jamal's 98 2.5GT

[jamal]

Had to re-install my gallery software and most of the pictures in this thread are broken. Until I get around to fixing them all you can see everything here:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=15


Hello everyone. Here's my 98 2.5GT:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5352/p1080180mzf7.jpg

You might recognize it, and me, from other subaru places on the internets.

I bought the car last July after my 93 spun a rod bearing.

Unfortunately this one was not without issue and needed headgaskets. So I bought some, along with a bunch of other stuff from the dealership:

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1796/0711081930fc4.th.jpg (http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0711081930fc4.jpg)

Seeing as there was no service history for the car, I decided a new timing belt, water pump, tensioner, idlers, and just about every oil seal wouldn't be a bad idea. Then one weekend last august I pulled the motor and stripped it down:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3775-2/IMG_0058.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3777-2/IMG_0058.JPG)

Here's the new and old headgasket

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3779-2/IMG_0059.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3781-2/IMG_0059.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3787-2/IMG_0061.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3789-2/IMG_0061.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3793-2/IMG_0087.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3795-2/IMG_0087.JPG)

Disassembled and cleaned heads:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3750-2/IMG_0052.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3752-2/IMG_0052.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3759-2/IMG_0054.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3761-2/IMG_0054.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3767-2/IMG_0056.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3769-2/IMG_0056.JPG)

Assembly time:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3925-1/IMG_0063.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3927-2/IMG_0063.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3933-1/IMG_0066.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3935-2/IMG_0066.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3937-1/IMG_0067.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3939-2/IMG_0067.JPG)

Some new seals and whatnot:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3945-1/IMG_0069.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3947-2/IMG_0069.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3949-1/IMG_0070.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3951-2/IMG_0070.JPG)

Here's the block with the heads and valve covers on

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3953-1/IMG_0072.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3955-2/IMG_0072.JPG)

More new things:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3961-1/IMG_0074.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3963-2/IMG_0074.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3965-1/IMG_0075.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3967-2/IMG_0075.JPG)

Installed water pump, seals, cam gears, idlers, timing belt

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3969-1/IMG_0076.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3971-2/IMG_0076.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3973-1/IMG_0077.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3975-2/IMG_0077.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3977-1/IMG_0078.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3979-2/IMG_0078.JPG)
http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3981-1/IMG_0079.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3983-2/IMG_0079.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3985-1/IMG_0080.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3987-2/IMG_0080.JPG)

Intake manifold.

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3989-1/IMG_0081.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3991-2/IMG_0081.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3993-1/IMG_0082.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3995-2/IMG_0082.JPG)

And things are about ready to go in:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3997-1/IMG_0083.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3999-2/IMG_0083.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4001-1/IMG_0084.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4003-2/IMG_0084.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4005-1/IMG_0085.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4007-2/IMG_0085.JPG)

That's probably enough for a first post, right? I've done a fair amount of work to the suspension so I'll post about that next I suppose:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3854-2/IMG_0102.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3856-2/IMG_0102.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3882-2/IMG_0109.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3884-2/IMG_0109.JPG)

mod list as of 2/11

Sti struts (fronts slotted, rear camber bolts)
RaceComp Engineering black springs
Whiteline com-c offset top mounts
Whiteline roll center kit
22mm f+r adjustable whiteline swaybars
kartboy endlinks
04+ impreza rear swaybars mounts
Whiteline ALK
whiteline steering rack bushings
Turn in Concepts front + rear trailing arm bushings
Turn in Concepts lateral link bushings
kartboy outrigger bushings
kartboy rear subframe lock bolts
kartboy trans crossmember bushings
kartboy front and rear shifter bushings
custom shift linkage bushings from mcmaster
new motor/trans mounts from an sti
AFI turbo pitch stop
WRX front brakes
H6 rear brakes
Stoptech street performance pads
techna-fit SS lines
Cusco master cylinder brace
05+ LGT wheels with 225/45-17 Hankook v12 evo
02-03 WRX front seats
02-03 WRX 6-disc cd changer
black interior trim and side mirrors
JDM sti 5-speed shift knob

[Huffer]

Dayamn. I think you win "most detailed and impressive first post w/ pics".

Welcome! I think you'll be very handy in the tech sections. Looking forward to seeing you around often!

