Gorilla TMCAI - One Year Later

I love my 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS Coupe.  It's fun to drive, it looks great (or at least it does NOW), and it's always a hit at local meets and events.  Not only that, but it's blast to drive at rallycross events which I have become increasingly fond of.  In the time that I've had it, there's always been one centerpiece under the hood that becomes sort of a topic every time it's open.  It's this Gorilla Top-Mount Cold Air Intake.  I've had it on the car for over a year so I figured it was time to revisit the review I wrote when I first installed it.

In case you haven't figured it out, this air intake makes use of the unused hood scoop on older Subaru Imprezas.  In Japan, this scoop was functional, providing airflow to the intercooler.  Since silly Americans weren't good enough for the WRX yet we were blessed with the 2.5 RS.  Thanks to this Top-Mounted Cold Air Intake, that hood scoop is USEFUL again!
The main thing I have come to appreciate about this Gorilla TMCAI intake is it's durability! The intake is built from 6061 aluminum and is finished with a heat insulating black powder coat application.  My intake has seen a few "oops" moments and, while it does have scars to show for it... still no problems.  I did need to file down some of the bolts on the underside of the hood to prevent them from digging into the box, but it wasn't a big deal.  As a result, some of that black powdercoat has been worn through in spots, but it's held up to the abuse I've put it (and the car) through.

This has certainly been an All-Weather car, as it is also currently being parked outdoors.  Nothing against my rally car, but my nice '12 Impreza and my wife's '04 Outback claim the garage spots unless I'm working on something.  I have taken care to cover the intake when it's parked during rain and snowstorms as I have noticed evidence of water getting through the intake.  There are two holes on the underside of the intake that let water through, but I didn't want to risk anything with the engine.  I suppose it's better to be cautionary than to drown a engine through the manifold.  Driving in adverse conditions, I haven't noticed any problems with the engine.  I can attest to this since this car has since had an engine swap in it since I started running this intake system.  Engine #1 had a burnt valve in cylinder #4 that caused it to misfire often.  Before we removed it, the Gorilla TMCAI was equipped for 9 months totaling just under 10,000 miles.  After we removed the engine and took of the heads, everything (except that burnt valve) appeared to be in great condition.  Engine #2 has not shown any issues either and it has been running strong!

I suppose my only complaint about having this system has been how hard it is to install an air filter with this system.  The Alligator Clips that hold the cover over the air filter are INCREDIBLY tight.  I suppose this is a testament to how solid the design is.  However, this means that I have to remove the entire Gorilla TMCAI every time I want to change or clean an air filter.  I literally have to kneel on the entire assembly to press the cover down far enough to get the Alligator Clips to connect.  If there were a way to secure the filter without having to remove everything, it would make it much more convenient to work on.  Especially considering that this rugged intake is intended for use Off-Road or at Rally events, making something easier to work on would be a positive change.  Still, it doesn't detract from the value I place on this intake.  I suppose I just have to stop being lazy and reluctant with cleaning the air filter.  It is honestly the only complaint I can think of.

Whether you're idealistic and think that your hood scoop needs to be functional or you're looking for a direct source of cold air to boost your performance, this product will meet and exceed your needs.  It's rugged, sturdy, and you'll feel more confident with a solid setup like this.  I have been very happy with this product and would recommend it to serious owners looking to stay N/A with their Imprezas but want a little more punch.  The Gorilla Top Mount Cold Air Intake does not disappoint in quality, durability, and performance.

The Good, the Bad, and the Dirty

Last weekend the NRSCCA Hosted their 2nd Rallycross event of the 2015 season at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, NE.  25 drivers gave their all in this technically challenging course set up by Jon Simmons, my co-driver.  The mild weather was a welcome change from the Chili Bowl's frigid teens and the track was soft, making for a fun day kicking up dirt!  When the dust had settled and the times were posted, one thing was certain: Rally Tires were the king for these conditions!

The top spot for the day was claimed by Mark Hill in his Mitsubishi Evolution IX.  Besides being an incredibly talented driver, he was also running new rally tires on Braid rally wheels.  Those who caught a glimpse of the white blur that was his Evo witnessed just how easily he cut through the course.  His times were untouchable.  Not only did he claim the Top 3 lap times for the day, but his overall time was a whopping 16 seconds faster than the next fastest driver.  It was a real treat watching him devour the course!

