Mike@TopSpeed’s CWP ’15 STi

Discussion in 'Member Journals & Project Build Stories' started by Mike@TSM, Aug 26, 2014.

  1. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Hey guys, I wanted to take a second and officially announce that I've sold my M3 and added a Subaru to the family! I've had the pleasure of meeting several of you over the years either at WRXAtlanta dinners or while you've had work done @ TopSpeed; for those of you I haven't met yet, I am the Subaru parts and build specialist at TopSpeed Motorsports in Alpharetta. I've been at TopSpeed for over two years now and have been a huge fan of the STi platform since it's US release in 2004 but never got the opportunity to own one (maybe I didn't try hard enough lol). When the 2015 STi production model was released, I was blown away by the overall design and as I started to dig more and more in to the revisions, I really felt like I had to have this car. Needless to say, I am extremely excited about this car and what we have in store for it!

    Here are the details on what I have on order and should be receiving very soon:

    2015 Subaru WRX STi Base w/ NAV, HK Audio, & Push Button Start
    Additional Options:
    • STi Short Shifter
    • Auto-Dimming Mirror w/ Compass
    • All-Weather Floor Mats
    • Rear bumper Applique


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Being that this is a brand new chassis, our goal is to find and explore the differences from the GR and where/how they can be improved in the quest for higher performance; this also includes outlining the specific differences in the engine with respect to the ECU & tuning, along with any other mechanical differences. Also, TSM is a very goal oriented company in terms of upgrades and how they impact the overall performance of the car; so it is our intention to do each upgrade with a specific achievement in mind rather than simply throwing parts at it.

    The Plan / Initial Parts List:

    • 18” wheels that are lighter than the stockers and can use the stock tires. Haven’t quite decided just yet.
    • A simple suspension package upgrade that improves handling but doesn’t break the bank (initially anyways haha).
    • KartBoy Short Shifter - always loved the feel of these things.
    • Stage 2 Power Package - Including a Cobb AP and a ProTune by our world renowned tuner, Doug Wilks.

    I will be becoming a lot more active in the local Subaru community with the addition of this car and look forward to meeting a bunch of new people! If ever you guys have questions or need anything at all, please don't hesitate to let me know how I can help!
     
  2. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Reserved
     
  3. Holc13WRX

    Holc13WRX Supporting Member

    Awesome Mike!

    Definitely interested in watching a build on the new platform. Keep us up to date with those differences you uncover from this to the GR.

    Congrats on your purchase!
     
  4. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    Congrats mike!

    Why order the STi short throw if you're doing a kartboy? Or was that part of the "package"
     
  5. scoobaru

    scoobaru Active Member

    Congrats! Looking forward to seeing the progress.
     
  6. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Honestly, it was just a part of the package that I found already on order.
     
  7. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Thanks guys!
     
  8. superhawk28

    superhawk28 Member

    Nice car. Is there plans for a WRX in the shop stable? I'd love to see some TSM specific development on that 2.0L as it looks like it is very close to the STi.
     
  9. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    As of right now, we do not have any plans for TSM to do a WRX build - sorry man :|

    I do have some customers that are bringing a few in though so we will certainly give our impressions on it after we work on those.
     
  10. ~The_Duke~

    ~The_Duke~ Member

    The factory one actually isnt that bad. I have one on mine, and its just about the perfect throw length.
     
  11. crazyazn

    crazyazn I like naps Staff Member Supporting Member

    Congrats Mike! Hopefully you will have time to bring it out to a Tuesday meet soon!

    I know the linkage is a bit different from the GD chassis, but in my car verus chips, both kartboys but Chip also has the oem short shifter linkage, his shifter is even shorter and crisper than my car. So this could be a really nice combo
     
  12. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Thanks man! Ya hopefully the car gets here by this next dinner and if it does I certainly plan on making it.

    That's what I remember about the Kartboy + the SPT (or STi now I guess). Either way, I'm just looking forward to modifying the thing period lol.
     
  13. Western

    Western Supporting Member

    Congrats dude. Can't wait to see it at the shop... Might even make a special trip for it.
    One reason could be the Holy Shift Kit from Turn In Concepts. Talk to James Roe about how he likes his!



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  14. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed Supporting Member

    Digging the white. ;)
     
  15. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

  16. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed Supporting Member

    They are quoting the specs of the 2015 Japan only Type S. No credible source has said the US spec will be getting the 2.0 yet. We are currently in the 2015 model year with the 2.5L.
     
  17. nik_05STi

    nik_05STi Member

    Nice choice of color. I think white is the best option for this body style
     
  18. OddJob

    OddJob New Member

    Grats man! Just in time to buy my headers and turbo! Haha
     
  19. griggs81

    griggs81 Supporting Member

    Congrats on the new car Mike! I know it has been a long time coming...
     
  20. superhawk28

    superhawk28 Member

    Rumor on Nasioc is the 2015 EJ25 has beefier pistons and different castings!
     
  21. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Ya, that STi Type S simply has the EJ207 engine in it from everything I can find - I could be wrong there though. Either way it isn't the engine that really makes the '15 so appealing to me, it is the chassis. Subaru really went back to the drawing board on the chassis, suspension, and interior (they did some motor stuff too - more on that later though :)) and all those items put together is what I am really interested in.