[peugoby]

Welcome!
I've seen your Legacy over on bbs.legacycentral, LegacyGT.com & Nasioc. Glade to see you made it over here. Post those pics you have with the +45et RPF1's.

Great looking GT :smt023

[2.5GT]

Congrats on the purchase and the rebuilt! :wink:

[T_F_E]

Good work

[jamal]

Well I suppose I could post a bit more. All this stuff is written up and formatted elsewhere so it's not like I have to do much more that copy and paste.

Anyway, being that I have a non-turbo slow car, and have always had a non-turbo slow car, I mostly ignore the power aspect of things and focus on the suspension and brakes. Some day I'll have the power, and that will be when I have an extra 8 grand or so laying around to buy a wrecked sti for a swap.

Speaking of the sti, I've found that if you're really, really broke, stock sti parts can make you a pretty decent suspension. No, they're not 3-way kws, but as an all around performer it's hard to top stock sti struts and springs. I bought a set of 04 take-offs and made them fit in my old 93 Legacy. That car had every type of abuse thrown at it, from hard canyon driving, to high speed on gravel, to rally-x, and having all four wheels off the ground on multiple occasions. I could go on and on about suspension, but I'll save that for the tech sections and work.

Like I said the old car had 04 sti take-offs. They had three years of abuse on them and clunked and I wanted some fresh suspension. I bought some low mileage take-off the same week I bought the car. I think they came off an 06. The convienent thing about sti struts is that they are inverted and come apart. To get the 06 stuff to fit all I had to do was swap over the lower front housings, like so:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3850-2/IMG_0101.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3852-2/IMG_0101.JPG) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/ (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3856-2/IMG_0102.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3870-1/IMG_0106.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3872-2/IMG_0106.JPG)

Yeah, yeah, I know it's not color coordinated. While I had the fronts apart I re-greased them and cut down the bumpstops to make the front a little softer. The old inserts were starting to show some pretty good scoring. It's definitely a good idea to at least put some grease on the strut shaft near the seal whenever possible. Also I slotted out the lower front holes while I had them out to get good alignment numbers. For the rear I have camber bolts. My current alignment is around -2 degrees of front camber and a little over a degree in the rear. One of my struts is slotted a little farther so I'll have to take the other one out to bump the camber up a bit.

Installation:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3834-2/IMG_0097.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3836-2/IMG_0097.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3874-1/IMG_0107.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3876-2/IMG_0107.JPG)

I installed my whiteline alk, 18mm rear swaybar, and kartboy endlinks while I was at it:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/ (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3884-2/IMG_0109.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3890-2/IMG_0113.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3892-2/IMG_0113.JPG)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3886-2/IMG_0112.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3888-2/IMG_0112.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3894-2/IMG_0117.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3896-2/IMG_0117.JPG)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3898-2/IMG_0118.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3899-2/IMG_0118.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3902-2/IMG_0119.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/3904-2/IMG_0119.JPG)

The 18mm bar is a nice step up from the stock 16mm part, but to really get these cars to handle you need enough roll stiffness to keep the car flat and a boatload of rear bar. I've done a bit more since these pictures but I'll post about that later.

[impreza_GC8]

Great work! I like those wheels, I've got some RS 6-spokes on my Legacy right now too. Good suspension work as well.

[jamal]

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, I didn't really like the stock silver wheels on a silver car. I think I'm going to have to stick with colors darker than the car. Although white might look good. Here's all the wheels I've had on there:

Black RS wheels that currently need new tires:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4564-2/0708081506.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4563-1/0708081506.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4567-2/0709081015.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4566-1/0709081015.jpg)

Silver RPF1s I borrowed for awhile:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4245-2/1130081543a.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4244-1/1130081543a.jpg)

I didn't really like how they looked on the car, plus they were a little too hella flush.

02-04 wrx wheels look decent, and is what's currently on the car:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4570-2/1230081622.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4571-2/1230081622.jpg)

I'm probably going to buy a set of tires for the RS wheels, or maybe try out some LGT wheels. I have a full set and some very used re070s, but the first one we tried to mount leaked. I'm not sure if it's the wheel or the tire, though.

[jamal]

So a few weeks after my motor build I noticed a squeaking throwout bearing. Pretty damn annoying because I had the motor out, noticed the clutch was brand new, and didn't touch anything. So I bought a throwout bearing and some other stuff to put in while it was convenient:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4350-1/IMG_0574.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4352-2/IMG_0574.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4346-1/IMG_0575.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4348-2/IMG_0575.JPG)


I like karboy parts, by the way.

