Subaru Impreza WRX Chop-Top by Car Service Hiro

There is a simple formula for making the GDB-generation Subaru Impreza look absolutely stunning, a formula that Subaru could have applied when it designed the car in the studio. It's a design strategy that makes any car look fast, even when it's not moving.

And so we present a Subaru Impreza WRX with a chopped roof, something you don't see every day. In fact, you'll have to go to Japan to see one.

This conversion by Car Service Hiro in Japan makes you forget about the serious high-minded intentions of Subaru. All you have to do is chop the top and voilà; your Fuji Heavy Industries transportation appliance is magically transformed into a proper-looking high-performance car, something you might see at SEMA along with all the other hot rods.

The Hot Rod Roof
Takahiro Nakamura of Car Service Hiro was well aware of what needed to be done when Subaru approached him in 2000 and asked him to turn a stock Impreza WRX (the GDB generation car built from 2000-'07) into an all-out showcar. He went right to it and chopped down the top. Then he thought about what to do next.

Of course chopping a roof is not the easiest modification, which is probably why we don't see more owners of the Impreza making an attempt at it. Lucky for Nakamura, he owns a body shop called Car Service Hiro and knows how to get the job done right.

It didn't stop with just cutting down the roof line, as Nakamura also designed a custom body kit all the way around. The front and rear fascias, hood, trunk and rear wing were all designed by Car Service Hiro.

The result is absolutely sensational. It looks like it came out of the factory like this.



From Showcar to Racecar
Nakamura built this particular car as a Subaru showcar, so it was equipped with a killer stereo system. After Subaru decided to sell off the car, he quickly snapped it up and began changing it into what it is today. First thing, he ripped out the stereo.

Ever since Nakamura was a kid, he has wanted to be a professional racecar driver. He knew he would need a lot of money to kick-start his racing career, so the natural thing for him to do was open up a body shop to make money.

Over the years he has gained experience while building and racing several cars, including a Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline R31 and Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS 200), all of which earned respect on both the streets and tracks. Once Nakamura owned this Subaru outright, he was finally able to realize his dream for it. He wanted the car to not only look sleek but also be able to back up its looks on the street and the track.

So the Subaru Impreza WRX chop-top is much different from the showcar it used to be. It's not even the same red color it was when it was touring the show circuit. One of the most amazing things about this Impreza WRX is that Nakamura made the conversion from showcar to street/racecar in only two weeks. But that's just how passionate Nakamura is about building his cars right.

Getting up to Speed
To get the Impreza converted from showcar to racecar, the Subaru EJ20 boxer engine got the full treatment to bring the power up to Nakamura's requirements. All the internals were carefully evaluated and anything deemed not strong enough to handle extra boost from the turbocharger was swapped out for upgraded pieces.

The EJ20 now sports upgraded Marley forged pistons and metal head gaskets. WPC treated the connecting rods and crankshaft to reduce internal engine friction. New camshafts from JUN with more aggressive profiles help the boxer engine breathe like it should. The Brova exhaust manifolds help prevent the cylinders from overheating, a syndrome common to the EJ25. An AVO turbo kit was put in place to crank up the boost.

To keep intake temperatures under control with all that boost, Nakamura added a massive intercooler from ARC V. It not only gets the job done but also looks serious with all that Darth Vader-style plumbing. A MoTeC engine control unit keeps the spark in check and 800cc injectors with a Bosch fuel pump feed the hungry beast all the fuel it needs. A Trust 15 oil cooler keeps the engine's overall heat in control. Car Service Hiro also custom fabricated a dedicated radiator, muffler and even a catalytic converter.

The stock six-speed transmission is still in place, but an ORC twin-plate clutch and Cusco limited-slip differentials both front and rear help the power get to the 18-inch SSR wheels. After that, 265/35R18 Yokohama tires grip the tarmac with the tenacity needed for serious cornering.

Speed Isn't Cheap
Total cost to build the car is at about $250,000, or roughly 10 times the cost of the car when it was new. This is proof that this combination of beauty and speed doesn't come cheap. Anyone who has ever built an all-out racecar or even modified a daily driver knows how fast the bills add up.

With this machine, you do get your money's worth because it can tear up the racetrack, drag race on the highway or attack a Touge run in the mountains with ease. While it may not be the fastest car out there, it does have the honor of having the fifth-fastest time-attack lap at the Tsukuba Circuit, rocking the short circuit in just 59 seconds. Not too bad considering how many modified Subarus there are in Japan.

To keep it safe on the track, a Maruyoshi six-point roll cage and a seat with four-point seatbelt harness protect the driver from harm. The interior is now set up mostly for race mode only, with no signs of a stereo in sight or much of a dash for that matter.

The Subaru following among gearheads in Japan is staggering. Almost every Impreza in Japan has at least one modification, whether it be aesthetic or power-related. Few of them can tear up the track like this one, however, and none of them come close to even looking as good as the Subaru Impreza WRX chop-top from Car Service Hiro.

By Erik Adelson-http://www.edmunds.com.