Ya, I agree with the others about the increased level of effort required to modify these cars. But it's never really bothered me, since I quite enjoy driving something different than everyone else -- something rare. Out of all the cars that showed up at the Wed night drag strip test-and-tune last night, only 3 Toyotas ... 2 ma70, 1 jza80. I was so tired of all the WRXs and Mustangs ... ugh. How cool it will be when I roll up in an st185.
But if you start going for bigger power, say 500 hp+, then I would say it's not a lot different than what the STi or Evo guys have to deal with. We all have to upgrade fuel systems, internals (possibly), engine management, intercooling, etc. Sure, those guys have so many more choices, but compared with what I saw when I got into this st185 crowd in 2000, there are real, orderable parts these days. We can buy off-the-shelf turbo kits (ATS, PE, GReddy), exhaust/intake manifolds, fuel rails, fmic kits, suspension, pnp standalone ecu (Vipec). All it takes is money and patience.
See if you can get a ride in a mildly modified st185, like was mentioned above.... full exhaust, fuel cut override, boost at about 14psi, some decent suspension upgrades. You may find that you just love it!
But if you start going for bigger power, say 500 hp+, then I would say it's not a lot different than what the STi or Evo guys have to deal with. We all have to upgrade fuel systems, internals (possibly), engine management, intercooling, etc. Sure, those guys have so many more choices, but compared with what I saw when I got into this st185 crowd in 2000, there are real, orderable parts these days. We can buy off-the-shelf turbo kits (ATS, PE, GReddy), exhaust/intake manifolds, fuel rails, fmic kits, suspension, pnp standalone ecu (Vipec). All it takes is money and patience.
See if you can get a ride in a mildly modified st185, like was mentioned above.... full exhaust, fuel cut override, boost at about 14psi, some decent suspension upgrades. You may find that you just love it!