Subaru Crew - Modifications II

1…4546485051…106

Comments

  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    juice,

    I know what you mean about the generic covers in Pep Boys. Years ago, I got one of those cushioned vinyl lace on jobs for a '71 Impala. It was functional, but not very nice otherwise. Of course, it was all of about 5 bucks back then, so it fit my meager budget at the time. The Honda one looks almost as though it is a factory fit.

    Len
  • mortpeaberrymortpeaberry Member Posts: 69
    you should get one of them perfo-rated, nauga-hide lace it on with plastic shoestring types - they are retro, add value and make the car go faster - goes well with Isotoner _O.J.-special gloves to!
    -steve-v
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The single point ground mod seems to be getting quite a bit of attention over at i-club for both N/A and turboed folks. Here's the thread for the 2.5 RS:


    http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=163092&perpage=25&pagenumber=1


    Has anyone here tried it? Is there any truth behind it?


    Ken

  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Yeah, that's the one I had...that perforated naugahyde lace-on five dollar special. Class all the way! Perfectly matched to that '71 Impala. Hey, I had the two door with the concave rear window, in that beautiful 70's gold, with a black vinyl roof!

    Len
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Hmmm... interesting. Now they got me wondering where's the factory ground on the OB.

    -Dave
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Dave,

    Read the thread. The factory grounds on your OB and on all cars (that I can think of) are all over the place. This modification removes the difference in potential caused by multiple poor grounds by bringing everything back to the battery, which has one large connection to the chassis.

    This modification has been around a very long time for the purposes of eliminating noise and other interference for car audio/video equipment, but it's gaining popularity for helping increasingly electronic engine controls as well. Is this latter function helpful to all cars? Nah, I doubt it. But it's not a lot of work and you could give it a try-- but do use a distribution block to make just one additional connection to the battery; don't connect a half-dozen new 10 gauge cables.

    -Colin
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    First, congrats on the bimmer...nice car.
    Where would one get a distribution block...I have some hesitation on the wagon and was thinking of doing this mod. What is the best gauge to get?
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Colin-
    Thanks :)
    I'll take a peek at the engine bay this weekend.
    Curious, and like to understand what the thread discussion/direction is about(got as far as page 4 - to be continued).

    -Dave
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    We may be having an Installfest III on May 19th to put the steering rack into my XT6, if you want to do your grounding that day we can probably work on that too.

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    serge,

    somewhere in those iClub discussions they talk about using (I believe) 10 gauge wire. 12 would probably work fine too.

    Once you know that, get the wire and distribution block at a local car audio/electronics store. You'll also need a short length of larger gauge wire for the output of the distribution, say perhaps 8 or even 4 gauge, and a ring terminal for that size of wire too.

    -Colin
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    mike-
    Sounds like a date.

    -Dave
  • ponmponm Member Posts: 139
    I noticed that aem offers a cold air intake for the wrx now, but I have heard both pros and cons for it. Aem states that you will gain about 9.5 hp increase, but I have also heard negative things about cold air intakes in general. Has anyone done this upgrade, or if anyone has any opinions or suggestions, throw them my way.

    -scott
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    how is it a "cold air intake" just curious.

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    a lot of "cold air intakes" end up being cone filters inside the engine bay that suck more air, but it's still hot engine bay air. On soobs, these cones end up by the fender wall opening for the stock intake, so I guess they draw a little cooler air, but I don't think it is appreciable. RS owners open up the hood vents to let their CAI draw cooler air.

    The rest of us simply removed the snorkus from the fender and let our panel filters draw from the fender well, away from the engine.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    How could an intake sucking in HOT air from the engine bay be called a cold-air intake?

    I'd think a cold-air intake would be something that had a more direct line to actual cold air?

    IMHO cone filters in the engine bay increase flow but that gets balanced out with the fact that the air is hot as hell. So you get a net of zero gain.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm not familiar with the AEM intake, but I've looked at the WRX's stock intake, and it draws air from the very front of the engine bay. While you're moving, that air is very likely already "fresh", i.e. cold.

    Save the cash and buy a manual boost controller instead. Or adjustable sways.

    -juice
  • ponmponm Member Posts: 139
    First on the agenda is to replace the front and rear sway bars, then on to new 17inch rims and tires. I'm more interested in upgrading the suspension to minimize body roll, but maintain a halfway decent ride. I would like to boost the horsepower to around the 240-250 mark. I'm not really concerned on getting up to the 300 mark or anything. I figured a new exhaust system would be good, but Missouri has strict emission laws and I really don't want to take a performance exhaust system on and off. Anyone have any ideas on gaining 15-20hp while staying smog legal and not breaking my wallet too much?

    -scott
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    The site intro'd itself at another board

    http://www.ironmansuspension.com/

    only one item for Foresters. Nothin' for Outbacks :(


    -Dave

  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    I put these on yesterday. They were a pain to do correctly because the bracket that comes with doesn't want to clear the stock foglight and still line up with the screw hole on the cover. I cursed, squeezed, prayed, and cursed again before I finally got them to work. It's going to be a pain to put these back on after taking them off but they sure look good on. :-) I keep thinking of (I believe) Billy Crystal's impression of Ricardo Monteban; "It's better to look good than to feel good", LOL!

    Stephen
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, I remember you mentioning that during the chat. I'm surprised they don't just pop on.

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    text or no text?


    http://members.rogers.com/2819932378/sti.html

  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    No text looks a little more "sleeper", but everyone will ask what STi stands for.

