Hate Me Now

Words By Mike Centola / Snaps By Mike Centola

Jon Therriault has been around the block a few times (in the car scene), having his previous ride as well as this one featured in HCI magazine. Luckily for us, Jon has been an active member here on rspeed.org almost since the beginning. His latest incarnation is this japan-inspired 2007 WRX TR.

Having a soft spot for WRX's, I've been chasing Jon for a few months to shoot the car, but it took a while for our schedules to mesh. Jon chose to build this WRX because he has always loved the platorm and it's capabilities. Considering he was looking for a car to drive year-round in upstate New York, the fact that the car was all wheel drive was a big plus.

Jon, unlike most builders, knew what he wanted right from the start, and had the car completed to where he was satisfied within the first year of owning it. He did not encounter many problems during the build, making sure that the preventative mods were in place before progressing. His current "problem" is only that he is coming close to the limits of the stock engine internals.

With an estimate of $7-$10K spent on modifications, the car speaks very loudly for a reasonable build cost. Some of the most unique features of the vehicle are the built transmission, alcohol injection, and some ARC parts.

Because performance was a big factor in Jon's choice of this WRX, he added a good set of mods to help increase power and torque, without sacrificing reliability. An 18G turbocharger from Forced Performance was chosen, along with 750cc injectors, TGV deletes, a TiAl 38mm wastegate, and an AP Turbo inlet. To enhance the breathing, Jon added an ARC intake and front mount intercooler, a Perrin equal-length header, Helix up-pipe, an Invidia downpipe, as well as an Invidia G200 cat-back exhaust. Control is in the form of a custom open source tune by Seth of Moon Performance. Lastly, to keep things cool, a Labonte alcohol injection system was installed.

Getting the power to the ground was another story, however. Jon upgraded the transmission to a STi RA WPC-treated gear set. He also added a Kartboy short-throw shifter and bushings.

Riding on Enkei RPF-01, wrapped in Dunlop Direzza tires, he also chose Tein SuperStreet coilovers and a Cusco titanium front strut bar.

If you can't look good when going fast, whats the point? Jon makes sure to look good on the street, strip or track by picking some very tasteful and functional body mods. White cars and carbon fiber go together like lamb and tuna fish. John added an ARC carbon hood scoop, a Varis carbon exhaust garnish, a Chargespeed carbon bottom line kit, and a Carbing craft rear license plate backing. To complete the look, he added OEM STi sideskirts, JDM subaru window visors, and a Sako license plate bracket.

Going inside, the tastefully done interior is accented in STi blue from the front seats, rear seats and door cards. A Defi boost gauge and link meter monitor the engine, and a Top Secret shift knob complete the styling. For audio, Jon installed an Alpine headunit.

For those out there building a similar car, Jon recommends to "do your homework, address potential problems early, and enjoy." Jon also added that he learned that cars are meant to be driven year round and not for sitting on trailers.

Quick Specs:

Exterior
ARC Hood Scoop (CF)
Varis Exhaust Garnish (CF)
Chargespeed Bottom Line Kit (CF)
Carbign Craft Rear License Plate Backing (CF)
JDM OEM Subaru Window Visors
Sako License Plate Bracket
OEM Sti Side Skirts

Engine
ARC Front Mount Intercooler
ARC Short Ram Intake
ARC Titanium Pulley Cover
ARC Oil Cap
Invidia G200 Cat Back
Invidia Downpipe
Kartboy Short Shifter w/ Bushings
Tein Hood Dampers
APS Blow Off Valve
Custom Open Source Tune (by Seth @ Moon Performance)
Walboro 255lph fuel pump
Forced Performanc td05 18g
Deatschwerks 750cc Injectors
AP Turbo Inlet
Helix EWG Up pipe
Tial Wastegate 38mm
STI type RA Special Eddition WPC treated gear set
Labonte Alcohol Injection System
Labonte 3D Injection Controller w/Dash Display
TGV Delete
Perrin Equal Length Header

Suspension/ Brakes/ Wheels
Tein Super Street Coilovers w/ Pillowball Mounts
Work Emotion CR Kai 18x7.5 bronze
Cusco Titanium Front strut bar
Trust Lug Nuts
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 225-40-18

Interior
Defi Link Meter
Defi Boost Gauge
Top Secret Shift Knob
STI Front Seats
STI Rear Seats
STI Door Cards

Audio
Alpine CDA-9856 w/ I Pod integration


Props:
JVG Motorsports, Moon Performance, Adam Henessey

Link to gallery of pictures