Subaru Crew - Modifications II

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Comments

  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    well there's that too. Problem there is classification. As long as SoA markets the thing as an SUV, I have a bloody hard time convincing the local track (and associated clubs) that it isn't; they all have a No SUV policy. I had a bit of hard time getting BMW CCA to take the outback thanks to Paul Hogan.

    But I think Audi Club miiight take me...they take Allroads so they kind of get it!

    And yes I'm nuts.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    BMW CCA giving the Outback a no? But I didn't run with them then. It's fine with NASA-X and NYR SCCA, no hassle when I ran the Outback.

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Check MTM for a wrecker with nice rims...

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Won't allow the Forester. However, loosh anytime you wanna run slummit point, the Franken L is available.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Ok so yesterday spur of the moment, I traded the 17" gold rotas that just barely cleared the 4-pots for '99 RS 5-spokes! :)

    Also changed out the front diffy fluid, and ATF.

    Swapped on the whiteline front sway bar as well.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Put in the JVC MP3 unit yesterday. Also when I wired up the harness I put in a switch for the power antenna so I can run with the antenna down when I'm listening to CDs.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    At your cruising speeds the drag makes a difference, LOL.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Koni Sports are en route.
    H&R Lowering Springs en route.
    Faulken Azenas in 215-45-16 are on their way as well.

    Next thing I'll have to do is find a rear sway (hoping the GC8 ones work) and put in a CB in the dash to fill up the other 1.5DIN slots.

    Also on the list in the near future:
    Kartboy shifter bushings
    SS Brake and Clutch lines.
    WRX brackets on the front brakes and Racingbrake.com front rotors.
    Hella HID driving lights.
    20% tint.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I have two single DIN sized plastic trays, the ones I took out when I added a double DIN 6CD (to replace a single DIN stereo). Doesn't seem like you need it but let me know if you do.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I think I have my dad's from his legacy when I put in the WRX player in his. I'm gonna try to get a single din CB and make a plate to cover the other .5 din slot. The 1st gen Legacy had a 2.5 DIN slot!!! Had I known I would have gotten a bling TV monitor!!! haaaaa

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You'd be big pimpin' with an LCD monitor! LOL

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I installed my STi swaybar last weekend using the great instructions by "Peaty". I was tightening everything down with my torque wrench and snapped a bolt that was built-in to the bracket. Maybe I had the wrench set incorrectly or something.

    I checked the fit with the OEM bracket and it was tighter than I liked so I just put the OEM bar back on.

    I called the famous AZP Installs and asked what where the chances they had a an extra STi sway bracket lying around. One of the owners said somthing about "slim to none, and slim just got on a plane". :-D

    Jamie at allsubaru is sending out a new bracket, but I don't know when I'll get around to installing it. I should be an expert on this by now. :-)

    Oh, did my first oil change with the new turbo filter. That thing is tiny .

    -Dennis
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I was hoping for some feedback from someone I know. I'm still waitlisted for the Cobb bars, but the price differential has me thinking seriously about cancelling the order.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Guess I don't know my own strength. :disco:

    I considered the Cobb but decided that it was overkill/overpriced for my needs.

    FWIW, the STi/SPT on the Rex wagon was just right!

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What's the stock size? 17mm for the XT?

    Better than the 13mm on my '98. I have 18mm now. They make a 22mm! Go nuts. OE bars wholesale for $80 or so.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    20 is plenty for me. :-) Wow, 13? That must've looked like a toothpick!

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I still floss with it today...

    LOL

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    We generally don't stock parts, costs too much :( A std. bolt probably could have fixed it temporarily.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well got my goodies this week:
    215-45-16 Azenis for the WRX wheels.
    Konis Inserts for the Struts (Sports w/Adjustable firmness)
    HR Linear Springs (1" Rear 1.25" front drop)

    Can't wait to auto-x it on Sunday! :)

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Thought I might have gotten lucky in case you did a recent STi sway upgrade. A new bracket is being expressed, but I don't know when I'll actually put it on anyway.

    East Rutherford this weekend, then SC for the next two weekends. Still hoping to stop by the auto-x for a little while.

    -Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    See you there! :)

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Ok well it's further been transformend into the utlra sleeper! :)

    Friday night put in the Koni Sport Inserts with adjustable firmness along with H&R Lowering springs. The 215-45-16 Azenis now fill the wheel wells nicely.

    We'll see how she handles tomorrow on the Auto-x.

    -mike
  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
    pictures!

    Jim
  • jimmyp1atworkjimmyp1atwork Member Posts: 42
    "demand" may have been a little harsh. How about please, please, pretty please? I've always wanted to see what 215's looked like. I always wondered if they would rub on the rear struts. Looked like there was a 1/16th to 1/4" max of clearance.

    Jim
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    there's probably plenty of strut clearance. I had 225/50-16 tires on stock '99 RS wheels (16x7 +53) and they cleared stock struts and KYB AGXes both by only about 1/8". :whoa:

    they did rub on the rear fenders until I massaged them a bit, though.

    ~c
  • jimmyp1atworkjimmyp1atwork Member Posts: 42
    the 1994 turbo with wrx wheels and tires didn't have much room to spare. I'm curious. 10mm total, 5mm on each side, really close.

    Jim
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Because they are 215-45-16. I will actually be putting on some 225-50-16s at some point as well :)

    Pics coming, just been working a lot this week.

    -mike
  • rangnerrangner Member Posts: 336
    I know old legacy LSi's used to have an air suspension, but I've heard they were unreliable.

