2001 Subaru Impreza GC8 STi Track Review - Fun While It Lasted

Hmm... what's that knocking sound?
A big thank you to The Driver's Edge and California Collegiate Autoclubs ( / calicollegesauto ) for hosting this track day. They're an association of university car clubs from across California, and their goal is to encourage college students with an interest in cars to experience the track and and practice car control in a safe environment. Event partners are Samantha Tan Racing, OS Giken USA, J&A Racing Oil, Emfix Collision, The Race Studio, Student Driver, and Alpinestars.
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[@bornagainmotoring]

The owner was super kind and even apologized for it potentially ruining your day. That's a masterclass in kindness.

[@ppw350Zunit]

Props to the dude for taking a 250k mile Subaru on the track.

[@xhughbertx]

I'd never let mine go

[@jackwicker]

This is a certified classic subaru moment. (I also drive a subaru)

[@big-R]

These coupes are the best looking Subarus they ever made.

[@HLinHD]

Ouuuuch. Driving on that for so long. Poor guy. Glad he was gracious about the situation

[@calebleong5853]

GC8s STI are amazing power to weight, can’t find many cars at that weight awd turbo- bummer with what happened; hope it gets up and running soon

[@bingoberra18]

Early Evos are very good too

[@yellowfr0g]

Guys it's not so much about maintenance, when you push corners hard like on a track you can slosh the oil to one side of the pan and the oil pickup tube is left sucking up air leading to oil starvation. Bearings without lube go bye bye. If it's a known problem with that engine design then you need to modify to correct it like baffled oil pans, additional oil capacity, modified pick up tube, dry sump (expensive).

[@stevemartegani]

It was a used engine with 250k on it... Pretty much any engine is a liability on the track if its that high mileage and used.

[@rjhick1]

@@stevemartegani Not really. A well kept engine will be fine.

[@GTFour]

He said he had a baffled sump

[@mengx94]

Sure let's blame it on the mileage

[@PainDive1]

Dry sump is the only way to go if you to push a Subaru engine into corners. Baffles don’t minimize the problem enough. I follow a couple of racers who have tested pretty much all oil baffles available on the market and there even one baffle kazama which created a left corner oil starvation problem without even solving the left cornering issue!

[@yasuke1075]

By the way for anyone who did no know Racecomp Engineering Suspension are manufactured by KW with custom dimensional specs and tuning insight from RCE. So they actually are KW V3 with a fancy paint job and new stickers.

[@Vision33r]

I've had one of these GC8 2000 with the USDM EJ20 and it was a blast. The light weight makes the car a lot livelier.

[@maxymillion7480]

Tracking a Subaru requires a dry sump. It's just something everyone who starts down this path comes to accept.

[@skatetown100]

Appreciate the full honesty of these videos ..hmmm as a GC8 owner and "owner's first time at the track" . It could be something as simple as fuel starvation...and going lean..Even in an autocross if I am less than half a tank, I will get it 😲 And yep as others have said. I wanna see a 250k M3 or S2k, mustang, corvette or Porsche out there doing laps.. hope the owner rebuilds even bigger and better.🎉

[@MacroEnabled]

If you hear a strange noise from your motor, turn it off and pull over _immediately_. Everyone will thank you for not dumping oil/coolant all over the track. Plus, he could potentially have rebuilt his motor if you hadn't completely seized it for no reason.

[@grahamhaynes7658]

RCM baffled sump and pickup before tracking one of these is rule No1,+oil cooler even better.

[@ricepony33]

Wonder if an EJ20 would have suffered the same fate? Having personally owned multiple ej25 cars I would never track them.

[@matt260]

I had a EJ207 STI that thing was bullet proof, drove it like a Honda. Its beyond reliability for me the 8250rpm redline from factory and twinscroll turbo is beautiful.

[@ricepony33]

A friend had an early JDM Imported WRX with the 2.0 and it felt NA linear and was buttery smooth. @@matt260

[@augustortiz]

@@matt260yup, once my Ej205 blows im not even bothering looking at EJ25’s. EJ207 is the way.

