fwa's '97 Legacy wagon, update: The final chapter.

[fwa2500]

went to TiC and got everything done i had planned.....car feels great now :D

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7466/img20110606142829.jpg


Link time? I wrote on your post on LGT.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CNB4U0

price seems to have gone up since i ordered them, but there they are

[datdookie]

Woo, im going the same setup, just waiting on my front bars =). So hows the handling compared to what you had before.

[fwa2500]

very nice, firm but predictable. the front bar really helped balance it out with the rear bar and the steering rack bushings noticeably make the steering input feel more precise. turn-in is great and the car feels very flat through the turns. at this point im feeling held back by my tyres more than anything, would definitely like to get something stickier and with stiffer sidewalls for next summer :)

[Huffer]

^^ I'm a hater. :D

[fwa2500]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk4sePP8Dbk

now with:
-'95 EJ22 (dualport)
-Borla replica UEL headers
-Strömung high-flow cat
-'07 STi cat-back w/ modified midpipe
-Kartboy XL exhaust hangers
:D :D :D

[Navi271]

Nice!
I know the high flow cat gave your car the raspy-ness from experience. What was "modified" on the midpipe?

[fwa2500]

extended and swapped from the stock sti resonator to a glasspack, which helps some with the rasp. i had heard the sti resonator sucks pretty bad in terms of n/a rasp. it doesnt sound near as bad in person though, and its not too loud. im happy with it :)

[Huffer]

It def sounds mean. I loved the birdies in the background though - nice contrast. :P

I have nearly the same setup (just with the EJ25) but I have a custom resonated midpipe instead of the STi midpipe. My car sounds deeper and less high-revving than yours.

[nikolaus.conrad]

Nice wagon! Very difficult to see it started out as a Brighton. I can't wait to see your future mods =]


I loved the birdies in the background

Lawls :lol:

[fwa2500]

It def sounds mean. I loved the birdies in the background though - nice contrast. :P

I have nearly the same setup (just with the EJ25) but I have a custom resonated midpipe instead of the STi midpipe. My car sounds deeper and less high-revving than yours.

ya, had a cheap glasspack resonator swapped for the sti resonator, i think im going to end up either removing it and putting in a better one or leaving it and adding another one downstream....we shall see...

[Baddog]

So for your bushings you installed (I bought some at autozone for $18). They don't fit inside of the OEM bracket. What did you do to get around that?

[fwa2500]

had to cut them down a bit, takes a bit of effort, but im quite happy with the end result.


also, i am now completely catless and looking for a new muffler/axelback.....the cat shat its guts into the STi muffler and the bits are rattling around in the baffles. it sounds horrible, lol. removed the cat housing and replaced it with a straight pipe for now....ill sort it out later :roll:

[Navi271]

What the hell... that sucks!

[Baddog]

So you cut the outter part of the 25mm bushings?

[fwa2500]

yup, also had to grind down the flat part a bit, was sticking out too far otherwise and i couldnt get the bracket on

[Huffer]

Wait, you modified the Energy bushings? Why? They come with their own bracket don't they?

[fwa2500]

i did because it was easier than making their brackets work on the stock location

[Baddog]

Yeah their brackets dont exactly come close to bolting up

[Baddog]

Curious as to what you used to shave down the bushings.

[Tylerhartman]

Nice ride, And from the looks of it your from Cincinnati? haha.

[Baddog]

Got it installed a few days ago (the tribeca bar). But now I have a feeling the tie rod is hittin the front bar. There is more clearance on the driver side then there is on the passenger side above the tire rod.

[fwa2500]

some audio updates....

picked up rear door panels and speakers from an outback at the local u-pull and then picked up some Polk speakers for the front from a local guy. all around massive improvement for a total of $40 :D

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/1795/img2698w.jpg

[chrish8r]

how easy is it to install new speakers in the doors?? ive been wanting to but dont know what all it takes

[fwa2500]

now with moar rumble :D got and installed a prodrive oval tip
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3115/img20111203184031.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNRI9-ZvmuE

ill have to do a better video, but that will have to do for now

why would i change exhausts you might ask? well, the high flow cat shat its guts into my sti muffler resulting in horrible rattling....here is the only chunk i was able to shake out

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1584/img20111204013942.jpg


chris: its easy, just remove the door cards, uplug the stock speakers, remove them, put on the new ones and wire them in (or make an adapter plug from your stock speakers plugs)

[Navi271]

Good god! For a NA 2.2L that sounds awesome!

[fwa2500]

that video really doesnt do it justice, im going to see about doing a better one tomorrow. it sounds properly mean now (while not being overly loud) :twisted:

[fwa2500]

traded my slot car set (which was collecting dust sitting in the closet) for a new whiteline rear bar :D
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/3310/img2725e.jpg

thanks Clint@TiC!


EDIT: better exhaust video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NwQ0yHKrjc

[ryu_haneda]

Still looking good, fwa...

[Huffer]

Quick release FTW!

Fwa, can you do me a favor and measure up those quick release bolts? I'd like to see if I can make some myself. A picture with them disassembled next to a ruler would be super helpful.

[fwa2500]

coming this summer...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

thanks again, reason!

huffer, ill see what i can do before i leave for work tonight, if not ill get that for you first thing in the morning :)

[Reason]

No problem :smt023

[fwa2500]

here you go, huffer
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7480/img2783xh.jpg
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/5796/img2784l.jpg
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3314/img2787q.jpg

[Huffer]

Thanks mate!

[nikolaus.conrad]

This is awesome! it makes me want to mod my Outback more! I can't wait to see what your car looks like for the summer :smt023

[Tylerhartman]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

Oh i see, you got the bottom boulsters now, nice!! They are great, kept me from sliding off my seat many a time.


Where do you find these seats at? I'm always looking and never seem to find any. Bad luck I'm starting to think.

[fwa2500]

the gc rs seats i got from a friend who had them in his impreza L and the gd rs seats i got from someone off the indiana impreza forum. i *might* be changing seats again, but i need to find out if the guy still has them and i need to make sure they will fit (bl lgt seats). if i do end up swapping again ill let you know :)

[fwa2500]

ok, so i was originally going to get a set of new Continental ExtremeContact DW in 225/45r17, but plans changed (as they always seem to do) and i got an awesome deal on some lightly used RE-070s in the same size :D

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/img3035xx-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/img3037n-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/img3041zi-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/img3044z-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/img3047f-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/img3048vz-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/img3046s-1.jpg


much beefier, much grippier, much prettier, much bettererererr :D

[Huffer]

HOT! I need to get my car down to Cinci sometime so we can do a shoot. ;)

[fwa2500]

i have some more cosmetic changes coming in the next month or so ;)

[Huffer]

And I hate you again.
You get to work with planes, and you have more mods on your car than me.
Plus, you probably have less rust to fight!