    OTOH, some people will ask what Subaru Tecnica International is. :-)

    -Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I say text, but it's R@cey if you ask me.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Insiders will prefer the no-text, outsiders will like the text. So ask yourself "who is the audience?"

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Really? I am just trying to find a decent frame for the back. I am worried about the plate scraping the paint. I thought a no-text STi would be akin to an M plate on a bimmer. Which, now that you mention it, is a little, er, "kraut-boy(?)" on non-M cars. not as bad as the actual badge though.....Bah, maybe I will just leave it.
  • lakepoplakepop Member Posts: 221
    Well IF you are putting STi stuff on a STi no text is required. IF you are putting on STi stuff because of some other reason..... I'm on another opinion.

    I think paisan and I are more or less in agreement about the R... word!
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I mean if you have an STI that would be cool :) I'd look for one that says "I'd rather be Autocrossing" or just a regular Subaru one, or a plain frame? Just a thought.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Loosh: I once read the "M" logo is the best selling item in the BMW catalog. So I guess affluence does not imply taste.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    STi makes a lot of parts besides just cars ya know... I don't think the STi licence frame is too tacky.

    I do have an ///M plate though, but A) it came with the car and B) it's kinda warranted. ;-)

    -Colin
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Isn't your car an ///M Colin? :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yes, and that's completely different.

    -juice
  • brekkebrekke Member Posts: 304
    juice, I ordered mine (wheelskins) from afterthoughtsauto.com. Cost about $35 includes shipping. Lots of places carry them, including autobarn and jcwhitney. If you want to go crazy, you can even get a two-tone. I don't know if they make em custom for Subarus, I've seen them custom for other makes.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Once I find out I have this new job, I'll order some. Thanks for the links.

    -juice
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    There's a BMW dealer here in Houston called Momentum BMW and their logo looks almost exactly like the real M logo. I'm convinced that was one of the most brilliant marketing ploys ever. It must sell them a ton of cars.

    Jim
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    They sell a ton of BMWs in Houston and Dallas, period. I had done some digging and there's a good variety of stuff to be had there, but I got lucky and found a great car right here in doodah.

    -Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Get the genuine wheelskins cover, when it is laced up properly it looks OEM.

    It is a bear to lace properly but take the time to do it right, I had them on at least three of my Accords.

    Cheers Pat.
  • brekkebrekke Member Posts: 304
    you can order the wheelskins steering wheel cover and leather shift boot from JC Whitney and do em both! Only $18 more.
  • heatherbeanheatherbean Member Posts: 82
    Does JC Whitney have a home page? I want one too! The leather wheel is so much nicer then the standard sticky one! Does it fit perfectly?
    Thanks, Heather
  • storytellerstoryteller Member Posts: 476
    JC Whitney: http://www.jcwhitney.com/
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://afterthoughtsauto.com/ has them cheaper, $29+$5 shipping instead of $30+$10 shipping. The two-tone ones have a bigger difference, $40 total instead of $50 total.


    The boot? I dunno, that's not something you touch. I wanted leather rather than plastic where your hands go (wheel and shifter).


    -juice

  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Here are two pics of the latest mods. Yes, the foglight covers have STI on them (they are STI covers). They came this way and I decided to leave the stickers on as my lil'wagon w/the Vishnu Stage 0 will be as fast as a STI and faster yet w/the Stage 1. I don't have a problem w/performance stickers as long as there's performance to back it up. Ok...I'm done w/my disclaimer, :-)
    STI solid foglight covers:
    image
    STI front strut brace:
    image
    Stephen
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Man you all are giving me car fever!
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Holy Smokes! Your wagon is looking great...
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    When, if ever, does window tint enter the equation? I saw a silver WRX wagon down here (houston) with deep-dark-ticket-getting-tint, and it looked great. Seems to make the car look just that much more "beefy". With all your other mods so tastefully done, it would just be fantastic looking. Unless that's not your thing.

    Jim
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    I'm taking the car in at 1pm today to get the windows tinted. The legal limit in WA State is 33% but I want to go a bit darker, at least 30%. Vancouver B.C. is having their 3rd Annual Subaru Meet on Sunday and this gave me the swift kick in the behind to get the tinting done! :-) I will post pics later today. The job takes 2/12 to 3hrs. I guess I'll be killing time at the ole Mall(yuck!). The things I'm willing to do for my Soobie...LOL!

    Stephen
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    In that case, can he pick the lotto numbers for me? ;-)

    -juice
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Only after he picks mine! LOL!

    Stephen
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    So, I guess we better count it as dumb luck. Oh, Mr. Juice, you have a few emails. Stephen, I hereby request (demand) pictures of the tint by tonight, ya hear?! I live in Houston, you'd think I'd tint mine. Don't know why I haven't. Hmmm, where's that phone book?

    Jim
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The rims look great Jim, I want 'em! :-)

    That'll be our first official "mod", 15" alloys from the Legacy Turbo. I'll be happy to get those plastic wheel covers and metal rims off. I'll probably even keep one rim for a full size spare, and buy one tire for it.

    I also went ahead and ordered a leather shift knob and a cargo tray/liner from Liberty Subaru. Their prices were better than both the on-line site I comparison shopped, and much cheaper than MSRP. I even had 10% off coupons, and it's still cheaper to mail order.

    Contact is parts@libertysubaru.com.

    -juice
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,754
    just out of curiosity, how much is tinting by a pro?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.