DSM newb came from STI (Comparison)

[mgould4]

Just got my first DSM after tons of research. I am coming from an STI. Love both cars but needed something cheaper on the wallet. Now that I have the DSM, I may need to sell it and buy a commuter for a new job. It's funny how life throws curve balls like that. Anyway I'm going to try to enjoy it while I have it. I can tell this thing has tons of potential. It's tuned really conservatively right now (hits 20psi) and definitely not in the efficiency range of the turbo.

Here's the mod list (I hope to have some pics in a few days):

98 GSX RED
6 Bolt Swap with 2G Head
Shep Stage 3 Trans with Welded Center Diff
ACT 2900
Shearer FAbrications Custom exhaust 3inch (Twin tip sleeper look)
PTE front mount with Shearer upper IC pipe
Hahn Racecraft 20g with 10cm hotside (would've rather had a regular 20g but it's still a nice piece imo just has a little higher boost threashold. No creep though)
FP Turbo Inlet
95 EPROM with DSMlink (capacitors fixed by Buscher Racing)
Stock MAS
Konig Wheels

If tuned more aggressively, I bet this will easily be a mid 11 sec car.


Coming from the STI, the biggest difference is comfort and gearing. The gearing in the DSM is much better suited for everyday driving or the strip. The STI gears are so short and close (which is good for autocross) that daily driving it can be more annoying. Although it does help to stay in the powerband. And at the strip you must make a 4-5 shift in the Suby. The suspension on the STI is also stiff and harsh while the eclipse is sporty but comfortable. There's no question which platform is superior for drag racing, that goes for EVOs as well. That being said I wish I could have kept the STI because I really loved it. As for the welded center diff, it barely bothers me. I didn't know what to expect because some people really frown upon it. I don't mind at all though. Anyway, this seems like a cool forum and I'll definitely be hanging and learning while I still have the DSM before I have to get my daddymobile.

 

[v2ner]

Breaking into the 11s with that setup will be pretty hard if you're new to tuning and driving. Race gas will definitely make it easier. Enjoy your DSM while you can.

 

[mgould4]

IF I decide to have it tuned (all it has is a base tune for the larger injectors....) I'll probably take it to my tuner-Topspeed in Atlanta. But you're right, will probably take a better driver than me.

 

[JayRolla]

more like a 12 second car, but with some methonal injection, cams, stroker you can make some awsome power.

 

[mgould4]

Hmm, i guess I won't be hitting 11s as easily as i thought. My brothers 20g STI has run a 11.7 @ 119. I figured I'd be able to make similar numbers considering the better gearing. IT's funny, for Subys, CAMs are sort of an unproven/uncommon upgrade unless it's a really extreme project. But on DSM and EVOs especially, people seem to slap them on quickly.

 

[v2ner]

Suspension plays a part in that too considering the Scooby's newer. I hit 12.1 w/ a 16G. I'm pretty sure I could have broke 11s on a 20G. It's not as easy though.

 

[drivemusicnow]

Check the DSMtimes list... half of the 11 second times (okay so not really half.. but look at them) are on 20gs. Quality turbo, and you should look into getting a DSMLink forum membership, as you are now the rightful owner of the DSMLink. You don't need someone else to tune it, as with some time and a decent learning curve you can do it yourself.

 

[JayRolla]

You can deffinently get into 11's I was just saying it will take a good tune on race gas. Is your bros STi running race gas or pump?

 

[mgould4]

Check the DSMtimes list... half of the 11 second times (okay so not really half.. but look at them) are on 20gs. Quality turbo, and you should look into getting a DSMLink forum membership, as you are now the rightful owner of the DSMLink. You don't need someone else to tune it, as with some time and a decent learning curve you can do it yourself.

He is in the process of transferring the ownership to me so I have access to the forums

 

[thegchild04]

I am just glad you saw the light, welcome to the community; you will find a lot of people will be able to help you on this forum. I have no love for suby

Good luck on sub 12 second runs, you wont have a problem

 

[mgould4]

You can deffinently get into 11's I was just saying it will take a good tune on race gas. Is your bros STi running race gas or pump?

I definitely understand what you mean. He was on C16.

 

[mgould4]

I am just glad you saw the light, welcome to the community; you will find a lot of people will be able to help you on this forum. I have no love for suby

Good luck on sub 12 second runs, you wont have a problem

No doubt, there has been an awesome vibe on this forum for as long as I have been lurking around.