[nikolaus.conrad]

Awesome!! The look so good!

[Wagonista]

LE GASP! we're gonna have matching mags.

[Reuben]

Welcome to the world of good Bridgestones, enjoy ^-^

[Zac]

Looking good brother!

[fwa2500]

thanks guys :D

so today i went the the u-pull to grab some of those things that the screws that hold the speakes in screw into (since i neglected to grab them when i got the rear speaker bits a while back) and came out with those and aftermarket speakers (JVCs of some sort).......$11 well spent i say, they are just a wee bit nicer than the tired stockers i had grabbed previously

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/img3133k-2.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/img3134jg-2.jpg

not today (or even this week), but i have also replaced my rusty stock wheel nuts with mcguard spline drives that i got from a friend.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/img3114rq-2.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/img3113u-2.jpg

[fkearney39]

Love your wagon man I really need to lower mine and get a Stut bar haha

[camroncamera]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the GT-B rims. Quite a bit wider than what you had on beforehand... Should I ever come across a set, would I have to worry about the tires rubbing inside the wheel arches on a stock USDM Legacy GT Wagon (BK) suspension? Or do I need something stiffer first?

[Baddog]

Looking good!

[fwa2500]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the GT-B rims. Quite a bit wider than what you had on beforehand... Should I ever come across a set, would I have to worry about the tires rubbing inside the wheel arches on a stock USDM Legacy GT Wagon (BK) suspension? Or do I need something stiffer first?
they should work fine with the stock suspension, though i would recommend upgrading to sti stuff (or atleast wrx) simply because its more enjoyable. also be sure to get an alignment, it will make a big difference. i was previously running a slightly aggressive camber set-up of -2.3? front and -1.4 rear, but i have since dialed it back to -1.5 front and -1 rear. the only time i ever had rubbing issues was back when i still had s-tech springs on the sti struts (HORRIBLE springs) and a messed up alignment where im pretty sure i had some slight positive camber in the rear....

[camroncamera]

they should work fine with the stock suspension, though i would recommend upgrading to sti stuff (or atleast wrx) simply because its more enjoyable. also be sure to get an alignment, it will make a big difference. i was previously running a slightly aggressive camber set-up of -2.3? front and -1.4 rear, but i have since dialed it back to -1.5 front and -1 rear. the only time i ever had rubbing issues was back when i still had s-tech springs on the sti struts (HORRIBLE springs) and a messed up alignment where im pretty sure i had some slight positive camber in the rear....

Thanks for the info! Our LGT is my wife's daily driver, so whatever I do suspension-wise has to be comfortable for her non-enthusiast sensibility :) Body roll seems to be the thing that stands out on her car for me right now. I'll need to revisit the suspension and swaybar FAQ's.

[98legwag]

they should work fine with the stock suspension, though i would recommend upgrading to sti stuff (or atleast wrx) simply because its more enjoyable. also be sure to get an alignment, it will make a big difference. i was previously running a slightly aggressive camber set-up of -2.3? front and -1.4 rear, but i have since dialed it back to -1.5 front and -1 rear. the only time i ever had rubbing issues was back when i still had s-tech springs on the sti struts (HORRIBLE springs) and a messed up alignment where im pretty sure i had some slight positive camber in the rear....

Thanks for the info! Our LGT is my wife's daily driver, so whatever I do suspension-wise has to be comfortable for her non-enthusiast sensibility :) Body roll seems to be the thing that stands out on her car for me right now. I'll need to revisit the suspension and swaybar FAQ's.

An Outback rear sway bar will help. And they are cheap.

[Grafton]

fwa if you were closer I have a outback rear bar laying around somewhere...

EDIT: reading fail, I though the above post was directed at you lol

[fwa2500]

i have a whiteline rear bar ;)

[Wagonista]

What size tires are you running? Are those 235s?

[fwa2500]

225/45s, they are the stock re070s off an sti, plenty of clearance all around with the sti struts....and they look nicely meaty on the gt-b wheels, they are just a tiny bit bigger than the stock 185/70r14s :lol:

[fwa2500]

coming soon...
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/05/img3140cn-1.jpg

[fwa2500]

now with TiC enthusiast bushings in the rear (trailing arm and lateral links)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/05/img20120508103411-1.jpg

feel so much tighter :D

[mike-tracy]

Ah yes, bushings! Love em and hate removing the old ones. Such a PIA. This wagon is coming along nicely, nice work!

[Wagonista]

Niiiice... Yours must corner like a cheetah by now.

Actually I don't know if cheetahs can corner very good but it must be very nimble.

[fwa2500]

replaced the very much toast front right wheel bearing......

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/06/img3238b-1.jpg

i knew it was quite dead, but damn... :shock: :oops:

[Navi271]

LOL! I had to replace my front left bearing a few years ago, and back then I didn't know as much about cars so I had someone else do it.

I also let mine go for a WHILE... I remember making turns putting all the cars weight on that one cruddy bearing was interesting. It made some of the worst noises I've ever heard! ah good times, I bet mine looked similar to yours! Good that it's taken care of though.

[fwa2500]

whorage
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/06/img3252yt-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/06/img3296co-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/06/img3292qz-1.jpg

[fwa2500]

now with ipod connectivity! Dual X2DMA400
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/06/img3307ic-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/06/img3311j-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/06/img3310m-1.jpg

[Wagonista]

That is quite a classy head unit you've got there. The fact that it is double-DIN makes it look so much nicer.

[Huffer]

Gotta fix that 4EAT problem too... if you want to stay auto, you should see if a 5EAT will go in. Get better gas mileage.

[chrish8r]

Thats the type of head unit I want for my wagon. I love the way a double DIN looks cause it takes up the whole space. I just have to find the right one.....

[Grafton]

awesome looking head unit how much did it run you?

[fwa2500]

all of $116, im quite happy with it :P

[fwa2500]

swapped track pipes to one that has a rear o2 sensor bung......now i have both sensors again!

old vs. new (couldnt get the old sensor out, had to get two new ones)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

[subie/legacy]

This wagon is full of win...
Well besides the automatic part, but that's just me trying to find something to keep my jealousy down.

[nikolaus.conrad]

I think you should go with finding a 5 speed automatic, just to be different! :smt023

[fwa2500]

so, i had a bit of a tyre failure on my way home from work. was exiting I275 at hebron to stop and get gas (was right on E) and while on the exit ramp i felt the back left corner go soft, though i didnt notice any sound (had music playing). pull up at speedway and yep. freaking flat tyre.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/p8160154s-1.jpg

then i notice these gashes on the sidewall...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/20120816062230119-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/20120816062238390-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/20120816062249237-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/20120816062300102-1.jpg

but the REAL scary thing was when i flipped it over....

