A “WRC” inspired AWD Monster

Driver: Sky Olson

Ride: 05 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

“World Rally Championship”, What do you think of when you hear of that sport? The Drivers are often thought of as the best drivers in the world yet described with the words Crazy, Psychotic, or Insane. But for Kohala resident Sky Olson, The “WRC” sport stirs something much deeper in him. You see, Over the years Sky has watched many WRC events and, as most of us do, he had a dream to be like them. He watched the drivers navigate the courses at speeds that would make the average driver have a heart attack. Jump hills and cut corners with such precision that even while watching the slow motion replay you couldn’t help but scratch your head and wonder how they managed it. He saw all the “Fun” that the drivers were having and wanted nothing more then to be behind the wheel of one of those machines. However being the realist that he is, he knew he would never be able to.

Around December of 2004, While living in Seattle Wa, He decided enough was enough. Since he wouldn’t be able to drive a WRC vehicle, Why not build one himself? Sky decided to go with the  2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI  He made this choice because  of its AWD capabilities and its impact on the WRC sport. Wasting no time he commissioned the gearheads of World One Performance to help him make his dream a reality. By the end of the first week the factory exhaust system and some of the suspension components had already been swapped out with better aftermarket counterparts. From then on the STI got a different upgrade every month ranging from minor tweaks to a new EMS, This went on for about 2 years. Eventually Sky decided it was time to move on to bigger and better things, so he left Seattle and chose to call Kohala his new home.

Now on the Big Island, Sky needed to find people who could continue the work that World One Performance had started. He knew this would not be easy but found his answer a few months later while driving through Waimea Town. Another local Subaru enthusiast by the name of Dave saw Sky and literally chased him down to ask him about his masterpiece. Dave also invited Sky to check out a local SCCA Solo II events where he saw an opportunity that he couldn’t pass up. Shortly after that Dave’s company, Meat Tuning, was commissioned to help continue the build, along with a few of Sky’s close friends and colleagues. They poured countless hours into the mechanical marvel modifying everything they could without doing a complete overhaul. Also he started attending many of the SCCA events throughout year for most of 2006 and 2007. As with all modified cars of this caliber Sky knew it was only a matter of time before something was gonna go wrong, and in 2008 it did. The STI started to have issues with launching. As the issues got worse, and as advised he took the machine to Subaru to be diagnosed, and as anticipated, that something that could go wrong, did. The # 4 con rod had failed which ment the motor had to be pulled to be repaired. Sky saw this not as a set back, but instead saw it as an opportunity. If the block was gonna have to be ripped apart to be repaired, why not just build it in the process while its out to avoid any failures in the future. So thats exactly what he did.

Sky decided to call on the gearheads at World One Performance once again to build the Motor. Sparing no expense many of the internal components were changed out to be able to handle any future upgrades. Once the motor was all together it was shipped back to the Big Island where Meat tuning & the Boost Junkies Crew helped install it along with its new Hydra Standalone engine management system. Taking no chances, Sky called on Chris Black of Atlantic Motorsports (AMS) to get everything running just right. After the tuning session Chris estimates the monster to have around 500+ HP to the wheels. With that being done it was time for Sky to do what he does best. He came back to the SCCA events where he proved him self many times over, Claiming fastest time of the day on multiple events.In fact if you ask anyone who attends the SCCA events to describe what its like when this Pewter Beast takes the course its almost certain they will respond with at least one if not all of the following words, Crazy, Psychotic, Insane. Also alot of people consider him one of the best drivers on the Big Island if not in the entire State. So whats next for this WRC inspired Grip Machine? Only time will tell, but rumor has it that the car may end up back in the mainland from time to time for some “Invite only” Time Attacks. That Should be interesting. So be sure to check back with us here @ Speedhawaii.com to see!

Engine / Performance

• CP 100mm Forged Pistons
• CP Ringset
• Element Tuning Billet Rods
• Cosworth Race Rod Bearings
• Cosworth Race Crank Bearings
• Cosworth S2 AVCS Camshafts
• Brian Crower Valve Springs and Ti Retainers
• Cosworth (ARP) Head Stud Kit
• Factory Head Gasket
• Factory Subaru Buckets
• Greddy Timing Belt
• Koyorad Radiator
• Custom Coolant Overflow Tank
• Samco Hoses
• Cusco Engine and Transmission Mounts
• PNP TGV’s
• 1000cc RC Engineering Injectors
• Ultimate Racing Rails converted to AN fittings
• Custom Fuel Lines and Mounting
• Earls, Russell, & Summit AN Fittings
• Bosch 044 Motorsports Fuel Pump
• Custom Fuel System Wiring
• Aeromotive Adjustable FPR
• Hydra Standalone EMS
• Hydramist W/I System
• Jaz Fuel Cell for Methanol
• Custom Trunk Mounted W/I System
• Custom 4” Intake
• Crawford Air/Oil Separator
• Twinscroll 1.06 AR, T4 Frame, Garrett 35R Turbo with Antisurge Shroud Porting
• Flipped Subaru Intake Manifold with Grimmspeed Phenolic 8mm Spacers
• Full Race Exhaust Manifold
• Full Race Uppipe
• Full Race Downpipe
• Full Race FMIC
• HPC Coatings
• Twin Tial 44mm Wastegates
• Tial 50mm BOV
• Custom Wastegate Dumptubes built with Burns SS Tubing
• GReddy Evo2 Exhaust

Suspension / Handling / Driveline

• RCE Yellow Lowering Springs
• RCE Front Camber Plates
• Whiteline 27-29mm FSB
• Perrin 20-24 RSB
• Perrin Pillowball Endlinks
• ACT Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel
• Beatrush Lightweight Subframe
• Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
• Whiteline Subframe Lock Bolts
• Kartboy Differential Mount Bushings
• Kartboy Rear Outrigger Mount Bushings
• Stainless Steel Brake Lines
• Ferodo 2500 Brake Pads
• Toyo RA-1 Tires

Exterior

• Custom Handmade Hood Scoop Delete
• Grimmspeed Hood Dampers
• Selectively Debadged
• Cleared headlights
• WRX Spoiler

Monitoring/ Control Systems

• Aquamist DDS-3 WI Monitor
• Defi Oil Pressure and Fuel Pressure Gauges
• TurboSmart EBoost 2 with dual solenoids
• ATI Clock Pod
• ATI Pillar Pod

Special Thanks To..

“I would like to thank a few people who made this build possible with out them it would not have happened. Allot of people got involved in this build so if I forget anybody (I’m) sorry.” – Sky Olson

• Meat Tuning- for the endless amount of research and attention to detail.
• Walleman boy’s for the muscle and experience.
• The Coppersmith’s for all the 1 off sheet metal fab work.
• Rob Gavel for knowing the right people for the right part.
• and the countless friend’s that sacrificed time for this build
• Brandon, Jimbo, Travis and the rest of the Boost Junkie team.
• Cris Black of AMS for the Awesome tune. (Estimates 500+ at the wheels)
• World One Performance (Seattle WA) for an awesome motor build and for putting an insane mod list together

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