Rougeben's 2005 Outback XT - New Interior, Drivetrain, Exhaust

[rougeben83]

Got this one back in May after I crashed my old BEhttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=7464. I originally drove up to MA to see a Spec B (guy wanted $18k!), and a nice 08 OBXT 5 spd (dealer wanted $16000) but while I was at panera bread for lunch, I found this one on CL for $10000. 05 XT premium...with a 5 spd. It had 100k miles on it and completely stock. Was being sold by some small gas station/repair shop that buys subaru's at auction and resells them. Called the guy and was test driving it 2 hours later. I told him I knew the timing belt service would be due soon, so we agreed on $9400 as-is, since I was planning to do a lot of maintenance/upgrades to it anyway.

A down payment and another 3 hour drive later, I was driving back to NYC with my new-to-me OBXT!

The fun part is seeing how many parts off my old car will fit! :grin: Been tweaking it since then (mainly the suspension and brakes). I think it was left stock for a total of 4 weeks? I may be eating these words, but I won't go crazy with this one, unlike my old car. D'oh.

Engine:
-KN panel filter! :lol:
-Timing belt service with Gates kit by AZP! :razz:
-PW knockoff TMIC
-Perrin LW crank pulley
-Group N pitch mount (from my old BE)
-Zerosport Intake tube
-CNT catted DP
-GTspec UP (from my old BE)
-PnP exhaust manifold w/ CNT crossover pipe (from my old BE)
-Cobb AP Stage 2
-OBXT 3" midpipe to stock mufflers

Drivetrain: (from my old BE)
-STI 6 speed (05)
-KB short shifter, poly shifter bushings front and rear
-matching 3.9 rear diff with VLSD
-Stock Exedy clutch
-STi stock flywheel (19lbs vs. 26lb dualmass stocker)
-Group N transmission mount
-WL rear diff bushing inserts

Suspension:
-Spec B struts, Spec B front tophats
-Spec B front springs, LGT wagon rear springs with 1/4" rear spacers
-Whiteline ALK front LCA's
-LGT rear upper links with Whiteline adjustable camber bushings, rear LGT bumpstops
-Whiteline/Megan adjustable rear lateral arms
-Whiteline front rear-arm bushing
-Whiteline front 22mm FSB, with KB endlinks (from my old BE)
-Whiteline 20mm RSB
-AVO rear swaybar reinforcement plates
-Moog HD rear endlinks.

Brakes:
-Nissan 300zx Turbo iron front calipers, KNS Nissan brake caliper brackets, LGT front rotors, Stoptech street pads
-LGT rear calipers, LGT rear rotors, Stoptech street pads
-SS brake lines
-GS Master Brake cylinder brace.

Interior:
-Pioneer USB/CD/radio single DIN HU with Novero TrustyOne Bluetooth
-JDM 2 DIN setup
-Wood trim repainted
-Pioneer 3 way speakers all around
-OEM WRX sub
-06 WRX steering wheel (from my old BE, stock one had cracked leather)
-Momo OEM knob
-WRX pedals (from my old BE)
-VDO mechanical boost gauge (from my old BE)

Exterior:
-5k HID kit Low beams (spares from my old BE)
-HIR bulbs High beams
-30% tint in the rears
-trimmed/rolled fenders front and rear
-JDM rear tail lights
-JDM tilt front license plate!
-CREE LED 25w reverse bulbs.
-Stebel Nautilus airhorn

Wheels
-Prodrive GC-06D 17x7.5 forged wheels w/ 235/50/17 Continental Extremecontact DWS
-Millia miglia 5 spokes 16x7 wheels w/ 205/60/16 winterforce snow tires

Parts pending:
-Tomioka 18g turbo
-DW 740cc injectors
-DW 65 fuel pump


First time seeing the car:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/20140531_151112_zpse31b0d1f-1.jpg

Currently:
Summer
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/P4250983_zpsdv1rvxkd-1.jpg

Previously:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/20150604_19260111_zps20pzkhbe-1.jpg


Winter
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/IMG_20141116_111908_zpsca9dfe97-1.jpg

Interior:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/20160621_170825_zpsml6xzyxd-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

First major work (after maintenance stuff like fluids and timing belt and a GOOD cleaning)...addressing the suspension and brakes. Over 100k on stock struts - the rears were already blown, and a lowered OB was my original goal anyway...
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/20140720_104241_zps87eace72-1.jpg

OBXT's also came with pathetic 11.4" front rotors and non-vented rear rotors...so I put in stock LGT brakes front and rear, as well as some SS (goodrich I think?) brake lines.