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/20120816062333473-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/20120816062452585-1.jpg

i had just checked pressures after doing an oil change on tuesday, they were all fine, though slightly low presumably due to the chilly nights we have had the past several days. massive thanks to jordan for being there for me and loaning his spare to get me home!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/p8160158-1.jpg

have my winters back on until tomorrow, another friend is loaning me his spare set of summers (subie community ftw).....to say im not a happy camper right now is an understatement.

(and yes, i know my exhaust isnt lined up right. impreza exhaust on a lego=not perfect)

[1996Battlewagon]

That sucks man. Are you going to go with another tire after this? If it was me, I'd ditch those Potenzas and go with some S.Drives.

[fwa2500]

i will eventually be getting what i was going to get originally, Continental DW in 225/45R17, but until then, here is my loaner set-up....thanks again to Kai and Jordan for all the help!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/p8170164-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/p8170161-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/08/p8170165-1.jpg

[1996Battlewagon]

Neat choice on the DWs. I just looked them up and they seem legit. To be honest, I haven't heard much about Continental tires in regards to performance.

Those loaners wheels don't look bad at all. A little "bling-bling" but they don't mesh with the overall look.

[Dead91silvia]

I like the look you have going!

[Yamazaki]

Ha! Where'd you get the Adachi plate? That's the area that Hansvonaxion lives (kinda) and my wife used to live.

As for the wheels, I actually do think they go well with the car. It looks like a car I could see on the streets of Japan (and I'm not talking about the number plate anymore when i say that).

[nikolaus.conrad]

I think those wheels look great on your car

[fwa2500]

Ha! Where'd you get the Adachi plate? That's the area that Hansvonaxion lives (kinda) and my wife used to live.

got it on ebay for $15 :grin: at that price, i couldnt pass it up.

[fwa2500]

when i got back from my trip to japan, my car greeted me by saying "konnichiwa, bitch. fix me." and broke a battery lead......
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/09/img0150kr-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/09/img0153ah-1.jpg

so i fixed it....is it pretty and oem? no. does it work? yes, and thats all i care about.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/09/img0156mjn-1.jpg

[98legwag]

It probably wants to know if you brought it back any goodies.

[fwa2500]

yesterday i bought it a gift since i neglected to get anything for it in japan...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121001082124789-1.jpg

that be the H6 rear brake upgrade. need to paint the brackets black and then i will also be doing pads at the same time :D

[fwa2500]

my front pads were due for replacement so i took the opertunity to do a complete refresh with new pads all around, new front rotors and upgrade to H6 rear brakes at the same time.

normal wrx rear rotor vs. H6
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/255584_10151257673446508_139552526_n.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121010150801141-1.jpg

initial impressions: H6 rear brakes make the balance SOOOO much better for a wagon. while with the standard wrx rears it felt like the fronts were doing almost everything (causing it to feel like the back wanted to pass the front), now the bias has definitely shifted to the rear....and with fresh pads and new rotors all around it stops in a real hurry :D

[fwa2500]

added a bit more bass....

Infinity BassLink powered sub (10" 200w)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/img0278jyo-1.jpg

im happy with it, pretty much exactly what i wanted.

[rkrenicki]

I have that exact same sub.. I still need to get it installed however, hah! It sounded pretty good in my 98 Forester and 96 Outback Wagon.. hopefully it does well in my Sedan too!

[chrish8r]

How hard is it to install that Infinity Basslink?? Would I need to have an aftermarket headunit??

[fwa2500]

its really not bad, if you dont have or dont want an aftermarket headunit you can splice the provided speaker level wires. it took me maybe two hours to install (with a good bit of that trying to find where the hell i put my wirings supplies...)

[chrish8r]

What if I have a factory underseat sub??

[fwa2500]

that shouldnt be an issue, it will be a bit irrelevant with the basslink though

[chrish8r]

Sorry, I meant splicing the basslink into the factory sub harness(factory sub has a blown cone)

[fwa2500]

ohhhh, for that i have no idea, you would end up with alot of unused wires on the OEM side at the very least. aside form outputs on the back of my headunit, the only wire i had to splice onto was the antenna/remote power wire so that the sub would turn on automatically. either way its all pretty strait forward and well worth the effort :)


also, did this for halloween....when you see it ;)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/img0299ao-1.jpg

[r3v_v3ng3]

I see V :grin:

[98legwag]

HAHA. Thats a good one.

[SuBFlex]

How come your legacy wagon doest have that ugly ass hump on its roof?

[98legwag]

How come your legacy wagon doest have that ugly ass hump on its roof?

USDM Legacys are a different chassis code. Its a BK flat roof while the USDM Outback and the Legacys everywhere else are BG with the raised roof.

[1996Battlewagon]

I hope you don't mind but...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/8145831389_50b57f286a_z-2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67955471@N07/8145831389/)

[nikolaus.conrad]

THIS. ^^^^^

[r3v_v3ng3]

How come your legacy wagon doest have that ugly ass hump on its roof?

Pretty sure the Legacy Outback's have the hump on its roof
while the Legacy Wagon is straight flat roof.

[fwa2500]

whorage!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/8162674337_9e6ccc8f5e_c-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/8162674337/)
Adachi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/8162674337/) by fwa2500 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/8162674137_3a0bf8673f_c-2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/8162674137/)
Autumn (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/8162674137/) by fwa2500 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/8162673933_a0289e687e_c-2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/8162673933/)
Boats (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/8162673933/) by fwa2500 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

[slaytalera]

How much of a difference do the H6 rears make? and i love the white....makes me miss my first white OB

[Wagonista]

Love that last shot.

[fwa2500]

thanks alex :grin:


How much of a difference do the H6 rears make? and i love the white....makes me miss my first white OB

quite a noticeable one, they definitely move the brake balance further to the rear, which is exactly what i was hoping for.




now with whiteline roll centre adjuster kit

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/20121109133728611-2.jpg

[Baddog]

Opinion on the bump steer kit? Keep debating it

[fwa2500]

if you have ball joints or tie rod ends that need to be replaced you might as well do it (thats why i did it on mine)...i honestly dont notice much difference, though i also havent had a chance to thrash it around yet.

[Wagonista]

The main thing about these is they're made for a lowered car, so they won't wear out so quickly if you're low.

[fwa2500]

and that brings me to the other reason i got them, im planning a suspension refresh in the spring with new struts and slightly lower springs (looking into either rce or swifts). the ball joints needed to be done badly and with the one tie rod completely fubar i figured why not just go ahead and go with the whiteline bits.

