Kelvin's 2003 Subaru Legacy S401 STI

[KwS]

Im a long term lurker here, but not really that active in terms of posting. I have owned 5 Legacys in the past, of various different models and specs, and here I am now, with the Ultimate Twin Turbo Unicorn.

Long story short, I didn't really intend to buy this car when i was in the market for a new weekend toy, but when i saw it i knew i had to have it. Apparently they only made it to about 290 or so S401s out of the 400 target they had, and there are rumors of about 7 in New Zealand. At various times I have seen the odd S401 come up for sale, but they never last long on the market and i havent been in a position to buy until now. Apparently the black ones are even rarer still.

Im sure everyone is well versed in what they are, but for anyone that doesnt, its basically a BE5 Revision D Legacy that STI threw the works at. 6 Speed manual, Brembo brakes, full STI suspension, STI exhaust, half leather/alcantara interior, STI cluster, bespoke front bumper/skirts/hood scoop, 18" BBS wheels, STI tuned ECU, STI hand assembled EJ208, and various other bits and pieces.

I purchased mine sight unseen, from the other end of the country and transported it up to the city I live in. It was a huge risk, and it didnt really turn out how I wanted. The seller said it was in mint condition mechanically.... Sadly it has suffered neglect and was misfiring badly. Im slowly working through it, and will get the car back to the condition it deserves.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/Esb3Seo-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/iufgaxfl-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/J5jXYTbl-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/xAV7rbKl-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/20160926_200358resized1280-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/20160926_201053resized1280-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/20160926_194409resized1280e1474881059855-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/511674115e1474879111671-1.jpg

More information is on my website.

The story of the purchase
http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/cars/legacy-s401-sti/
http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/09/26/new-beast-arrives-legacy-s401/

The first step was to replace the spark plugs. They were STUFFED!
http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/09/28/s401-spark-plug-replacement/
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/09/ecsl2Be-1.jpg

I also did an "upper engine clean" yesterday
http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/09/29/s401-upper-engine-cleaning/

I have only owned the car a few days and its already coming along nicely. Still much more work to do though.

On their way are,
a front LH McIntosh door speaker to replace a blown one
Version 8 STI factory fuel pump to replace my standard one that is SCREAMING
Replacement low KM coils as i have no faith in my ones after the condition of the plugs
Fuel filter and seals for when the pump is out
And some other little bits here and there, like a replacement for the missing ash tray in the dash.

[HKC-speed.com]

Awesome ride! :D

[foohfooh]

Suhwweeet! Thanks for sharing! It's too good to not post. S401 is a rare breed. Even rarer in the United states

[98legwag]

Suhwweeet! Thanks for sharing! It's too good to not post. S401 is a rare breed. Even rarer in the United states

As far as we know there is only one in the US. I think they only made 276 of them.

[KwS]

Its not surprising, when the S401 cost almost double the cost of a standard B4 RSK new. It was a lot of money back then.

[peugoby]

What a beauty. I love it in black. Looks like you're off to a great start. I hope you can easily resolve the misfire. I am truly jealous, these look like a hoot

[KwS]

Today was the day, i got out there and cleaned the beast. In the rain.



http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/10/01/s401-de-mudding/

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/10/DSC07520-1.jpg

[fwa2500]

Duuude, you should have come up to Flat Nats a couple weeks ago! Car looks awesome!

[KwS]

Lol, i have only had the car since Monday last week!

[Reuben]

Mean! How could someone farm drive a car like that.... Glad it's in good hands now!

Give us a shout if you're ever down Queenstown way! (it's a bloody good road trip, we just went to Auckland and back in "the Beast").

