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Ninfourteener's Progress Thread + Pics

151K views 884 replies 78 participants last post by  Mikie13 
#1 · (Edited)
Ninefourteener's Progress Thread + Pics

If you are reading this for the first time, this is my 5+ year constantly-updating progress thread on my 2006 WRX-TR. I bought it new in Jan of 2006, and it has been a work in progress ever since. The thread was actually started in March of 2007, a little over a year (and a few basic mods) after buying the car.

With that, rather than doing an "updated" mod list every few pages, I felt it best to paste the most current listing right here, and keep it constantly updated.

After the list, the post will remain exactly as it was originally posted back when I started.

Current Mod list (updated 17 November, 2012)

EXTERIOR:

SPT door logos
slcsubaru.com rear window decals - Azure Blue
COBB Tuning license plate frames
07 STI Ltd. Front lip w/ Azure Blue SPT Logo
Hella Supertones - custom painted black/azure blue
Custom steel hand-made rear towhook - powdercoated azure blue
Muteki spline-drive lugnuts – powdercoated Azure blue

SUSPENSION MODS:

WORK Emotion Cr-Kai 17x9, +44 BRONZE
Federal SS 595 - 255/40/17, 240 treadwear
KYB GR2 Excel G Struts (intentionally purchased after a neck injury)
Tanabe DF210 Springs
Cobb 25mm front swaybar + bushings
Cobb 25mm rear swaybar + bushings
Cobb rear swaybar adjustable mounts
Whiteline rear endlinks
Kartboy front endlinks
Greddy front Strut tower bar
Generic rear strut tower bar
Generic undercarriage A-arm brace
Kartboy rear subframe lockdown bolt kit
Kartboy read diff outrigger bushings (hard)

BRAKES:

Rotora front FC4 4-piston Big Brake Kit calipers
Rotora 13" (330mm) front slotted rotors
Brembo factory STI rear calipers
DBA 2657 STI 12.4" (316mm) rear slotted adapter rotors
Stoptech steel braided brake lines (4)
All 4 dust shields removed / drilled out
Grimmspeed master cylinder brace
ATE Super Blue racing brake fluid
* Calipers custom powdercoated Azure Blue with SPT logos

ENGINE, ECU MANAGEMENT, AND EXHAUST

COBB AP V1, stage 3 map, VF39, 91 or 93 Octane
IHI VF39 turbo
Koyo 53mm aluminum racing radiator
NGK Iridium spark plugs
SPT intake
SPT intake heat shield
Walbro 255 lph fuel pump
Removal of intake silencer and Air intake duct
Factory STI Intercooler
Factory STI Splitter and rubber bellows
Factory STI Intercooler sprayer (trunk carpet, tank, switch, pump, relay)
Custom I/C sprayer low-level & pump activation LEDs
Perrin silicone Y-pipe (blue)
Samco 7-piece silicone hose kit (blue)
COBB turbo heat shield
X02 Racing catless 3-inch stainless steel Turboback exhaust
COBB polyurethane exhaust hangers
Custom built 3-inch axleback section w/ A-spec muffler
*** axleback section powdercoated metallic silver
SPT blue billet oil cap
OPTIMA yellow-top battery
SPT Blue Billet aluminum battery tie-down
Royal Purple 10W30 synthetic motor oil

TRANSMISSION MODS

Exedy Stage 1 Organic racing clutch kit
ACT Streetlight forged chromoly flywheel (14.4 lbs)
Subydude single-adjustable short shifter
Perrin SSK counterweight Shift knob
Perrin Polyurethane Front shifter bushing
Kartboy Polyurethane Rear shifter bushing
AMSOIL 75w90 "Severe Gear" synthetic transmission gear oil
Redline 75w90 - standard synthetic rear diff gear oil

