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Subaru Crew - Modifications II

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Comments

  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    hehe, you razzed me about them the most Mike!

    MY98 RS wheels yep that means GOLD ;)
    16x7 +53mm, 5x100 bolt circle

    Wider than WRX rims, woohoo. I would rate them in *good* condition-- they are not perfect but besides minor marring from the stupid factory wheel weights they are in excellent condition. They have stick-on wheel weights now, and a set of 225/50-16 Kumho victoracer V700s with tread (what passes for it, at least) still showing on the inner half of the tire and tons of life left, although it would be smart to flip them on the rim sometime to wear them evenly.

    I can provide pictures if someone is interested... Oh, and I can bead blast them for free to remove the gold paint if someone can't live with gold even on an autocross / track day rim. To do a perfect job I'd have to remove the tires, and you would be responsible for re-mounting. After bead blasting they will have a very slightly rough surface and will be really shiny, as long as you polish them with meguiar's chrome polish every so often.

    -Colin
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Actually Ken I installed the cams last October... yeah, that doesn't seem like that long ago.

    Bikes aren't dangerous, punk riders and inattentive folks in cars are though. Then again there's no way I'd ride much if I had to deal with DC or SF traffic.

    A $10,000 sportbike might seem excessive to some, but you can't go faster on anything that a mere mortal would ever own. But it's not really about the speed since you wouldn't use that much very often unless you like a lot of tickets (yes officer, I was going 20 over but that was only 2nd gear!). The other allure is that I started riding dirtbikes at age 5 and rode a lot until I was a teen. I've never really put time into streetbikes before and I really like it! Miata might mean 'one with the horse' but it describes a bike a lot better than a roadster. :-D

    I do respect my mortality though and exercise a healthy degree of caution. I'm also highly insured. ;-)

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    $10k is not excessive. A good buddy of mine had to sell his Integra to get a company car and a station wagon for the family, so he got a Ducati for $8k. He's got an exhaust and an intake already. Very nice.

    I may do the same, but probably later in life, when the kids go to college.

    Then again, the Miata is my way of having fun without going too crazy.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Can't get much of a Duc for $8k, especially if that's new.

    Back to Subaru mods... I can't believe the interest my cylinder heads. I have a deal all but completely closed with a guy to drive down from Wisconsin (750mi one way) to do the swap in about a month! Wow.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yep, his was pretty basic. You can build them up, though. Their catalog offers a lot.

    Glad you found a buyer for the cams. 750 miles? He must really want 'em.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Considering the cams themselves are $500 and you would pay at least $500 to have someone install them, it's actually a great deal if you're a rabid enthusiast. And not to beat my own drum but the porting is of some value...

    This guy must be, he has a 2001 2.5RS with <4000 miles on the clock! ;)

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    He's got the fever already. Must be tired of hearing how quick all those WRXs are.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    No, I am pretty sure he bought one of the last 2001 2.5RS' because he can't stand the looks and weight gain of the WRX. All along having the goal of highly modifying the RS... hope he doesn't expect the RS to be as reliable or easy to maintain as a factory car!

    -Colin
  • lakepoplakepop Member Posts: 221
    Well after about a year of banging around trying to get info on window visors for my 01 Forester...they are now on.

    I posted some info on i-club and it was a vendor named Mike Exeter who came to the rescue. He responded that he had access and 3 days after I ordered ...they were at my door. Took about 1/2 to install and I am highly pleased with the results.

    At this point I need to pass kudos to Mike and to those of you unhappy with the water dripping issue...Mike has an answer.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    So Colin, are you turning your attention to bikes?

    I can empathize with the "knife to a gunfight" thing. That would be me in rallycross, getting lumped into the modified class because of a tower brace, bigger sway bar, and end links. No Chance.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    lakepop: did you get any photos? A lot of folks in the Forester forum would love to see 'em.

    There was a thread on i Club recently with a part number, was that you?

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    lakepop,

    Cool. How's the windnoise with those on? Pics, yes pics would be good!

