World One Performance Blog

New from Element Tuning are the fully built Pro Comp block packages, available either in a short block or long block!  If you’re looking for a top-notch motor to drop in to your WRX or STI, look no further.  These motors have been tested and proven time and time again at the track and will set stand up to just about anything you can throw at them!  For more information, please follow either of these links:

Element Tuning Pro Comp Long Block for Subaru, 2.5L

Element Tuning Pro Comp Short Block for Subaru, 2.5L

Starting with the 2008 model year, Subaru changed to a new 5-door hatchback chassis for its flagship Impreza STI line.  Along with the new chassis design included a completely revamped suspension that promised to not only deliver better handling, but also a step above in ride quality over the previous model Imprezas.  The step up in ride quality cannot be questioned, however feedback from many new STI owners was that the car did not feel as responsive or crisp as the previous version STI.  With this in mind, EPIC Engineering sought to solve these issues, while still maintaining the crucial aspect of ride quality.

EPIC Engineering spent almost 10 months researching and developing a spring kit to suit the needs of the vast majority of 08+ STI owners.  This spring kit is geared primarily for daily drivers who want to get more out of their suspension, but not have to make sacrifices in daily drivability.  Multiple drivers with varying levels of driving experience helped test these springs to allow for a wide variety of viewpoints and opinions.  Lowering the car approximately one (1) inch all around with slightly less in the rear, the EPIC Engineering spring kit gives an aggressive raked stance to the car, yet still very much allows the car to clear speed bumps and steep curves with little to no problem.  The ride height is optimal for handling, which is improved through progressive spring rates and replacement bump stops.  These progressive spring rates allow for a nice and comfortable ride for the highway or daily commuting, but also provide proper stiffness and responsiveness when taking corners hard.  Body roll is all but eliminated, as is the understeer and softness of the stock setup.

For the customer who is looking for exact spring rates to match up with a custom race strut setup, these springs are not going to be the best choice.  However, for every customer who wants to push their car hard at the track, the number of customers who don’t go to the track vastly outnumber them, and that customer will find the EPIC Engineering springs perfect for their daily driven needs.  The EPIC Engineering springs inspire confidence in handling and do not make the compromises in ride quality that many other suspension setups do.  The difference is in the details.

You can purchase these springs from our website by following this link.

Couple more photos:

We are pleased to announce that we are now carrying Harman Motive products! These include the brand new products they’ve released for the Nissan GTR, as well as the 08+ STI. For the complete listing of Harman Motive products we have on our website, please click here.

We’ll be adding more products soon, so please keep an eye out! In the meantime, here’s a video clip of the Harman Motive midpipes for the GTR:

Although not brand-spanking new, the StopTech Trophy-series Big Brake Kits are already starting to make a name for themselves in the motorsports world.  here’s a short description from the StopTech/Centric press release:

These racetrack and competition brake systems come with StopTech’s new Trophy STR lightweight forged calipers in four- or six-piston configurations and include the option of a quick release version of the StopTech patented bridge. These “track only” calipers feature the same metallurgy and design of the StopTech ST-40 and ST-60 calipers, but are engineered to provide a 20-percent reduction in weight without sacrificing stiffness or performance…

StopTech Trophy Big Brake Kits include the company’s patented AeroRotors, engineered to increase airflow by 11 percent for better cooling and performance. Unique to the Trophy Brake Systems is full-floating mounting hardware, which eliminates pad knock-back. The patented, billet 7075 aluminum AeroHats create an additional 4 percent airflow. Together, these technologies optimize the rotor system to provide even performance and consistent feedback to the pedal under the unique combination of hard cornering and braking found on the track.

The StopTech Trophy calipers and AeroHats use an exclusive, high-temperature “natural” finish that combines with the AeroRotor for an attractive and attention getting in-wheel presentation. The kits also include billet aluminum mounting brackets with stainless steel caliper studs and DOT-compliant stainless steel braided brake lines. All StopTech Big Brake Kits provide larger rotors that increase heat capacity and dissipation coupled with stiffer calipers and stainless steel lines that reduce system compliance. The results are shorter stopping distances, better brake modulation, firmer pedal feel and less brake fade, resulting in stronger, more reliable performance.