    Thanks! Originally I was looking for the Lightening Red but couldn't find what I wanted for what I wanted to pay and in the amount of time I wanted it lol! I guess I was being somewhat picky :D. In the end, white was my second choice (a very close second though) and they really do look great in this color!

    Well... now that you mention it.... lol

    Thanks man! I'm sure you can't tell but I am super excited! lol

    This. Again, more about that later... :wiggle:
     
  22. Kryptic WRX

    Kryptic WRX Supporting Member

    Can't wait to see it Mike.
     
  23. liltoua

    liltoua Member

    Good choice of car/color combo! Can't wait to see where this one goes.
     
  24. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Thanks! Neither can I lol!

    Thanks man! This was actually my back up color but I am glad I went this route. Can't wait to see where this "down the rabbit hole" experience leads too! haha
     
  25. BmanFSU26

    BmanFSU26 Member

    Looks great Mike! Keep us updated on the mods and numbers achieved.
     
  26. digitizedsoul

    digitizedsoul Moderation is a vice Supporting Member

    FINALLY mwahaha.

    Yes the STI / SPT short throw + holy shift kit will be the ultimate, now you HAVE to drive my car. Let me know when you have time we'll go do a run, maybe I can even film some footage of my car for once.

    Pretty pumped man, it was really hard maintaining our friendship with you driving that BMW.

    Carbon fiber trunk / hood unpainted would look sick on that white, but I know you have your own intentions HEH.
     
  27. longfury

    longfury Active Member

    I love the CWP. I think it is one of the best colors for the '15.
     
  28. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Thanks man and I certainly will!

    LOL! Let's be honest, that's why I bought this thing.... I was losing friends left and right with that M3 :(

    Ya let's do it man! I'll touch base with you and we'll figure something out.

    **Update**

    Looks like the car is being picked up today and will be here on Tuesday!!

    So excited :bigthumb:
     
  29. digitizedsoul

    digitizedsoul Moderation is a vice Supporting Member

    Holiday weekend followed by car delivery?
    You sir, just won.
     
  30. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Soo.... car didn't come in yesterday... latest estimate is that I should see within the next hour and a half though!!

    Pics to come ASAP!
     
  31. crazyazn

    crazyazn I like naps Staff Member Supporting Member

    woo hoo!!
     
  32. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed Supporting Member

    Bring on the fun!
     
  33. digitizedsoul

    digitizedsoul Moderation is a vice Supporting Member

    I expect that free tank of gas to be empty by 8pm.
     
  34. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    LOL - Ya I thought about draining it because it's 91.. but I can just burn through it quickly.... :D
     
  35. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    still no word that it has arrived.. wth
     
  36. crazyazn

    crazyazn I like naps Staff Member Supporting Member

    Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4.2; SCH-I545 Build/KOT49H) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/36.0.1985.135 Mobile Safari/537.36)

    Ground is wet. Must be too busy doing flat spins in the parking lot :)
     
  37. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed Supporting Member

    Probably getting those pesky break in miles over with.
     
  38. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Ha! Sorry guys.. my day wound up getting pretty hectic right after the car got dropped off.

    It is here and it is awesome!!

    Luckily Rob stopped by and was able to click off some great pictures of the car :)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  39. KA05STi

    KA05STi Member

    Looks sick!!!

    A Perrin exhaust would look good on it *cough :naughty:
     
  40. scoobaru

    scoobaru Active Member

    Nice! Love the white. Congrats again!
     
  41. BmanFSU26

    BmanFSU26 Member

    Nice! Looks great, congrats!
     
  42. digitizedsoul

    digitizedsoul Moderation is a vice Supporting Member

    Mmmm, mmm, good.
     
  43. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Thanks guys! I am super happy with the car; this thing has certainly exceeded my expectations!
     
  44. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed Supporting Member

    That car is a big step up from the previous gen in a lot of ways. Congrats man. Very cool car and I can't wait to see what you do with it.
     
  45. Just wanted to jump in here and publicly congratulate Mike. He was like a little kid on christmas morning yesterday! We are very excited about the new STI and I am personally taking a big interest in the future of the project.

    I will be doing some tests with the car on track as well as quarter mile and trying to bring you guys quality information with Mike.

    Thanks guys.
     
  46. crazyazn

    crazyazn I like naps Staff Member Supporting Member

    Awsome! Really excited to see the direction you guys take with this car!
     
  47. digitizedsoul

    digitizedsoul Moderation is a vice Supporting Member

    No love for the GR's anymore?

    Interior I think is the best improvement honestly. I had to work with alex a lot to get mine the way I wanted it, and it's still far off lol.

    So pumped for you Mike, how many of these have you built now before buying one?
     
  48. Subie_Dooo

    Subie_Dooo New Member

    looks nice!. definitely interested in seeing the build on a new one!
     
  49. Mike@TSM

    Mike@TSM Member

    Finally got the chance to wash the car for the first time today!! Break in is also coming along great... already 650+ miles on it lol!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Also, wound up being able to get the windows tinted last Thursday and it really adds to the car.

    [​IMG]
     
  50. digitizedsoul

    digitizedsoul Moderation is a vice Supporting Member

    Mine still aren't tinted.
    lawl

    also dibs on a red TSM logo like that for the winder
     

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