High-Performance Subaru Builder's Guide

Jeffrey Zurschmeide

Jan 2007 · CarTech Inc

About this ebook

Now more than ever, Subaru fanatics have a wealth of factory and aftermarket performance upgrades at their disposal. In High-Performance Subaru Builder's Guide, author Jeff Zurschmeide explains in detail the similarities and differences between the Subaru models, and describes how to modify each for performance on the street and at the track. He uses over 300 color photos to show you how to modify your Impreza, Legacy, WRX, or STI for improved acceleration, handling, braking, and style. The book provides detailed chapters explaining how to modify the intake, exhaust, turbocharger, and computer systems for more horsepower and torque--plus info on upgrading your drivetrain to handle all that power. If taking corners is your thing, you'll find chapters on the suspension, steering, chassis, brakes, and wheels and tires. A special chapter even shows you how to get started in your favorite type of racing, including examples of successful racers and their cars.

Ratings and reviews

It seems like a thorough book, with some good advice on buying performance parts, but it's not as in depth as I'd hoped (For instance, it doesn't have any real help with doing the tuning yourself), and it has some alarmingly false information as well. Maybe these expectations are a little high, I don't know. What I do know is at one point the author points out the VDC control module/ABS pump, and calls it a fuel line distribution block, and even goes as far as saying what it's made of and what it does. This false information then makes me question everything in the book. I hope one can at least trust the quoted conversations from professionals in the industry. Also the book is too outdated at this point. Subaru has moved on to direct injection and other things not out during this books writing. also, many of the mentioned after market parts are no longer available.

aside from the main reason i dislike this book, there are some error's whether they are clerical, or photographic, or typographic is likely unknown. Be careful when "following advice from a book, the honest truth is there is more information on a free website for impreza owners than this book could ever hold. Not terrible, but not great.

I like subarus. I know this doesnt help but download this book to learn how you should start modding your subie

About the author

Jeffrey Zurschmeide is a lifelong automotive enthusiast and earns his living writing for newspapers and magazines on automotive topics. His driving and wrenching experience includes SCCA racing in old British and Italian sports cars, circle track racing in a Camaro, Drag racing in a Ford, T-S-D rally in a MINI, and stage rally in Mazdas and Subarus. He is currently the chief mechanic and co-driver for a Subaru 2.5RS rally car. He lives with his wife and daughter on a small farm in Oregon.