Bianca ('06 STi), A New Start

**gregroot198521** · 02-08-2013 06:08 AM

Some of y'all know me already, I'm the guy who had the (likely first) 3rd gen with a tube bumper. It was a good learning process, but the truth remained, the 3rd gens aren't as toughly built as the GD bodies. So I traded in Roxie (WRB '11 WRX) for Bianca (OBP '06 STi). This will be my build thread for the new iteration. This was Roxie's build:
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24372

So here's Roxie before:

Built for damage:

And as she looked at trade in:

Now say goodbye to Roxie, and hello to Bianca.
As she rolled out of the dealership:

Next to my buddies WRB '04:

And just a few mods done over the first few days (Perrin Wing Stiffies, JDM style window visors, a SickSpeed shift knob, some vinyl decals to represent (DirtyImpreza & MNSubaru) and a partial debadge):

**99pgpgt** · 02-08-2013 06:15 AM

Glad to see you got the sti you wanted man!!

Looks great

**zax** · 02-08-2013 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by gregroot198521

the 3rd gens aren't as toughly built as the GD bodies.

IIRC, the 3G saw some 30% increase in torsional rigidity over the outgoing GD chassis. How do you qualify your statement?

**EJ257** · 02-08-2013 06:24 AM

Nice new car

**gregroot198521** · 02-08-2013 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by zax

IIRC, the 3G saw some 30% increase in torsional rigidity over the outgoing GD chassis. How do you qualify your statement?

The feels, man, the feels. It just didn't feel nearly as there as the older years.

**zax** · 02-08-2013 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by gregroot198521

The feels, man, the feels. It just didn't feel nearly as there as the older years.

Yeah, older models are certainly more "raw." I didn't like the newer STi that I drove. That's not to say that it isn't more rigid or more durable, however.

**gregroot198521** · 02-08-2013 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by zax

Yeah, older models are certainly more "raw." I didn't like the newer STi that I drove. That's not to say that it isn't more rigid or more durable, however.

Maybe more rigid, but durability is where my issue lies. That said, I can't wait to start really modding it now. May not go as extreme this time, probably another tube bumper, but inside the plastic one, with a light hoop out in front of the grill.

**TeknoKim** · 02-08-2013 03:51 PM

so many people i know swapping for older gen.... making me want to do the same lol

**gregroot198521** · 02-10-2013 01:40 AM

^Lol, do it!!

Alright, so update: technically it's yesterday now that I did this (my buddy helped out a lot, thanks Preston): installed the Cusco OS rear strut tower brace and triangle brace. Ass feels a little stiffer (giggity!!), took a supply run to finish though as the bottom brace mounts in a rather PITA spot. Also, we fixed my power steering squeal. Replaced all the clamps with hose clamps, replaced the fluid (it was nasty and brown, probably never replaced) and then replaced the o-ring. Squeal is gone, and steering is beautiful now, very happy with Bianca (that's my STi's name). And last, but not least, we went for some fun in the desert, and his car started spewing fluid out the janky makeshift coolant reservoir. Lost all the coolant, and the 4 of us who were out there, all helped in refilling the radiator and reservoir with piss. Good times. I'll get some pics of the car later, as it's dark now.

**Calvinball** · 02-10-2013 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by gregroot198521

Lost all the coolant, and the 4 of us who were out there, all helped in refilling the radiator and reservoir with piss.

**11blackwrx** · 02-10-2013 10:25 AM

nice car, how is it compared to the 11 wrx

**gregroot198521** · 02-10-2013 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Calvinball

Oh yeah, it was definitely amusing. Would've been even more amusing if we weren't freezing our nuts off at the time. We were all joking that he can't ever sell his car or change his coolant, since 3 friends put themselves onto it. Granted 1 if the guys released something that appeared to have jizz in it. Kinda gross, but I guess it could work like stop leak.

Originally Posted by 11blackwrx

nice car, how is it compared to the 11 wrx

It's a lot better IMHO, can't compare it to a 3rd gen STi as I never drove one, but I guess the real differences for me could be summed up to the STi feeling a lot more rough, but connected, while the WRX was a little more elegant feeling. The power delivery feels a LOT quicker in the STi, I wanna go stage 2 so bad now (ill wait till I've gotten used to it as is, just do some more suspension work). DCCD is awesome, especially if you're stuck (full lock is great). There's a lack of most of that electronic wizardry in the STi (which kept breaking in my '11), just fine by me, I just want a different deck as I prefer using my phone to listen to music, taxes will fix this though. Overall, I find it to be a lot better, and it probably speaks volumes that a lot of the 3rd gen guys are "downgrading" as some of my family called it, totally worth it.

**gregroot198521** · 02-11-2013 07:40 PM

Well, damn it, the whine is back in my power steering, so either it's pulling in air from the o-ring still, or it has another spot it's coming in from. Either way, the search continues for wherever it's coming in from.

**gregroot198521** · 02-13-2013 06:28 AM

Alright, it's looking like I may have taken care of the steering, we'll give it a couple days. The previous o-ring was super squared off, hard and warped; the couple day old one was torn to hell along the edges. Replaced it again (better fitting ring) and seems to be good now. Also, installed 2 of my 4 Hella Supertones, need to find good spots for the last 2, already have the wiring setup though. Will see how loud they are later.

**gregroot198521** · 02-18-2013 10:43 PM

Okay, I'd say the power steering is considered fixed now. Zero problems since replacing the o-ring (need to get a pic of that bitch) that was torn (knocks on wood).
Finished my horn install today, so I have 4 Hellas just waiting for some idiot to cut me off. Hopefully someone ****s their pants and wakes up.