[Boxer Wagon]

Hey Fwa, just wanted to say I love the wagon, and keep up the good work!

Once I'm done with the fire academy the work on mine can finally continue!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

[Reuben]

How come your legacy wagon doest have that ugly ass hump on its roof?

YOU are the reason why America CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS!

[Boxer Wagon]

Fwa, I saw you were looking at the RCEs with new struts. If you refresh your strut mounts along with them, you are looking at more than the price of Raceland coilovers. Are they the best? Far from it, but at least you get adjustable height.

Also, which bulbs did you use with your DRLs, and how did you wire them up? I did a cut, spliced, and used twin female connectors with my jdm projectors, and didn't have the DRL wire in the harness. Did you just splice an extra cable onto the power line and pin it into the socket?

[fwa2500]

for around $700 ill have a nice, well balanced set of quality struts and springs. the hight adjustment really isnt an issue for me, im not wanting to be slammed (or even as low as i was with the s-techs). im just looking for a set-up that performs well both around town and spirited drives with the occasional auto-x. from everything i have seen and heard, the tokico HPs and rces should be a nice set-up.

currently i actually have LEDs in my city lights (these (http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-5-smd-led-wide-angle-wedge-base/206/)) but im really not sure i like the look, even with the HIDs. im planning on switching back to the standard 168/192 bulbs. for wiring i just used the stock jdm pigtail and matched the wires up with the usdm harness (conveniently the same wire colours). for the city lights, you just pull the red wire from the drl part of the corner lights on the usdm harness over and match it with the red wire on the jdm pigtail. granted, i know sometimes the jdm lights like both sides of the plugs, which makes things more complicated. hope this helps some! let me know if you have any other questions :)

[Boxer Wagon]

Thanks, I'll look at acquiring a set and give it a go!

I can understand just going with struts and springs then, can't wait to see pics!

[Boxer Wagon]

I nominated you for ROTM, if you want to use a different pic than I posted in the ROTM thread, do eeeeeetttt

[Boxer Wagon]

Congrats on making it to the top three dude!

[fwa2500]

i was bored today so i made a new exhaust video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73gbmHvatBo

[Boxer Wagon]

You need to be bored more often! Sounds good man, also good to see you got your wheels back on!

[fwa2500]

ghetto rigged a temporary remote windscreen washer button since my the switch in the wiper stalk is dead and im taking a long-ish road trip in a couple days that right now looks to be in the middle of some crappy weather.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/20121223180404949-1.jpg


for the first time in over 4 years i have working front sprayers!!!!!!https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/mj0nxggif-1.jpg now i need to find some luck and score a new stalk from the junk yard with variable speed intermittent wiper speed...

[Boxer Wagon]

If you can't find one, I'm pretty sure I saw one in my local u-pull. Let me know if you need one, I'll get it to you for the cost of the part + shipping. I can't imagine it coming out to more than $20.

[Huffer]

Should have hit me up when I was parting out my wagon.... oh well.

[Wagonista]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/mj0nxggif-1.jpg

This seriously needs to become a default emoticon.

[arco]

I went through the whole thread. Nice job. I've got a white wagon as well. Can't wait to see more done.

[subiwag]

i like this very much haha. nice work man!

[fwa2500]

today i removed my nasty old floor mats and put in brand new black cloth ones from a '12 WRX that a friend gave me. now i just need the rear seats from a legacy gt wagon to complete the black and gray colour scheme.......and i also really need to deep clean my carpet...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/blackcarpet-1.jpg

[Wagonista]

Those look great. I'm looking for some black cloth floormats as well since my driver's side rubber one is royally ****ed.

[Tylerhartman]

Lookin' good :) Your Legacy makes me happy :D

[Boxer Wagon]

Now to take care of that door trim!

[ryu_haneda]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/mj0nxggif-1.jpg

This seriously needs to become a default emoticon.

^This... the Subaru Ninja is pleased.

[fwa2500]

finally got around to changing the oil (long over-due...), the filter did put up a bit of a fight, but thats ok. i have a hammer.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/3240/54427110151560589981508.jpg

oh, and six words that filter will be learning very soon: seven. six. two. full. metal. jacket.

[r3v_v3ng3]

THOR!

hate it when filters won't loosen up

[fwa2500]

removed my damaged PIAA horns and installed a single horn from a Mercedes S-Class. reduced clutter in the engine bay and made it look factory.....also, it is LOUD. im pretty sure it is still as loud as the PIAAs were AND my car now sounds like a large german land yacht... :D

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/03/img20130331183027564-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/03/img20130331182612428-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/03/img20130331183815538-1.jpg

coming soon...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/03/img20130331164007514-1.jpg

[Wagonista]

like!

[fwa2500]

now with the leather wrapped Momo steering wheel from an '02 WRX

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/52428710151579724496508-1.jpg

all i had to do to make it work was swap the plugs over from my stock wheel, all the wiring was identical.


to-do:
new rear wiper motor :smt013

[Grimmrican]

Very classy. I likes

[fwa2500]

switched to summer mode (finally...), the 17s are back in action with Dunlop SP Sport 01s in 225/45r17

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/img20130416145022561-1.jpg

[Muse]

Very snazzy, sir.

[Huffer]

I heart this car.

[Boxer Wagon]

Those wheels are awesome! Looking good!

[Wagonista]

Girl look at dat wagon.

[98legwag]

So nice. I really love the GT-B wheels. And everything else on your wagon.

[Thomistopheles]

Dude. Stop.

You and Robin are making me like white Legacies. This is completely unacceptable, because my stance on white paint has always been one of deep loathing.

[EJ22D]

White Legacys rule.
As such, I am quite enamored with this white wagon.
So fresh & clean, looks like royalty.

[Muse]

I normally agree with Thom on white paint. I have a white wag, yes, but beggars can't be choosy. I had intended to repaint it down the road in another color but you, Robin and Boxer have me rethinking that...,

[fwa2500]

thanks everyone! it has been a loooong journey getting it to where it is now :grin:


finally got off my ass and put on the JDM door strips that Reuben sent me 3 years ago......

old painted USDM nastiness on the right, JDM awesomeness on the left
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/img20130423112129207-1.jpg

done
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/img20130423144208219-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/img20130423144158030-1.jpg


i also finally got around to swapping to a fresh cluster surround (had one of those stick-on pads for the gps on the old one) and putting some tape over the CEL
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/img20130422175255434-1.jpg



up next:

painting the damn chrome blaaaaack, painting my sideskirts white and mounting them. the goal is to have the exterior completely finished this summer (though i think im going to have to find another wing, both the ones i have need repairs)

[Thomistopheles]

Maaaaad. I need to track down a set of those sexy JDM door trim strip thingies when I paint my car. Looks so much better than the giant USDM ones.

