The WRX Project is being funded by Endura-Tech.  Watch this vehicle grow in stages!  Updates will be fluent.  The WRX was unveiled at the SEMA IAS convention in Atlantic City on May 20th, 2005, and it was a huge hit!  Since then, it has been seen all across the country, and driven everywhere!  We are honored to be part of this project. Updates to come!

If you would like to learn more about Endura-Tech, please click here.

WRITTEN IN Performance Auto and Sound Magazine in '06
http://www.pasmag.com/article.asp?ID=396

 

The process of building a company demo car is always tough. If it isn’t done right, company project vehicles can quickly become a money pit that fails to generate the attention they need. However, building the right vehicle can do wonders for brand awareness and catapult a company above its competition in a split second with enthusiasts lining up at events to take photos of it. When Endura-Tech of Schaumburg, IL was looking to break into the North American market, they felt building a Japanese-inspired vehicle with an American twist would be the best way to spread the word about the products they offer.

Justin Hynes, Endura-Tech’s resident Sales and Marketing guru, was put in charge of the project. The task was to put together the brand’s first demo car in time for the 2005 SEMA International Auto Salon event in Atlantic City, NJ. Though the decision to use a 2005 Subaru WRX came from the higher-ups, it was up to Hynes to piece the vehicle together in the truncated 30-day timeframe he was given leading up to the event.

Fortunately for Hynes, not only does Endura-Tech make a couple of hot items for the GD, but the turbocharged Subie is tremendously popular in the aftermarket world. Hynes was able to capitalize on Endura-Tech’s close relationship with Japanese-based tuner Syms. The Syms brand is famous for its slick, yet functional parts and producing many highly modified Subarus. The crew at Syms supplied Hynes and the Endura-Tech team with a complete aero package for the WRX. The aero parts are actually wind-tunnel tested, helping to reduce drag on the WRX and easily slice through the air. A pair of flared fenders were popped onto the front end to accommodate some wider wheels and vented to aid with brake cooling. Southside Customs was called upon to add some life to the drab factory paintjob, shooting the newly dressed WRX with three coats of House of Kolor Green Flake and clear coat.

Hynes made a call to Seibon to get his hands on a light-weight carbon fibre hood and trunk to shed a few pounds off the WRX, while a Syms WRC-Type spoiler was bolted on to keep the plump rear end glued to the asphalt. The result is a subtle green machine that isn’t over the top, but still gets the attention from those in the know.

Giving the WRX its track-attack stance is a set of Endura-Tech’s very own ETC-SRXGDBJ coil-overs. The high-performance system features 10-way dampening adjustability, allowing the lucky driver to fine-tune the WRX to their specific driving style and road conditions. Combined with the Baer big brake upgrade up front (two-piston caliper / 13-inch rotor) and cross-drilled rotors in the rear, the set-up on this AWD rocket carves up winding roads with ease, moving like it was a finalist on Dancing with the Stars.

Further adding style to Hynes’ rolling billboard is a set of 18- x 7.5-inch wheels from Maxxim. Featuring a thin five-spoke design, these rollers – dubbed ‘Ahead’ – sport a graphite finish and high-polished lip. Traction for the WRX seldom becomes an issue thanks to its All-Wheel-Drive and a set of 225 / 40-sized Toyo RA-1 rubber.

Motivating all four wheels is the acclaimed EJ20 2.0L turbocharged powerplant that, in highly modified form, is largely responsible for Subaru’s dominance in the World Rally Championship. To help get some extra ponies out of the EJ20, Hynes partnered with the power brokers at P&L Motorsports in Franklin Park, IL. With the help of the shop’s four-wheel-dyno, the P&L crew was able to give the WRX a kick in the pants. Prop up the lightweight hood with Endura-Tech’s own hood dampers and you’ll find a VF-39 turbocharger in place of the factory TD-04 snail, along with a Turbo XS air intake enabling the motor to take deeper breaths. A Turbo XS up-pipe, down-pipe and turbo-back exhaust system were plumbed in to help release the full potential of the boxer engine. Boost pressure is relieved thanks to the addition of a Turbo XS blow-off valve, while a Cobb AccessPORT feeds the factory ECU with customized fuel and ignition maps.

Hynes decided to keep the cabin close to stock, as the WRX would remain daily driven and Hynes wanted to keep as many of the creature comforts as possible. However, he did add a carbon fibre dash kit and dual A-pillar pod to help spruce up the interior.

The Subaru features an upgraded Kenwood system, with a Kenwood DDX 7017 unit featuring a 6.5-inch LCD display and DVD player placed in the dash for added visual entertainment. A single Kenwood KC8402 amplifier is at home in the trunk to power both the TS-C160R and TS-D161R speakers.

Completed in less than a month, Hynes successfully displayed the vehicle at the 2005 SEMA IAS and received great response. Though he’ll continue to add new products to the Rex, the car will also double as a developmental platform for Endura-Tech to test new products. Many thanks to Seibon, Toyo Tires, Turbo XS, Baer Brake Systems, Konig / Maxxim, Syms Racing Team and Southside Customs. Keep an eye out for the Endura-Tech Subaru WRX at select events this year, as Hynes will be taking it on tour all over the country.
Pictures from the above article
 

05

	New wing, new paint, new Kenwood in-dash TV w/amp & speakers, New coilovers, ready to go to SEMA!
04

Current mods-

• ENDURA-TECH coil over system
• SYMS Full body kit w/fenders
• SYMS rear wing
• 18" Maxxim Ahead wheels
• Toyo 225/40/18 tires
• Turbo XS rear section
• Turbo XS boost controller
• Turbo XS blowoff valve
• Kenwood am/fm/dvd/cd all-in-one player
• Kenwood amp
• 3-way component speakers (front)
• 3-way speakers (rear)
• More to come!