Right after I lowered it (initially with front LGT springs and Spec B tophats, hence the higher front ride height)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/20140719_192724_zps3b8d503b-1.jpg

Stock vs. LGT height Outback
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/20140726_092742_zps4c46cbf0-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

Then the wheel whoring began!! 2011 WRX wheels. Unfortunately, 4th gen wagons have WAY less wheel clearance than the 3rd gen...I had to use a 3mm spacer in the rear to clear the inner wheel well around the struts.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/IMG_20140816_031224_zpsc959f941-1.jpg

Then scored a good deal on some forged Prodrives...about 5lbs lighter than the WRX wheels, but not as light as my old, wider RPF1's...You can also see how changing to shorter spec B front springs evened out the ride height.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/IMG_20140930_152903_zps5ff53deb-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/IMG_20140930_152657_zps246e0b6b-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/IMG_20140930_170921a_zps12848faf-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

Then went back to the tried and true Nissan front calipers to go with my LGT rotors! (maybe I shouldn't have sold my old set hmmm) Mainly to fit 16inch wheels with LGT brakes - it was cheaper to upgrade the brakes than to buy new winter tires hah!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/IMG_20141109_095357_zpse9e9fa39-1.jpg

[98legwag]

Are the front Nissan calipers a straight bolt on?

[Dead91silvia]

LOL... I was wondering if you were gonna regret sells the brake to me. They haave a good home though. :grin:

Car looks great! :smt023


Are the front Nissan calipers a straight bolt on?

They need adapters... Ben sold them and the calipers to me months ago.

[98legwag]

I thought the rears need the adapters. I was just looking a thread on Nasioc about using Evo 8 Brembos on the front. And it took a little modification to use the Brembos. Oh and the Evo Brembos can use 4th gen LGT and Spec B rotors.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=2179101 (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2179101)

[rougeben83]

I thought the rears need the adapters. I was just looking a thread on Nasioc about using Evo 8 Brembos on the front. And it took a little modification to use the Brembos. Oh and the Evo Brembos can use 4th gen LGT and Spec B rotors.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=2179101 (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2179101)

yes, the fronts use adapters, originally a japanese company called global Z made them (Dead's set has them), but looks like KNS got a hold of a set and started making copies out of billet aluminum. My new set uses the KNS version (the spacers are integrated into the bracket, unlike the global z ones, but don't seem to be as robust).

You can use the nissan rear calipers instead of FHI 2 pot calipers with whatever adapter those work with - they have a 5mm pad overhand though.

Snows are on:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/IMG_20141116_111908_zpsca9dfe97-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

LOL... I was wondering if you were gonna regret sells the brake to me. They haave a good home though. :grin:

Car looks great! :smt023


Are the front Nissan calipers a straight bolt on?

They need adapters... Ben sold them and the calipers to me months ago.

haha, yeah but its ok, I didn't really know I was going to get another subaru...oh well

[Yamazaki]

The fun part is seeing how many parts off my old car will fit! :grin: Been tweaking it since then (mainly the suspension and brakes). I think it was left stock for a total of 4 weeks? I may be eating these words, but I won't go crazy with this one, unlike my old car.
Quoted for posterity. :smt002

I can't wait to see what you "don't" do... :grin: ...so I can copy it again in some way!

[98legwag]

Thanks for the info guys. I like the direction you are going with the Outback.

[dodik]

finally you made a new thread. Like the wheel whoring theme you've got going here

[nikolaus.conrad]

Whoa, I've been out of the loop for too long, so sorry to read about your old car :( I'm glad you're okay! I can't wait to see what you'll do with this one!