    Ken
  • lakepoplakepop Member Posts: 221
    ateixeira...sorry , no pics..just did this today and no film.

    Could have been my input with the part #. I've been thrashing around with this for about a year with virtually no help. Good news is they are available and at this point I would tell you they look good/fit good.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Loosh-- pretty much, yes. I'll still be here because I'm still a car nut and besides... over 50% of the sportbikers are squids just trying to look cool, not much for conversation there.

    -Colin
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    I remember reading posts about the Muth signal mirrors for the Forester S on one of these boards and I have to assume it was this one but now I can't find the thread. Can anyone refer me to the dates when you all were talking about this? Has anyone actually installed these mirrors? How about the MultiFunction Module upgrade?

    Also, has anyone added fender mounted turn signal repeaters? If so, were they the Subaru OEM units that are used in Japan/Europe/etc. or were they after-market?

    TIA

    --'rocco
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    I don't recall any posts here on the subject. You sure it wasn't in the I-Club where you saw it discussed?

    -Frank P.
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    I also have been trying to find the visors... need 2 sets. How much were they and does Mike Exeter have a web site?

    Regards,
    Frank
  • lakepoplakepop Member Posts: 221
    Frank..I've misnamed Mike...he made be an Exeter but his cyber handle is Mike@Exeter.

    He is the the parts guy at Exeter Subaru in N.H. The best way to contact him is by phone 1-877-782-2789. Visors cost $125/set shipped.

    Hope this helps..I am very pleased with mine considering all the negative comments I've heard. Moreover they were easy to put on and look like they should have always been there.

    Have a good day big guy....
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    Thanks for the help! It's funny, I was looking and asking questions all over the world, and the answer is in a state right next to me.

    Thanks again, you have made my day!

    Regards,
    Frank
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Frank P.-- Thank you for responding! I could have sworn I saw it discussed here at Edmunds somewhere in the Subaru forums but I may be mistaken. I've scoured the i-club site and used their search feature but found nothing on Muth but did find some info' about side repeaters. I'll look further on both sites for information regarding the Muth mirrors. Thanx again, Frank.

    --'rocco
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It actually was discussed here in one of our topics, I just don't remember which (it was definitely Subaru related). Too bad we have no search function.

    Colin: just saw my Ducati buddy on Friday. His is an entry-level 600, and he's already longing for a 962. Power is addictive. He's already done the intake and exhaust, too.

    -juice
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    A LONG time ago, pre-Owners Club, someone posted the schematic to build a circuit to convert the rear wiper on a 99 or 00 OB to intermittent. Anyone know where I can find it?

    Thanks in advance.
    Luck11
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    luck11, you're referring to a post by Pat Dubois (pdubois ), audiologist and fellow Canajian ;) . I recall the post but not the URL. I saved an unrelated post to Pat dated 02mar2000; this leads me to believe he posted in late 1999/early 2000. Try one of the Subaru Wagon titles in Station Wagons - Archived Discussions. If you find any pdubios post, look at the profile for an email address and ask him if he still has the instructions. Whatever you find (or don't), please let me know (send his email address to the address listed in my profile).

    Good ol' Pat Dubois. I miss him. (and you luck11; you're not as active as you used to be.)

    Unfortunately, the inability to search post content (not just titles) is crippling. My technique with the old site was to list all posts and use the browser's find to search one big post. As it stands, I'm afraid the archive content is useless. All that knowledge flushed down the toilet. What a shame.

    I wonder how many members have stopped posting here (or spend less time here) because, with the death of the search function, Edmunds has become a less effective place to share information. Edmunds seems to have devolved from a great bulletin board where information can be shared (and searched) to a temporal chat.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I think I'm gonna start a subaru section on my webpage for how-tos and FAQs. Eventually I'll spin it off to it's own site. Anyone who has How-to writeups with or without pics or items you think would be good in a faq, e-mail me.

    -mike
    mike@iace.com
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    paisan: feel free to link/borrow/steal pics from my site. I no longer have a web page, but there are useful remarks on most pages.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'll probably dl them so I don't have to worry about photopoint dying again.