I used plastidip to black out my door trim when the finish chipped off. Matches the OEM finish pretty well, and it has held up to a lot of abuse.

[Zangado1]

Those wheels are awesome! Looking good!
They absolutely make the car.....They are one of the best style Subaru factory wheels ever made in my opinion.

[Wagonista]

I snagged a wing with the complete set of hardware (including the plastic pop-cap things that you glue to the underside of the hatch) the other day. Want it?

[couchfuzzy]

if he doesn't i do!

[r3v_v3ng3]

:smt023 on the jdm door moldings

[fwa2500]

I snagged a wing with the complete set of hardware (including the plastic pop-cap things that you glue to the underside of the hatch) the other day. Want it?

i may have to take you up on that once my budget allows for it :grin:

today i re-painted the roof strips, no more flaking black for me!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/img20130426193030247-1.jpg

[Reuben]

I hate those bloody things, wish it was easier to remove them. SoA really wanted to ram home the point they were not selling performance wagons weren't they, unlike Japan that was going all 'you can have your cake and eat it too'. Looks tidy as though, good job mate.

[fwa2500]

no kidding, if it was as easy as just removing them, id have done it ages ago, but nooooooo. the screw holes are raised AND there is a tiny amount of rust around the middle ones :( figured since im stuck with them i might as well make them look decent.

[Dead91silvia]

I shaved the rails on ags18's Postal BK. Looks pretty clean without them.

Just having the side rails on my GT-B is nice since I have a Yakima rack for it when I need it.

[Reuben]

All the tiny wee cosmetic things add up eh... :D fwa, next is folding mirrors off a... Is it pre 96? I know some older usdm's had em :p

[Zac]

Wagons looking great man

[fwa2500]

thanks!


I shaved the rails on ags18's Postal BK. Looks pretty clean without them.

Just having the side rails on my GT-B is nice since I have a Yakima rack for it when I need it.

i saw that, the result is quite nice! you really do awesome work.


All the tiny wee cosmetic things add up eh... :D fwa, next is folding mirrors off a... Is it pre 96? I know some older usdm's had em :p

from what i have found they were available on some '95s and early '96s. ive only seen one set at the junk yard......some asshole smashed the passenger side one so it was useless :smt013 id like to sort out the parts i already have before getting even more though, hope to have the skirts and rear bumper on this summer (and maybe the wing). then i need to figure something out with the door handles, either replace them with white ones or paint them, im just worried about how well paint would hold up with use. possibly in the fall or next spring i would also like to do a suspension refresh with new struts and springs, i can feel the STi bits starting to show their age.

[Reuben]

When you want to fit them, can send an aucklander to pick-a-part to get some factory white handles for yah. Swap barrel, done.

[fwa2500]

well, i had my suspicions before, but now i have confirmed that my car can indeed shoot flames.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfD38gSRiqc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8M3n6K0CrI

[Muse]

What's the cause?

[fwa2500]

running very rich due to being catless and such, lol...

[Grimmrican]

Some crazy backfire u got there lol Any upgrades u've done to the eng?

[fwa2500]

all i have done is changed the intake and did full exhaust, nothing extreme at all

[Navi271]

Your 4EAT sounds like manual, it feels like it takes forever to shift

Those fireballs are wicked tho!

[Grimmrican]

Power mode?? I know if turn on power mode and put the metal to the pedal it shifts as if its 5mt. Redlines at 6250rpm on its own. Pretty bad ass really. Look into some bee?r that's an awesome 2step

[22B05STI]

Today I caulked all the seams on the Legacy, it will be painted soon.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/06/DSC05394_zps84002234-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/06/DSC05392_zps9481ee0d-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/06/DSC05388_zps5fdc7602-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/06/DSC05390_zps541fb5cd-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/06/DSC05408_zps719f88b8-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/06/DSC05409_zps57b621ae-1.jpg

[nikolaus.conrad]

well, i had my suspicions before, but now i have confirmed that my car can indeed shoot flames.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfD38gSRiqc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8M3n6K0CrI
Lawd Jesus its a Fahr!

[1996Battlewagon]

YES! I love it! Subarus and their richness.

[Thomistopheles]

lol, 22B05STI missed his build thread. I've come close to doing that so many times myself... have like 6 tabs of MR1 threads open plus my own, and start writing in the wrong one. :lol:

[fwa2500]

jesus i wish that was my car........every time i see those updates on here and on dobc i drool a bit....


speaking of updates, i need to update this. have a not very good update that i neglected to post on here........

[Wagonista]

ive only seen one set at the junk yard......some asshole smashed the passenger side one so it was useless.

I can likely source you a set of these pretty easy. So many BDs and BKs in the junk yards lately. I think there is a set on the car I'll be pulling a new hatch from tomorrow.

[wentz912]

ive only seen one set at the junk yard......some asshole smashed the passenger side one so it was useless.

I can likely source you a set of these pretty easy. So many BDs and BKs in the junk yards lately. I think there is a set on the car I'll be pulling a new hatch from tomorrow.


Lucky you. There are NO second gens up here near me that haven't already been picked clean.

[TyrWagon]

Hi mate, your work, is like mine (in some aspects)... I want yo know about the swap cluster and swap cruise ... My Wagon is a BG4 code, but i want the jdm bg5 look, and... one day i will get the ej20R swap engine.
Since a time im a agressive Ebayer lol... Take a look in my presentation: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26446 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26446)

[fwa2500]

ok, some long over-due updates:

so back in may my mom hit my car while backing out of the garage, this will likely not get fixed because she refuses to spend money to "repair a worthless old car" and i just cant afford that kind of repair cost (quoted nearly $1k).

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/165448_10151633038201508_490682525_n.jpg

not much happened over the summer though i did pick up a non-damaged wing at the junkyard along with new struts for the hatch (yay no more rusted out collapsing and bent ones!). i would really like to have all the exterior parts painted and on this year, but we shall see how it goes.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/10/98dk-1.jpg

finally, at the beginning of september my water pump decided it had had enough and started gushing coolant after i parked for work one morning.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/10/coug-1.jpg

as of a week and a half ago its back on the road and running great :)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/10/10366043744_083d154dab_c-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/10366043744/)
Autumn '13 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/10366043744/) by fwa2500 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

[Boxer Wagon]

Looking good man! Just replace that door with a junkyard door once a white one shows up. The rest won't be too noticeable.

