I had just dusted off a Volvo S70 R (a car that I like quite a lot but unmodded couldn't quite hang even with my Stage 2)...so it was more like putting on a show for someone who thought he was driving the fastest car on the street at the time...so I'm cruising along - quickly of course though not outrageously so whenI notice what I first thought was a Honda of some type creeping up behind me gradualy overtaking(exceptI noticed the very nifty narrow beam hologens so I knew it was something more special but didn't know what...)...just as we made it to the toll booths he pulled around me and went through just ahead of me in the next lane (thats whenI saw that he was a Legacy Spec B). He kicked out for all he was worth...and I basically punched it down and swung around him - to the right (in a bit of a wide arc) - crossed back over in front of him and passed around several cars up ahead on the left side (very smooth andslick [big figure S! lol] and BTW into triple digits by this time)...needless to say he was toast and (surprisingly perhaps) didn't even try to overtake after that point (and even afterI had slowed down consirderably)...perhaps he was still in a state of shock...I must say I moved out with authority. Anyway it was very satisfying - I rarely get to mash it down as I like - without having to pull back/back off- and this guy I'm sure really though he would suprise me and dust me - NOT!

On the negative side - and I've not mentioned this before - my clutch (clutchmasters Stage 3!) has been slipping (when in gear - 4th & 5th mainly) when I mash it down mid gear (such as to pass on the highway without downshifting)...but not at all when upshiffting and powering on - its worse in colder weather (I think its because I'm making more power)...but don't know....we are planning to take it apart and ship it back to clutchmasters when it gets a bit warmer (but I'll be out the S4 for at least a week)...in the meantime any suggestions? Could it just need a good bleed? Could it be a AMster Cylinder? (no apparent fluids leaking...) Oh - also the clutch engage is definatly higher then before - seems worn - I drive it hard admittedly - but I don't burn it with full on power shifts (hardly ever anyway...basically not ever...) or (ever) rev it and drop clutch at the line - none of that...I'm just surprised its worn out so quickly (put it in last April or so)....I went Stage 3 versus Stage 4 (ceramic) just for the reason of longevity...and its supposed to hold the power - its a clutchmaster for shts sake! Is Vast or anyone else any better?

 

bump - hm - suprised this got no comment at all...I've seen elsewhere where folks claim that these Spec Bs are fast...and I'm sure that they are. Anyway, another (somehwat funny) instance along these lines happened yesterday. I made a right turn ahead of the oncomming traffic which had just got a green and I kicked it out a bit (but not fullup) - well immediatly this guy in a Mustang (last gen - GT seemingly - don't think it was a Cobra - but seemed at least a bit modded - exhaust had a nice deep rumble...) - well he shot up and passed me (I had leveled off at about 40-45) and I ended up pulling up behind him at the next light. So when the light turns he shoots out - and I hammer on up behind him after letting him go abit and Iswing around him (on the right) - but level off at about 60 - 65 or so - whereupon (eventually) he flys by me at like 80-90 (on a 35-40 mph road)...and of course we end up doing the exact same thing a second time at the next light - I pretty much effortlessly (hammering it down good of course) fly by him while he is at full throttle. This time (3rd light) he is making a left turn - but is looking back a bit and over at my little blue wagon like WTF? (seemed [more then] a bit redneck just from the look of things) I guess he'd never heard of an S4 - or expected a wagon to trounce him so easily...so anyway hes looking over at my car (which is to his right passing by him) as he's making a left turn and well he misses his turn (turns a bit too soon) - and ends up popping up on the curb! (and seemed stuck there - at least he was when I crested the hill and was out of sight) Pretty funny. My youngest who was in the car with me was lguhing his a off - and he's the one who pointed out the guys dilemah - I hadn't noticed at first...Moral of the story - pay attention when you drive and do not assume that your V8 power is the do all and end all of speed. He really seemed very surprised how easily I trounced him (he looked pretty incredulous) -after I flew by him after letting him get out ahead and then walked him like he was standing still. (of course he had to speed past me after the fact that first time) I love the bi-turbo power what can I say - addictive as hell...

 

How would you compare those Spec B's to the STi. My friend has an STi and I would still love to show it up one of these days.

 

Those Legacy's can be pretty quick, my buddy just got all his stage 2 stuff done on his and hes runnin 10.7s in 1000ft

 

I really trounced him - to the point I couldn't really say how qucik he was. He shot out good initially through the gates but I just exploded and was by him and he clearly gave up after that. I've yet to run an STi at Stage III. Prior they seemed very even with me - but I've alwasy felt I just have a little edge (and thats all I ussually need...plus the ***** to run all out!). I know that both Subies can be tweaked to be quicker and I don't think I've ever run against one that has been (other then stock). Its my feeling that a Stage III S4 beats a stock STi rather handily and Stage II its perhaps a drivers race depending on circumstances and specific tune of the car....could go either way though I doubt either car would get heavily embarrased.