    -mike
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    Hi, I traded a forester on a WRX wagon and miss one of the Forester's features: the rear power outlet. I'm good enough with electrical things that I am sure I could put one in back there myself but I am wondering if anyone has already done that in a Subaru w/o the rear outlet. Got any suggestion for placement and what electrical wires to tie into?

    Thans, B.Hatfield
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmm, the catch is I've heard the front one is not intended for long-term use, while the one in the rear was. So it would be easy to splice into that one, but not necessarily the one in front.

    I almost never to any electrical work on my cars, though, so I guess I can't help much.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'd run some decent guage wire from the rear to the battery actually, and put a fuse somewhere in there, close to the battery. That is the safest way to do it. It will provide both good clean power, and you won't have to worry about voiding your warranty, etc.

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Bruce! I remember you from the vmag forums. I emailed you a couple of times about your clutch problem. Mine was fixed on the second attempt when the clutch fork was replaced. I also found a better dealer which was probably part of the problem. Sorry, no outlet advice though.

    juice - I've never heard that about the front outlet. Mine definately gets a huge workout daily and more on trips. Sometimes I use a dual adapter in the front. Before my 3/36 expired, I had to get the front one tightened because it was loose.

    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's what Subaru says, anyway. I've had luck using my cell phone in there, even on 7 hour trips.

    But my notebook didn't like that outlet - it was OK while driving along, but turning the ignition on (after I had stopped) caused a power spike and crashed the computer in the middle of a DVD movie.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    When you turn the key on, most electrical systems will cut out the power to the socket when the key is in the "start" position. I have this on my trooper. I usually run a triple outlet splitter on my trooper, 1 for the phone, and 1 for the power inverter. I used to use the 3rd for the CB or Radar detector, but since I don't use radar and I wired the CB into the fuse box with a quick disconnect plug, no need for the 3rd outlet, yet. :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I know what you mean, but it didn't just cut out power. There must have been a power surge because the notebook crashed. It has a battery, so it should be able to continue operating if the power was off.

    Now I know, so I run on battery and only charge it while driving along.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Did you laptop have a cig adapter or were you running an inverter? I alway run an inverter ($99 Radio Shack one) which is a good quality one. I've seen a lot of no-name brands out there that seem not as well made, maybe they don't have the filters that the RS model does.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's a LIND Automobile Laptop Power Adaptors.

    Ironically, they have all kind of photos of cars in their manual, even a cop car. It's basically a DC power adaptor.

    Could just be a poor quality product. I should try the rear outlet to see if the same thing happens.

    Still, your suggestion to get power straight from the battery is a good idea. Just be sure to have some type of fuse in the system.

    -juice
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    I looked at my Forester manual to see what circuit the rear outlet is on. I was surprised that it shares with the seat heater, if equipped. I guess I expected it to be by itself.

    To add one on to a vehicle where it was not designed in can be risky if you try to piggy back on another circuit. The factory outlet can carry up to 20A which is pretty hefty. To add that current (potential) to a circuit with wires not designed to carry it can be disastrous. You could probably find one but I wouldn't risk it.

    I agree with paisan. The best way (safest) to do this (I have done this in other vehicles) is to run a power line uninterrupted from the battery, making it unswitched, or "always available".

    The 2 most important things are that the fuse has to be as close to the battery as possible, to protect the whole circuit. You don't want several feet or even inches of unfused potential available for accidents like chaffing and shorting. This is how electrical fires start in do-it-yourself projects.

    The second thing is the gauge of the wire used. I don't know what you plan to plug in, but for "normal" use, just because of the distance, I wouldn't use anything smaller (physical size) than 10 gauge. 8 would be better... smaller gauge is larger wire, better electrically but harder to route. Everything is a compromise.