INTERIOR, STEREO AND GAUGES

Factory STI front seats, all airbags 100% operational
Factory STI rear seats
Autometer C2 mechanical oil pressure, full sweep 0-100
Autometer C2 mechanical boost/vacuum, full sweep, -30+20
Autometer C2 electrical Air/Fuel Ratio, full sweep
Autometer C2 electrical Pyrometer EGT, full sweep 0-2000
Autometer C2 electrical Voltmeter, full sweep, 0-18 volts
Autometer C2 electrical Fuel pressure, full sweep, 0-100 psi
Autometer C2 DPSS stage 2 tachometer/shift light
Autometer Tach adapter
Cyberdyne (amber) digital intake temp gauge w/ memory (pre-intercooler)
Cyberdyne (green)) digital intake temp gauge w/ memory (post-intercooler)
Custom "stealth switch" to override headlights & dim all gauge lights
Autometer triple gauge clock replacement pod
Autometer triple gauge A-pillar pod
Glow$hit single cup pod (top of steering column)
Generic dual gauge pod (center console)
Factory Clock/airbag indicator relocated to lower stereo din
Pioneer 9800 Bluetooth stereo head unit
Samsung Galaxy Note2 Android smartphone (plays MP3s+talk+GPS voice wirelessly)
Factory Subaru Subwoofer (installed afterward)
Rockford Fosgate 6.5” aluminum dual coaxial speakers (front)
Rockford Fosgate 5.25” aluminum dual coaxial speakers (rear)

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL POST - DATED MARCH 20th, 2007


Greetings!

So..... with the arrival of the new wheels and the recent Suspension mods.... I've decided to create an "all-inclusive" thread... with all the mods I've done so far.... and when I do more, just add to it, rather that keep creating new threads.

It's gonna be LONG..... with LOTS of pics.... and I'm going to keep it going every time I do something or take new ones. And I must admit... I'm proud to say that absolutely everything done, was one by me, with hand tools, in my garage.

Starting with EXTERIOR/SUSPENSION MODS:

Rota 18x8 GOLD Formula Mesh wheels
Kuhmo Ecsta SPT tires 235/40/18, 280 treadwear
Eibach Pro-kit springs (1.2 front, 0.8 rear)
SPT door logos
COBB Tuning license plate frames









Now onto ENGINE, ECU MANAGEMENT, AND EXHAUST

K&N drop-in filter
Removal of intake silencer and Air intake duct
Subaru Fender hole plug
Factory STI Intercooler
Factory STI Splitter and rubber bellows
COBB heat shield
X02 Racing full 3-inch stainless steel Turboback exhaust - Full Cat delete
Subydude short shifter
Perrin Shift knob
Perrin Polyurothane bushings
COBB Accessport V1, Currently running stage 2, 93 Octane











And Lastly, INTERIOR, STEREO AND GAUGES

Autometer C2 mechanical oil pressure, full sweep 0-100
Autometer C2 mechanical boost/vacuum, full sweep, -30+20
Autometer C2 electrical Air/Fuel Ratio, full sweep
Autometer C2 electrical Pyrometer EGT, full sweep 0-2000 degrees
Autometer C2 electrical Voltmeter, full sweep, 0-18 volts
Autometer C2 DPSS stage 2 tachometer/shift light
Autometer Tach adapter
Autometer triple gauge clock replacement pod
Glow**** cup pod (top of steering column)
Glow**** grey triple gauge A-pillar pod
Factory Clock/airbag indicator relocated to lower stereo din
Pioneer 9800 Bluetooth head unit
Cingular 3125 Windows smartphone (plays MP3s wirelessly)
Rockford Fosgate 6.5 aluminum dual coaxial speakers (front)
Rockford Fosgate 5.25 aluminum dual coaxial speakers (rear)







Well..... I think thats about it..... FOR NOW!!!!
 
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#6 ·
It fits great...... can't reuse the factory heat shield unless you cut the crap out of it to fit around the DP.

It attaches with 3 bolts...... to the factory bracket.

I did have to trim about 1/4 inch off the inside corner.. it was rattling against my tranny... all fixed now though, 100%
 
#7 ·
Thanks! It's in work. I'm hooking up two SPI air temp gauges to measure pre and post I/C temps right now...... and I still need to get a FP gauge to fill the hole in my a pillar pod..... and I need to hook up an I/C sprayer before it gets hot outside...