[@KevBacon6]

​@@matt260Good to hear. I have a V8 EJ207 and DCCD 6 speed ready to go into my 95. Just need to get the harness, exhaust, etc.

[@Gchang54]

checking your watch mid corner gives off Bunta vibes

[@mullner88]

Why drive it so far around the track and risk dropping oil?

[@PainDive1]

If you want to race a Subaru engine a dry sum oiling system is a must! Even a $8000 a dry sump system is cheaper than replacing a Subaru engine after every or couple of track days. With a dry sump system I believe this engine will go up to 30 track days maybe more.

[@VinRZ]

False information.

[@PainDive1]

@@VinRZ 😂

[@buss1205]

that and cooling. get supporting mods for both and your ee jay should last a long time

[@brandonsever2576]

I would absolutely love to own another WRX but I can't seem to justify it due to how common this stuff happens. The Savagegeese guys blew up a nearly brand new S209 earlier this year during a comparison test with multiple other cars that had no issues at all, and they even had some subaru engineers there to ensure a good result! Can't trust an EJ motor

[@GTFour]

Damn, they’re that bad!? 😮

[@brandonsever2576]

@@GTFour During hard track use, and without significant oil system mods, yeah they're that bad. Plenty of people have great luck with them for many years in street cars though, just seems like a platform you have to be extra careful with

[@DavidGarcia-oi5nt]

You need some certain moda to keep.those EJs from exploding, but a lot of it has to do with the breaking in procedure when new, using proper oil and proper maintenance, baffled oil pan, proper engine cooling, keeping up with the PCV system, using correct fuel, changing spark plugs often, ABSOLUTELY warming up the engine before boosting, letting it cool down properly after driving hard, there's a lot more to keep in mind. But Subarus get a bad rap because people don't know these things and cheap out on maintenance then kids get their hands on them and blow them up. But honestly EJs kinda suck lol, it's expensive making power out of them. Selling my 99 JDM Forester and I just picked up my 23 WRX!

[@grahamhaynes7658]

In America you have always had the poor relation version with the 2.5 motor,had no problems with 2.0 jdms whatsoever,tracked a 98 on high kms.

[@brandonsever2576]

@@grahamhaynes7658 this is true. My first car was a WRX and I always dreamed of a motor swap from a V7 STI. The forged internal, 8200rpm motor. The rest of the drivetrains are very solid, it's mostly just the US motors that are problematic

[@stevemartegani]

Wow, 250k miles on that engine isn't bad. Should have you review my swaped GC after I get the LSD installed, built it to run all day on the track... And its FWD :P

[@hhaste]

FWD?! That's a sin!

[@stevemartegani]

@@hhaste It puts up lap times as my 2018 STI Type-RA did (and that had a tune + RE71Rs) and more fun to drive! I've done the AWD Subaru thing many times. Owned an N/A AWD '95 Impreza coupe for 10 years, BRZ, STI Type-RA, '78 4WD wagon, 99 Outback sport... Had to try something new and unique :P Oh and it weighs between 2300-2400lbs right now. Had it down to 2200lbs when it was N/A before the WRX swap.

[@MrBillDaBear]

Subarus are great while they last. That’s just not very long with sticky tires and the stock wet sump system. Really need a dry sump for any flat motor, Porsche included

[@CallumPiercy]

they don't having any factory baffling, and the pickups are a failure point, a windage tray, and larger sump is only required.

[@FATmenDRIVEtrucks]

Wouldn't be a subaru without boom

[@VinRZ]

if the EJ25 is fully stock then im not surprised it spun a rod bearing. EJ needs either IAG baffled pan or KillerBee baffled pan to fight the high G oil starvation. Owner should have known. Checkout motoriq's piece of solving EJ's oiling issue.

[@gabemiller9873]

How did you not feel the spun bearing in your clutch foot or hands? And to be honest floating in the 6500-7200 range with a turbo ej is stresssing that block. Pin it then send haha

[@carsonj4031]

People say "typical subaru" but i want to see you take your 200k+ mile engine on track.

