I like to believe that modding cars is a form of art. Simply because the creator builds what he/she envisions and no creation can be right or wrong to anyone, but to the creator themselves. Cars are our blank canvas and what we modify them to be is an expression of ourselves as individuals. Christine Mahnke is an individual that expresses herself VERY well with her creation. Her 2010 WRX masterpiece clearly depicts that, simply put, She’s Fancy.
Christine HATED the gray upper interior, to put it lightly, so she opted for a full OEM upper interior swap. Changing every clip, handle, light etc to black instead of painting the existing pieces. Within good reach of the driver is a Nardi 350mm Deep Corn perforated leather wheel mounted on an NRG short hub with the red NRG 3.0 quick release. Gear selection is connected by an Agency Power short throw shifter. Adding to the tune of the well-toned exhaust is an Alpine W900 w/NAV powering Alpine Type R front and rear component speakers. The low end comes from an Alpine Type R 12” sub installed in custom built flush rear ported deck enclosure. While a JL HD600 amp powers the SQ system, the AutoPilot V2 Management gives the user more audio control capability.
Christine decided to take a chance and run Red mica with a polished 2.5” lip strapped in Hankook V12 215/40 rubber in a little more aggressive offset helped by H&R spacers. Not happy with the satin white pearl, the WRX was de-badged and repainted Toyota super white with black pearl accents. CS Style poly lip and partially painted Seibon carbon fiber hood and wing were added to complete some creative smooth body lines.
Complimenting the interior are a pair of Status Racing GT-X race buckets in red suede with Takata Race 4 point harnesses keeping you safely strapped in. Custom made 2 tone black-red alcantera front with matching rear seats and DRT harness bar powder coated black. The DEFI EGT, boost, oil pressure, and voltage gages keeps you informed with engine vitals. As well as the Greddy Turbo Timer II plus and AEM wideband for Air/fuel. The gauges were installed in a custom color matched A-pillar similar to those available for the older models WRX’s and more aesthetically pleasing.
After going back and forth for a year or so Christine finally decided to bag it on Air Force struts getting an amazing stance on the CCW’s. After going on air Christine was in love, but addicted and wanted to be just a little lower. Never happy, never satisfied she wanted it to be kissing the ground! Again good friend Theo agreed the only way to get it even 3/4″ lower was to notch the frame and swap the current struts out for Air Lift Performance with adjustable camber plates. With a very clean notch in the frame gave it just that little bit extra low that Christine was longing for!
A Seibon carbon fiber insert with a white scoop was added to the hood while a Blacktop Aero rear diffuser helped the red painted tails with matching 3rd brake light pop. Other mods included complete rear wiper delete, HID’s, LED daytime running lights, yellow fogs, directional switchbacks, and tinted windows.
Christine sought help and knowledge from Theo at F&S Automotive Performance in Sutton, MA. Changes were made to the WRX which included a Perrin front mount, added a turbo inlet, lightened crank pulleys, fuel pump, injectors, external waste gate, and Samco hoses. On more of the performance aspect, upgrades included DW65 fuel pump, DW 850cc injectors, IAG up pipe w/custom dump tube, Tial 38mm External waste gate, NGK 1 step colder plugs, Forged BOV, Greddy catch can, and IXIZ pitch stop.
The car managed to put down 331awhp and 360ft tq on the stock turbo VF52 allowing for some reliable functional fun.
To retain the handling performance, Perrin endlinks and 22mm sway bars with Agency Power rear lower control arms in conjunction with a GTSPEC 4 point chassis brace were used to keep up with the expectations of coil overs.
Christine loves the balance of performance, handling, and appearance. In her own words “When I start it up and hear the rumble, watch the ride height auto adjust, smell the exhaust, buckle myself in and take off; It’s like nothing else matters. I’m not a mother, wife, office manager, or friend…I’m just me alone with my thoughts & it’s indescribable.” HUGE thanks goes out to Joshua Elzey for the amazing photos. More of his work can be seen here .. https://www.facebook.com/TWiGPhotography .. And we encourage you that you do take a look at his collection!
Modifications:
Engine:
Custom open source tune by Franz of Diebold Autosports in Virginia producing 331whp & 360 tq
VF52 turbo
DW65 fuel pump
DW 850cc injectors
Invidia downpipe
Invidia N1 exhaust
IAG up pipe w/custom dump tube
Tial 38mm External waste gate
NGK 1 step colder plugs
Forged BOV
Perrin cold air intake
Perrin turbo inlet
Greddy catch can
Perrin Front mount intercooler
Perrin light weight crank pulley
IXIZ pitch stop
Samco radiator hoses
Suspension:
Air Lift Performance Series
Adjustable air struts w/camber plates
Perrin endlinks
Perrin 22mm sway bars
Agency Power rear LCA
GTSPEC 4 point chassis brace
Interior:
(2 sets of front seats) Status Racing GT-X race buckets in red suede
Custom made 2 tone blk/red alcantera Front w/matching rear seats
Driver & passenger Takata Race 4 point harnesses
DRT harness bar powder coated black
Planted seat bases w/sliders
Status side mounts
Nardi 350mm Deep Corn perf leather wheel
NRG short hub with red NRG 3.0 quick release
Agency Power shift knob
Defi egt, boost, oil pressure & volt gauges
AEM wideband
Greddy Turbo Timer II
Short throw shifter
Complete OEM STi upper interior swap (from gray to full black)
Custom made A pillar triple gauge pod
SMY dual cluster pod
Custom painted black pearl interior trim
Alpine W900 w/NAV & remote
JL HD600 amp
Alpine Type R 12”
Custom built flush rear deck enclosure
Alpine Type R front component speakers
Alpine Type R rear door speakers
AutoPilot V2 Management
Exterior:
Complete exterior color change from Satin White Pearl to Super White
Custom black pearl (matches interior) sport mesh grille, mirrors, roof, rear hatch garnish piece
Seibon CF hood
Seibon CF wing custom painted 2-tone
Aerocatch custom flush mounted hood latches paint matched
Seibon CF insert & white insert
Blacktop Aero rear diffuser, rear delector black out
CS Style poly lip
Perrin shorty 2” antenna
Red Hella Supertones
Rear wiper delete
Wheels & Brakes:
H&R spacers
CCW LM20’s custom red w/polished 2.5” step lips
Hankook V12 215/40
Professional frame notch
DBA 4000 Series slotted & drilled rotors, Hawk ceramic pads, stainless lines
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