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David Taylor (Rannoch) - T916 UOW (click on the thumbnails for larger pictures)
T916 UOW was originally going to be an Elise! I had been on the wait list for around 15 months and was within 3 months of getting the car - plan was, get the Elise and get a UK Scoob as a company car later on. A visit to Park Lane, Alton, Hampshire (in the good old days when it was like a Japanese Max Power sweet shop – all bulging Evos, Skylines, Imprezas and Legacy Turbos) led to a spontaneous purchase of the STi, for around the same price as the optioned Elise would have been. The car is simply brilliant as over time various changes have been made in two key areas, handling and performance.
STis in the UK have a reputation for hard, possibly even harsh, suspension. When CAR Magazine first tested an STi (IV) they said it would be impossible to live with the car day to day. My own experience would describe the ride as very firm with the main concern being jitteriness at the rear end. On fast corners the back would hop around, especially if there were bumps in the road. The second main concern was surprise understeer, the usual on wet roundabouts. General understeer did not seem to be an issue to me – my first real journey in the car included a number of high speed roundabouts where the back end could be just tweaked out, lovely! The decision was whether to go to Leda or not – some questions over Leda and expense put me off. Prodrive Geometry This was the first step and was carried out by Micheldever tyres. I cannot really comment on the level of improvement as the car had wheels pointing in all directions when it was delivered. This correction was paid for my Park Lane at the first service. Solid Rear Anti-Roll Bar Links
MIMs and S-02s
This was a great modification, the handling and grip improved, at some cost of wheel ‘patter’ due to the increased un-sprung weight ; a great improvement.
The final change has been to have the bump steer alignment carried out by Powerstation. This has been a revelation. Powerstation commented that the car was the worst they had seen, and it was the most perfect after adjustment. After adjustment the toe change was zero under full extension. The change frees the steering and provides an incredible clarity. Alongside fitting 17in wheels this is the most significant change.
Surprisingly (after scaring myself pantless at the beginning!) I got used to the shocking performance and wanted more.
This was shortly followed by a second hand HKS Hiper exhaust (off the Driven car after they blew it up!!!). At the same time I had HKS Iridium plugs and an HKS Air Fuel regulator fitted. Over the coming months things were OK, but a cold start problem and severe detting at Power Engineering (although great power, over 300bhp) indicated all was not right. A Select Monitor/Engine Check indicated an intermittent fault in the Mass AirFlow sensor. Eventually it was found that the HKS AFR and its wiring were faulty. The AFR had been spliced into the ECU using crimp on connectors, which were now oxidising! The car was now much happier, running well and nicely noisy with Silkolene Pro Boost in every tank.
Solving the Detonation Problem It was clear that my paranoia, and the inability of the car to cope with tuning and 97RON, and my driving needed to be resolved. LINK seemed to be the obvious way forward – MOTec, especially with it’s price reduction, was attractive, but there was no Phase II engine experience. Bob Rawle, alongside a three port boost control solenoid fit the LINK. The mapping was carried out on a sleeting, cold day. Which was excellent for getting very good power. The car was now everything I wanted… …but there was a downside – as it was so cold and wet, with plenty of sleet working better than any Intercooler water spray – the map was exceedingly rich.
I then acquired a Datatrap when enables LINK Datalogging – helping no end in refining the map.
The car is now significantly quicker, with great gobs of torque, very driveable – and no KNOCK! To finally sort the car, I have an Intercooler splitter and have fitted a few bits and pieces in the cockpit – Lambda Link, Knock Link and an STi Boost Gauge.
The result is good with a much firmer pedal feel – helped also by fitting Pagid Blues.
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