Model: GRB  Displacement: 2 L Mods: stock crank, case, intake manifold. PW top mount Kelford 262 B cams, bigger valves, cnc ported. 1200rpm smooth idle. EFR7163 with 300e front cover making 30+psi from 6000rpm bottom end good for 850-1000hp RCM studs, bolts, oil baffles etc forged things. Fuel: 98/e85 Tuner/dyno: PBMS   300wkw on 98 360wkw on e85   

If you have access to 98 300whp is hard not to achieve. Down pipe and tune gets that on a 2.0 depends what hurts your back.  But have a google about rebolster seats. You can really alter almost any stock covered seat. I added 5cm foam to lumbar on mine. Have also removed some tension on the mid for other people who wanted a more curved seat.   Add a yoga mat over the spring and add one or more of these between that and OEM foam. You can have pretty much any level of adjustment you need. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006967901520.html   suspension just fit the softer older struts and get a bigger rear Swaybar. Then bumps are soft but won’t lean in the corners.

Facelifted GR/GV STI ftw. But the suspension is a lot stiffer, may not be good for your back ? VA STI  is stiffer again. More mature but has enough old charm to see off any Audi S3/RS3, Golf R etc. Proper AWD no Haldex crap !  

When you say the 2.5 is risky is it risk like a lot of things where you push it too hard without the right support/build things go wrong? For example the 5 speed in the WRX is considered "weak" but I drove my 215,000km WRX running 260whp fine for 4 years I just didn't launch it etc.   Or is it genuinely a weak/weaker motor ?   I'm really only looking for a daily and to probably give it a good downpipe/tune would love to get it to sit around 300whp.   My old WRX was 250whp and same with my current 350z. Very keen to sit around that 300whp mark. The EJ257 handles around 400whp yeah ?   Also, no difference in the 2010 - 2014 Sedan STIs yeah?   Yeah I'd definitely do some exterior modification but my aim right now is a nice solid Daily Driver that is still fun and more comfortable than my 350z.   I miss having a Subbie and always wanted an STI. Seems like the GR/GV Sedans are a good choice Ill see if I can pick up a nice 2010 - 2014 model

necro a dead thread time - 2007 grb sti on unopened w20c block 2.0L / PW intake / 3" downpipe and 3" greddy exhaust / 100 cell race cat / id1050x injectors / dw300c fuel pump / link flex fuel / 3port boost / link g4x v11 pnp / hks gt3rs turbo / hks spark plugs / orc twinplate after the factory one gave up going uphill in a passing lane its a "fun" street car - but have joined the chch car club cause I dont like tickets.  I want to try roll racing and time attack with it if that is a thing down here... (edit - added engine size)