5 speed mount vs the sti mount I put in:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4322-1/IMG_0582.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4324-2/IMG_0582.JPG)http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4342-1/IMG_0576.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4344-2/IMG_0576.JPG)

New parts going on:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4358-2/IMG_0601.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4360-2/IMG_0601.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4258-2/IMG_0599.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4260-2/IMG_0599.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4298-2/IMG_0589.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4300-2/IMG_0589.JPG)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4366-2/IMG_0603.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4368-2/IMG_0603.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4370-2/IMG_0604.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4372-2/IMG_0604.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4374-2/IMG_0606.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4376-2/IMG_0606.JPG)

The shifter still has a bit of side to side slop and a long throw, but it feels good. I'm thinking I might want a short shifter and to replace the u-joint linkage thingy bushings.

The kartboy botox bolts didn't really add any rear end noise over the outrigger bushings. Plus after changing all the fluids out the growl I was getting on decel faded a bit. Or I just got used to it. They did perfectly center my rear subframe, though. Both toe bolts are set to "0"

[jamal]

Have I mentioned my new swaybars?

I got these from robispec in exchange for working at one of the suspension days we put on with them. They're 22mm front and rear adjustable whitelines, which unfortunately are the biggest bars available for the car.

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4573-2/evo+x+pics+002.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4575-2/evo+x+pics+002.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4577-2/evo+x+pics+003.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4579-2/evo+x+pics+003.jpg)

Those are 04+ impreza mounting brackets to go with the rear bar.

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4581-2/JamalSpecSWAYS.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4583-2/JamalSpecSWAYS.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4585-2/JamalSpecSWAYS2.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4587-2/JamalSpecSWAYS2.jpg)

The GTs have a different front crossmember than the other Legacies of the generation it seems, with stronger front swaybar mounts and a different bushing. So while I waited for new bushings I rolled around with just the rear bar set to soft for awhile.

I have to say that got rid of a lot of understeer. I have the front bar on now, set to soft with the rear at medium and the car handles so much better and has so much more grip. Honestly though I wish there was a 24mm rear bar available. Once I put on some stickier tires I'll bump up the stiffness.

I still need to make some tweaks to the alignment so I can get a bit more negative camber up front. Right now I'm at about -2 degrees. Also here are the corner weights of the car:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4590-2/0308092239.jpg

So the corner balance is about 5% off, and the car has a 56/44 weight distribution with a mostly empty tank of gas. It does weight less than I expected, and it has roof racks on it and a fair amount of junk in there. I intend to pick up some racecomp engineering black springs along with a roll center kit, so when I do that and re-align the car I may put some shims in the strut towers to get the weights a little closer. I can actually notice a difference between left and right turns due to the corner weights and alignment. I think a lighter battery and hood would be really nice to have. Looks like there are still vis carbon hoods floating around e-bay. I wonder if there was ever an aluminum hood for these car (probably not).

[jamal]

Awhile ago I broke my passenger side mirror by parking too close to the fence along my driveway, so it's been taped/glued in place for awhile. I stumbled across an outback in a junkyard the other day so I grabbed the mirrors for $17 each, along with the HVAC controls since my lights are burned out and the vent controls don't always work right.

I also bought some new falken ze-912s in 225-50/16 for my RS wheels, and decided to take off the roof rack since I wasn't using it:

Before:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4789-1/0408091546a.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4788-1/0408091546a.jpg)

Broken mirror:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4780-1/0408091552a.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4779-1/0408091552a.jpg)

After:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4777-1/0408091614.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4776-1/0408091614.jpg)

I think I like the black mirrors more than silver. I'm going to take the trim out of that outback to replace the woodgrain interior pieces, and probably do something about the chrome trim on the grill. Also I'll take some better pictures with a real camera and wash my car one of these days.

[aznguy0087]

wow, this car is coming out really nice!!! :smt023

[2.5GT]

Very good progress you have there :smt023

[jamal]

Took a couple of new pictures...

