Parts Bin: SYMS wind-tunnel test bugeye (SYMS full body kit)
Ever since I posted the SPI Motorsports WRX, dubbed “Darth Vader’s WRX” on the cover of Turbo Magazine, I’ve been on a quest to find a photo of the real car worthy of this title… the SYMS wind-tunnel test bugeye.
“krrrrsshhh”
At the 2002 Tokyo Auto Salon, Subaru-tuner SYMS (www.syms.jp) debuted a bugeye display model (pretty sure not an operational car) which featured their aero products for the bugeye. The car was intended to display the extensive wind tunnel testing done for their parts. Like many original-design aero bits from Japan’s top tuners, SYMS aero parts for the bugeye may have been discontinued – they are no longer on their website.
This is a car befitting of the title “Darth Vader’s WRX”…
Though less common than some Japanese manufacturers on the U.S. scene, Syms has been a major player in the Subaru game since the days of the classic GC Impreza – even going so far as to enter a WRX station wagon into JTCC (Japan Touring Car Championship) competition. It was mostly a publicity stunt, the car broke a lot and didn’t finish the season. However seeing a bright yellow Impreza station wagon flying around the track was quite an eye catcher. Cusco went on to keep Subaru alive in JGTC (Super GT) with its WRX coupe entry zipping in between McLaren F1’s and Calsonic GT-R’s, while SYMS continued to operate as a Subaru-only aftermarket parts manufacturer and tune shop.
The wind-tunnel car above has the SYMS full bumper kit with integrated grille… one of 2 different aero lineups the company offered for the bugeye (they also offered a lip kit with separate grille, along with a number of wing options)
Syms full bumper kit on a bugeye sedan
(Also seen on this car: CWEST headlight covers for JDM/EDM STI projector headlights, Chargespeed carbon fiber vented hood (with 04+ STI scoop), custom foglights (possibly not a SYMS offering), Zerosports CF front marker ducts, Racing Hart CP035-R wheels),
Simply Impreza
Just came across this epic bugeye flick on Nasioc
Zerosports Bugeye
WHO: BurtonCR on Nasioc | WHAT: Bugeye with bayside blue paintjob and ZEROSPORTS full body kit
Everyone dreams about what their car will ultimately look like/be like but nobody really finishes their car. Even those who have hung on to their bugeyes as original owners go through different mod phases and their cars look different every year. Here is an example of someone who is 100% done with their car.
This guy used to live in my area and I’ve seen the car transform from a stock-ish bugeye on white Rota subzeros to the amazing machine you see before you that looks like it would fit in with the Minkara crowd.
Hands down one of my favorite bugeyes of all-time.
MODS
Engine / Transmission
-IHI VF30 turbocharger
-STI pink 565cc/min fuel injectors
-Walbro 255glph fuel pump
-TurboXS UTEC engine management
-Greddy Airnx intake
-HKS Skyline intercooler core
-Aluminum mandrel bent intercooler piping
-Titanium intercooler endtank covers (scorched)
-HKS SSQV BOV
-Godspeed uppipe
-Godspeed downpipe
-Kakimoto GT 1.0z titanium exhaust (scorched)
-Zero/Sports radiator shroud
-Beatrush alternator cover
-Ported/Polished/knife edged throttle body
-Syms grounding kit
-PPG straight cut synchro gear set
-Tuned by Element Tuning
Suspension / Brakes
-JIC FLT-a2 16 way adjustable coilovers
-Helix rear sway bar
-Whiteline endlinks
-Cusco front strut tower brace
-Cusco rear strut tower brace
-Carbotech Panther slotted rotors
-Carbotech Bobcat pads
-Goodridge SS brake lines
-Whiteline steering bushings
Wheels / Tires
-Advan RCII 17×8.5”
-Yokohama AVS Sport 245/40/17
-Zenki forged aluminum lugnuts
Body / Interior
-Bayside blue paint (Nissan R34 GTR color)
-Zero/Sports front bumper
-Zero/Sports rear bumper
-Zero/Sports sideskirts
-Zero/Sports wing
-Zero/Sports carbon fiber sidemarkers
-CWEST v2 fog covers
-STI rear diffuser
-Vortex generators
-Prodrive WRC carbon safari mirrors (real rally car part)
-JDM STI HID black chrome headlights
-JDM signal repeaters
-Kaminari Carbon fiber reverse cowl hood (painted)
-Sparco SS hood pins
-STI hood scoop
-Subaru JDM window visors
-Carbon rear license plate surround
-35% tint
-Zero/Sports gauge pod
-Pro Race EGT, Boost, Oil Pressure gauges
-S202 black interior
-Red interior lighting
-JDM Trunk Monkey
-Bride seats
Keep in mind that this is a DAILY DRIVER
Version One Bugeye | The originator
WHAT: possibly the cleanest execution of a JDM STi version 1 front lip I’ve seen on a bugeye.
Subaru of Japan offered 2 front lip options for bugeye dubbed STI “version 1” and “version 2.” Production has since stopped on the Version 1 lip or so I’m told, making it more rare nowadays.
The guy who built this car has since gone on to own some incredible historic Japanese cars. The attention to detail that went into this bugeye belies that this car wasn’t built with Jay-Z’s expense account. Rather than overdoing it with pricey parts (i.e. it has Subaru 4-pots and AEM big rotor upgrade instead of a full $$$ big brake kit) it brings together a lot of parts that just flow really, really well together.
Even the engine bay is exceptionally well executed with just the bare essentials.
Mods (aka “can you believe it looks this good with only this”):
- Volk Racing GT-N 18×7.5″ 48+ Optional Gunmetal color and center caps. Spline Drive lug nuts
- Bridgestone S03 tires 225/40/18″
- Tein Flex Coil-Overs with EDFC
- STi EDM LHD Projectors with Hella HID ballasts and 6000K H1’s
- STi Front Grill, Genuine
- STi Ver.1 front lip, Genuine
- STi Rear Spats, Genuine (editors note: these are actually the rear half of the Subaru “Aero Mudguard” set which includes front/rear)
- STi Front CF markers, Genuine
- Painted OEM side skirts
- Mattjk custom LCD video screen
- JVC ADV-6160 DVD Receiver
- Focal Poly Kevlar separates, Audiobahn Amps, Premier 12″ Sub.
- VF22 Turbocharger
- AVO Silicon intake pipe, one piece from turbo to airbox
- Wahlbro 442 hi-flo pump
- JDM STi catless uppipe
- Turboxs ceramic coated downpipe, catless racepipe,
3″ midpipe with custom 3″ muffler. - Recaro SRD seats with sliders (drivers & pass) (editors note: Recaro replaced the SRD model with the “Speed” model)
- JDM STi steering wheel Ver.7
- STi shifter trim and MOMO race aluminum shift knob
- MRT short shifter kit
- GT-Spec Stainless radiator shroud
- AEM big rotor kits, front and rear
- Axxis Metal Master brake pads, front and rear
- Subaru 4 pot Calipers with S.S. braided lines
BUGEYE GARAGE 