Then..... I might get a lip.

Haven't found an affordable one yet that looks factory though. Suggestions?.
 
#8 ·
Ok..... so it's done.... pre and post intercooler temps....... next step... Intercooler sprayer. I was actually surprised with the results. The post I/C temp really doesn't change much at all. Stayed right at 110, only fluctuating maybe 5 degrees.

The pre-I/C temp generally runs 15-30 degrees hotter.. depending on how much you get on it.

I imagine adding 90 degree weather, and an intercooler sprayer will change these readings dramatically.

So I started with the Perrin Silicon Ypipe I bought from Ben-no (BTW.. thanks). This is actually quite nice.. It flows MUCH better that the factory STI Y-pipe.... I noticed a definate improvement in torque.

And then I did the same thing to the inlet tube. Senders are tightly mounted, and secured with high temp silicon.



Then of course, two SPI Air temp gauges... mounted low on the passenger side of the center console. I had to trim the pod a bit with a dremel, to "tilt" it toward me.



Wired everything up, and reinstalled everything:



Then..... I installed my "stealth switch"..... To detract attention when I dont want it. Basically, it's a red LED switch (on the center console empty tabs), that when turned off....... dims all my gauges (doesn't cut power, just the lights). Just to give you an idea of what my disco-car looks like on the inside when driving at night... I intentionally took this picture without a flash..



And now....... my "stealth switch"... turns off everything but the tachometer (and factory stuff)



WHATTAYA THINK???
 
#9 ·
looks good :thumbup:
 
#12 ·
Thanks! The wiring? Well.. its a learning process. Honestly though.... the area behind my stereo looks like something out of a Frankenstein movie--LOL

As for the springs... I absolutely LOVE them...there's no rubbing at ALL.. even with the 235s on there. But, the springs I think are fully settled, the gaps are even, and it doesn't look "lowered".. it just looks "right".

Here's some "further away" pics I took a couple days ago, after the springs settled:





 
#13 ·
dude that's hot. I love the ridiculous excess of gauges you got. I wanted to do something similar. I'm impressed with how clean it is under the hood. Mine looks so dirty it's impossible to keep clean. Stupid snowy dirty semi-off road driving...

Did you just take the standard clock and relocate it? It's the ONLY thing that stands out as not being super cool. Who needs a clock anyway man just get rid of it ;-)
 
#14 ·
Did you just take the standard clock and relocate it? It's the ONLY thing that stands out as not being super cool. Who needs a clock anyway man just get rid of it ;-)
Thanks!

Yea... it's just the standard clock.... I did have to splice in and extend the 5 wires that run to it though, because the factory harness wasn't long enough to run down there.

If it were just a clock... It'd be gone.

It's also a passenger side airbag indicator. I've got a 8-month pregnant wife, and a 10 year old daughter... I don't mess with safety features...

Thats why I haven't upgraded the seats or steering wheel.... I won't mess with airbags.... some stuff is just too important.
 
#15 ·
Way to be practical... ;-)

I'd recommend adding some more LEDs to keep that stealth led button company that indicates if the airbags are on or not. But i'm an electrical engineer, I like blinking LEDs lol.

Wow man. Your wife is pregnant and you still have the Porsche and still modding the WRX. You're my hero, and everyone who's had to sell their sports car to buy a minivan for their family (i haven't, i'm single, sucks to be those guys coerced by their wives tho).

Keep it up you give me lots of good inspiration for my own glowing gauges. I'll just have more blinky lights that do nothing but make my car look like it came from the 1960's star trek episodes lol.
 
#16 ·
^^^^ LOL

No... the Porsche is gone... I sold it a couple weeks ago.

But... it was my choice... the wife actually didn't want me to get rid of it.

I'm actually in the market for a 64 El Camino--LOL
 
#17 ·
#19 ·
^^^^

LOL.... I wouldn't have posted it if it wasn't already bought-- :)

I used the "Buy It Now"... $479 with free shipping

I've watched FIVE other VF39s sell in the past week for almost $600.

