedule. Service and repair parts are in our genuine Subaru parts catalogue.

Wheels

The GRB has five studs on a 114.3 mm PCD with M12 x 1.25 nuts. Standard cars came on 18x8.5 +55 wheels, some versions on 18x8.5 +53, and the 17-inch Spec C on 17x8 +53. Other sizes are listed under wheels that fit the GRB.