98legwag's 98 Legacy L Wagon

[98legwag]

I bought my wagon used in October of 2005 with 55,000 miles. Car was bone stock when I bought and is not too far from it now. Color is Deep Sapphire Pearl.

Interior:
GC Impreza RS front seats
04 wrx wagon rear seats
6 CD changer from 02 WRX
Sony Explod speakers
2 factory under seat subs
LED gauges and hvac
LED map, dome, and cargo lights
BH all weather floor mats
Plastidipped gauge bezel
Outback cargo tie downs
Recovered door card inserts with carbon fiber vinyl

Exterior:
JDM Projector Headlights
DIY Custom Grille
Honda Pilot rear wiper
JDM Projector Fog Lights
Hella 500 driving lights
Outback hood w/scoop
OEM Wagon Spoiler
JDM side markers

Engine & Trans:
Stock


Brakes, Suspension & Handling:
Grimmspeed Brake Master Cylinder Brace
04 WRX front and rear brakes with Hawk HPS brake pads
02 WRX wagon GR2s/springs
Outback front and rear sway bars
Bugeye WRX wheels
Noltec rear endlinks
Hard Race front endlinks

[98legwag]

Another mod is on route to my house. Its the same as what I am waiting on for the 3.0R. A couple friends did this and talked me into it. It never stops.....

[Navi271]

Both cars are getting something new? I'm interested to see what it is!

I can't stop modding either...

[98legwag]

The new part for this car should be delivered today and hopefully installed tomorrow. It may wait till Sunday because I am making a junkyard run with some friends tomorrow.

[98legwag]

Well, it has arrived. I got Grimmspeed Brake Master Cylinder Braces for both cars. The one for the 09 should be here Monday. I may install this tomorrow, but I am going to a few pick and pull yards with some friends so I will see if I have any time to do this after.

[WPEC]

Well, it has arrived. I got Grimmspeed Brake Master Cylinder Braces for both cars. The one for the 09 should be here Monday. I may install this tomorrow, but I am going to a few pick and pull yards with some friends so I will see if I have any time to do this after.

Can I test drive once its done?
Awesome Mod

[98legwag]

Its done. It makes a nice improvement. Braking is much more linear now. However, it helped point out how old and tired the BMC is after 173,XXX miles. I will probably replace that sooner rather than later. Here it is before the shaft and cup were put on and everything else was put back.

[r3v_v3ng3]

Yeah the brace helps out alot and you can feel the difference too!

[98legwag]

Yeah the brace helps out alot and you can feel the difference too!

Agreed. I think it made more of a difference on my 3.0R. But that could be due to a number of factors, including that it has 100,000 less miles.

[98legwag]

I bought them from superbrightleds.com. I cannot remember which exact led they are. I can tell you they are the tag lights now on the 3.0R and they are stupidly bright for that purpose.

[98legwag]

So for the 2nd winter in a row my wagon won't start when its super cold out. Both times it cranks but won't start. The starter is about 4-5 years old. The battery is about two years old. I am thinking its a fuel issue. Would a fuel pump not work when its really cold out? Its about 12 degrees right now. It started yesterday, but it did take a while. It was slightly warmer yesterday.

[98legwag]

Hmm, thinking about this more. The spark plugs in the car have been in there at least 20k miles and they are NGK V Powers. Looks like its time for them to get replaced.

[Odycee]

I always use NGK Iridium plugs, runs smoother and last longer.

[98legwag]

I always use NGK Iridium plugs, runs smoother and last longer.

That is what I ordered last night. Should be here tomorrow. I still want to know why it won't start when its around 10 degrees or colder. One friend of mine suggested that when the air the cold the car is struggling to get the air/fuel ratio right.

All I know is both times its been in the driveway blocking in the 3.0R. I sure am tired of pushing the wagon when its 5 degrees outside.

[98legwag]

So for poops and giggles I swapped the stock coil back on, in the snow mind you, and it started right up. I am not sure if it was the coil or the connection going to it.

[98legwag]

Spark plugs arrived yesterday. I will change them hopefully this weekend. I also noticed the right rear tire was low. It had 22 psi. While putting air in I found out why. The valve stem leaks when its moved the slightest bit. Its good thing a friend owns a shop, I will be there Saturday morning for him to replace that valve stem and maybe the other three.

[98legwag]

The wagon got fresh NGK Iridium IX spark plugs tonight. I noticed the air filter was looking pretty dirty now. Tomorrow it will get a new brake master cylinder and brake fluid along with a new air filter I picked up. Possibly new coolant. My Pepboys didn't have any Peak Global Lifetime, which is what people seem to like other than OEM coolant. I will check Napa and Advance Auto Parts in the morning. The battery tie down is looking rough so I may paint that tomorrow too.

[98legwag]

Yesterday the new brake master cylinder went it along with all new fluid. After change it there was no difference in how the pedal felt. But after driving it a bit the pedal started to feel better. It started to firm up and has less travel now. My friend's dad said the seals in the master cylinder make take a little to time full seat and break in. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?

While working on the car we noticed the right front caliper may not be working at 100%. There was a small bit of the rotor that was not being contacted by the pad near the lip of the rotor. We also noticed the inner CV boot on the passenger side front axle is completely split. Just what I want. To spend more money on this car instead of buying wheels and tires for the 3.0R.

[WPEC]

Did you get Oem BMC ? I'm going to fix mine soon.

[98legwag]

Yup. But my car still doesn't feel like it used to. I think I have a caliper having an issue. I am going to be ordering calipers, pads, and rotors for all 4 corners.

[WPEC]

Yo! i got you .
Before ordering thos stuff. I would share mine here,
On the afternoon today, I fixed wrx driver side front caliper that had seized slide pin because of damages of boot and the hole was rust condition.
I feel better to have more brake friction but still need a bit better stop than now, will look for replace the BMC with lower mileage, tho.

[98legwag]

I just ordered new calipers along with Brembo rotors and Stoptech pads for all four corners.

[98legwag]

Well, my roof basket is gone. It moved on to its new home with @kcowles this weekend.

[98legwag]

Front and rear Stop Tech street pads and the front calipers arrived today. The rotors and rear calipers should arrive tomorrow. The calipers will be painted prior to install. The 3.0R will get work done this weekend before this car since I daily the 3.0R.

[WPEC]

What model of rotors did you order? I probably order soon from Rockauto,since mine 's wobbling. May have another sick deal?

[98legwag]

I got Brembo rotors from tirerack.com. They are on sale right now. I have heard good things about Centric rotors too.

[98legwag]

The new calipers got a coat of paint last night. Red for the extra horsepower.

[geckoboy86]

from SuperGramps Part 14

[98legwag]

The new brakes went on today/tonight. The wagon finally stops like it should again. I only took it out to bed in the pads and rotors, but its a HUGE improvement. However, the parking brake shoes are shot. One actually came apart while we were replacing the rear rotors. Looks like I have to spend more money on this pile.

[98legwag]

All pictures removed. Thanks Photobucket!