It was only listed for just over 2 hours... and I snached it up... appears the seller didn't do his research on what the going prices are. Good for me... bad for him.

290 WHP.... coming soon :)
 
#21 ·
#22 ·
If I have any money left after my car gets out of the shop I wanna get the Cobb AP. The guy that had the car before me had an ECUTek job done but my poor car's getting ripped apart and possibly a built engine so thinking of almost starting from scratch.

I see they're pretty popular. I have no Cobb parts at all and they seem to like to work together. Are the Cobb maps built specifically for Cobb parts?

Just asking here cause I know you use it. :)


BTW.. why DID you sell your Porsche?
 
#24 ·
The COBB AP is the best purchase you'll ever make..... a great start, and infinately upgradeable. As far as Cobb "parts" are concerned, I really don't have all that much.. just the heat shield. They make other stuff.. swaybars, intakes, exhaust, etc... but it's mucho $$$. So no, the maps aren't just for Cobb parts.. the maps are more designed for specific upgrades.

The Porsche?? I bought it when I was a single dad with 1 kid fresh out of a divorce.... I'm now married with another kid on the way.

I'm 31... I've been driving since I was 17...... I'm on my 31st car. I get bored easily.

Just didn't seem to fit in the mix anymore.. so I got rid of it. Plus, it's not fast, just cool looking.
 
#23 ·
wow dude, I'm enjoying that build...I like a lot of what you're doing. I love a lot of gauges as well, but I'm about matching the interior to make it look stock!

I assume your A-Pillar is Glo-Shift gauges...I had a dual pod, and it fit like A$$ so I got an Autometer and replaced it with a triple pod. I just gotta find a third gauge to go in there. Yours doesn't look bad though!

I'm diggin the rims...but the drop doesn't look all that dramatic, which isn't a bad thing of course!

I like the clock reinstall...if you fabricate something to place it in to hide the gap in the DIN tray, that'd be impressive...

How hard was wiring the A/F gauge if you don't mind me asking? I'm in the market for one for my third spot I think...that or an Exhaust gas temp gauge...

Anyway, best of luck and I'll be watching!:thumbup:
 
#25 ·
Thanks!!!

Yea.. the pod is Glow****. I wouldn't put those gauges in my car if they were free. But the pods? its just plastic. The fit isn't perfect,, but I made it work. The center dash pod is Autometer brand... the third dual pod is just generic.

A/F gauge is useless..... I learned that after I installed it. Honestly, it's nothing but bling (unless you get a wideband for mucho $$$)

But since you asked... I spliced it into the purple wire coming off the 02 sensor.... plus the normal power, acc, and ground. I did a writeup quite a while back on it. If you're just looking for a 3rd gauge... get a voltmeter... SUPER easy install, and it actually serves a purpose.

As for the clock..... I'm going to keep the same location, but I'm going to buy one of those factory silver Subaru din boxes with a door that closes.. to hide it. One of these:

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=630
 
#26 · (Edited)
Here she is... My new VF-39.... just showed up a couple minutes ago from the wonderful UPS guy :)

This thing has NO shaft play whatsoever... nada.... zip.... none.

No hairline crack either.... it's practically brand new!!!!

More pics of the install on Saturday

#57 drill bit.... check
VF-39 Turbo... check
Extra coolant... check
Oil change stuff.... check
Accessport programmed..... check
Turbo install...... Pending :)

 
#27 ·
Nice!!!:thumbup:

I was poking around in my engine yesterday for fun...and it never occurred to me how small our turbos really actually are...then I realized how much power they produce and deduced that they are so well engineered thats its not even funny...:cool:
 
#28 ·
You know... I've never actually seen a factory WRX turbo out of the car...

But I kind of expected this massive, spare-tire sized Turbo to show up at the door.