I learned a lot with my RS, too.  Like I said, rally wheels were great for these conditions, so I really think the Speedlines with the Michelin Competition Tires were at home on this track.  I managed to nab 3rd in my class again with it thanks to some great feedback and coaching from Jon.  There was an added bonus that came in the form of a bit of an issue with a fellow Subaru owner.  His Turbo Legacy was having issues after it's first run so I let him drive my RS to complete his runs until he could get his running for the second half of the day.  At the end of the day, the RS had 3 drivers put it through a total of 19 runs... and not a single run more.

That's because, as I rolled off the finish from the final run for the day, I quickly learned that there was a problem with the transmission.  I wasn't able to get it out of gear at first... and then I couldn't get it into first.  Once I got it into first to limp to the pits, I couldn't get it into any other gear.  We parked it on the asphalt and put it up on jack stands to inspect and see if something was jammed in the shifter linkage.  Everything was clear, so we fiddled with it some more until we got it back into neutral.  Then we could only select 3rd, 4th, 5th, and reverse gear.  We pushed it until I could get it into 3rd enough and took some back roads home.  It used those gears flawlessly the rest of the trip, so it seems like there's something loose or broken that is swimming around in the transmission jamming things up.  There are already plans to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs this week, so I hope to have this great car up and running again very soon.

Still, getting 3rd in my class again along with a 6th place overall is a testament to how much fun I had.  The RS will ride again and it's so fun to be constantly improving as a driver... now that I know the car can handle it.

Top Times in the Tundra!

February 22nd marked the first rallycross event on the 2015 NRSCCA schedule.  Appropriately dubbed "The Chili Bowl", this event was bitterly cold.  With high temperatures in the mid teens and wind chill to knock it down to the single-digits, you'd have to be CRAZY to attend, right?  One look at the roster for the event tells a different story.  27 entries, with 16 of them Subarus, made for the biggest rallycross season opener for the Nebraska Region SCCA ever.

It was quite the show!  There were plenty of familiar faces in attendance, but the bulk of the entry list were drivers that were new to rallycross.  For many, this was their first event attacking on dirt with their road warriors.  Still, that didn't stop them from improving with each lap and learning with every corner.  After the dust had settled, Subarus occupied the top spots of all three of the All-Wheel Drive categories: Stock, Prepared, and Modified.

Speaking of top times, in a previous post I mentioned that my car would have a co-driver.  Jon Simmons gave me awesome advice and helped me and my 2.5 RS Coupe to improve lap after lap and go toe-to-toe with other seasoned drivers at the event.  Thanks to his guidance and expertise, I managed to land 3rd in my class and 5th overall.  Not only that, but Jon wheeled his way to 1st in our class and overall for the entire day!  I'm admittedly proud that he did it (and beat out other "faster" cars) with my RS.  It's encouraging to see a result like that in a car I've been working on.

Regardless of the results, I was personally most happy with the experience overall.  Working with people at the event, talking with drivers in-between runs, and the fantastic support and help from my co-driver made the event more than enjoyable.

Check out pictures from the event here> Rallycross Photos

Strömung Exhaust - '00 2.5 RS Coupe

As preparations for the 2015 NRSCCA Rallycross season come to a head for my Impreza RS Coupe, there's a bit of boxer rumble in the air.  That's because we've fitted a Strömung Axleback Exhaust to this project car and it sounds brilliant!  While it certainly won't help with better times or quicker cornering, this car sounds like a Subaru again.

The exhaust was found through Boxer4Racing.  With the help of Russ' Garage and a mid-pipe from Aki's GC4, we bolted up the new system and fitted COBB 15mm Hangers to secure it into place, as the stock hangers were too flimsy and loose to grab hold of the new shiny Strömung axleback.

This exhaust really lives up to it's name.  Strömung literally means "flow" and you can hear and feel it while you're driving.  The spirited driving I did around town with it is only a prelude to what I'm hoping to hear with the aggressive cone-dodging coming up this weekend, so I'm really looking forward to kicking up dirt with that smooth yet distinctive growl!  I'll be adding a video with the exhaust note once I figure out a half-decent way to capture the sound on this page for reference.

Preparing for Chili Bowl!

The first Rallycross event for the NRSCCA is fast approaching, so my revived RS is getting prepared for the start of the 2015 season.  There's still a few changes in store, a few adjustments to be made, but I'm more than just excited to go hit the dirt like I was last year.  This season will take the RS and it's silly owner (me) to a new level.