A scenic overlook of, uh, Long Beach:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4929-4/IMG_0738.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4987-2/IMG_0738.JPG)

This gives a good idea of my alignment:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4932-4/IMG_0743.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4934-2/IMG_0743.JPG)

Here's my interior with WRX seats, a WRX cd changer, and black trim:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4937-4/IMG_0744.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4939-2/IMG_0744.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4947-4/IMG_0746.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4949-2/IMG_0746.JPG) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4942-4/IMG_0745.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4944-2/IMG_0745.JPG)

I bought some wrx seat material the other day with the intention of putting it in my door cards. I'll also track down some wrx rear seats so everything matches, although it will suck to lose the fold down. But hey whatever I have a roof rack for skis and bikes.

Random shot in the driveway:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4952-4/IMG_0747.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/4954-2/IMG_0747.JPG)

My antenna was stuck in the up position so I took it out. Need to find a replacement mast and cable.

[jamal]

I finally ditched the stock brakes for some slightly better stock brakes.

WRX front brakes
Legacy H6 rear brakes
Techna-fit SS lines
Hawk HPS pads.

The new rear rotors have a larger diameter than the old front rotors, which is kind of funny.

Here's the only picture I took:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/6186-2/0819091052.jpg

As for how they work, I'm reasonably happy. There seems to be a bit of play that I think I'll try adjusting out at the pedal. Initially the pads are also a bit soft, but once I'm into them they are firm and feel pretty great. They get a little better with heat as well.

Thoughts at improvement: MC brace, single diaphragm booster, better pads, 4-pot calipers. I'll probably do all that eventually.

[peugoby]

Nice upgrades! Ya - those rear H6's are absolutely massive

[jamal]

sure didn't expect to have my motor out again so soon.

broke my car last weekend doing a canyon drive. The worst part was that it happened at the top, so we had to have a flatbed drive up there at 11pm. Since none of us had AAA plus or whatever I could only get a tow to the bottom of the hill, where we left the car in a grocery store parking lot. Then I got a ride to pick up a truck and trailer, which was an hour away.

my car on the trailer:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9728-2/0221001258.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9730-2/0221001258.jpg)

AQ Motorsports (formerly Harman Motive):

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9643-2/IMG_0559.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9645-2/IMG_0559.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9652-2/IMG_0561.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9654-2/IMG_0561.jpg)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9648-2/IMG_0560.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9650-2/IMG_0560.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9656-2/IMG_0562.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9658-2/IMG_0562.jpg)

Taking motor out and apart:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9660-2/IMG_0564.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9662-2/IMG_0564.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9664-2/IMG_0565.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9666-2/IMG_0565.jpg)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9668-2/IMG_0567.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9670-2/IMG_0567.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9676-2/IMG_0570.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9678-2/IMG_0570.jpg)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9684-2/IMG_0572.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9686-2/IMG_0572.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9704-2/IMG_0581.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9706-2/IMG_0581.jpg)

Broken stuff:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9708-2/IMG_0582.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9710-2/IMG_0582.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9716-2/IMG_0584.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9718-2/IMG_0584.jpg)

To top it off I had practically no compression in cylinder 1 due to a leaking intake valve, so I'm having the heads rebuilt too. I kind of wanted to do it myself but decided to let the machine shop do it since they could probably use a resurfacing.

The machine shop I'm using, Outfront Motorsports, is hooking me up big time on the parts and labor. He's going to give me an exchanged crank, rods, and pistons for practically nothing. Then i need to buy an oil pump and headgaskets, but I can re-use pretty much everything else since it's all new. Should be putting this thing back together next week.

[httrdd]

Sux man! This time build the internals stronger, lighter and to get more power!

[jamal]

it would be fun to bump up the compression. put in some cams, do the exhaust, and throw on a piggyback and do some tuning, but I want to get this thing back on the road asap. I am paying to have the heads done and buying more expensive bearings than I need to, but the main goal here is to do it on the cheap.

If/when this car gets real power it will be in the form of a wrx or sti swap.

[Lone_legacy]

I just came across this thread for the first time. I dont know how I missed it. Wow! Nice progress man. I like the detail you go into with the installs. Very professional.

