Calvin Choi - 2004 Subaru WRX
Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Jessica Colantonio (@Luxephotos)
There was once a time when Calvin Choi thought he’d end up in a modified Honda Civic. Then he started spending weekends watching local heroes like Richard Grossi, Steve Deneka, and David Brister throwing Subarus around at CSCS events. The noise, the pace, the aura of those cars changed his trajectory completely. Before long, Choi bought a 2004 WRX at 18 as his first car and daily driver.
Like many first-time Subaru owners, things didn’t exactly go according to plan. The original engine eventually let go, but by then the damage had already been done in another sense. After only a couple of track days with friends, Choi was hooked. Any thoughts of a stance build disappeared pretty quickly.
Money was tight while balancing work and school, so the next chapter of the WRX came together the way many enthusiast projects do: help from friends, long nights in the garage, and Facebook Marketplace deals. An STI 2.5-liter engine, six-speed swap, and big-turbo setup transformed the once-stock daily into something ready to hit the track again.
The swap itself became part of the car’s story. Choi was working as a technician at Toyota at the time and tackled much of the work there before having to tow the car to a friend’s garage to finish the job. Seven years later, that engine combination has survived roughly 30 to 40 track days.
One of the most interesting things about this WRX is that it looks every bit the dedicated track machine it was meant to be, complete with a splitter, APR GTC-300 wing, Karlton flares, hood vents, and a livery from TechWrap Canada that has become part camouflage. Underneath the graphics are mismatched shades of blue, replacement panels, scratches, and evidence of years spent doing exactly what the car was built to do.
Choi never set out to build the fastest Subaru in the paddock. He wasn’t chasing dyno numbers or trying to become the benchmark everyone else had to beat. He simply wanted a Blobeye that would be fun to drive with friends. That philosophy is why this car resonated so strongly with the team during the PASMAG Editorial Desk podcast.
The mechanical recipe is serious enough to earn respect at a road course. A Garrett GTX3071R turbo, ID1050 injectors, IAG fuel rails, DW420 fuel pump, custom equal-length headers, and an Invidia turbo-back exhaust handle airflow and fueling. Mahle pistons, Manley rods, and GSC valve springs strengthen the engine, while a custom front-mount intercooler, CSF radiator, and Perrin oil cooler help manage heat under repeated abuse.
Inside, the CAE shifter, Recaro seats, Status harness, and flocked dashboard reinforce the intended use without making the car unusable on the street. That street usability is the other part of the equation: Choi still drives it to work. It still shows up at meets. It still gets used as a fun street car, and that makes it extra special to us.
These days, keeping pace with grassroots motorsport is becoming increasingly difficult. Newer cars are faster. Budgets are getting bigger, while professional teams and shops continue to raise the bar. Meanwhile, Choi is still wrenching on his Subaru in an underground garage and doing his best to make the next event.
That’s why this WRX works so well. It doesn’t pretend to be perfect. Every melted part, every repaired panel, and every scar tell more of the story than we can fit here.
ESSENTIALS
VEHICLE:
2004 Subaru WRX
OWNER:
Calvin Choi
LOCATION:
Scarborough, Ontario
HORSEPOWER:
340 whp
CLUB / TEAM:
Endgame
SOCIAL:
Instagram: @calvinchoii
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE:
STI 2.5-liter engine + Garrett GTX3071R turbo + ID1050 injectors + IAG fuel rail + DW420 fuel pump + Mahle pistons + Manley rods + GSC valve springs + Custom equal-length headers + Invidia turbo-back exhaust + Custom front-mount intercooler + CSF radiator + Perrin oil cooler + Tuned by Definitive Tuning
DRIVETRAIN:
JDM Version 7 STI six-speed transmission + JDM Subaru R180 differential + Stage 3 clutch
WHEELS & TIRES:
Custom Choii Motorsports forged wheels (17x9.5, ET0) + Nankang CR-S tires (255/40R17)
SUSPENSION:
Fortune Auto 500 Series coilovers + 10K Swift springs + Whiteline 22mm front sway bar + Whiteline 24mm rear sway bar + Whiteline roll-center kit + Whiteline anti-lift kit + Whiteline stabilizer links
BRAKES:
JDM STI Brembo brakes + PAGID Racing brake pads + DBA rotors
EXTERIOR:
Custom front splitter + Karlton flares + APR mirrors + APR GTC-300 rear wing + RPG reverse carbon hood scoop + CS-style side skirts and lip + RE-style rear spats + Visual AutoWorks window vents + Custom hood vents + TechWrap Canada livery
INTERIOR:
CAE shifter + Sparco steering wheel + Sparco quick release + Recaro seats + Status harness + Defi gauges + NRG harness bar + Flocked dashboard
TECHNOLOGY & AUDIO:
Double-DIN head unit + Aftermarket speakers
SHOPS / INSTALLERS:
Choii Motorsports + Fusion Motorsports + BarnBuilt + Definitive Tuning
SPONSORS:
TechWrap Canada + Whiteline + RPG Carbon
PHOTO CREDIT:
Photography by Jessica Colantonio — @Luxephotos
GALLERY