[@luisr.blanco8098]

True !

[@skatetown100]

agreed!!!!!

[@iMickel]

Easy work for a s2000 haha

[@yaminoyume610]

typical Subarus

[@mengx94]

Its what makes a subaru a subaru

[@leftybender9125]

Sorry but of all the possible sti power units to swap in, you chose the 07 ej25. Probably the least reliable ej motor Subaru made. And one with 250K miles at that?

[@wojtekp3212]

Did he check oil before track day and change put fresh oil in the car?! Needs to be always full!!! The oil pans on these cars are too small?!

[@VictorPitstop]

Damn dude, that’s part of the risk everyone takes! That Subie ran like a champ until it didn’t! Lol

[@k20ee96]

My JDM V3 Type R bottom end started knocking 2 weeks after I bought the car 😬

[@scotc6]

Mine was a day later 😢

[@SB-187]

I'm gonna need to know where to get those red seat belts for my GC?

[@geofreywilliams8014]

Yeah updated oil pump might have made the difference. Also.. ej207 builds seem to blow up less… just saying… also your handling set up is suss at best. But nice breaks.

[@chrissimmons9969]

OMG…..when the death rattle started I got a bad feeling in my stomach.

[@moereefer]

There very bad for oil I’m very surprised why do the swap without putting in the baffles kits that everyone in world must know about. That’s why I never went back from the 4G63

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

also it don't matter if it is high miles....it will still happen on stock motors with fast drivers.

[@sbfd3s]

The lap wasn't even fast...2:13 is crawling. Subarus are junk

[@buss1205]

@@sbfd3s almost maybe its because they arent track cars? a subaru would dog on almost every car on loose traction.

[@jiataoliu6782]

What was the laptime for the second lap before blowing up

[@samueldowney2806]

oof, was going so well up until then. All the best to the owner and hope he gets a new motor or rebuild in there soon.

[@pv4083]

I love Subarus but damn!! When will they learn!?

[@bhop.builds]

That's a bummer. The title seems accurate though, fun while it lasted, it looked like it anyway. This is also why i'm perfectly fine never tracking my hatch. Sure it'd be fun, but I need it to stay running for transportation..lol

[@alfredcsikos9872]

Do you have a reason for driving on track days with open windows? I may miss something here. Apart from the strong wind noise, I thought it also messes the aero :)

[@danielmembrillo6472]

You have to have the windows open on track. Its mandated.

[@alfredcsikos9872]

@@danielmembrillo6472 Thanks! But still, bit of a surprise. What is the reason? Easier to rescue the driver/passenger in case of an accident?

[@danielmembrillo6472]

@@alfredcsikos9872 Correct. In case of rollover, fire, accident etc.

[@opmike343]

I've had a lifetime love affair with STi's, but I wish the engines were built by Toyota or Honda. This engine had a good run, though, at that mileage!

[@finboyYYC]

Welcome to “why I sold my Subaru” reason 7235. The original owner bought a new engine before me, thank god I sold it before it needed engine #3. It was a fun 3 years of ownership, but that inevitable rod knock or blown ring land was not worth the stress.

[@hhaste]

It's not inevitable if you maintain it properly.. this engine had 250k miles on it, lol.

[@dre32pitt]

@@hhaste I agree.. While Subies are indeed Japanese cars, you can't treat them like a Honda.. You gotta treat them like a BMW or VW lol. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE.. not reactive maintenance....

[@mrdeeds72]

Flashing... ooooh.. 🫢

[@dre32pitt]

Oooof.. that sound around 5:50.. 😬

[@lastname-Nm]

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCKIN ON HEAVEN’s DOOO-OOOOR (sounds like bearings maybe?)

[@simplevoicereviewssvr6418]

The reason why it blew up is because of the 07s motor.

