» Engine: 2-liter boxer four
» Wheels: Rota G-Force 18×9, black with blue lip
» Performance: Cobb short ram air intake (powder coated electric blue), Samco blue ancillary hose kit, Perrin blue turbo inlet pipe, Unorthodox polished pulley set, Apexi turbo timer, Walboro fuel pump, Vf22 turbo polished and clipped, forged pistons and rods, ported intake manifold (powder coated electric blue), APR head bolts, Cosworth head gaskets, Grimm speed intake temp reducer gaskets, Turbo XS utec engine management system, Exedy stage 2 organic clutch , Twm performance short shifter
» Exterior: Chargespeed (JDM) version 2 bodykit, Morette taillights, C-west v2 grill (JDM), Seibon cw II carbon fiber hood, roof, and trunk (JDM)
» Interior: Sparco Torino two front seats (gray/black), Sparco Alcantara rear seats w/seat heaters (gray/black), Cusco six-point cage, Pioneer 7 inch in-dash DVD player
Steve Lynch remembers the feel of 1970s American muscle, the acceleration that occurred when his dad used to drive him to kindergarten, slamming his foot to the pedal to achieve that momentary burst of acceleration, playfully throwing young Lynch back into the seat.
That experience never left him. Lynch, now grown, wanted to replicate those rides with his father, but at a much more affordable level and in something that wouldn’t hurt his wallet. While American muscle would have been the obvious choice, Lynch’s opinion was that the contemporary models were too expensive for what they were worth. And picking up a true blue muscle car meant shelling out big bucks he didn’t have.
In 2002, Lynch first laid eyes on the Subaru Impreza WRX. The import was brand new and generating a lot of buzz Stateside. Lynch, who was 14 at the time, talked his mother into stopping by the dealership so he could get behind the wheel. When it came time for his license, the Subaru never lost its savor and the car became his own.
Lynch planned on keeping the car simple. But in the first week his need for affordable power got the best of commitment to self-restraint. A turbo back exhaust, intake, STi intercooler, a computer management system called AccessPORT, lowering springs and 18-inch wheels immediately improved his reputation a hundredfold, especially since Lynch was still in high school driving a modified WRX.
When Lynch picked up working full time after high school, the Subaru’s profile started increasing as his salary grew. Where Lynch couldn’t do his own work, he hustled the car to AndrewTech Automotive in Gaithersburg, which advised him on how to squeeze more speed out of the four-cylinder engine. Lynch also interfaced with local Subaru owners who pointed him to successful changes they had made through their own experiences.
Lynch continued to add styling elements as well, a body kit shipped from Japan complete with front end splitter and carbon fiber pieces helped to distance him from other stock vehicles. The engine was beefed up with forged pistons and rods, 850 cfm injectors, and a Vf22 turbocharger. But of course, all those parts mean nothing if they are not orchestrated together as a well-oiled machine. Conducting his symphony of power, Turbo XS provides the engine management system and boost controller. The Subaru was also tuned for optimal engine output.
Lynch hasn’t kept his car strictly to the road. While visiting the beach, he decided to put Subaru’s well-earned reputation for off-road rally cars to the test. Unfortunately, as soon as his wheels hit the sand, his street Subaru refused to budge, and it took a more capable 4×4 to rescue his vehicle.
Lynch said that while he loves his highly modified Subaru, the challenges that come with it are enough to make the most fearless modifier impatient.
“Now I can’t even jack my car up without first taking off a side skirt, making a five minute job an hour,” he said.
Sometimes beauty is pain.
What do you drive? A 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX.
Why do you drive it? It has great all around performance, handles amazing in all weather conditions, and has great acceleration and top speed. Not to sound like a salesman, but I’ve had four Subarus over the past four years. They are great cars.
What makes this car so special? I sat in one of the first ones that came over in 2002, and at 14 years old, I remember begging my mom to take me by the dealership so I could see one and sit in it. When I finally got my license I wanted one but they were still a little out of my price range. Luckily I found one in the price range I was looking for and it was all history from there.
What is your most memorable driving experience? I remember going on group drives and going down a road like I was on a racetrack. It was a blast to just open her up and let all your cares just melt away. Carving around corners and destroying the straightaways.
What was the first vehicle you owned? My WRX was the first vehicle I ever owned, but before that I drove my dad’s F-150. Growing up, I was always helping my dad build up muscle cars. We had a 1970 Pro Street Chevelle and a 1969 Camaro.
What music are you currently listening to in your vehicle? I listen to just about everything.
And your first ticket? What was it for? My first ticket was for speeding. I can’t remember how fast it was, but it was nothing crazy. I always knew how to drive and have fun on back roads where nobody was.