Then I open this donut looking thing--LOL

Thats ok though.... I know what its capable of :)
 
#30 ·
dude that's sexy... i wasn't surprised at how small they are cause I built an impeller style water pump a few years ago inspired by a turbocharger for a class in college and the thing was maybe 2 inches across and could pump a gallon of water across the room faster than you'd ever imagine running off a 9 volt DC motor. WOW nice run-on sentence lol.

But yea. Congrats. Write up a how-to while you install it if you can!! It'll help me when I put a new turbo in my maybe new STI shortblock
 
#31 ·
Thanks all...

Well.. I'm far from an expert... this is my first WRX... and everything I've done, was for the first time.... so it's a constant learning process.

I'm going to take pics.... but it looks like someone has already done a good turbo swap instructional post. In fact, I'm going to use this as a guide on Saturday.

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7641&highlight=turbo+swap

Granted... this guy has a FMIC, but the turbo removal and install should be the same.
 
#32 ·
Ok.... it's done..... and before I go in depth... there's just a couple words that need to be said..

HOLY FRIGGIN MOTHER OF GOD.

This car..... is so friggin fast..... I can't even put it into words.

You floor it.... BOOM... 18 lbs of boost....... you go from 20 to 90 mph is literally only a couple seconds. No exaggeration... it is that fast.

Before I start... I have to give credit to the 3 guys that helped...... they were here from 12:30, till after 8pm at night..... I could not have done it without them

JT (jtodaro), from stlsubaru.com
James (Impreza_GC8) from stlsubaru.com
Greg (local buddy.. no computer)

None of us have ever done a turbo swap before... all we had were some directions we found online.... and motivation. Thanks guys.

So... we started with these directions I found on Scoobymods...

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7641&highlight=turbo+swap

for the most part, they were pretty good... although there were a couple things not mentioned that should have been:

1) The vacuum hoses... needed to be longer for the VF39.. had to take a trip to the parts store for that.
2) The FACTORY restrictor pill on the VF39 is the correct size. The only time you need to drill your WRX restrictor pill is is you're forced to reuse it.
3) The COLD side of the turbo is actually much wider on a VF39... yet the HOT side is actually skinnier.... strange.
4) The heat shield that fit the TD04?? Does NOT fit the VF39.... I spent the better part of 2 hours cutting the crap out of my COBB heat shield... I think James has some good shots of it.
5) The oil drain line is MORE of a pain in the ass than you think..... much more.

We actually had the whole thing installed..... cranked it over (with the fuel control unhooked of course)..... and it started POURING oil out the bottom. Why? Because you actually cannot see the line as it connects to the oil drain line when you install the new turbo.... at all. We "thought" it was good to go..... nope.

So.. luckily we were able to loosen the uppipe, loosen one side of the intercooler, drop the downpipe, and unhook the oil feed line.... and literally "manhandle" the line to where it was supposed to be. Once again... couldn't have done it without these guys.

Took it out for the first test drive...... Car runs like a screaming bloody raped ape on methamphetamines..... just INSANE fast (much faster than a stock STI)... but the first stop.... smoke starts billowing out of the hood.

Uh oh.

Well.. we either "forgot" to hook up one of the coolant lines that run across the front of the intercooler.... or it blew off from all the pressure. Either way... coolant poured all over the turbo and made a stinky, smoky mess.

We got back home, and for piece of mind, we added some hose clamps (not installed on the car when it was stock).... and James and I took it out for another drive.

Everything..... without exception... is absolutely perfect.

I cannot possibly express the sense of accomplishment I feel today. Mu knuckles are sore as hell, my back is killing me... but it was well worth it.

My camera only managed to get one picture.,... so I'll leave you with that. Me, with JT, holding both turbos after the TD04 came out. Hopefully James will be quick to post all the ones he took later..... or I'll just post them when he sends them to me.

Thanks everyone... again.

 
#34 ·
Ok... I got those pics of the install from James...

The scene outside my house....





The DECONSTRUCTION PHASE





Modifying the hell out of the bobb heat shield



Test fitting the PITA heat shield



Custom goodness!!! (I shaved it a little more to get the rough edges off)











 
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