Subaru Impreza Roof Vent Installation

Designed for cars participating in the WRC during the 90s these scoops were designed to pressurise the cabin to help keep dust out on those twisty gravel stages and allow fresh air in the non air conditioned cars. Note that Air Condition adds weight, robs power, and is something additional that may break, and also you really can't roll down windows in a rally.

This mode is not cheap and not for the faint-hearted as it requires you to gather the balls to cut through the roof of your pride and joy which is an irreversible mod. The reason the parts needed are expensive because the Spec C models were rare to begin with, so not a lot of used vents come up for sale. Currently used roof vents start from around £300/$400 roof vent, and go up in price from there depending on the condition of the plastics and rarity - £400/$500 roof vent and £450/$600 roof vent. There are also new ones still available at £700/$900 - Genuine Impreza Blue Spec C Roof Vent.

Note: This modification was made to a 2001/2002 Bug Eye Impreza Subaru Impreza sedan, other models installations may differ slightly.

Photos by Michael Xavier

Tools Needed:

• JDM Rally Roof Vent Kit
• 14mm Wrench or Socket
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Flathead Screwdriver
• A Good Drill with Sharp Bits
• Dremel with Reinforced Cutting Bit
• X-Acto Knife
• Thin Tip Sharpie
• Thick Paper to Make Template
• Scissors
• Duct Tape or Gaffers Tape
• Plastic Trash Bag  or Box
• Safety Glasses

1. Mask the area to protect the paint
2. Draw a template of the hole you are about to cut into the roof. Notice how the gasket is flipped inside out and mounted the inner trim to get the inner diameter nicely.
3. Template draft. The hole is not Perfectly oval so make sure you park the direction properly.
4.  Test fit of rubber trim on cutout to confirm your template is correct.
5. Double check.  (Ignore the direction markings error)
6. Lining things up
7. Mark screw holes for lid
8. Double check and drill the 4 holes
9. Test fitment of lid  
10. Use template made before and drill 3 guide holes from inside
11. Move template onto the exterior and guide it into the 3 holes made in the previous step and mark around the template in preparation to cut the roof.
12. In the interior, you can use bags or a damp box (to prevent fire) to catch the piece you are about to cut.
13. Make the hole
14. Seemed like a good idea to me to freshen up the rubber seal with some grease inside and out since I did buy it used and it's most likely 10-15 years old
15. Hole cut 100%
16. If you don't have POR-15 then this is the next best thing and maybe just as good
17. Takes a couple hours to "speed dry" and harden
18. Jobe done