The Project STX Sedan Thread

[Pzary3233]

I decided that I finally need my own build thread, this will sort of be modeled after BigSkyWRX's thread, however I chose the motorsports forum because I am going to cover more than just suspension and brakes in this thread, granted it will be heavily focused on Suspension setup and ideas that come along with it. I will at times be technical, when I do understand it. My goal for the car is to be STX LEGAL and competitive on the national level (Albet with a good driver) and still be my Daily Driver. I'll include both the mistakes and the good things that happen along the way as well as my experiences with the car and my quest for seat time! This thread can also be a discussion board for others who are interested in taking the same route.

I would like to also Thank BigSkyWRX, WRX Wagone, ButtDyno, TheChickenCow, and FTD (on Nasioc) for their time helping me with trying to figure out this car!

So here are some pictures from the VERY beginning.

Auto X in Little Rock

Stock is broing...

Stock again

Omri Gauges! yeah the Mileage is correct... from two and a half years ago

The car in Action:

Body Roll like whoa!

[Pzary3233]

So The basic setup for two years of Auto X were the following:
Whiteline 22mm Front and Rear Swaybars with the rear set to the stiff setting.
Hankook R-S2 Tires in 225/55/16 size
And seat time!

During this time I did a lot of research for my ideal suspension setup in the following thread:
Struts and Springs Auto X and Daily Driver
And Brakes:
Auto X and Brakes Question

[Pzary3233]

So I blew the motor doing stupid and fun stuff... all at the same time!








I must say that was a great time! Which lead to this...
http://www.speedsoutheast.com/pp/dat...m/DSCN9984.JPG
The only go fast goodie that was added was a Catless ERZ downpipe. it didn't even throw a code, until an O2 sensor wire got messed up 5k miles later...

Build Quality was so-so, not the best but not horrible!

And a blown transmission as I pulled the car out of the house...

So after having bad luck with a clutch masters clutch flying to pieces I went with an STi disc and WRX pressure plate. LOVE it! I'm also quite intimate with the pulling of the transmission...

Oh yeah I also bought an AP, I was more impressed with Stage 1 than Stage 2. So I sold that and have dreams of going open source.

While the car was getting rebuilt I drove this as my DD for a while

a 1971 BMW 1602, the anemic brother to the not as anemic 2002. It was a FUN car and we all took turns using it as an Auto X car. THAT was interesting.

I wanted some Tunes!

Alpine 9857 Deck with Sirius and FullSpeed capabilities!
I hid the sirius in the console, and took out the bracket that is useless, which weighs the same amount as the siruis tuner, then ran the antenna wires under the carpet and to the roof. Then ran the other control wires through the console to the head unit.
I cut a hole in the back of the Forester din pocket so that I could put my iPod in there with the cable for a totally hidden install.

[Pzary3233]

I needed Brakes... BADLY! Money allowed for the 4 pot/2 pot conversion but no nice rotors so I had to go stock.
Parts List:
4 pots
2 pots
Assorted pins and springs
Pole Boy Adapters
Goodridge SS Lines (already had)
Motul Fluid
Hawk HPS Pads
H&R 5mm Spacers and Wheel Studs - to FIT STOCK 5 SPOKE WHEELS
















This is the stack of washers that I used to pull the studs through with... You can also see my other ride in the background.

This is how I was able to get enough pressure on the studs to get them seated properly. I didn't have to tighten them up a whole lot after this. However I still check them frequently to make sure.

[Pzary3233]

I got some new parts!!! WOOHOO!


Whiteline Offset Bushings

From BigSky's Thread:

Originally Posted by Big Sky WRX

thanks for the pics- that'll help
Interesting- I got a email from WL asking about alternate orientation- the above adds positive caster ~ .5-/75 degrees here's what they had to say:

"Hi Mike,

KCA375 can be fitted in any orientation around the clock, but with
varying outcomes. If fitted with the offset in the horizontal plane (3
or 9 o'clock), the result will be caster change. If fitted in the
vertical plane (12 or 6 o'clock) then the result will be a change to
anti-lift/dive properties.

Hope that this helps.

Regards,
Wojtek"

at six o'clock you'd have a ALK of sorts- reducing anti-dive/lift IF one already had lots of caster (say STi or maybe from canted plates) it might worth considering the alternate???

wider track at least w/ 5mm is a very subtle change- having a lsd up front would be a not so subtle change

[Pzary3233]

I got some JDM Rice!


