Sunny’s STI Powered WRX
December 31st, 2007 • Related • Filed Under
Article by: Manuel Manansala
Photos by: Robert Billings
º EJ2.5 (STi short block)
º vf39 turbo
º Injen Cold Air Intake
º Greddy front mount intercooler
º Turbo XS Manual dual stage boost controller
º TXS Utec
º TXS map selector
º STi injectors
º Walboro 255 fuel pump
º HKS SS Blow off valve
º HKS Carbon ti exhaust
º STi catless uppipe
º TXS 4? downpipe
º 2006 STi 6spd
º 2006 STi Driveshaf
º Tein Flex
º Tein EDFC
º STI Pink Front Strut Bar
º Cusco Rear Strut Bar
º Cusco rear sway bar
º White Line Steering Busings
º 19? TSW Wheel
º Wilwood front big brake kit
º Wilwood 4pot front and 2pot rear calipers
º Steel braided brake lines
º JDM Projector HID Head lights
º STi Fog covers
º VIS CF Hood
º Kaminari Lip with CF spliter
º Z1 Sports CF Side reflector vents
º Authentic S202 CF Spoiler
º Black leather
º Kenwood CD//AM/FM/XM/Serius/HD
º Greddy EGT, Boost, and oil pressure gauges
º Defi Triple center gauge pod
º A pillar Gauge Pod with Autometer A/F and Boost Gauge
º Agency Power Shift Knob
º TXS map selector
Sunny Malhotra started hitting the scene when he first purchased his 1999 Honda Civic. He never ended up doing much to that car besides the basic bolt-ons, because he knew he would end up spending lots of money on it only to blend in with the crowd. With him being very picky when it comes to cars and working on them, he believed in a “Do it right or not at all” philosophy. He kept this hobby of working on cars above all his other hobbies, but always kept his priorities in line at the same time. With that said, his 2002 Subaru WRX has been nothing less than exceptional.Sunny chose the WRX because he felt that it was a better platform to build upon compared to most of the cars on the street. He also fell in love with the exhaust note of the Subaru WRX after first hearing it.
Sunny purchased this WRX earlier this year in Georgia. It was not running when he bought it from the previous owner. From there his first modification was upgrading the 5 speed transmission to a 6 speed transmission from a 2006 STi along with a STi Driveshaft.
In regards to the engine, this WRX was given the EJ 2.5 STI short block for added displacement. A Greddy Front Mount intercooler was selected to decrease air intake temperatures to provide denser air for the VF39 Turbo. An HKS SS Blow off Valve was selected to relieve pressure off the turbo and gives this WRX its distinct sound. To control the boost levels Sunny chose a Turbo XS Manual Dual Stage Boost Controller. Exhaust gases are handled by a TXS 4” downpipe mated to a HKS Carbon Ti Exhaust System.
With all the upgrades done to the engine, the suspension was in need of an upgrade as well. A set of Tein Flex Coilovers matched up with the Tein EDFC was used to lower the stance on the 19” TSW Wheels. A STi Front Strut Bar along with Cusco Rear Strut Bar and Sway Bar was selected to stiffen the chassis. The brake system was upgraded and given a Wilwood Big Brake Kit along with 4pot calipers in the front and 2pot calipers in the rear with steel brake lines.
Not only did Sunny modify the performance parts of this car, he also added the following exterior parts. JDM projector HID headlamps and STI fog covers beam up the nights in Georgia. A VIS carbon fiber hood, Kaminari lip with CF splitters, Z1 Sports carbon fiber side reflector vents, and an authentic S202 carbon fiber spoiler keeps the car light while still maintaining a fresh appearance.
Inside the cabin, Sunny has done a full leather conversion which is ideal for his daily driving. An assortment of gauges from Greddy and Autometer is securely held in place by a Defi triple gauge pod and an A pillar gauge pod. An Agency Power Shift knob gives the interior a final touch.
Sunny Malhotra has done a nice job of modifying this 2002 Subaru WRX that you see before you. I am glad we are able to share his work to fellow tuners. He would like to thank his dad who has given him much support especially when times were hard. He also wants to thank his sponsors www.importedinnovations.com and Changaroo Photography & Design www.changaroo.com.