Photography by Jonathan Pyle
Shad Alaimo considers himself a die-hard Subaru fan, and it’s no wonder he’s become infatuated with the brand. His friend Russel taught him to drive in a 2004 WRX, and from that moment on he fell in love with Subaru. He held a particular affinity for the hatchback models, and wanted to create something from his build that was completely different, and that’s where the journey started.
[As seen in PASMAG Issue #143]
After picking up the 2012 Subaru WRX, his very first build, Alaimo began planning out the build’s vision. He knew he wanted to build a complete show car, so planning and carefully choosing products would be a key factor in the success of his project. He knew he had to stand out visually, so the Varis kit came shortly after. “Varis was the only choice because it not only fully changes the cars look but it's very rarely done and puts my build in a different league,” he tells us.
This car isn’t all show and no go, either. IAG built one hell of an engine block to sustain the supporting power mods that Alaimo would do. A Forced Performance turbocharger, Cobb air filter, forged STI crankshaft and Brian Crower 625 connecting rods are just some of the engine modifications made to boost horsepower up to the 400 mark, a long way from where the WRX started.
Alaimo extends a heartfelt thank-you to his close friends and his team who help him push the envelope with his build, and for taking it beyond hid wildest dreams from when he first got the car. “Most of the people I know today are because of this car,” he says, “and everyone I talk to or encounter in life, whether in person or on social media, stems from this build.”
The car managed to make it to SEMA 2016 after a nail-biting time crunch to put everything together, and was popular among Subaru fans everywhere. Alaimo says that he is still on track to finish the build, and that it still remains his daily driver, at least for now.
With 52% of the Popular Vote, the winner of the Tuner Battlegrounds award category at Elite Showdown: Los Angeles at LAPD Academy in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, March 25, 2017 is Shad Adaimo (2012 Subaru WRX)!
ESSENTIALS
Owner: Shad Alaimo
Vehicle: 2012 Subaru WRX
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Engine: Subaru EJ257 2.5L H4
Horsepower: 400 (est.)
Torque: 370 lb-ft (est.)
ENGINE
- Ported and polished heads
- GSC (Valves, springs, retainers)
- Forced Performance green turbo
- Process West intercooler
- GPI Racing hoses
- Tial 36mm wastegate
- Cobb air filter
- IAG fuel rail
- DeatschWerks DW65c series fuel pump
- Injector Dynamics 1000cc injectors
- NGK iridium spark plugs
- STI forged crankshaft
- Brian Crower 625 connecting rods
- Manley (platinum series turbo tuff pistons, piston rings)
- Tomei metal head gasket
- ARP hardware
EXHAUST
- Custom (Exhaust, burnt tip, external waste gate dump tube)
- Grimspeed up-pipe
- Cat-less down-pipe
DRIVETRAIN
- ACT stage 2 clutch
WHEELS/BRAKES/TIRES
- Avant Garde F141 wheels – 18x11 +15 (f/r)
- Toyo Proxes tires – 275/35/18 (f), 295/35/18 (r)
- R1 Concepts 1-piece drilled and slotted rotors
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION
- Function and Form Type 2 coilovers – 12k springs (f), 6k springs (r)
EXTERIOR
- Varis (Widebody kit, front bumper, fenders, spoiler)
- VIS Terminator carbon fiber hood
- Spec D Tuning headlights
- Ford Racing Red paint
INTERIOR
- Cobb shift knob
- NRG carbon fiber steering wheel
- Braum Venom seats
SPONSORS
- Western Auto Crafters, All Aspects Apparel, Password: JDM, Braum Racing, Harbor Tires, Spec D Tuning, R1 Concepts
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