[fwa2500]

finally got around to changing the oil (long over-due...), the filter did put up a bit of a fight, but thats ok. i have a hammer.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/


so i finally killed that filter with a couple rounds of 9mm fmj:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/g3hm-1.jpg

remains of one of the bullets:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/11137593944_1aa9d0bb3b_c-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/11137593944/)
9mm FMJ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/11137593944/) by fwa2500 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

[Wagonista]

Car still looks good. I know the feeling of having body damage... But at least it isn't super noticeable. You might be able to coax the quarter panel dent out with a heat gun and dry ice, and maybe a harbor freight dent puller.

Your car is making me want to do a GTB front end conversion and paint my car one color.

[fwa2500]

now officially in wintermode!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/12/11242964266_14ba8aff0f_c-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/11242964266/)
Wintermode '13 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/11242964266/) by fwa2500 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

[Reuben]

Looking slick!

[98legwag]

Love this car.

[Huffer]

Going strong, brother. Keep the faith!

[fwa2500]

aaaaand, just like that, summer mode! naturally, i made the change last week and this week it snowed.....but summer mode is here!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/03/13368098233_4925c0c6c4_c-1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/13368098233/)
Summer Mode '14 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/13368098233/) by fwa2500 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

now this year i really REALLY want to get the exterior done. skirts, wing, rear bumper. im sick of them sitting around taking up space. i also just picked up some extremely low millage '07 STi struts that i will be modifying to fit 5x100 and swapping those on, my '04 pinks are clunking something fierce and are now well over 100k miles old. looks like it is also time for spark plugs and checking the injectors, the past couple weeks my car makes its best impression of a WWII fighter starting on cold starts every 4 or 5 days:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-7hsP-iQZg

[Navi271]

Wow lol! How many miles are on your car now?
I'm glad my wagon skipped the "act like a WWII fighter plane" phase.

[fwa2500]

the body and trans are somewhere around 200-210k now, the cluster says 260k but that was out of a junkyard outback, the engine....well, i have no idea, it could be pushing 300k for all i know, it is out of a '95 legacy sedan, lol.

[camroncamera]

finally got off my ass and put on the JDM door strips that Reuben sent me 3 years ago......

old painted USDM nastiness on the right, JDM awesomeness on the left
http://imageshack.us/a/img35/276/img201 ... 129207.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img35/276/img20130423112129207.jpg)

done
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/6359/img2 ... 208219.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img829/6359/img20130423144208219.jpg)
http://imageshack.us/a/img7/9372/img201 ... 158030.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img7/9372/img20130423144158030.jpg)



I know this was an older post... I recently acquired JDM door trims and have spent the last several days prepping them for new paint.
Most of the alignment tabs on the back have been broken off, but I'll be using some quality 3M trim adhesive tape to mount them.

I am fairly concerned about removing the factory USDM trim from the doors. Is this a major ordeal? I have nightmarish visions of distorting the door sheetmetal or ripping off factory paint from the door as I tug the trims away.
I imagine that there will be a lot of torn old adhesive tape left on the door the scape away as well?

EDIT: img tags removed from oversize hosted photos to eliminate side-scrolling on this page

[fwa2500]

i had the same fears before i put the JDM ones on, it is really not so bad. if you are really worried about the old adhesives, bring a heat gun or hair dryer along and heat it up a bit first. the trickiest ones to do are the rear doors since you cant really get a good angle on them but what i dit was just use an old credit card to pry in between the strips and the door its self.work your way forward top and bottom until you can get a finger or two under it and gently pull it off. im sure you have noticed how soft and floppy the JDM ones are, the USDM strips are mostly rigid and dont flex near that amount. for the fronts, open the doors and again start from the rear using the same methods. once you have them off just use goo gone and another plastic card to remove the remaining adhesive. i used 3M trim tape and have had no issues at all, sticks very well and is pretty easy to work with, just be absolutely sure you have everything lined up right after pulling off the backing to stick the strips to the door or you will be starting all over again. good luck!


also: holy crap imageshack has done something weird to their server.....those were all supposed to be resized to 1024x768 but now they are all full res and i have no idea how to fix it.......grrrrrrrr.....

[camroncamera]

i had the same fears before i put the JDM ones on, it is really not so bad. if you are really worried about the old adhesives, bring a heat gun or hair dryer along and heat it up a bit first. the trickiest ones to do are the rear doors since you cant really get a good angle on them but what i dit was just use an old credit card to pry in between the strips and the door its self.work your way forward top and bottom until you can get a finger or two under it and gently pull it off. im sure you have noticed how soft and floppy the JDM ones are, the USDM strips are mostly rigid and dont flex near that amount. for the fronts, open the doors and again start from the rear using the same methods. once you have them off just use goo gone and another plastic card to remove the remaining adhesive. i used 3M trim tape and have had no issues at all, sticks very well and is pretty easy to work with, just be absolutely sure you have everything lined up right after pulling off the backing to stick the strips to the door or you will be starting all over again. good luck!


also: holy crap imageshack has done something weird to their server.....those were all supposed to be resized to 1024x768 but now they are all full res and i have no idea how to fix it.......grrrrrrrr.....


Thanks very much for the detailed pointers :)

I too was trying to figure out a way to resize the pics from the original server but had no luck. I thought about downloading and resizing them, but, being in the photographic industry I wouldn't reproduce photos without the owner's permission first.

[Wagonista]

Looks great! I really need to source a set of those...

[SpeedmanRC]

Still looks amazing fwa, you going to be working on the other exterior bits soon? Or will it be here and there all year.

[Navi271]

the body and trans are somewhere around 200-210k now, the cluster says 260k but that was out of a junkyard outback, the engine....well, i have no idea, it could be pushing 300k for all i know, it is out of a '95 legacy sedan, lol.
Oh... that's a few more than mine lol. I guess my car hasn't skipped the "act like a WWII fight plane" phase because it probably hasn't gotten there yet!

Your car doesn't look like it has as many miles as you say, so you take good care of your car. Keep it up!

[fwa2500]

polished the exhaust today (hooray toothpaste!). next on my list is replacing the exhaust gaskets, i have a leak somewhere in the front so they are all getting replaced. planning to have the skirts, wing and bumper painted sometime in the next month. goal is to have it done by the subaru challenge. i also got to go for a ride in a JDM GT, thanks to Don at TiC....so much want...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/04/13652927484_e0a994c149_c-1.jpg

also did this with the Torque app (the HP number there is a flat out lie)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/04/YTYZkGG-1.jpg

[fwa2500]

so i have been chasing down an exhaust leak for a while now and the reather was finally just right to do something about it. naturally, it wouldnt be working on my car if snapped bolts and blood didnt happen but all ended well and i *think* i have fixed the leak.

