A close class victory - 3rd 2019 autocross in the 2002 WRX

I bought a 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX for my new track car! I'll be autocrossing and tracking it, but first I have to figure out everything that's wrong with it and fix it up.
In this video, I cover the third autocross of 2019, and a close class victory over a great driver.

[@karlisreinbergs8048]

Would love to see more videos, really enjoy them!

[@NeverEndingProjectGarage]

Working on them!

[@TopTechMan]

More Videos! I love seeing you fix stuff on the Bugeye. Keep doing restoration videos!

[@LIFEISAHUSTLE1]

Nice vids! Keep em coming. I bought an 05 wagon with plans to mod similarly to you. Install vids have been a great help. Have you had any oil consumption issues? Are you keeping track of it after your autocross days? I know you changed your PCV valve early on and need to get on the ball with that one soon. Just wanted a fun around town daily.

[@SpiderMax95]

congrats!

[@NeverEndingProjectGarage]

Thanks!

[@apexbrz]

Love to see the WRX in GS even though it is far outclassed by the new Civic Si Coupe. I run my 2002 wrx in STH (nationals level prepped). Recommended Modifications for GS on the wrx would be the Whiteline STI Front Sway bar (27mm solid) since you allowed one sway bar change. From your previous videos i saw you had a different RSB. Ive found on my setup that the front bar and stock rear bar gives the car amazing balance without causing the inside rear wheels to lift. Additionally you are allowed to install Subaru OEM Crash bolts to gain some more front camber, which is a must on the GDs.

[@NeverEndingProjectGarage]

I've got OEM crash bolts in the front already. If the car hadn't come with the aftermarket RSB I might have tried a FSB. Something that would keep the rear wheels on the ground would be great!

[@NathanAdamsCars]

Watched this build from the beginning. Awesome. Great job. Are you close to Roanoke, or no? I live in Northern VA. Great to see another VA Enthusiast.

[@NeverEndingProjectGarage]

Glad you like the videos! I'm close to that general area, yeah. Not in Roanoke though.

[@owainjohns2815]

how the heck do you remember the way around the cones?

[@NeverEndingProjectGarage]

It gets easier the more you do it! When you're out on the course it makes more sense.

[@maybelive765]

Great video. So, I assume your competitor's car was a Regal CXL Turbo (because its pretty much the only fun Buick ever invented), and the fact of the matter is, your Subaru should be leading it by quite a lot. Its turbocharged, sure, but your car stock makes more hp and the same torque, it's FWD and your car is AWD... But all of those factors are NOTHING compared to the fact that the car weighs >3,600lbs!!!!!! Thats two EG/EK Civics combined with only one of their motors on!!!! Thats stoopid for small tracks like this.. Plus he kept Buick stock suspension 😂😂😂😂 this setup is worst than a Chevy Cruze turbo and that thing is ridiculously bad at what it does. But, I respect the man for staying competitive against you 😂😂😂

[@98RandR]

It isn't a buick it's an opel.

[@NeverEndingProjectGarage]

He does have the advantage of wider tires (I don't remember exactly what width they were), but you're right, the Buick isn't that incredible on paper. The guy is a great driver though, he's able to beat a lot of people that are faster on paper. I also haven't seen much advantage from the AWD yet, IMO this car drives more like a FWD than I was expecting. I think if I'm ever on a course with a fast slalom where I'm breaking traction I might get more out of the AWD.

[@maybelive765]

@@NeverEndingProjectGarage could not agree more... The AWD can be a bit of a drag at times and it still understeers like a bitch. But, I think it does shed some time on 0-60 times and I do think it can give some benefit when driving it at its very limit... Obviously not the best for these parking trackdays but probably lots of fun still :) Im actually about to buy a subaru!!!! Probably a GD 04-07 sedan or wagon, I want to try to mod it to be the most utilitarian and zippy vehicle I can afford (being a uni student who works in the city but lives in the countryside). I found one (Saab 9-2X Aero turbo) the other day but the rear fenders were being eaten by rust and Ive heard that was a part of the chassis... Do you think itd be a bad purchase? What should I be looking for in the rust department? Thanks!!!

[@NeverEndingProjectGarage]

I wouldn't recommend any vehicle that has rust on the chassis, unless it's very mild or you're in a state where that's your only choice. Rust on a few smaller body pieces may not be a big deal, but the rule of thumb usually is - Whatever rust you can see, there's probably a lot more you can't.