    Any ideas on fitting my 00 OBW with an air suspension for on/offroading?

    Eric
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Unreliable. I had 2 XT6s that I converted over from it. If you want to lift your OB get some longer springs :) Unfortunately the issue still is that you can't fit much larger tires on there due to the spring perches.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    iSR sells 2" taller springs from Australia for most Subies. Lift kits too. But go 4" or more and you'll have teething issues with the transmissions.

    Subarus just don't have that level of "slop" built into them.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hawk HP+ Pads (front)
    Metalmaster Pads (rear)
    Mountain Rotors (rear)
    Racingbrake.com Special Racing Slotted Rotors, special material for nearly indestructable rotors in WRX size (front)
    SS Goodridge Lines (front/rear)
    Speed Bleeders (front/rear)
    ATE Superblue Racing Fluid

    Should be fun.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You're keepin' busy mike!

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well let's see.... didn't get the front brakes in this weekend, turns out i had a set of "new" wrx brakes v. old ones so I didn't have pads for em. I'm gonna have to search for some pads for it. Put on the rear rotors though, and bled the clutch as well as Amsoil in the tranny and Redline in the rear diffy. Had it tinted to 20% today as well.

    Just picked up a STi V4 Intercooler for it, so after the brakes are done, that will be the next plan of attack.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Got the DP and IC tubing. Ordered from ISR the Oil lines this week. So this means I'm very close to getting the turbo into the L. Also faxed out the specs for the race cage as well so hopefully by the end of summer it will be caged and turboed. Should have my lisc by the fall too. We are trying to organize an All-AWD Race Series in the northeast for Audis, DSM, Subies, Etc like hondah challenge but for all-wheel-drive cars.

    -mike
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    Reading the updates sounds really cool. I have spent my time acquiring expertise in rather esoteric areas for most people, so I lack most of the mechanical expertise but I am getting vicarious enjoyment from your project. Still, it's becoming harder for me to remain committed to keeping the Rex stock. I know what will happen, because I do it with my bikes which thankfully require much less mechanical talent and $$$.
    Maybe just the sway bar to start, I think, no harm in that. But soon enough it will be Rota 17's and then the guage pack to optimize my shifting which would be helped even more with a Kartboy short shifter and bushing set and just this weekend when one of our closest friends called from San Francisco I start thinking that Sandra could fly down with the kids to visit and I'll drive so I can drop the Rex off at Vishnu for a clean up-pipe, turbo-back exhaust and a reflash,no to heck with it, if I'm there lets put in a Xede and then it's a shame to waste that increased power on wide ratio gearing so I should get an SPD rebuild on the five speed!

    It's the Darkseid calling!!!

    Still, I love the updates, and will stay tuned until my wife co-ordinates an intervention.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    No problem glad to see people intersted in the project! Feel free to ask for any advice as not only do we work on our own cars but generally work on WRXs every single weekend and race/HPDE them so we know the "good" mods v. the "bling" mods.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You mean you're not gonna submit Franken L as a candidate for "Pimp my Ride"?

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    with full race-livery :)

    It was getting looks on saturday when Canada jumped up on the roof of it for the heck of it! It was also the loudest car there as well!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've heard it.

    I think I can hear it from my house, 3 hours away. ;-)

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    We are actually trying to gauge interest right now on an AWD Challenge Road Race Series, similar to Honda Challenge, but for AWD ONLY cars. We figure that DSMs, Audis, Subies, some volvos, Mazda 323s, and a few others might be interested. Spread the word on that as well.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You also have Bimmers, some newer Benzes, the Suzuki Aerio SX, Vibe/Matrix AWD, etc.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Those too. Although I highly doubt someone will cage-out a 320C class mercedes... or any "new" car yet.

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    and mid-80's civic wagons. Oh and Toyota Corolla wagons. And the last year of Ford Tempo.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I can see it now, Spec Jaguar.

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    What do you think of all these reports of swaybars going inverted on '04 STi's? I was all set to confirm shipment of my Cobb set, but now I have to wonder. It is one or 2 isolated cases of the stock bars, but mostly Cusco aftermarket bars. And then there's the guy having problems with his Hotchkis FXT bar and another FXT with an STi bar gone weeble wobble.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Where are you reading this?? I'm planning to install my STi bar this weekend. I wonder if the FXT/STi problem was related to the installation.
    edit: Found the Hotchkis and Cusco threads. I wouldn't install the Hotchkis based on the difference in shape over the stock bar. Not that I know anything. ;-) Also the track of the WRX is narrower than the STi and XT, which is why I wouldn't install a bar designed for the WRX. Give me more info on the FXT gone weeble wobble.

    On another note, I installed the Philips VisionPlus bulbs last week and noticed a difference in lighting distance. Also did Stongard fog covers.

    -Dennis
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    is over on Peaty's site under Suspension. Problem is, Dennis, Hotchkis=Cobb.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Forgot about Hotchkis and Cobb being similar/same. But Cobb's FXT swaybar is specific to the FXT, right?

    Still couldn't find the bad STi bar post. Send me a PM or quote it here. :-)

    -Dennis
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    a couple of people report their stock STi bars flipping...on STis. Not a separate thread, just a couple people chiming in that they had the problem bone stock.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Take everything you read on forums with a big grain of salt, unless you personally inspect or trust the person posting the msg.... I've seen many a post about a supposed "defective" part and it turned out to be user error.

    -mike
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