[rougeben83]

Haven't been active on the site, doesn't mean I haven't been active on the car.

Got a Cobb AP and went to a Stage 1 map. Car def has extra "poke" in the midrange.

More carryover parts from the old BE: Cobalt SS turbo badge
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/20141228_164445_zpsnd3wvmho-1.jpg

and VDO boost gauge.
day:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/20150329_164202_zpsojj27ozu-1.jpg

night (changed backlight to LED to match the cluster):
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/IMG_20150319_202110_zpsmihmaixh-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

Installed JDM (Rev A I think) tails.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/P4220958_zps5l0nsbda-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/20150411_204704_zpswepmkojx-1.jpg

USDM vs. JDM
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/20150411_204803_zps2mlkh2rw-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

Switched to 235/50/17 Continental Extremecontact DWS from 225/55/17. A little lower sidewall height adds to the wagon look.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/P4220961_zpsdmivbef7-1.jpg

Sidewall height comparison:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/P4250983_zpsdv1rvxkd-1.jpg

462

Very subtle change in perspective- makes the suspension drop look lower with the 50 series :lol:

[rougeben83]

Detailed the car after a long winter... wash, cleaner, claybar, zymol cleaning wax, and finally Klase All in One.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/P4220959_zpschgg9n4q-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

Finally, took a chance on a cheap Stebel Nautilus Air horn on ebay. Louder than Supertones! And more discrete :)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/IMG_20150424_210926_zps2iir7arg-1.jpg

[foohfooh]

very clean. bravo on the detail. loving the prodrives. they mesh well with the color of nisssan brakes. and the two-tone paint also!

never thought about adding badges to my car though...

[rougeben83]

Thanks, I'm not a big fan of the two-tone, but it is growing on me. I'd prefer the single-tone that later OBXT's came with (all pearl white or obsidian black...)

[rougeben83]

Gold Rota SDR's...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/06/20150604_1935061_zpsy6la1xup-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

And a cheap $27 short shifter from Ebay... It works. 'Nuff said lol.

Also, you can see the full CREE LED lighting treatment. No flash in this pic.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/06/20150621_220025_zpslbomodmj-1.jpg

[geckoboy86]

So much win in this car...

[soba noodle]

Dammit they even copied Prodrives... :\

[meepers]

My second favorite Body style after my 98 Outback. I LOVE The way Subie did the 2 tones.... I should see if the You pull it yard has any outbacks and see if I can mod the flares to fit my wagon. Looks great, Prodrives FTW.

[rougeben83]

Went Stage 2 over the weekend... CNT DP, GT spec UP, and PnP manifold w/ crossover pipe (the last two were from my old car, yet again! :lol:). Nothing like finishing the job at 2am ughhhh. Need to flash the AP, put in a new rear O2 sensor, and resistor the EGT sensor though.

Can't wait to see how badly this will end. hahaha

[rougeben83]

Rear suspension's finally sorted. WL/Megan adjustable rear control arms, WL front rear-arm bushing. So neutral in sweepers now.

Pics to follow.

[rougeben83]

Finally got pics - my rear suspension's finally complete!

Whiteline front bushing for the main swingarm:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/10/20151025_171909_zps1sjwcmgu-1.jpg

Adjustable rear control arms, bigger RSB, HD endlinks, RSB mount plates.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/10/20151025_172148_zpslxbdojmv-1.jpg

LGT upper link w/ adjustable outer bushings, Bilstein shocks, LGT wagon springs w/ 1/4" spacer
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/10/20151025_172347_zpsfdurzv0r-1.jpg

[Yamazaki]

I notice that you're hitting the bump stops.... Does the BL/BP Outback have body spacers like the previous Outbacks? If so, do you plan on removing them at some point?

[rougeben83]

Still using outback rear bumpstops...been thinking of switching them to the LGT ones but I gave my old ones to Robin :lol:

But yes these have spacers. And no, I don't have enough invested into the car to de-outback the whole thing.

[Yamazaki]

Fixed!;)

But yes these have spacers. And no, I don't have enough invested into the car to de-outback the whole thing yet.