[@IXthEvil]

It's the watch check through the Esses for me haha

[@876yuugt]

It happens. Awesome Subie

[@therealronaldd]

I'm shocked you kept driving while it was knocking so badly. You should have stopped immediately, could have saved it from needing a complete replacement but you let it seize. Unbelievable

[@williamrori1274]

"I've had my Subaru EJ for XXX years and it hasn't blown up yet!" - Tell me you're a slow driver without telling me you're slow driver.

[@qikqbn77]

I have learned a very hard lesson... In life and in general... Never, never, never say out loud or in your mind... One more lap, one last time, one more try, just one more for the road... Some how the powers that be will always use that last chance to come back to bite you. Feel bummed for the owner. Was probably super excited for you to drive his car and put a ton of work into it. This unfortunately is the nature of the beast when racing. It puts every aspect of your cars setup to the test.

[@cs2294]

I put my car up for sale recently and didn't touch it until someone bought it for this very reason lol

[@RichLion]

Install a new EJ207 short motor, then press on lads.

[@alex86hachiroku]

What make a subaru a subaru

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

dang, i wished he would of just gone with the JDM 2.0 with the amount of work put in.

[@lastname-Nm]

Seems like the guy under built the car with too much tires, maybe Zygrene pushed it harder than the owner would have?

[@Getsomepiggy]

No, a 2:13-2:14 lap time at Buttonwillow in that configuration (13CW) isn’t really considered that “fast” at all. Its an issue with the motor design if it cant handle those lap times lol

[@TforTouge]

A Subaru blowing its motor? No way, impossible!

[@dsubversion]

The engine had 250K miles on it. Probably needed a refresh or rebuild in the first place.

[@TylerSavin]

You're supposed to pull over so you don't put oil all over the track.

[@tommyvercetti6035]

Ej207 is the way

[@s.a.i.v]

Nice

[@moereefer]

U guys must understand it happens it happens

[@Puma6922]

go ej207 next lad

[@Crazy8ts]

A original 23 year old 4 cyl turbo with 250,000 miles running all out on a hot day in full blown aggressive racing redlineing on a racetrack spins a bearing....any brand engine like that would break.... duh

[@sbfd3s]

I have no idea why people like Subarus

[@matt260]

time for an EJ207 ;) the real STI engine

[@skateinspace]

most of the time when I see a build on youtube with a subaru its always blows up. what a terrible engine.

[@Crazy8ts]

If they ran an extra quart of oil this wouldnt have happened

[@bigkaswrx8115]

The track is where subarus go to die 🤷‍♂️ they are super reliable as fast road cars; the engine just cannot take track abuse regardless if its forged/baflled etc... dry sump or accusump are a must. You can also cheat by adding in an extra litre of oil but not sure how good that works 🤷‍♂️

[@kgthegreatone943]

Was it the head gasket?

[@GT-RTData9]

Ahh, Subaru. (canned laughter)

[@YoungKhalifa2011]

That is not a GC8 that’s a GM6 respectfully

[@goofymcadams]

How is this 2001? This looks like its meant to be a Ver6 STi the final model was 2000? But this has newer interior, centre console, steering wheel and dash is not white? Was this one made from many different cars? As its also LHD? Once any light starts you stop! That was the longest drive back to the garages.... You could have been ruining his car even more than you did... Subaru problems? Driver error, poor maintained car..

[@OldCrow3V]

This is why I just sold my bugeye. Sucks man!

[@andrewlee88]

Baffle makes zero diff in real track driving. It's being debunked now with the brz and fa series also on yt. Hard to watch someone who never took this build to the track ever and then getting 1 hot lap in and puking the 2nd.....

[@ryanmattson1735]

Story of every Subaru ever.

[@rjhick1]

Just Subaru things 😂😂

[@motorsandvoltsandrobots7162]

rsti

[@bla855]

It's not a subaru problem... its the way the Americans maintain them/drive them ... plus the 2.5 engines are shit ..THE REAL DEAL IS THE JDM TYPE RA short deck closed block ..ps your driving was an issue also

[@bla855]

The moral of the story is don't let a cowboy American drive your subaru ..all excuses