A converter for KPH to MPH is on the way from IAPerformance! Mph is not fun to convert from Kph.

I LOVE the shiftlight/buzzer, best mod ever for actually driver interface with the car.

[Pzary3233]

The Big Day!
Today I installed the following:
WRX Wagon Struts - give a bit more static camber
Koni Yellow Inserts
D_Rex Extenders - now sold through TiC, but I've got originals!!!! And an extra pair!
Ground Control Adjustable Springs 450# 7" long front and rear
Race Comp Engineering Lowering Camber Plates up front
Group N Rear Top Hats




Lowered 35mm from stock front and rear, it's nice and level!

[wrx wagone]

Nice RCE plates!

[Pzary3233]

Also, today I installed a trailer hitch and have it mostly wired! I noticed an improvement in the rear end of the car with the stock suspension, since i actually installed ie prior to the GC/Koni stuff.

The wiring is the same as the thread on Scoobymods.com
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...=trailer+hitch

Originally Posted by Scooby Mods

WRX ONLY - without the six-pin connector, you will need to splice into the car's factory wiring harness for the trailer hitch harness. The following are the wire color and the function for each wire you will need to splice into. Be sure to check each wire for proper function before splicing though.
a. White w/ red stripe - Taillights
b. Black w/ green stripe - Left turn signal
c. Lt. Green w/ black stripe - Right turn signal
d. White w/ black stripe - Brake lights
e. Blue w/ red stripe - Battery (wagon, unknown in sedan)

Other than the wiring it was a simple job. I was lucky enough to bust a nut off in the frame rail... but it wasn't going to be reused anyway! I also found that the rear bumper should be cut a little bit in one place but I'll address that later. Pics to come soon!

[Pzary3233]

Originally Posted by wrx wagone

Nice RCE plates!

Yeah, I got them from some silly kid for 50 bucks!

[Pzary3233]

Now I am in the market for some DD/Track Day Tires... I am seriously thinking about the Khumo MXs, though the new Dunlops are looking really nice as well!

Also, to go, or not to go... that is the question...
Newport, AR Pro-Solo!

[Pzary3233]

I bought some bling a little while ago:

But decided not to use them because my butt is too big for them, PLUS they don't have a 5 point harness exit in the bottom seat. So that's out, since the PCA requires a 5 point harness with the supporting modifications to the seat for their HPDE Schools. In other words a fixed back seat, 5 point harness, and a PADDED rollbar. Which is safer than a 4 point and harness bar, I wouldn't use that for anything but Auto X.

BUT! I kept the brackets for use with something else :-)

I am eyeing the NRG Carbon seats, in a large size, I've been told that the fit similar to the Evo2 seat, and for 650 shipped it's hard to beat. I'll need to weigh them both down so that they come in at the legal STX weight of 25 lbs, but that's ok.




Seats are a ways off yet... Tires and Entry fees are MUCH more important. But a gear head can dream...

[Pzary3233]

I forgot! I do have one bit of non STX legal stuff on the car:
http://www.speedsoutheast.com/pp/sho...=20255&cat=830
Stock Sucks
http://www.speedsoutheast.com/pp/sho...=20254&cat=830
YAY!

Notice the dent in the hood... Got that going down the interstate when a pallet decided to be run over by a semi and I had no where to go! So it went into my hood!

[Big Sky WRX]

nice

had one thought on your alignment- it's possible w/ the combination of the wagon struts and smaller diameter Eibach springs that you may have more camber than you need- you won't know until your alignment.

here's what I'm thinking- make sure the front upper struts are as far inboard as possible (both sides) this optimizes the roll center in relation to the center of gravity. use your oe eccentric bolts to further the camber and fine tune for cross camber IF you find that your in excess of -3.5 w/ eccentric bolt maxed out- cant the plates for camber/caster gains- this can be done quickly while your still on the alignment rack- simply unbolt one side of the front sway bar (relieves tension) remove the three plate nuts- lower the strut down until you can access the top, rotate it and push it back up to reinstall the three nuts- you don't have to remove the strut to do this

it's possible you won't exceed -3.5, but if you do there is no sense in leaving positive caster on the table

your the first guy that I know that has taken advantage of the wagon strut on a sedan- A+

[Big Sky WRX]

oh yeah I forgot- take pics of the offset bushings on the car