Can a Cheaply Modified 2022 WRX Compete With a GR Corolla?
 

For those smarter than me, what would it take to make a 2022 WRX extremely competitive with a 2023 GR Corolla Core (with front and rear LSDs)?

That's the question that is keeping me up at night lately. All based on the fact that the WRX is available right now all across the country for under $32K if you go with a base model, or even $34K if you get a Premium model.

I don't care about any appearance modifications. That's already a given.

Nothing on this planet can make a Subaru stand toe to toe with a similarly equipped rally Toyota, sorry

Of course it can, because you won't be seeing very many Corollas on the road since they are gonna be so rare lol

Compete how? If you are talking just in acceleration/power, yes. If you are talking all metrics, you would probably be spending some money on suspension parts too and it may get you most of the way there. The question is, is most of the way for a lot less money and easily available good enough for you?

besides general availability there's no comparison. Factory available LSD's and others have shown that 1.6 3 pot engine can get to 500 whp with bolt ons. I'm in 'line' to get one, its problably going to be a couple years, which is ok by me, it will give me time to pay off my brz, and maybe I have have both!

well you can't fix the inherent ugly of the current wrx, so who cares about bench racing

ah, the eternal life question.

ugly and available, or attractive but impossible?

Stock GR MSRP vs modified WRX: for off-road rallying, you probably need to invest more money than a GR at MSRP because the AWD system on the GR is so much better, as well as brakes and the rest; for track on dry tarmac, maybe less than the difference, if you could swing a tune, larger brakes, track pads and track tires; for street, most likely less because then you just need a few power upgrades. If the MSRP on the Corolla explodes then that could change things a lot for a price comparison.

Modified vs modified, that changes a lot. The GR Corolla has a stout engine, and it is probably more proven than the FA24F, but apparently the rods on this FA24F are significantly more stout than the FA20F, so the FA24F might have similar potential for torque before needing a built motor. The FA24F has a significant displacement advantage for a broader torque curve, so for the street where traction and handling and weight are less of an issue versus off-road and track, the WRX would probably do better dollar for dollar. At 10/10ths and off-roading, the GR will probably always be better at equal investment.

Interesting how things have changed. The WRX is responding very well to modifications. Already running 10s in the 1/4 mile and the track times with mods are very good.

are you only running on the 2 cars in the 1/4 mile only?

Tires, tune, talent.

If you want an AWD and best possible cornering you might save money by starting with a newish STI rather than a WRX.

I've owned 2 WRXs and an STI and no matter what you can't really overcome no LSDs in a WRX.
They are great cars and peppy, but with open differentials you won't get the same traction under rotation and torque vectoring in the WRXs. Torque vectoring is a cost effective assistance but not the as good as LSDs.

Base model VB + brake pads and fluid, an intake, and tune and bye bye GRC in the 1/4 or on a track. $3400 for LSDs if you want to go that route. The only time the decision is tough is if you get a GRC at MSRP. The cheapest new GRC I found was $3K markup for a Core with all three packages.

My VB is getting sold this week, and I got out of the GRC runnings because I wanted a Circuit Edition and all I could find was a $6K markup. Bought a 2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance and am happily accepting the $9500 in tax rebates from federal and state.