Ramsey F Gamboa - 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX
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“Your car build might not be everyone's cup of tea, but if it's not making your inner child smile, then you're building it for the wrong reason.”
— Ramsey Gamboa
Some people build cars for trophies.
Some build for clout.
Some build because they’re trying to prove something.
Ramsey F. Gamboa builds for one reason: his inner child never lies.
And if you’ve ever owned a high-strung platform with personality—if you’ve ever had a car you love and hate like family—you already understand why his WRX has a name like Grandpa.
Because Grandpa isn’t a project.
Grandpa is a story that refuses to sit still.
From Jeepneys to Joy
Before American horsepower debates, before import culture arguments, before internet forums and dyno sheets…
Ramsey’s first experience with vehicle culture wasn’t even a “car scene” at all.
It was the Philippines.
Growing up in Tayug, Pangasinan, he saw jeepneys everywhere—bright, loud, decorated, personalized rolling art pieces that carried the masses. Not everyone had the money for a personal vehicle, so what people did have became a canvas.
Every jeepney had a different personality.
Different colors. Different decorations. Different attitude.
And that stuck with him.
When Ramsey moved to the U.S. around age 7 and eventually spent most of his life in Stockton, California, that curiosity didn’t fade—it evolved.
He remembers his uncle Glen’s Fox-body Mustang, the tools, the garage vibe, the feeling of watching someone create something from parts.
Then came the real accelerants:
Gran Turismo. Forza. Need for Speed. Initial D.
…and of course the movies that launched a million builds—
Fast & Furious.
That combination—culture + customization + games + cinema—did what it does best:
It lit the fuse.
Military, Life, and the “Not a Liberty to Disclose” Grind
Ramsey’s path didn’t follow a straight line. After high school, he joined the military, attempted college, realized it wasn’t his lane, and bounced through different jobs chasing work that felt rewarding.
Now he works for the government doing “interesting and challenging work”—but he keeps the specifics private.
What matters is the result:
He’s built a life where cars remain his outlet, his hobby, and his mental reset.
Not a business.
Not a brand.
Not a flex.
Just something that makes him happy and keeps his mind busy.
The Accidental WRX That Was Supposed to Be a Daily
Here’s the funny part:
Grandpa was never supposed to be this.
Ramsey was collecting the cars he thought were cool—adding pieces to a personal lineup, like people collect sneakers, watches, or vinyl.
He bought the WRX nearly as it sits now: widebodied, Nardo grey, already carrying the vibe. The plan was simple:
- move wheels to his MazdaSpeed3 build
- part out Grandpa
- turn the Subaru into a comfortable, reliable daily
Then life did what it always does:
The Speed3 engine rebuild went sideways.
So Ramsey shifted gears. Instead of tearing Grandpa apart, he did what a real owner does when a car needs love:
He saved it.
Fluids. Belts. Plugs. Fix leaks. Correct vacuum lines. Replace missing hoses. Handle widebody repairs and repaint sections. Make it roadworthy and reliable enough to be driven the way it deserves.
Because it turns out…
Grandpa wasn’t meant to sit.
Grandpa was meant to be used.
Mazda Roots, Abarth Detour, Subaru Problems (Affectionate)
Ramsey’s origin story is Mazda-based.
His first car was a MazdaSpeed3—a hot hatch he poured time and money into, running full bolt-ons on an E30 mix, putting down just under 400whp. The wife and Ramsey drove the daylights out of it.
When the Speed3 started showing its mileage and battle scars, he made what he calls another “financial mistake”:
A Fiat 500 Abarth as a daily.
And honestly? Respect.
He blames Jeremy Clarkson for that choice—and after intake, exhaust, and an E85 tune, the Abarth became too fun to drive like a responsible adult.
Then came a practical move: buying his parents’ Subaru Outback when they upgraded—giving Ramsey a daily that made sense.
Then COVID happened.
And Grandpa joined the collection.
Ramsey knows what he’s doing: these platforms aren’t famous for daily reliability—but with proper maintenance, they’ve treated him right.
And that’s the truth most people don’t want to admit:
Many “unreliable cars” are simply neglected.
The Inner-Child Effect
Ramsey didn’t “start” this build.
He revived it.
He keeps calling Grandpa a stepchild he’s come to love and hate—because if you’ve ever owned a Subaru… you’re smiling right now.
But the important part is this:
When he drives it, his inner child shows up.
And when his inner child is happy?
He’s happy.
That’s the whole philosophy.
The Reality Check: Advice for WRX People
Ramsey doesn’t sugarcoat this platform.
If you’re thinking about an older WRX, his advice is brutally honest:
Don’t.
They’re expensive for what they are. Making power costs too much. The cars are overpriced for being 20 years old.