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/q71/s720x720/10152407_10152325155906508_8022817560292142093_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/p180x540/1621940_10152325230726508_9073082202199798802_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/p180x540/1660306_10152325231331508_3312161216370415233_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/p180x540/10153973_10152325231621508_9125175697662397572_n.jpg

tomorrow ill give it a good run to see if i did fix it or if i made it worse.

[fwa2500]

so after cars and coffee this morning we went to the first open day at one of the local drag strips, this was a new experience for me. i had never been to a drag strip before and enjoyed it more than i t thought i would. i was the slowest of our subaru crowd but there was one diesel flatbed that ran slower than me.....hooray not being last. my best time was an 18.083@74.23mph.

me getting chopped by an EJ25 swapped OBS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRoZW0nGFoI

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/04/13943562905_82ba9d25c3_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/adam39393/13943562905/)
CS Drag_8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/adam39393/13943562905/) by ASR Photos (https://www.flickr.com/people/adam39393/), on Flickr

ran pretty solidly in the low 18s which makes torque read about a second slow.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/04/eh75-1.jpg

[fwa2500]

finally got around to re-clearing my headlights.

left is done, right is not:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/ezRcgEk-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/7w3rlI7-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/xjG6HWJ-1.jpg

and finished.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/EllJujb-1.jpg

now to actually wash the car for the first time in three weeks....

[fwa2500]

literally got shat on by a house yesterday while i was at work so i gave it a good wash.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/13968434828_1753a83236_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/13968434828/)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/14155084125_202c084f82_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/14155084125/)

[Reuben]

Beautiful

[1996Battlewagon]

Good lord your wagon is pretty.

Following you on flickr!!!

[fwa2500]

so today i attempted to swap out my suspension....its not gone well, left front went fine, front right put up a fight and then the left rear.....well, that fucker decided it doesnt want to go anywhere. i got the front mostly buttoned up with is alignment horribly out of whack (nascar camber status, positive on the left, negative on the right) and limped it over to TiC. it was going there for alignment regardless, but now im going to just have them put in all new lower strut bolts as well as the ones that are on there are rusted to shit despite only being a couple years old thanks to our lovely road crews and their annual winter salt fetish. from my short and slow rid with the coilovers on the front i really cant wait to get it back all sorted out, no more clunking, no more floatyness, no more crashing over bumps......most importantly though, no more saggy-butt. unfortunately, this will bump my plan to paint the bumper, wing and skirts back a little bit :(


side note: can a mod please remove the quoted images above?

[Navi271]

Coilovers?! Nice! We'll definitely need details soon.
Do you have any plans to try and stop the coilovers from turning into an abyss of rust?

[Dead91silvia]

I'm digging the TS-R badge. Looking good.

[fwa2500]

thanks!


Coilovers?! Nice! We'll definitely need details soon.
Do you have any plans to try and stop the coilovers from turning into an abyss of rust?

well, they are JDM and used....but they have the best name ever:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/swggif-1.jpg

if they last a couple years, sweet, i am increasingly skeptical that i will have this car more than another 3 years. too many little things are breaking and im just getting tired of fixing it.

[peugoby]

well, they are JDM and used....but they have the best name ever:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/swggif-1.jpg


Those Tein's ride really nicely. I've ridden in a few cars set up on these. I like them a lot. They are firm but very well dampened.

[fwa2500]

thats what ive heard, im really looking forward to having it back. my STi stuff felt like it was completely dead, the clunking was pretty much unbearable.

[Reuben]

Unless there is actual play in the STi KYB's, then they won't be dead, just in dire need of a proper regrease.

[fwa2500]

there is play in at least the front left STi strut, possibly the right rear too, all four clunk badly. all of that along with how rusty they are at this point is why i opted for a change (and also vanity, the saggy-butt was driving me crazy).

[fwa2500]

so my noisy valves on cold start up are apparently also hiding some rod knock. not surprising, but somewhat annoying. looks like ill be throwing a third engine in this thing at some point this summer, skirts, bumper and wing are now definitely pushed back a good bit. im starting to seriously consider getting a different car all together.

[Reuben]

How the fuck do you get rod knock in a non turb? Sure it's not piston slap? Audible rod knock deteriorates pretty quickly to a stalling indrivable CLACK CLACK CLACK going by beasts way out. Seriously, about 30kms from a tick heard every now and then to being undrivable is what happened to me.

DOHC it!

[fwa2500]

by having a 20 year old engine with an unknown history and unknown milage. if it does go pop ill likely just grab an EJ25 out of an outback at the junkyard and drop it in. if i can then get two years out of it ill be happy. the trans still sounds like a supercharger at times though, so if that blows up then im selling/parting out the car. im sick of dumping money into something that is just breaking constantly and starting to get rust issues. i cant promise my next car will be a subaru.

[Navi271]

It's awesome it has lasted this long! I guess it's still going... and I bet you have about 100k more miles than my wagon.
The rust was one of the reasons I decided to start investing into a newer car.

Reuben, I can think of a couple non turbo 2.5L's that have thrown rods off the top of my head, but they are more prone to it than the 2.2L.

[Reuben]

Crazy, I never thought they were under enough stress to do that.

And FWA, your next car better be JDM, or I'll book a flight over there and give you some serious sas.

[fwa2500]

well, the low down spec cool style master super wagons feel awesome. 100x better than my dead/dying STi bits. its firm yet comfortable and is just the right amount of drop, definitely a good buy. photos coming soon.


mx/mod list for the summer:
-FL wheel bearing (will be the second time its replaced)
-engine (possible EJ25 drop in to replace my knocking EJ22 and go +30hp)
-skirts, rear bumper, wing (need painted and installed)
-*maybe* 5mt (if budget allows, its not looking good right now though)

Reubs, I'm leaning a bit euro, but I have been eyeing turbo Bajas........mmmmm.....Subie ute......

[fwa2500]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/14073370148_43b0571d10_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/14073370148/)
Summer mode ver. 2 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/14073370148/) by fwa2500 (https://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/05/14236883906_0a7a44ea9a_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/14236883906/)
P5240448.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/14236883906/) by fwa2500 (https://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

Big thanks to the TiC crew for helping me get it sorted out! Firmer than the STi stuff and yet MUCH more comfortable, it doesn't crash over small bumps anymore, much of the harshness is gone, it doesn't pull on rutted roads anywhere near as much, but most of all it is quiet inside once again.....well, as much as it can be with the exhaust that is.

[98legwag]

Looks fantastic.

[Wagonista]

Hnngghhhh. Do I see a little suspension rake?

[Lancaster6]

Looks fantastic.

+1

I love the look of a lowered, white 2nd gen.

[peugoby]

Looks great! I'm jealous

[Huffer]

<---- also Jelly.