StopTech Trophy Brake Systems will be available through motorsports distributors in January 2009 for selected high-performance production cars including Porsche, BMW, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO, Nissan GTR and 350Z, Chevrolet Corvette C5 and C6 and others. StopTech will premiere the Trophy Brake Systems at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Florida this month at booth 3958.

It’s always good to see a solid wheel company release new designs, despite how well their current designs are doing.  Volk’s G-series of 1-piece forged wheels is a welcome addition to the Volk Racing catalog, especially since the light-weight and ultra-strong 1-piece wheels were only limited to 4 different styles for over a year now, with only color variations being the only difference.  The Volk Racing G2 was the first of the G-series to be announced, and being a TE37-lover myself, this new 6-spoke, 1-piece forged wheel has me drooling.  Available colors are Formula Silver:

and Flat Black:

Currently, these wheels are only available in 19-inch and 20-inch sizes, but here are a few fitments of interest:

For 08-09 STI:  19×8.5 +35, 19×8.5 +43 5×114.3, 19×9.5 +45 5×114.3

For Evo X:  19×8.5 +35, 19×9.5 +35, 19×9.5 +23 (very aggressive)

For 350Z/G35 Coupe:  19×9.5 +23, 19×10.5 +22

For 370Z:  19×9.5 +42, 19×10.5 +22

For G37 Coupe:  19×9.5 +35, 19×9.5 +45, 19×10.5 +35

For E46 M3:  19×8.5 +35, 19×9.5 +22, 19×10.5 +25

For E90 3-series:  19×8.5 +35, 19×9.5 +35

For E92 M3:  19×9.5 +22, 19×10.5 +25

There are a few wheels in stock on our side of the Pacific, but we can always special order a set if needed.  Here’s a few sample photos on cars:

New from Volk Racing come the special color CE28N Genesis Limited Edition wheels. Only 500 sets of these wheels are available to the North American market, making them a very limited run. They come in a special “Burnt Silver” color, along with special CF decals on the spokes.

These wheels are currently in stock in the following sizes:

• 17×7.5 +50 5×114.3 (S2000 front) — $630.00 MSRP
• 17×8 +50 5×114.3 (05-09 STI, Honda FWD) — $640.00 MSRP
• 17×9 +35 5×114.3 (03+ Evo, 08-09 STI) — $660.00 MSRP
• 17×9 +40 5×114.3 (05-09 STI) — $660.00 MSRP
• 17×9 +63 5×114.3 (S2000 rear) — $660.00 MSRP
• 18×7.5 +50 5×114.3 (Honda FWD) — $740.00 MSRP
• 18×9 +35 5×114.3 (03+ Evo, 08-09 STI) — $770.00 MSRP
• 18×9 +50 5×114.3 (05-09 STI) — $770.00 MSRP
• 19×9.5 +22 5×114.3 (08-09 Evo) — $870.00 MSRP

More photos:

Please give us a call at 253.336.5449 or send us an e-mail to order. Remember, this is a very limited edition so these sets are poised to go quickly!

After a few production hiccups, we finally received the new rear prototype EPIC Engineering springs and bumpstops, and installed them onto our 08 STI. I’ve been driving the car all this week for my commute and despite the rear being just a little bit lower than previously, there hasn’t been many noticeable handling differences. Here’s how it sits now:

The ride is still extremely smooth and comfortable, in fact even more comfortable than previously when going over expansion joints on the freeway. Dan made a few adjustments to account for the little bit of oscillation he was experiencing with it when he test drove the car for a few weeks. He also put the car through its paces, testing different driving scenarios (such as free on/offramps, fast emergency lane changes, and uneven/pothole-ridden roads) to ensure the springs were doing exactly as he specified. I think with these latest changes, full production on these springs will likely be starting soon, but that’s Dan’s final call of course. Either way, I’m still beaming happy with them and I can’t wait to start selling them to fellow 08+ STI owners!