Intro

The Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS represents a pivotal chapter in import car culture, arriving in North America in 1998 as the closest thing to the coveted WRX STI that Japanese enthusiasts had enjoyed for years. Though technically a 1994 chassis design, the 2.5 RS introduced Americans to Subaru’s rally-bred DNA with its distinctive hood scoop, flared fenders, and all-wheel-drive capability.

In JDM circles, the Impreza earned legendary status through Subaru’s dominant World Rally Championship performances with drivers like Colin McRae and Richard Burns. The 2.5 RS became the foundation for countless builds attempting to recreate the STI experience, with enthusiasts swapping in turbocharged engines and rally-inspired modifications long before the WRX officially arrived stateside in 2002.

This particular build stands out as a carefully executed homage to the vehicle’s motorsport heritage while incorporating modern performance enhancements. Rather than following the common route of flashy modifications, this example maintains period-correct aesthetics while hiding thoughtful upgrades that honor the engineering philosophy that made the Impreza an icon of accessible performance.

Builder Profile

A third-generation Japanese-American from Portland, Oregon, Kaz has been wrenching on Subarus since his college days as a mechanical engineering student. Now working as a suspension dynamics specialist for a motorsports company, his approach to building centers on balanced performance rather than chasing dyno numbers.

Kaz’s philosophy is rooted in the golden era of 90s Japanese tuning—respecting the original engineering while enhancing the car’s capabilities in a thoughtful, methodical way. His 2.5 RS has evolved over 12 years of ownership, beginning with autocross modifications and gradually transforming into a versatile weekend warrior that’s equally at home on mountain roads and gravel backroads.

Well-known in the Pacific Northwest Subaru community, Kaz frequently volunteers as a driving instructor at local SCCA events and maintains a small but dedicated YouTube channel documenting proper suspension setup techniques for budget-minded enthusiasts.

Why We Love It

The 1994 Impreza 2.5 RS represents JDM engineering philosophy in its purest form—purposeful design meeting raw mechanical execution. Where contemporary sport compacts chased horsepower figures, Subaru’s chassis engineers prioritized balance, creating a communicative platform that telegraphed every nuance of the tarmac through its hydraulic steering rack.

Its boxer architecture delivers that signature horizontally-opposed burble while keeping the center of gravity remarkably low, allowing the RS to change direction with a nimbleness that belies its practical dimensions. The visceral connection between driver inputs and vehicle response creates an analog experience increasingly absent from modern automobiles.

What truly distinguishes the RS, however, is its authentic motorsport lineage. This wasn’t merely a styling exercise with rally-inspired aesthetics—it shared its fundamental architecture with the machines that dominated Group A competition. Those iconic gold BBS wheels weren’t just visual totems but functional components of Subaru’s competition DNA.

Today, unmolested examples remain coveted touchstones of a watershed moment in Japanese performance engineering—when Subaru transformed from quirky outsider to motorsport legend. The RS wasn’t simply a precursor to the WRX; it was the essential blueprint that defined Subaru’s driving character for generations to follow.

Mods

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

• GReddy FMIC Front Mount Intercooler Kit
• HKS Super Sequential BOV
• APS Stainless Steel Turbo-Back Exhaust
• STI Pink Injectors (550cc)
• Exedy Stage 1 Organic Clutch Kit
• Cusco Transmission Mount
• Walbro 255 LPH Fuel Pump
• Perrin Aluminum Radiator

SUSPENSION & BRAKES

• TEIN Super Street Coilovers
• Cusco Front & Rear Strut Bars
• Whiteline Anti-Lift Kit
• STI 4-Pot Front Brake Calipers
• DBA 4000 Series Slotted Rotors
• Project Mu NS400 Brake Pads
• Cusco Master Cylinder Stopper

WHEELS & TIRES

• Volk Racing TE37 17×8 +35 Bronze
• Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08R 225/45R17
• Project Kics R40 Neo Chrome Lug Nuts
• Muteki SR48 Extended Wheel Studs

EXTERIOR / AERO

• Genuine JDM STI Type RA Front Lip
• C-West Side Skirts
• Chargespeed Rear Spats
• APR GTC-200 Carbon Fiber Wing
• JDM Fog Light Kit with Yellow Lenses
• PIAA Super White Headlight Bulbs
• JDM Rain Guards