[jamal]

have had the motor in and running for a couple of weeks now. here are some pictures of that:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9870-1/IMG_0703.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9872-2/IMG_0703.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9874-1/IMG_0704.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9876-2/IMG_0704.jpg)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9878-1/IMG_0705.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9880-2/IMG_0705.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9882-1/IMG_0707.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9884-2/IMG_0707.jpg)

Ooooo shiny:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9886-2/IMG_0708.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9888-2/IMG_0708.jpg)

step one is put the rod bearings in the rods, and the rods on the crank:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9890-1/IMG_0709.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9892-2/IMG_0709.jpg)

Then the main bearings go in the block halves and the crank goes in:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9894-2/IMG_0710.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9896-2/IMG_0710.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9898-1/IMG_0711.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9900-2/IMG_0711.jpg)

Here are all the case bolts and new washers. The washers have an o-ring built into them since some of the bolts are in the water jacket:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9906-1/IMG_0713.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9907-2/IMG_0713.jpg)

o-rings for oil and coolant passages:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9910-1/IMG_0714.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9912-2/IMG_0714.jpg)

case halves together:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9914-1/IMG_0715.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9916-2/IMG_0715.jpg)

installing pistons:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9918-1/IMG_0716.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9920-2/IMG_0716.jpg)

Shortblock mostly done:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9923-2/IMG_0717.jpg

freshly rebuilt heads:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9954-1/IMG_0723.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9956-2/IMG_0723.jpg)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9958-1/IMG_0724.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9960-2/IMG_0724.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9966-1/IMG_0726.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9968-2/IMG_0726.jpg)

Installing heads:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9970-1/IMG_0727.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9972-2/IMG_0727.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9978-1/IMG_0729.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9980-2/IMG_0729.jpg)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9982-1/IMG_0730.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9984-2/IMG_0730.jpg)

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9986-1/IMG_0731.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9988-2/IMG_0731.jpg)

Timing stuff:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9990-1/IMG_0732.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9992-2/IMG_0732.jpg)

It seems I put all that stuff on without taking any pictures. I did take a video of myself putting on the timing belt which is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1PunROR3VU

Things on the bottom of the motor:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9994-2/IMG_0734.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9996-2/IMG_0734.jpg)

finished and in the car:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/9998-2/IMG_0735.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/10000-2/IMG_0735.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/10002-2/IMG_0736.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/10004-2/IMG_0736.jpg)

my new free wheels:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/10007-2/IMG_0737.jpg

[LSiTo5Revo]

Got any napkins in that glove box? Got a little excited...

[jamal]

I do have some pictures of my break-in procedure:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/10013-2/IMG_0748.jpg

A nice drive through the middle of nowhere.

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/10058-2/IMG_0762.jpg

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/10066-2/IMG_0764.jpg

thankfully the car didn't have any issues.

[jamal]

Added some new parts the other day:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13343-2/IMG_3137.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13342-2/IMG_3137.JPG)

Whiteline Com-C offset top mounts, Racecomp Engineering Black springs, and a Whiteline roll center kit.

the tops are offset to add caster and camber. They're meant for a GD which means they don't point the same direction on a BC/GC/BD but for me it's actually better. I have plenty of negative camber and these almost only add caster:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13348-2/IMG_3138.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13347-2/IMG_3138.JPG)

here's the roll center kit:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13353-2/IMG_3139.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13352-2/IMG_3139.JPG)

I also re-greased the sti strut housings while I was at it because the rears were starting to clunk:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13358-2/IMG_3140.JPG (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13357-2/IMG_3140.JPG)

Comparison between stock sti suspension and the black springs:

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

I bought tires for those LGT wheels as you might have noticed. They're Hankook Ventus V12 EVOs in 225/45-17. So far I'm very happy with the performance for the price.

Impressions of the suspension work:

Car definitely rides more firmly and there is more nvh transmitted into the car due to the springs and the stiffer rubber top mounts. The added caster made the steering a little heavier. Front of the car is a lot less vague and the car is more responsive. Overall very happy and I will be doing re-valved feal inserts and some new bushings in the rear of the suspension next.



Also I bought these things awhile back:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13076-2/IMG00424-20100919-1244_1_.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13075-2/IMG00424-20100919-1244_1_.jpg) http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13081-2/IMG00421-20100919-1240_1_.jpg (http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/13080-2/IMG00421-20100919-1240_1_.jpg)

[Lone_legacy]

The new stance is nice. Where did you get the shift knob?

[jamal]

we had it at the shop. I see them online too from places like subarugenuineparts. Could definitely have put that money to better use though.