 

[wvturbo2]

it also helps that the car also come with a 2.5 motor, if our dsm's had that displacement well you can figure it out .

 

[JayRolla]

Thats why you make a 2.5l stroker, it can be done with a crazy over sized piston im sure?

 

[v2ner]

Strokers are also great for autox...but you can achieve your goal with a 2.0. My personal favorite is the regular 2.0l. What can I say, I'm a fan of 10K redlines.

 

[eclipsegsx1736]

You'll be in the high 11s with race gas or meth injection if driven well. FYI, an AWD DSM can be made to run circles around an STi on a road course or autoX without too much trouble.

 

[drivemusicnow]

You'll be in the high 11s with race gas or meth injection if driven well. FYI, an AWD DSM can be made to run circles around an STi on a road course or autoX without too much trouble.

Just like an STi can be made to run circles around a DSM with too much trouble. (oh wait, it does it stock)

Just be smart and put your money in the right places and you can have huge performance for small prices.

 

[dsmclipse97]

Just like an STi can be made to run circles around a DSM with too much trouble. (oh wait, it does it stock)

Just be smart and put your money in the right places and you can have huge performance for small prices.

well lets consider the price differance between even a used STI and any DSM... put that differance into mods THEN see who runs circles around who.

 

[JayRolla]

But your also paying for the new car, new motor, warranty. You cant compare the two cars, the differences will even out. Yea the DSM may be faster once you mod it with the difference in money but you still have an old out of date car. And warranty is nice.

 

[thegchild04]

warranty with mods wtf are you guys smoking?
go take a 12 sec sti to the dealer to get the tranny fixed

 

[AndrewD5418]

You'll be in the high 11s with race gas or meth injection if driven well. FYI, an AWD DSM can be made to run circles around an STi on a road course or autoX without too much trouble.

Heh, even though STi uses true AWD.. 6 gearbox..

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Heh, even though STi uses true AWD.. 6 gearbox..

And what exactly makes DSM's implementation of AWD any less true? And what is the advantage of a 6 speed gear box?

Our AWD system is 50/50 front and back, pretty much the best design out there, IMO. And we've definitely established that 6 speed trannies are often lesser in the 1/4 mile and especially a pain in the neck for daily driving. Don't get me wrong they have their place and are pretty nice overall.

I just don't see where you were going with your post.

 

[andymoraitis]

For the original poster (mgould), welcome aboard and make the search button your friend. We're glad you're here and I can understand why you'd want to have both cars as keepers. In any event you've got a strong combo to start with and with some good tuning and driving you'll surely meet your goals.

Enjoy your stay,

Andy

 

[drivemusicnow]

And what exactly makes DSM's implementation of AWD any less true? And what is the advantage of a 6 speed gear box?

Our AWD system is 50/50 front and back, pretty much the best design out there, IMO. And we've definitely established that 6 speed trannies are often lesser in the 1/4 mile and especially a pain in the neck for daily driving. Don't get me wrong they have their place and are pretty nice overall.

I just don't see where you were going with your post.

On a DSM you have a longer and shorter front axle. This is because the motor is mounted transversely in the engine bay, and the transmission is in line with it. The biggest reason why Subaru uses boxer motors is so that they can have the motor in front of the trans, and have a true 50/50 split left/right. DSMs do not have that. Nor do most new AWD cars, and you can definately tell the difference in extremely low traction conditions.

6 speeds are far superior in road course, and typically better in autocross. Always being able to grab the "right" gear is helpful when you're not just going in a straight line.

That said, I love both cars. I've got an SVX as a daily, and the DSM as a soon to be track whore.

 

[90 GSX]

Welcome to the board.

That said, I want you to know you that are driving an 11 second car, forget about what anybody else tells you. If you can get the launch right, and get the car dialed in perfect, you could do 11's at your current boost level of 20-21 psi or maybe a little higher.

DSM's are fun cars, so are subarus, but comparing an STi to a 98 GSX is kind of pointless. The suspension, driveline and amentities are far more advanced. It would be more appropriate to compare it to an evo but I'm sure you already know that. I do love Suby cars though especially STi's.

Have fun with the GSX, it's a proven platform... -Power