Fujimi kit check: GC8 WRX STi kits

[Jay!]

So... I've built WRXs made by Tamiya and Hasegawa... How do Fujimi's STi Ver V and VI kits rate? Features? Pitfalls?

TIA!

[EMAXX]

I haven't made any by Fujimi, but I think that GT1 car made one a little bit ago. I think that he said it went together pretty well. You can probably find it if you do a search. Sorry I can't be any more help.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I haven't built any of them, but I do have one of the Fujimi kits and it looks pretty decent...for a Fujimi, and it is more accurate than the new STi that's based on the old kit.

The basic body looks pretty much like your car. The tailend looks slightly off, but I can't really tell what's wrong, but I think Hasegawa got the shape a bit better. Compared to your pics, it's pretty close, the C pillars may be slightly off too, but it's really not an issue. The front bumper cover is different than yours (foglamp cover molded in, more ribs outboard of the foglamps), so is the rear...no rub strip. IIRC the Hasegawa front end looks more like what's on your car. My kit is a Version IV. The kits I've seen finished here look pretty good. Like most Fujimis, do a little more TLC and it'll be fine.

I rode in a silver 2.5 RS that my friend test drove, it was a 4 door. Quieter/more refined than I expected (I had a '76 Scooby 1400 DL that was a pile of crap, loud and completely unrefined and unreliable). Drove an '04 Forester Turbo...wow, now that's torque! Amazing acceleration from a stop, handling a bit weird since I was driving it like my Miata and not used to sitting so high in such a fast vehicle. I can imagine what an STi drives like, if a Forester is that quick. That 2.5 RS felt really good, at least from the passenger seat. I'm sure it's a lot quieter than the Honda. Bet it uses a lot more fuel than the Honda. Probably slower than the Honda but probably doesn't feel like it because of the extra low-end grunt that no VTEC will ever have

[tonioseven]

I've built a version V; My front bumper fit kind of funny but it may have beem my lack of attention to detail on that kit. It's in the gallery.

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

I haven't built any of them, but I do have one of the Fujimi kits and it looks pretty decent...for a Fujimi, and it is more accurate than the new STi that's based on the old kit.

Drove an '04 Forester Turbo...wow, now that's torque! Amazing acceleration from a stop, handling a bit weird since I was driving it like my Miata and not used to sitting so high in such a fast vehicle. I can imagine what an STi drives like, if a Forester is that quick. That 2.5 RS felt really good, at least from the passenger seat. I'm sure it's a lot quieter than the Honda. Bet it uses a lot more fuel than the Honda. Probably slower than the Honda but probably doesn't feel like it because of the extra low-end grunt that no VTEC will ever have

Did'ja know that There are Forrester STis in Japan?

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by tonioseven

I've built a version V; My front bumper fit kind of funny but it may have beem my lack of attention to detail on that kit. It's in the gallery.
Did'ja know that There are Forrester STis in Japan?

Didn't know that! I hope they're lowered and they've tightened up the suspension. I think the STi's in Japan are all 2 liter motors. We get the 2.5 turbo, so we've got a distinct torque advantage, and they tuned the XT for maximum useable torque...you can really feel it, but you can also tell it doesn't keep building power like turbos that are meant more for top speed. I'd love to try a Forester STi, the XT's disadvantage is not in power but suspension tuning...it's a bit too soft. W/all that power and the soft suspension, you'll be using a LOT of brakes on curvy roads. If I bought an XT, I'd be definitely looking to upgrade the suspension a bit, but not wanting to give up too much of the "cush"..

[Sebstar]

we also have a few forrester sti's here. not sure what engine, but im pretty sure its the 2 litre from the japspec sti. we also have the S401 Liberty here, which is like an STI B4. its got 18inch BBS rims i think

[515]

Originally Posted by Sebstar

we also have a few forrester sti's here. not sure what engine, but im pretty sure its the 2 litre from the japspec sti. we also have the S401 Liberty here, which is like an STI B4. its got 18inch BBS rims i think

Forester sti hmmm i'm pretty sure that OZ don't hv that model.. only forester GT(not STI model) that share similar engine to a WRX 2 litre turbocharged but slower... and the OZ liberty B4 only got 17inch BBS rims..

[hirofkd]

I've heard complains about the interior of the Fujimi's GC8, but other than that, it should be an okay kit. At least, it's not a recycle of an existing kit, and certainly doesn't have the skyline chassis, unlike the RX-7. Besides, Fujimi is the only 2dr body as far as the street version is concerned, right ? Good luck with your project, Jay. At least, you didn't buy a car, where you can't find a model of it.

I drove the Forester STi, when I was deciding on my dad's (and half mine) car in Japan. It's fast, stiff and a bit loud, and I liked it. Mom didn't like a tall car, and we settled with the B4 RS Type-B (std. HID and Bilstein)
Later, I was fortunate to test drive the S401. thanks to another generous dealer in Tokyo. The vehicle dynamics is totally different from either the RSK or RS Type-B, and the engine begs you to rev higher. I believe it's extra $10,000 compared to the B4 RSK, but you can't buy all the neat options on the S401 for that.

I hope Fujimi makes the kit of the S401.

[Jay!]

So what's up with the "Subaru Impreza WRX Sti GTW Wing" ? What's the GTW Wing series? Why's it 2000 yen when the others are 1800?

Not to pick Tonio, but are you sure yours is the Ver V? I'll call your attention to the corner vents on the front grill... The early version has three horizontal openings, the later (like mine has only two). The IV seems to be the early type, while the V and VI are the latter.

Although... I really like the wing you used; it's most like mine, but the V and VI have that ginormous rally wing.

On the topics of the wings, I wonder if I could just use the upper part of the two-part V and VI style wing... Anyone care to crack open the kit to play show and tell?

Originally Posted by hirofkd

At least, you didn't buy a car, where you can't find a model of it.

Heh... You don't make that mistake twice.

[hirofkd]

I think the V, VI wing can be modified to match your's. Evergreen plastic sheet will take care of the end plates. But, you can put the V, VI style wing (or it's replica) on your real car to save time, too.

[Jay!]

Originally Posted by hirofkd

I think the V, VI wing can be modified to match your's. Evergreen plastic sheet will take care of the end plates. But, you can put the V, VI style wing (or it's replica) on your real car to save time, too.

LOL... for slightly more than 1800 yen, though...

[tonioseven]

You're correct Jay, I have the Version IV! Oops!

[XenoKryst]

Sort of late, but here is my reply.

I have the STI Ver.V kit and took some pics of the GTW spoiler. I doubt you can use the upper part to match your own RS spoiler since it looks really blocky. Sanding won't help it I don't think because to get it to look like the RS spoiler would need a lot of sanding and by the time you got it looking just right, the plastic may be really thin. Plus there isn't the third brake light on the spoiler like on the real car on this upper part of the GTW (GTW spoiler has it on the bottom section).

I have found that the kit is pretty descent for a Fujimi. The 5 spoke gold rims and tires are pretty small, probably average at about 15inch if not less. The most disturbing thing on this car is the headlight detail. It sort of takes away the realistic look to the car, a lot. Most parts are molded pretty thick so it bulges out a lot (ie. rear spats, front spoiler). I had to sand some of these tiny and delicate parts down so it can match the real thing. Just have to get some primer and paint on it now!

[Jay!]

Thanks for the reply! Maybe I'll hijack a Civic Si wing... hmmm...

Best1 said they'd have a ver VI kit for me by the end of the month.