[KwS]

I fit some replacement coils from a V7 STI..... :toothy7:

http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/10/03/s401-coil-swap/
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/10/20161003_114336resized1280-1.jpg

[KwS]

Its black, its dirty already. I cleaned it 3 days ago. >_<

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/10/D1uZYvx-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/10/Ck94dVG-1.jpg

[KwS]

I changed the oil, good times.
http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/10/04/s401-engine-oil-change/

[KwS]

A basic summary of the first week of owning what was likely the worst condition S401 in NZ.

http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/10/04/s401-a-long-week/

[rkrenicki]

I never thought I would see an S401 with a trailer hitch on it :)

So, its been running on three cylinders? That would explain a bit.. hah!

[KwS]

yeah, its amazing how smooth it was when it got some revs into it, considering it was a three banger.

Towbar aint just for looks either, will be putting it to use when clearing our back yard this weekend. Nothing like towing your green waste to the dump with an S401, lol.

[Muse]

Does this make the third or fourth in the site? Just happy to see this car getting the love it deserves. The S401 is easily the most fun car I've ever had the pleasure of riding in.

[rkrenicki]

At least the 4th. :)

[KwS]

Replaced the gross cabin filter, and blown speaker today. Also with added*bonus LEDs.

http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/10/05/s401-cabin-filter-and-speaker-replacement/

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/10/1IXx15Y-1.jpg

[KwS]

Replaced the Trans and Diff oils today, among other things.

http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/10/07/s401-drivetrain-oil-change/​​​​​​​

[duncanm]

Hey Kelvin,

love reading the updates on this very special car.

One note -- all AUDM Legacies (known as Liberty in Oz) came with 'Subaru' rear garnishes.. so if you ever need a spare, you know where to look locally (well - more local).

[Kamion]

For the center dome light I am using something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Car-Interior-White-48-SMD-5050-LED-Light-Lamp-Panel-T10-Festoon-Dome-BA9S-/381629730803?hash=item58dae78ff3:g:ScMAAOSwfQRXMYxm&vxp=mtr

It turns night into day...

[KwS]

Hey Kelvin,

love reading the updates on this very special car.

One note -- all AUDM Legacies (known as Liberty in Oz) came with 'Subaru' rear garnishes.. so if you ever need a spare, you know where to look locally (well - more local).

Ah, thanks for that, completely forgot you Aussies got all weird and didnt get the "Legacy" there.


For the center dome light I am using something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Car-Interior-White-48-SMD-5050-LED-Light-Lamp-Panel-T10-Festoon-Dome-BA9S-/381629730803?hash=item58dae78ff3:g:ScMAAOSwfQRXMYxm&vxp=mtr

It turns night into day...

Thats very similar to what im running in the room light. Got to test it last night, and yes, so much better than the old bulb!

[KwS]

I revamped the interior of the S401 today. Good golly its much nicer now.

http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/10/08/s401-interior-revamp/

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/10/HwZr9cQ-1.jpg

[Lancaster6]

Glad this beauty made it into the right hands!

I had a VW Passat that had that soft touch interior crap. It (of course) failed, and looked/felt like utter garbage. Such a terrible idea.

[duncanm]

Don't expect too much from plastidip - either. It'll be peeling around the edges in a little while, too.

Satin black is the way to go.

[KwS]

Satin black cant replicate the texture or rubbery feel that i need. Im not hard on the interior, and if it does get damaged ill just redo the dip. It cant be worse than the old stuff.

[KwS]

Got a new key today. Couldnt help myself (needed a spare anyway).

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2016/10/DPV2dYr-1.jpg

[KwS]

Took the car for a good drive the other day, much great fun had.

http://www.tasteslikepetrol.net/2016/10/16/s401-rimutaka-rally-car/

Now my brakes squeal like mad.... but apparently this is just the curse of owning Brembos. They should get better when i clean the brake dust off them, but the general consensus is that they just make noise. Plenty of meat on the pads, so its not the wear tab.*Call it race car brakes.

[Reuben]

Get yourself some copper anti-seize... Put a dab on the pins, where the go through the pads. That should help, at least for a while. The squealing is cause by the pads rubbing on those through pins. Be sure not to get any on the actual friction material though

[Grimmrican]

Very nice ride, man. Good to see it's running well again