INTERIOR

• Bride Zeta III Driver Seat
• Takata 4-Point Harness
• Personal Neo Grinta Steering Wheel
• Works Bell Quick Release
• STI 6-Speed Shifter Assembly
• MOMO Shift Knob
• Defi Gauges (Boost, Oil Pressure, Water Temp)
• GReddy Profec B Spec II Boost Controller

ELECTRONICS / ECU

• AEM EMS Engine Management System
• Apexi Power FC with Commander
• Innovate Wideband O2 Sensor & Gauge
• Blitz Dual SBC i-Colour Boost Controller
• Alpine Head Unit with JL Audio Components
• PIAA Sports Horn Kit
• Viper Alarm System with Remote Start

Driving Impression / Build Philosophy

This 1994 Impreza 2.5 RS showcases a cohesive build philosophy where each modification serves a clear purpose, creating a balanced street-capable track car. The power upgrades—from the EJ25 block to the performance exhaust—deliver usable torque throughout the rev range rather than chasing maximum horsepower figures.

The suspension modifications work in harmony, with Fortune Auto coilovers, Whiteline sway bars, and polyurethane bushings providing predictable handling characteristics without sacrificing daily drivability. The chassis reinforcement via the bolt-in roll cage adds rigidity without compromising interior accessibility.

Brake upgrades complement the power increases, ensuring stopping capability matches acceleration. The lightweight wheels reduce unsprung weight, improving both handling response and ride quality.

This build represents a time-attack inspired street car that maintains a delicate balance—track-ready performance that doesn’t compromise street manners. Unlike purely aesthetic show builds or specialized competition vehicles, this Impreza delivers a dual-purpose package where every modification serves both form and function, creating a cohesive driving experience that’s equally at home on canyon roads and circuit track days.

FAQ

How reliable is the 1994 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS?

The 1994 Impreza 2.5 RS features the EJ25 boxer engine, known for its durability when properly maintained. With regular oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles and timing belt replacement at 105,000 miles, these vehicles commonly reach 200,000+ miles. Head gasket issues may emerge around 150,000 miles, but overall reliability is considered above average for its era.

What is the tuning potential for the Impreza 2.5 RS?

The naturally aspirated EJ25 engine offers modest but worthwhile tuning potential. Upgrades like cold air intakes, headers, and exhaust systems can yield 15-25 additional horsepower. For notable power gains, many owners opt for WRX/STI turbo swaps, which can push output well beyond 300hp when properly executed with supporting modifications.

What are the most common issues with the 1994 Impreza 2.5 RS?

Primary concerns include head gasket failures, particularly after 100,000 miles, rear quarter panel rust near wheel wells, aging suspension components causing excessive body roll, and deteriorating interior plastics. The manual transmission’s synchros may also wear, causing notchy shifting, especially in second gear.

What are the best modifications for the Impreza 2.5 RS?

Most effective modifications include WRX suspension swaps for improved handling, aftermarket exhaust systems for modest power gains and better sound, polyurethane bushings for tighter response, and STI brake upgrades for improved stopping power. For appearance, JDM front-end conversions and period-correct BBS wheels notably enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics.

What’s the ownership experience like for a ’94 Impreza 2.5 RS?

Ownership typically brings a rewarding analog driving experience with excellent all-weather capability. The supportive Subaru community offers extensive technical knowledge and parts availability. Operating costs remain reasonable with good fuel economy (22-26 MPG) and straightforward DIY maintenance. The car’s growing status as a collector’s item has created strong value retention, making it both enjoyable to drive and a potentially sound investment.

Conclusion

The 1994 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS stands as a pivotal milestone in automotive history, bridging the gap between everyday practicality and rally-bred performance. Its enduring relevance stems from its foundational role in Subaru’s performance legacy, establishing design language and engineering principles that continue in modern WRX and STI models.

What makes the Impreza 2.5 RS truly timeless is its authentic connection to Japanese Domestic Market culture. As a genuine JDM icon, it represents an era when function dictated form and performance modifications were limited only by imagination. The 2.5 RS has become increasingly coveted in enthusiast circles as modern vehicles trend toward electronic complexity and driving assistance.

For purists, the 2.5 RS offers what many contemporary sports cars cannot – mechanical simplicity, direct driver feedback, and limitless customization potential. Its growing collector status isn’t merely nostalgia; it’s recognition of a vehicle that delivered the perfect balance of accessibility and capability that continues to inspire enthusiasm across generations of driving enthusiasts.