If you haven't already met Aaron Vaccar, you're missing out. He's the guy with the long hair running around with a big smile on his face at all the shows and events on the East Coast. Well, not all of them, but it sure seems that way.

We met Vaccar a few years back when his 2004 Subaru Impreza STi first hit the show circuit. We were impressed with his selection of parts and the overall cleanliness of the build. Since our first encounter, his Subaru has only gotten better, which sometimes meant removing parts to go for a cleaner look. Just when we had almost enough of Vaccar's Subaru, he started bringing out the rest of the toys from the chest. Vaccar's Subaru is just one of many cars that belong to his stable of impressive rides that he and his father, Carl, have put together over the years.

The Vaccars' collection of cars started out as just a family hobby, which was originally rooted in hot rods but has since expanded to accommodate the likes of the STi and even a Saab wagon (more on that later). It's not uncommon to catch the Vaccars sporting their ACV Motorsports banners while showing off the jewels of their collection. Vaccar senior has been known to show off his 2000 Jaguar XKR sporting HRE Wheels or his super pristine 1961 Chevy Corvette, which looks like it came right off of the showroom floor.

Vaccar junior's STi, although completely street drivable, does not serve as his daily. Regular commuting tasks are taken on by his Saab (Saabaru) 9-2x Aero wagon. Those familiar with Subaru know that the Saab wagon is a Subaru Impreza in disguise, so naturally the Saab is the recipient of hand-me-downs from the STi, including the HRE wheels that the Saab is sporting.

The Vaccar family legacy isn't simply about fast cars, though; it also involves builds that are top notch. With a potent supply of aftermarket performance upgrades available for the STi, it can be a challenge to pick the right mix of components.

Vaccar knew exactly what he was doing under the hood, keeping a street-friendly theme as the main focus. This allows Vaccar to actually enjoy the expensive modifications he added later. However, the Subaru can still hold its own. Tuned on premium 93-octane fuel by Turbo XS, the Impreza is making an impressive 411whp and 419 lb-ft of torque. Listening to it start up, you'd swear it came straight from the dealer.

The main attraction in the engine compartment is a ceramic-coated, ball bearing Garrett GT30R turbo that peeks out above the engine thanks to an equal length Perrin header. The Garrett turbo pressurizes the Perrin pipes and front-mounted intercooler until the air is forced into the combustion chambers. A Walbro 255lph fuel pump works with a Perrin rail and Power Enterprise 850cc injectors to deliver fuel for proper combustion.

After the throttle body butterfly shuts between shifts, you'll hear a distinct sound from the GReddy type RS blow-off valve that releases the pressure inside of the turbo piping. Of course some of the gasses produced are recycled, while the rest are transported to the rear of the Subaru through a Perrin down-pipe and an Invidia exhaust system. Controlling boost is an important task when it comes to a turbocharged engine, and this burden was taken on by a Tial 44mm wastegate and a Turbo XS high-performance boost controller.

Aside from the forced-induction upgrades, Vaccar also added a slew of other modifications under hood that not only looked good but are actually 100 percent functional. Vaccar took no chances when it came to properly distributed voltage by installing a Sun Cyberspeed hyper voltage system that works hand-in-hand with a red top Optima battery that helps the overall performance of the vehicle. The Optima battery is held in place thanks to a Vivid Racing battery tie down.

Many of the factory engine components remain hidden under an ARC titanium pulley cover which boasts some good looking welds and an ARC badge for authenticity. Other aesthetic additions include a Cusco radiator cap, Agency Power oil cap, and a JAZ mini breather tank. The modifications rely on an Exedy multi-disk clutch and flywheel combo to transfer power to all four wheels, while Vaccar shifts gears holding onto a Kart Boy knob and short shifter.

The STi's factory suspension may be adequate for those who are not trying to continue a family tradition of building high-profile project cars, but definitely not enough for Vaccar. A proper suspension setup is one of the most important performance features to consider when building. Vaccar wanted to make sure there was no room for error by opting for a set of Cusco Zero 2E coil-overs complete with Cusco's in-cabin strut dampening force controller E-Con, which allows Vaccar to adjust the stiffness of the Zero 2E's from the comfort of the driver's seat.

Once the STi was properly lowered, Vaccar knew he had to make sure his wheels were set up properly to fit inside the wheel arches. Vaccar went to the wheel authorities at HRE, which fabricated a custom set of 19x9-inch C22 wheels with custom brushed lips and polished centers. Each of the wheels is cushioned by Sumitomo rubber measuring in at 225/35 19. The only thing that can take the attention away from the custom HRE wheels are the six-piston Endless calipers at the front and the four-pistons at the rear that replaced the stock units.

From 40 feet away, the STi's exterior mods are the only things that are important. Exterior tweaks are what first catches the eye and brings people in closer to check out the details. Vaccar reveals his secrets to spectators by luring them in with a complete Charge Speed aero kit that includes Type-1 bumpers and Type-2 side skirts. Attached below the Charge Speed front bumper, a unique custom fabricated aluminum brush guard can be found helping with aero dynamics, while a set of Summit quarter-turn fasteners make for easy removal of the bumper cover. All of these exterior supplements are working to direct air, like the Aero Sync reverse scoop located on the hood of the STi, which helps to cool down things under the hood for a better performing engine.

Inside the cabin, our attention was occupied by an array of accessories that surround you as you're seated in the gray alcantara Sparco Milano 2 racing seats. Each of the Sparco seats is matched to the rear seats, which were custom upholstered by Portage trim, who also matched the door panels to the theme. Sparco competition racing harnesses with shoulder pads ensure occupants are held in place while resting their feet on Sparco floor plates that include a navigator's foot rest.

Vaccar pilots the STi by holding on to a Sparco Hexagon steering wheel that works in unison with a Night Pager flip-up quick release for easy access in and out of the Subaru. Grab onto the Kart Boy shift knob, adjust the air conditioning controls that were relocated to the glove box, and check engine dynamics on the Autometer gauges, and we are ready to go.

With this STi being a complete street car, there was no reason why the Subaru shouldn't be treated with some nice speakers and visual aids to keep occupants happy. A Clarion VRX935VD in-dash monitor is the commander, sending the signals to the MTX amps located in the trunk area, and then onto the 12-inch MTX subwoofers that rattle the license plate. Each of the MTX subwoofers are housed in a custom enclosure that also plays host to a Power Acoustic capacitor and a polished fire extinguisher. Midrange audio is delivered to your ears thanks to MB Quart components.

Aaron Vaccar and his father Carl have put together an impressive collection of cars that they are proud to show off all over the East Coast. The Vaccars' STi never leaves a show empty handed, and its cleanliness is simply unbelievable. In fact, we'd be happy to eat our dinner right off of any surface of the Impreza. Look for ACV Motorsports at an East Coast show near you.

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