I started off the new year by becoming a Member of the SCCA.  Plans are to attend all 6 Rallycross events this year and be more involved with the organization.  I still have a lot to learn, but another key component to that involvement is some guidance from veteran drivers in the area.  Last year, I learned SO much just from sharing a car with a fellow RS owner and Subaru Enthusiast.  I quickly discovered that the car was not limiting success... but my abilities as a driver.



For the first event of the 2015 Season, the guy driving that Impreza in the video above will be co-driving with me.  Jon Simmons has competed at the National level for SCCA Rallycross before and was very involved with the NRSCCA Rallycross and Autocross programs.  On top of his work behind the wheels, Jon also started the Nebraska Subaru Owners Club in 2003 and has owned an impressive lineup of Subarus, so he's no stranger to these cars.  I'm excited for the chance to share the wheel of a car I've been working on with him!

The event is this Sunday, so I'll be buttoning up things on the RS on Thursday to get it all squared away.

New STI "Impressive" at Sno*Drift

On January 30th and 31st, only one team sat atop the list of times for the 17 snow and ice covered stages of the Sno*Drift Rally in Michigan.  David Higgins, Craig Drew, and Subaru Rally Team USA owned every slippery inch of the rally, starting off the 2015 Rally America season with first place points.  Winning Rallies (or Championships for that matter) is nothing new for this team, but the car that did it today was fresh out of Vermont Sportscar's garage: the brand-new 2015 Subaru WRX STI.  With that in mind, having such a successful and problem-free weekend at one of the most challenging events of the season is quite the accomplishment in itself!

David Higgins put it perfectly.

"It's really impressive to run a full race with a brand new car and not have any problems or setup changes whatsoever. It's a testament to Vermont SportsCar’s attention to detail and preparation."


The team will head to Missouri on the 27th and 28th this month for the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood to put this new car to the test once again.  We'll see if the performance at Sno*Drift was Beginners Luck or if this car really is the next best thing!  Last year, the 100 Acre Wood wasn't a high point in the #75 car's season.  Plus, if Ken Block makes his usual appearance at his favorite event, it should be a fun battle between Ford and Subaru again.

Sno*Drift 2015 wasn't just a shining debut for SRT USA's latest ride.  The new STI was joined at the podium with familiar company.  The top five spots at Sno*Drift went to teams toting that familiar Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.  Nick Roberts, Lauchlin O'Sullivan, Garry Gill, and Peter Fetela all piloted their Subarus to victory through Michigan's icy back roads!

Over this same weekend, Winter Storm Linus passed over the Midwest.  Omaha-area forecasters underestimated this storm, as the 2-3 inch predictions were smashed by nearly 10 inch reports in some areas.  As such, a few of my buddies and I had a great time enjoying the snow in a similar fashion to the rallying that took place further north in Michigan. 

It was truly a Subaru weekend with rally heritage shining strong!

Snow Hooning

On January 31st, Winter Storm Linus dropped over half a foot of underestimated snow on the Omaha area.  For most, this would mean tip-toeing around local roads or avoiding them all together.  However, for a few Subaru owners, it meant it was playtime!!  We rounded up some local enthusiasts and headed to a big empty parking lot taking turns doing cookies, donuts, and other sweet treats.

Aside from the fun we had, the lineup was pretty sweet!  My 2001 2.5 RS Coupe was the oldest there.  Then we had a Bugeye, Blobeye, an '08 WRX sedan, a '11 WRX Hatchback, an XV Crosstrek, a '15 WRX and a '15 STI.  All we were really missing was a Hawkeye, but we didn't have much time to track one down.  After only a few cars had managed to take to the wide open spaces, some snob in a Volvo proudly professed that she had called the local Sheriff.  We managed to squeeze in another 15 minutes in before some blue and red flashy lights threatened to arrest us all.  Tails tucked between our legs, we vacated the empty lot and split up.

It was a bit of a downer, considering that this parking lot was home to HOURS of play last winter for dozens of enthusiasts when a similar storm had passed through.  Instead of helping stranded motorists or chasing down burglars, the angry Sheriff shooed our Subarus off the lot.  Still, we managed to have a good time with everyone who was there.  We'll need to find a different place to play next time the flakes are falling!