[Hinyo]

Finally, took a chance on a cheap Stebel Nautilus Air horn on ebay. Louder than Supertones! And more discrete :)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/04/IMG_20150424_210926_zps2iir7arg-1.jpg

I want!!!

[rougeben83]

Yama, I'm closer to the point of just doing maintenance on this car for another 1-2 years then getting something better... the car's really starting to show its age IMHO.

Hinyo, you should hear it in person! :)

[Yamazaki]

But you just got it! You had the BE longer than that, didn't you?

[Dead91silvia]

I have them? I thought I just got the brakes...

[rkrenicki]

Actually, Yamazaki has your old bump stops. I grabbed them the same day I snagged the upper control arms, and I bought them down to him a few weeks later.

[rougeben83]

Actually, Yamazaki has your old bump stops. I grabbed them the same day I snagged the upper control arms, and I bought them down to him a few weeks later.

So it was you Yamazakii! :lol: Pieces of my car are everywhere on sl-i hah.

Yeah, I had my BE for over 8 years; I had a real attachment to that car. This car, however, has always been just an stop-gap until I can get to the good stuff (CTS-V wagon mmmmmmmmmm). :smt018

[Yamazaki]

See? Your BE was truly a giving car. It gave a lot of good times for you and inspiration to others while it was living and after its passing gave to those who needed it. Give this one more of a chance.

[rougeben83]

I seem to just update this page in batches rather than my old MR page for the BE...

Anyway,

PW knockoff TMIC - mainly to get rid of the old TMIC which rubbed on the clutch cylinder, but the bigger core doesn't hurt either. This need waaay more trimming and modification (needed to break out the MIG welder) for the brackets to make it sit right. Need to braze the aluminum shroud (WRX fitment) to fit mine still. Also the BPV needed shorter bolts to fit snuggly onto the flange, otherwise I was having a decent boost leak.

Also note the GS Brake cylinder brace (t'was a Christmas present to myself which I never bothered to post).
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/03/20160323_182250_zpsoi53tsve-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/03/20160323_182103_zpsajpnr3dx-1.jpg

Perrin LW Crank pulley, also changed out the accesory belts and idler pulley (from the old BE! :lol:)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/03/20160323_1819591_zpswxfo6tru-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

Posting recent mods in lumps. Plans have changed, decided I'll be keeping the OBXT for a couple of extra years.

In the past couple of months...

-JDM 2 DIN with my old Pioneer HU - not my first choice in radios, but it beats the hell out of *any* OEM HU from Subaru. Had to repaint the shifter bezel flat black, but it seems like a good match. No more wood trim either!
Before:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/06/20150621_220214_zpsh6whtru4-1.jpg

After:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/06/20160515_000430_zpsv220dd9d-1.jpg

-OBX Midpipe that I got real cheap - too bad the stock mufflers' flanges are rusted to hell. Currently being held together with copper sealant hah! Had to lower the cans to properly fit. Nice sound, not loud - just the way I like it!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/06/20160428_094245_zpslahe7kpc-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/06/20160428_095434_zpsn1nwex8n-1.jpg

-New Shift knob...*cough*
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/06/20160621_170059_zpsndlgvex8-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/20160621_170825_zpsml6xzyxd-1.jpg

[98legwag]

Yeah, just the knob.....

[rougeben83]

Def, def just the knob...

[Muse]

Called it. I knew you were gonna use that knob. And only the knob.

[rougeben83]

Well, I replaced the OEM STI knob with the factory option one... Heavier weight, smoother engagement - the KB short shifter made it feel really notchy.

[rougeben83]

Wow, I haven't updated this in over a year. The OBXT is still running - has been doing DD duty for the past year. Been busy with life: new house, new job, new van (the old one met its end in a rear-end collision), so this car hasn't been getting a lot of extra attention outside of maintenance and little odds and ends.

In the past 3 months I changed the Hi beams to LED's, made the foglights independent and installed HIR bulbs, installed a USB port to power a quick charge cradle for my phone, and installed the homelink rear mirror from the old van.

Figured I should get the valvecover gaskets replaced in the near future... Sadly that 18g is still sitting in the basement hmmm...