But if you’re stubborn (and most of us are) and you’re going to do it anyway:
- Do homework on the platform
- Compression test it
- Get paperwork/records
- Fewer owners is better
- Watch for rust (especially salt states)
- Check oil constantly
- Consider heavier oil if pushing power
- Replace spark plugs routinely
- Treat the 5-speed with respect (standing launches = good luck)
And if you need help?
He’ll point you to the two most dangerous tools in the world:
Google and YouTube.
What Makes Grandpa Stand Out
The car is already a standout:
Nardo grey paint + widebody turns heads anywhere.
But if Ramsey had to pick the single thing that makes people do a double-take?
It’s the Epsilon Aero reverse swan wing… with the giant #fuckcancer decal.
He hasn’t seen anyone else driving around with that setup in real life.
It’s aggressive. It’s rare. It’s personal.
And it says exactly what he wants it to say.
BUILD SPECS — “GRANDPA” WRX
Engine / Drivetrain
- JDM 205 motor
- Walbro 255 fuel pump
- SPT intake
- Tomei headers & up-pipe
- Invidia N1 cat-back exhaust
- GrimmSpeed boost control solenoid
- STI VF48 turbo
- Cusco AOS
- 1000cc injectors
- TurboXS front-mount intercooler
- TurboXS blow-off valve
- Open source tune
- ACT 6-puck clutch
- ACT Streetlite flywheel
- LRB radiator cover & belt cover
- Perrin oil cap
- Carbon fiber battery cover
Suspension
- Airlift V2 management
- Raceland airbags/struts
- 4-gallon air tank
- Whiteline strut bar
- Viair pump
Brakes / Wheels / Tires
- Advan Racing R6 (18x10 +35)
- Brembo calipers
- StopTech slotted rotors
- Hawk ceramic pads
- Federal RSRR tires
Interior
- Cusco 6-point roll cage
- Cusco carbon fiber add-on bar
- Sparco 4-point harness
- Sparco Circuit II seat
- Keys Racing steering wheel
- LRB Speed aluminum door panels
- Spinnywhosh custom door wrap
- Custom aluminum floor mats
- Beatrush rear seat delete
- Cobb shift knob
- 1320 adjustable shifter
- Kartboy short shifter
- Whiteline shifter bushings
- AEM AFR gauge
- Broadway rear view mirror
- JDM STI gauge cluster
- Fire extinguisher
- Japan-themed rear decal
Audio
- Pioneer touchscreen head unit
- Kenwood speakers
Exterior
- Nardo grey paint
- ABW front fender flares
- Varis rear fender flares
- C-West front bumper
- Custom rear diffuser
- Custom ram-air headlight
- Seibon carbon trunk
- Kaminari carbon hood
- Epsilon Aero reverse swan wing
- Painted Filipino flag winglet
- Aerocatch hood latches
- C-Speed side skirts
Hands-On Builder Energy
Ramsey’s favorite flex isn’t money.
It’s involvement.
Aside from the JDM motor install done by the previous owner, Ramsey has gone through this car with a mechanic’s mindset:
Drained and replaced fluids, belt, plugs, leak checks, vacuum line repairs, airbag fixes, widebody touch-ups and repaint corrections.
In his words?
He’s a YouTube-certified mechanic.
And honestly? That’s half the culture now — learn, do, mess up, fix it, repeat.
Future Plans: 500whp… Carefully
Grandpa isn’t going anywhere.
Ramsey likes holding onto his cars, keeping them in the family, and building them over time. No rushed “end goal.”
Plans change every year, new ideas appear, and he rolls with it.
But the direction is clear:
- fully built motor
- ~500whp target
- tidy engine bay
- black-painted interior aluminum paneling
- possible color change (still undecided)
Not chasing 1,000 horsepower.
Not chasing internet numbers.
Just enough power to make it fun without turning it into a financial apocalypse.
Community, Crew, and Running Your Own Race
Ramsey runs with Customotive Crew with his friend Josh and others, but he’s clear:
You don’t need a group to be in the scene.
You can run solo.
You can be in a crew.
There’s no right answer.
Just show up, build your car, meet people, and enjoy the culture.
The Big Picture
Ramsey sees the car scene for what it is now:
- more access to information
- more car-specific aftermarket support
- a booming industry for some people
But for him?
It’s still a hobby.
A happy place.
A mental reset.
A place where friendships form and opportunities happen unexpectedly.
And a reminder that if you want something done…
you get up and do it yourself.
Dream Cars
Unaffordable dream: any Koenigsegg
Realistic dreams:
- Cadillac CTS-V Blackwing 6-speed
- plum purple Hemi ’Cuda
Because even if you’re an import guy…
Sometimes the heart still wants an American V8.
Final Word
Grandpa might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
That’s the point.
Because Ramsey isn’t building for everyone.
He’s building for that kid inside him who smiled at decorated jeepneys, stayed up late playing racing games, and watched Fast & Furious like it was scripture.
And now?
That kid gets to drive.