[jamal]

took the transmission out of my car AGAIN yesterday. That makes three times now. Once to replace a throwout bearing, 2nd time to fix an oil leak on the back of my block after the rebuild, and now to replace the throwout bearing again. The reason I keep going through throwout bearings is this:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/14161-2/IMG_3710.JPG

so I got one of these:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/14146-2/IMG_3706.JPG

it's a TSK sleeve kit that provides a new surface for the throwout bearing to slide along:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/14166-2/IMG_3712.JPG

While I was at it I did a few other things, like replacing the bushings in the shifter linkage with some nylon parts I got from mcmaster-carr. To do it I just drilled out the rivet and replaced it with a standard bolt. I did have to slightly drill out the bushings for them to fit as they are 3/8" and the bolt is 10mm.

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/14156-2/IMG_3709.JPG

My friends over at AFI turbo also hooked me up with a pitch stop mount so I installed that too:

http://jamalb.net/gallery/d/14131-2/IMG_3658.JPG

clutch feels awesome, shifter feels awesome, but the pitch stop added a lot of noise. I might actually take it off.

[csweston]

Wow, i have no clue how i missed this previously! Great work and documentation!

[jamal]

Got some new bushings today:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3724JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3724.JPG)

They go in the rear upright where the trailing arm attaches and are Turn in Concept's newest product. I was fortunate enough to receive a test set in advance. Here's one compared to the stock bushing:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3727JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3727.JPG)

A piece of pipe, a nut and bolt and some washers made it pretty easy to remove the stock ones:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3728JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3728.JPG)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3726JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3726.JPG)

Then the new ones just press in by hand:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3729JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3729.JPG)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3730JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3730.JPG)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3733JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3733.JPG)


still working on the review. First impressions are that I notice a difference and it's good, and all the rest of the bushings back there need to change asap.

[daddywagon]

Reading this is actually a learning experience. Very nice writeup.

[Danny-G]

Quick question regarding the throwout bearing squeak. Does it sound kinda like tires being squeaked? My moms '97 outback makes a squeak like that and its only when the clutch is out but its not every time the clutch is out.

[jamal]

yeah it's kind of a slight metallic squeaking you'll notice mostly in the drivethru with the windows down, and it will go away as soon as you touch the clutch pedal.

[Danny-G]

Yeah, thats the case with her car and it started after the clutch was replaced. So would you reccomond one of the TSK sleeve kits as a fix?

[nasioc]

all i can think of...you have so much time to spare....

[jamal]

more bushings showed up today and my Feal Suspension re-valved sti struts will be done this week:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3768JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3768.JPG)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3769JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3769.JPG)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3771JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3771.JPG)

[jamal]

got a car wash and took a picture awhile ago:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3796tJPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/IMG_3796.JPG)

then today I installed some stuff.

Firstly new brakes. I picked up some stoptech/centric rotors and Stoptech street performance pads, then did a fluid flush and bleed with Motul RBF600. It's like a night and day difference over the old Hawks.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3835JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/brakes/IMG_3835.JPG)

Also put in the rest of my suspension bushings.

Front lateral links came off easy:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3846JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3846.JPG)

Rears not so much:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3847JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3847.JPG)

thankfully we just bought this car so I stole the bolts off it:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3853JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3853.JPG)

These ones were also a pain in the ass but I eventually found some sockets and press tools that got the stock ones out:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3850JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3850.JPG)

all done:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3851JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3851.JPG)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/02/IMG_3852JPG-1.jpg (http://jamalb.net/pictures/TiC%20bushings/IMG_3852.JPG)

[Baddog]

How much were the pads? I was looking at getting hawks (going with the 04 WRX calipers and H6 Rear rotor) but if you noticed a good difference over the hawks.

[jamal]

it's about $115 for the set and I got my hawks on sale for $130 I think. These have a higher coefficient of friction than the HPS and a higher max operating temperature. So the initial bite is better, you get more braking force with less pedal pressure, and they'll deal with temps of something like 1100F, which is on par with the Hawk HP+ and Ferodo DS2500. Best street pad for the money by far.

[Baddog]

For just the fronts?

[bulldozer24]

how do the new bushings feel?

[jamal]

not sure. There's a slight increase in road noise and I get the same thunk out of the rear end as I got from the front after the ALK and top mounts. I've only really driven it home and it was raining last night so no real impressions so far.

[littlehadsell]

im just wicked jealus of the lgt wheels. i have the exact same car and have been searching for them localy and havnt found any.