Sub-Goon's '97 Outback

[Sub-Goon]

Well, got more stuff on the way!!
I got me a Group N Pitch Stop from FleaBay, a deal worked with r3v_v3ng3 for a set of JDM Tails, and a deal worked out for black leather w/red stitching steer wheel from an '01 RS2.5!

I'm thinking when I get to the point of matching exterior and interior pieces, adding some neon green!
Exterior:
OEM Spruce? Green over the whole car, except the rockers, and bumper insets in Black Bedliner. Neon green pinstripe in the standard OEM location or similar.
Interior:
OEM dark grey vinyl, with black suede door inserts, black plastic bits like lower door cards, window controls, vents, stereo & A/C surrounds.
All black fabric seats from an Impreza/WRX, neon green stitching on the leather shifter and leather wheel. Maybe I'll make a PBrake boot to match the shifter/wheel combo!

[Sub-Goon]

Well, finally got a few things done. The battery went out so it got a new one. I wire brushed the platform and sprayed it with some black Rustoleum.

After all that, I installed the K&N panel filter and the Group N Pitch Stop.
I really like the increased feel of the engine thru the chassis, also a slightly noticable increase in response from the throttle!

Then I had to run to the store and get some groceries, so I used my ELM327 module and the Torque app. My 0-60mph times got much worse!? 39.5 secs!?
Thats when I checked my 4EAT Power Mode switch, it was off. I switched it on and did a couple more runs!
0-60 10.9seconds! Thats more like it! Definitely a big difference that little mod makes!

At this time the only mods I have that would effect power are:
-Power Mode Switch
-DIY OEM CAI
-Torque Box delete
-Snorkus Delete
-K&N Filter
-10g Ground Kit
-Group N Pitch Stop

[r3v_v3ng3]

My 0-60mph times got much worse!? 39.5 secs!?
Thats when I checked my 4EAT Power Mode switch, it was off. I switched it on and did a couple more runs!
0-60 10.9seconds! Thats more like it! Definitely a big difference that little mod makes!

[Sub-Goon]

Spent most the day working on my moto, been doing a few trips lately and needed to fix an oil leak before I do another long weekend trip! But I did sneak in time to replace the broken cargo net hooks! And got the '01 RS2.5 leather steer wheel swapped in, finally! It wasn't a direct swap, the plug for the airbag doesn't match up and each have different pin styles so I couldn't just swap plugs. But the entire horn/airbag swapped right over and personally I think the Outback horn looks better on the new wheel! I suspect if I had gotten the RS clock spring, It would have all swapped over.

[r3v_v3ng3]

^^^Any pics? I got a spare 01 RS steering wheel but blown airbags. It does have a nice red stitching

[Sub-Goon]

^^^Any pics? I got a spare 01 RS steering wheel but blown airbags. It does have a nice red stitching

I'm familiar with the interweb rule that it didnt happen unless there are pics or video, so...


Here you can see a bunch of the interior stuff! Broadway mirror, leather wheel & shifter, gauge & shift bezel, OEM Power Ports, Red Hazard, custom Ebrake handle and Ram X-Grip. I really need to find a set of black STi floor mats and foot pedals!

[Sub-Goon]

More proof of work done!

Group N Pitch Stop!

Radiator Draft Stop!

Products needed

Loosen radiator, apply 3M double stick tape, then apply Garage Door Seal



Where'd the gaps go??
Now air will have a hard time escaping around the radiator!
Using TorquePro and the ELM327, I saw a 5-10* drop in coolant temps during an 85* day at speeds over 20mph! My OEM gauge is very consistant, but seems that any temps between 160*F-205*F read at the same location, right between the 2 wavy horizontal lines. That seems way too inaccurate for my liking, but just a matter of improving the cooling sys and learning how safe and consistant it works over time! Easy mod, less than $10!

[Thomistopheles]

I've never relied on a stock temp gauge and I never will... they have three settings: cold, normal, and bye bye head gaskets.

I may have to give the garage door seal a try.

[Rust2Runner]

That steering wheel is a beautiful swap!

[Sub-Goon]

I've never relied on a stock temp gauge and I never will... they have three settings: cold, normal, and bye bye head gaskets.

I agree!

[Sub-Goon]

That steering wheel is a beautiful swap!

Thank you! Yes it was simple and much nicer to drive with it. I go back and forth on how I feel, one day I wish it stood out more as an upgrade, the next day I like that it just blends in and looks like it belongs!

[Sub-Goon]

I did finally get around to ordering the STi 1.3bar radiator cap up from (OEM 0.9bar), as I have confirmed the old one is overflowing fluid, but not returning it to the radiator!

[Sub-Goon]

I've got a line on a OEM WRX Diff Skid Plate! And considering buying a set of WRX twin 5spokes (16") with tires, my tires are getting old and the rims are ugly. The twin 5s will work and look better, but I'd love to find a set of LGT Snowflakes or even better '01ish RS2.5 5or6 spokes! I keep seeing great deals on the RS wheels come up in other states on rs25.com, but never local for some reason!

Also, met a guy at work who's building his '05ish STi, so he's going to make me some deals on his cast off parts! Said he's got the stock axle back and he's probably going to sell me his Whiteline Strut Tower Braces!

[anothernord]

I hope your radiator doesn't explode with the higher pressure cap!

[slaytalera]

NIce work!

Ive seen people get cracked radiators from using the higher bar rad caps, FYI

[Rust2Runner]

Check out RT tires in Pacheco, they sell used and new tires there. I had them keep an eye out for a set for my wife's car. .. and they found a set of michelins for me with 95% tread! 5 tires for under $200 for her car. Totally changed my opinion on used tires, and saved me about $260

[Sub-Goon]

I hope your radiator doesn't explode with the higher pressure cap!