    The factory fuse is 20A and that sounds right to me. Make sure you use stranded wire, protect it with some of that black plastic spiral sheath (Home Depot), and route it carefully. Make sure the outlet you use is not lightweight, like the aftermarket cigarette lighter outlets, but rather something more HD like the factory one. That would be a good choice. Good luck.

    Regards,
    Frank
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    If you wanted to make it turn off with the car, you could run a relay for it where the "trigger" 12v+ of the relay was connected to one of the circuits that only are turned on when you turn the car on. This is more complicated, but if you want it to turn off with the car, a relay for it would be safest.

    -mike
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I've never been "electrically inclined" so I have what may be a silly question. You specify "stranded wire" (I assume as opposed to solid wire). Why?

    Ross
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    One of the 85 watt fog lamps popped last night :-(( Just the bulb, I think; I haven't had time to crawl under the car and take a look. Boo hoo! The rockin' fog lights were the best result of the whole upgrade process too.

    Emulating Cyclops,
    -wdb
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    There are no silly questions. Solid wire was never designed to flex so every time you bend it you physically deform the core. It thickens a bit in places and conversely thins in others. The thinning is the problem.

    The current capability is determined by the material and its mass, specifically its cross-section diameter (assume round). Those thin spots can't carry the current of the rest of the wire, creating a weak link (goodbye!).

    This in essence is what a fusible link is, a section of the circuit with a lower current carrying capability than the rest of the circuit. They do it with different materials and/or gauge of wire. These are designed to "blow" first thus protecting the circuit. We don't want any of these where not designed-in.

    Stranded wire is designed to flex and bend. Its current capability is the same no matter what position it is used in. They would have made stranded wire first if they had known how.

    Regards,
    Frank
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Even at my advanced age I still love learning new things. :~)

    Ross
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    Superb description. Thanks!

    bit
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    That is what I thought, but never heard a real reason.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    WDB: bummer. I don't think those bulbs carry any warranties because they burn hotter. I lost one too (Hella H4+30), but at least it lasted about 6 months.

    -juice
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    Thanks to everyone for all electrical advice. I want to run a cooler like I did in the Forester. I was wondering if much of the wiring that Outback Sport has would be back there in the WRX already. I understand the danger of connecting into a substandard circuit. I am going to look at what's back there by removing some panels. Hey maybe there will be a quick plug for a power outlet back there (wishful thinking).
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Could be. Indeed, all the stereo options are pre-wired, amps and speakers, whether you buy them or not.

    -juice
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Thanks Mike...you sent me in the right direction and got my wheels turning. Went to Subaru III discussion (seems like eons ago doesn't it?) and quickly found a post by Pat with a link to his web page:


    http://pdubois.tripod.com/


    which houses the schematics for the intermittent wiper. My brother-in-law is good at this stuff...so he said he would put the circuit together for me.


    Yes, used to be more active prior to my 11 hour work days, building a new house and a 2 1/2 year old son that keeps me extremely busy. However, I still take some time to lurk through the discussions every now and then. The knowledge here continues to blow me away. Again, thanks a bunch.

  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Glad you found it!

    If you've got a digital camera and the time, please take photos of your b-i-l's handiwork; I'm sure juice would like to add them to his site.

    Glad you're enjoying your little boy -- yes, they are a lot of work. Children are just great. Thanks for the update.

    Please check in and let us know how the "full custom" ;) intermittent wiper works.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Just a couple of days later. I had the dealer replace the first one, as the car was in for service (oil change), so I did not see that bulb. The second bulb I replaced, and it failed at the base of the bulb. It does not look to be constructed the same way as the 60 watters; the 60's seem to be reinforced all the way down through the base. This gives me a ray of hope; I might re-attempt 85s from a different manufacturer than Hella.

    I don't really mind the lost $20 because I look at it as education. If and when I do try other bulbs I'll let y'all know.

    BTW, those free-spinnining thingies that looked like they should be headlight aiming adjusters WERE adjusters, covered by a thingie to prevent adjustment. I pried them off :-)

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    is the reflector or lens discolored or warped? do you run your foglights all the time when you have your headlamps on?

    -Colin
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