Our Subie has a lot going for it -- tons of power, excellent mid-corner grip and lots of interior space. But what bugged me (and my passenger) all weekend was the whip-snap caused by too much driveline lash. I've always thought of myself as a pretty decent stick-shifter but the STI had me struggling to execute smooth launches and upshifts. My compardres have blogged about this in previous posts, and they chock it up to a finicky clutch uptake. I however, have a different take...
In my humble opinion, I think this little rocket could benefit from stiffer driveline mounts. Not only would they impart a more solid feel when launching and driving hard, but they'd also eliminate the neck-snapping whips that are reminiscent of a late-'80's Metallica concert.
As other posts point out, the STI seems to run out of revs far too quickly. Now, I'm not known for treating sports cars kindly (I grenaded the mills in my last two cars), but I think this engine could easily rev past 8,000 rpm without too much fuss. There's no doubt that it's pulling very hard at the 6,500 rpm redline, and I'm sure it's got a lot more left in it. If Subaru increased the redline in Sport Sharp mode to about 7,500 rpm, I'd consider an STI as a replacement for my current sports car. As it is, I'll stick to the 8,500 rpm redline in my Elise until it sounds like silverware in a blender...again.
fadetoblackii says:
01:49 PM, 03/ 9/09
Exactly how hard do you have to drive a car on a regular basis before you blow up the motor. Geez...
subytrojan says:
02:58 PM, 03/ 9/09
The driveline lash is a "benefit" of Subaru's AWD powertrain and symmetrical all-wheel drive. Heh.
The JDM EJ207 2.0L flat-4 pulls to 8K RPM. In the words of many great philosophers, "We wuz robbed."
foxtrot685 says:
10:04 PM, 03/ 9/09
my gosh, you blew up an elise motor????? i thought that motor would be durable since it is such a high revving motor. was it manufacture defect?
coletrickle says:
05:49 AM, 03/10/09
This car is starting to run out of ways to suck.
How many more months until it's year is up?
zoomzoomn says:
07:33 AM, 03/10/09
It's also largely a "benefit" as well of electronic throttle, vague clutch and too much dampening (i.e. soft motor and driveline mounts). The original clutch in my '03 Mazda 6s combine with a glitchy electronic throttle often made me look and feel like a new-to-driving teenager. Mazda finally replaced it with their updated clutch which, while not perfect, is at least consistent on engagement. A programming update (along with my getting used to it) helped with the throttle response. Might be worth a mention to the dealer. Maybe they have a TSB to address it.
joefrompa says:
08:26 AM, 03/10/09
I haven't driven a new STI yet (or old one yet, for that matter), but I do own a 2008 Legacy GT which has the same motor.
I find the driveline lash to be FAR less than my 2006 Honda Civic SI, which is largely a result of the civic SI's drive by wire throttle.
Nevertheless, to Subytrojan's point, it's not velvety smooth either. I always attributed it to a combination of semi-jerky turbo power delivery, vague clutch, and Suby's AWD setup.
Joe
KC_Scooter says:
03:40 PM, 03/10/09
You should do some modifications to the suspension as a counterpart to your modifications of the Evo.
As an '08 STi owner, I completely agree. A few changes to the bushings in the drivetrain and suspension would probably make a huge difference.
subytrojan says:
03:22 PM, 03/11/09
Hey, Mark. Your image reminds me of this new Subaru Impreza WRX STI wallpaper on Subaru Japan's web site. :o)
http://www.subaru.jp/about/gallery/wallpaper/impreza/img/36_2.jpg
edmond_dantes says:
08:47 AM, 03/15/09
I guess I'm a better shifter than I thought. I drove the STI at a dealer and never once had any problems with jerky shifting or any kind of driveline shock.
Then again, my daily driver is an '07 Honda Fit (and before that an '01 S2000), so any refinement impresses me more than it should.
elbee says:
05:46 AM, 03/16/09
You can change all the springs, shocks, and bushings you like, it still won't help the crappy steering. They should euthanize the 08- WRXs ASAP.
_Ty_ says:
11:36 AM, 03/16/09
I don't have an STI so maybe my situation isn't very comparable but I do own an '08 Impreza. I've been unimpressed with the driveline lash I experience in mine as well, but I feel the source is different. Depending upon how I get out of the throttle the driveline itself is upset very little the instant it transitions to off-throttle. The very noticeable and often jolting jerk follows 2-3 seconds later and is caused by the engine shutting off its fuel injectors to conserve fuel while the vehicle is coasting. Apparently many newer engines now do this, and much like the motorboating effect of holding revs to improve emissions it hurts driveablility for the sake of meeting new regulations.
I'm sure the differentials and the AWD play their part, along with the inconsistent clutch but I've gradually come to know how the car will react in various conditions and compensate. I'm actually somewhat impressed by Subaru's electronic throttle. It feels far more natural than any electronic throttle I've experienced before. The one in my previous Honda was just hideous.
beermagazine says:
03:56 PM, 03/16/09
Cars have had the feature of shutting off the fuel while coasting for....ever. I think the main problem is all the STUFF-by-wire. While it's a better system they really haven't worked to get it natural feeling in every car. I enjoy all the cables in my 1976 280Z and even the lack of power steering :)
drphyzx says:
05:05 PM, 04/15/09
Agreed about driveline mounts. Have at it.
On redline, a little math with the dyno chart will prove that the optimal shift points are all around 6300-6500 RPM despite what your butt-dyno may be telling you.