NIce work!

Ive seen people get cracked radiators from using the higher bar rad caps, FYI

Thanks guys! I considered the issues with the higher pressure, before I ordered it. The radiator got replaced a year or two ago, and looks to be in excellent shape. When I got the car it came with ALL the receipts from the dealer servicing, its a folder about 2" thick! 1.3 bar is only ~19psi vs the factory 0.9/13psi cap, so almost 50% increase in pressure but still not that much and the increase in pressure promotes better flow through the cooling system. But I am keeping it all in mind and watching it for telltale signs just in case!

After considering the risks and how old some of the parts are, I decided to play it safe and put a standard radiator cap on. The STi cap is in the spare parts box, at least til the entire cooling system is new!

I really need to get a better grip on my impulsiveness and get on top of the little stuff that needs to be done, but buying cool/pretty parts is so much more fun!

[Sub-Goon]

Check out RT tires in Pacheco, they sell used and new tires there. I had them keep an eye out for a set for my wife's car. .. and they found a set of michelins for me with 95% tread! 5 tires for under $200 for her car. Totally changed my opinion on used tires, and saved me about $260

Good idea! I'll look into that!

I've been wondering what the PickNPulls do with all the aluminum rims around here, I would be nice if they went to some warehouse. I suspect they go to the metal recyclers!

[Rust2Runner]

I've wondered that too. I only ever see the cheesy aftermarket wheels up front, and of course the steelies holding the cars up, but where do all the nice OEM sets hide?

I've gotten into the habit of not even looking at the wheels they have for sale. TOO MANY times I've caught myself staring at ugly rims thinking to myself "those aren't that bad...".

[Sub-Goon]

I've wondered that too. I only ever see the cheesy aftermarket wheels up front, and of course the steelies holding the cars up, but where do all the nice OEM sets hide?

I've gotten into the habit of not even looking at the wheels they have for sale. TOO MANY times I've caught myself staring at ugly rims thinking to myself "those aren't that bad...".

So true! They are always ugly universal wheels with nasty curb rash! Like some unwritten rule of only reselling wheels from hit & runs!

[Odycee]

I've got a line on a OEM WRX Diff Skid Plate! And considering buying a set of WRX twin 5spokes (16") with tires, my tires are getting old and the rims are ugly. The twin 5s will work and look better, but I'd love to find a set of LGT Snowflakes or even better '01ish RS2.5 5or6 spokes! I keep seeing great deals on the RS wheels come up in other states on rs25.com, but never local for some reason!

Also, met a guy at work who's building his '05ish STi, so he's going to make me some deals on his cast off parts! Said he's got the stock axle back and he's probably going to sell me his Whiteline Strut Tower Braces!

I have 02-03 WRX wheels for $150, tires on them are shot.

[Sub-Goon]

I have 02-03 WRX wheels for $150, tires on them are shot.

I might be interested in those, are like these?

I'm going to be moving here in the next month or 2, so I wont be looking to put new tires on till after that. Really hoping to find a pair of the RS 5 or 6 spokes or something similar!

[Thomistopheles]

Yeah, 02-03 wrx wheels look like that. I have a set of them on my car, they look good on 2nd gens.

[Odycee]

I have 02-03 WRX wheels for $150, tires on them are shot.

I might be interested in those, are like these?

I'm going to be moving here in the next month or 2, so I wont be looking to put new tires on till after that. Really hoping to find a pair of the RS 5 or 6 spokes or something similar!

Exactly in your pics, too bad I didn't know you want these cuz I have RS steering wheel too. Also have 04-06 Legacy GT 17" and RS seats F/R.

[Sub-Goon]

Exactly in your pics, too bad I didn't know you want these cuz I have RS steering wheel too. Also have 04-06 Legacy GT 17" and RS seats F/R.

I'm not big on the WRX wheels, the set i was considering came with tires that still had some miles on them. Probably passing on those.
What do your 17s look like? I havent researched tires for 17s, been figuring on no larger than 16s, but for the right price a look, I might keep a set of street/commute wheels and a set of offroad/long trip

[Sub-Goon]

On my way home, I stopped for a shake and came out to notice this!

[r3v_v3ng3]

Nice pic
Which outback is this?

[Sub-Goon]

Nice pic
Which outback is this?

Fremont, Stevenson & 880

It would be funny to start a meetup at an Outback or do a new Outback each meetup?!

[Odycee]

Exactly in your pics, too bad I didn't know you want these cuz I have RS steering wheel too. Also have 04-06 Legacy GT 17" and RS seats F/R.

I'm not big on the WRX wheels, the set i was considering came with tires that still had some miles on them. Probably passing on those.
What do your 17s look like? I havent researched tires for 17s, been figuring on no larger than 16s, but for the right price a look, I might keep a set of street/commute wheels and a set of offroad/long trip

Perfect condition, like new, no rash.

2005-06 Legacy GT
Size: 17x7"
Offset: +55
Bolt pattern: 5x100
OEM-equipped tire size: 215/45R17

[Sub-Goon]

Well the cap helped me locate a very small tear in the upper radiator hose, so I had a fight with the coolant sys on Tues during my long drive home from work. Once I got a new hose and put it on it worked beautifully, better than it has in the 4 months I've owned the car. I also bought the lower, but havent swapped that in yet.

I also got tired of not having any A/C, so I got one of the refill bottles and topped it up and now its running icy cold, cold enough to make my hands hurt. Which was nice, cause on Friday I had to work in a hot bus, with no A/C!