[fwa2500]

Thanks guys! Alex, ya, there is just a tiny bit of a rake. I love it :D

Big thanks to my friend Adam for this awesome shot taken on our way back from Scoobapalooza in St. Louis this weekend:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/06/14407604426_3ef426723f_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/adam39393/14407604426/)
Scoobapalooza 2014 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/adam39393/14407604426/) by ASR Photos (https://www.flickr.com/people/adam39393/), on Flickr

[Lancaster6]

:smt007

Love it man. I wish this pic was up when I nominated you for ROTM!

[Wagonista]

Downloaded the full-size and added to my wallpaper rotation.

[Wagonista]

I rode in this car today. It was great.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/08/IMAG1701_zps92de93a5-1.jpg

[fwa2500]

Those ladies in the next car over were hilarious. It was great seeing you again, I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Ohio!

[teriyakibbs]

My favorite car yet, the fact it's a Brighton is a plus. I just picked one up and I'm super happy with it :) purchased so I didn't have to drive the built leggy every day.

[fwa2500]

Hmmmmm............

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/09/O3TzQe2-1.jpg

[98legwag]

I approve.

[fwa2500]

Holy shit drilling holes is scary.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/3T41vWd-1.jpg

So worth it though...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/CLyLLhN-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/nfOmlFr-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/JEYZhrE-1.jpg

:D

Proper photos coming soon.

[Muse]

...Because those pictures are soooo improper. I mean, seriously, they oughtta have a censor bar over some parts of them. :lol:

[peugoby]

Looks right at home on there. Nice work on the install, it turned out really nicely!

[98legwag]

Looks great. The wing makes such a nice difference. I just wish I didn't massively screw up the paint on mine. I did way too much clear and now its cracked.

[Wagonista]

How's the fitment when you open your hatch? Does it rub at all against the roof?

[fwa2500]

Took me about 20 minutes to adjust the holes so I had enough clearance, I barely had enough battery power in the drill to finish, haha. Stupid 15+ year old drill with battery packs that don't hold a charge...

[fwa2500]

I hate people. And having to street park every day. But mostly people.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/ic7ymQq-1.jpg

[Boxer Wagon]

Those dirty bastards.

The average commuter is much like your average dog. Smart enough, but they'll shit on your carpet.

[fwa2500]

So given the rain we have had over the past week I have been able to see the difference in airflow over the hatch in the mist and water droplets. At ?55mph it looks like there is a lot less turbulence and its far more directed. Before it used to suck in from the sides to the centre of the glass with what looked like a fair amount of force but now it just goes strait down the hatch from the underside of the wing and with barely more force than water droplets rolling down the glass purely from gravity. I made these nifty arrows to illustrate:

Wingless
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/cTjIdOO-1.jpg

Winged
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/hopJroE-1.jpg

Aerodynamics are cool.

[Muse]

Yeah, if there's one thing I miss about my old BK, it's the wing. Well, wing, wiper and working rear defrost...

[WPEC]

Car looks really good and the color should be easier to put JDM exterior stuff. man! along with mostly awesome suspension stuff , jealously , sort of
Especially, this thread would be subscribed.

[fwa2500]

Some quick and dirty autumn shots:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/15366059079_41bf33b9af_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/15366059079/)
PA160925.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/15366059079/) by fwa2500 (https://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/14932504683_0e535188c9_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/14932504683/)
PA160926.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/14932504683/) by fwa2500 (https://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/15552687895_65f957ee1f_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/15552687895/)
PA160944.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/15552687895/) by fwa2500 (https://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/10/15552685845_4c978a59d5_c-1.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/15552685845/)
PA160940.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fwa2500/15552685845/) by fwa2500 (https://www.flickr.com/people/fwa2500/), on Flickr

[Reuben]

So pretty. And DOBC represent!

[fwa2500]

Well, the starting issue is back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYcIS3bySIw

I also recently fixed the right low beam which was out and now the left one has died and it looks to be a wiring issue. Fuck this is driving me crazy. I'm about to call it quits, I just want something that works.

[Reuben]

Quitting's for losers. You're not a loser.

[Muse]

If you do quit, you can always donate it to me. :lol:

[Wagonista]

Beautiful pictures. Need to get back out there.

[fwa2500]

Fixed my left headlight. Turns out not only was the primary ballast dead, but TWO of my spares were too. I hate electrical stuff.

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10733997_10152791062881508_4123092834333640763_n.jpg?oh=11d79723548c6addf7a5a0b799deb76d&oe=54D497F0

[Navi271]

Yeah... old electronic stuff around me has been acting weird recently. My wagon's ABS has been malfunctioning for a few months now. I unplugged it when it first started, and I plugged it back in the last week for fun. Tonight it was working perfectly. Testing it on ice it was chattering for days. No idea...

I didn't even know you had HID's.

[fwa2500]

Yesterday it threw me another curve ball, went and saw Interstellar with some friends and when went to leave the dash went dark, lost all backlighting on the gauges. Had to use Torque on my phone to pull the speed from the OBD II adapter and also show my GPS speed just in case. I stopped at the local international market (Jungle Jims, I'm pretty sure its been on Food Network a few times) and like magic it all worked again when I left to go home and has been working normally since then. I checked all the fuses but they all look fine, no idea what caused it to do that...

And ya, I've had HIDs for a number years now, that happened not too long after I swapped to the JDM lights.

[fwa2500]

Got another set of wheels that will replace the flaking bronze ones that I currently have on winter duty, hooray RS 6-spokes!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/YGrCTxw-2.jpg

These will be getting a fresh set of winter rubber as it is not worth it to transfer my current stuff over. The bronze wheels will be sold once these are on the car sometime next month.

[98legwag]

So nice. I love those wheels.

[Zangado1]

Nice factory rims for sure. They look great on our second gen's

[fwa2500]

It will actually be the second time this car will have 6-spokes on it, I borrowed a set to use from a friend way back when I originally painted the '05 WRX wheels bronze 5 years ago. So....here is how it will look once again when I finally get tyres for them, just with tint, scoop, moar JDM, exhaust, better brakes, and a wing :D

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/11/iExYKDl-2.jpg

I really do like the 6-spokes, such a clean design.




On an unrelated note, I do have a rather exciting purchase that should be arriving in the country sometime around new years...but that is going to remain a surprise :twisted: :grin:

[eddierotary]

Dam I like how it looks with the rs wheels.

[Muse]

RS 6-spokes are probably one of the coolest factory wheels out there.

[fwa2500]

Soon they will be on....I still need to clean the caked on mud out of the wheels and schedule an alignment before they can be mounted.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/12/aqNNOX6-1.jpg

[fwa2500]

Pretty sure my alternator just told me it is about to kick the bucket....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffj4uwaUGWM

Grrrrrr..........