[caveguru]

Originally Posted by ironhead1230

Thanks for the video, sounds great. Your plans are very similar to what I am planning for mine. I am also torn between the gold SSR Type F and the gold Advan RS. I just got a Magnaflow catback that I still have to install and have a TurboXS downpipe on order.
Mike

If you're torn between the Advan's and the SSR's, I would go with the Advan's. Those type F's aren't that light for being uber-expensive, so unless you really like the look, the Advan's are better wheels for the money.

Frank

[sysfailur]

Originally Posted by caveguru

If you're torn between the Advan's and the SSR's, I would go with the Advan's. Those type F's aren't that light for being uber-expensive, so unless you really like the look, the Advan's are better wheels for the money.

Frank

I dunno, the weights are pretty comparable to Advan's if I'm not mistaken. Check out the weights here: SSR Type-F - 18inch Specs

They're also forged instead of cast and cost just about the same as Advans or less. I was quoted I think $2199 shipped on the SSR's in 18x9. That's pretty much on par with RS or RZ's. Nevermind they are unique as no one has used em on an 08 yet... that was my thinking at least. I'm still giving it some thought. The Type C RS and RC-T4 are now higher up on my list of fav. wheels tbh.

[sysfailur]

Hit up Area 1320, a local garage and had my WL rear endlinks installed, the braces, and also they spotted an exhaust leak @ my midpipe to downpipe which was fixed @ no cost--very cool!

I think I'll be going back there for my garage needs for things I can't do myself.

For installing the rear endlinks, he just decided to take the whole control arm off rather than mess w/ the very awkward install. When he took it out, he brought me the control arm and showed me--it really is a piece of junk! He was able to flex it with his hands... easily! Agency power rear control arms may be on my shopping list after seeing that as the stock ones are really pathetic.

Overall I'm very pleased with my experience at the shop--I even got to play Forza2 on an xbox360 while I waited lol. I did some N urburgring laps and some Tsukuba circuit HKS time attack runs haha

The rear feels even better now! I could definitely tell a difference. Finally, to top off my outting on the way home I spotted a WRB wrx w/ some mods and gave a /wave.

Good stuff!

[kts262]

Agency Power = Vivid Racing = Bad customer service, lots of people being ripped off, and crappy knock offs

I would wait for one of the other, more reliable and honest shops to come out with some better options for rear control arms. Perrin has rear control arms for the GDB, I'm sure they are working on something for the GRB. I wouldn't be surprised to see something from Whiteline as well.

[sysfailur]

Originally Posted by kts262

Agency Power = Vivid Racing = Bad customer service, lots of people being ripped off, and crappy knock offs

I would wait for one of the other, more reliable and honest shops to come out with some better options for rear control arms. Perrin has rear control arms for the GDB, I'm sure they are working on something for the GRB. I wouldn't be surprised to see something from Whiteline as well.

Yeah I had heard bad things--I'll be looking into all the available options. I wouldn't mind going with some American made Perrin quality

[caveguru]

Originally Posted by sysfailur

Overall I'm very pleased with my experience at the shop--I even got to play Forza2 on an xbox360 while I waited lol. I did some N urburgring laps and some Tsukuba circuit HKS time attack runs haha

someone should start a thread on nasioc with a rating of the best driving games for various cateogories, like:

"most accurately customizable cars"
"best nurburgring simulator"
"best scooby"

and so on...platform no object

I really want to hit the real 'ring this summer and I need practice!

[sysfailur]

Originally Posted by caveguru

someone should start a thread on nasioc with a rating of the best driving games for various cateogories, like:

"most accurately customizable cars"
"best nurburgring simulator"
"best scooby"

and so on...platform no object

I really want to hit the real 'ring this summer and I need practice!

Hrmm. Most accurately customizable cars to date: Gran Turismo 4. I would make the assumption that GT5 will be the new king--if it ever comes out.

Best Nurburgring simulator? I think it is pretty accurate on Forza2 what with the bumps, dips, etc. I forget how the GT4 map is, but again GT5 should be amazing when it comes out.

Best scooby: GT5:Prologue has a really great representation of the 08 STi and the Hawkeye STi. I often do time attacks in the STi on various courses just for fun... even though it's not the most powerful car in GT5 it still is extremely fun to drive and slide around the corners. Plus, I own one--go figure!

[kts262]

Cusco has adjustable rear arms out not. Not cheap but looks like the MSRP is cheaper then AP's prices.

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/vendor-a...-2008-sti.html

I'm sure Perrin will be coming out with some soon as well.

[kts262]

Originally Posted by caveguru

I really want to hit the real 'ring this summer and I need practice!

Bah it's more fun not knowing the course before hand, that's what I did, then again I was probably doing 3/10ths and you probably want to do a lot more.

Check out Rent Racecar Nurburgring Nordschleife Rental Car Selfdrive . Theo who runs the place is really friendly and it was a good time when we went. At the time he had a trio of E36 BMWs but it looks like he now has a much wider selection.

He'll even take you out for a lap in his car before you go. When we went he had a TDI Golf, it was funny seeing him keep up with 911s in the twisties!

[sysfailur]

Someone asked a while ago about the LCA bushings not working, and being wrx specific only. I bought these from Harman Motive and was just by chance browsing through their picture gallery and found this:

Picasa Web Albums - HarmanMotive - Peter's 08 STi

Note that is an STi front control arm and the bushings are in it. Those pictured are just like the ones I have, and the ones they sell. So, based upon that I'd say they work. I actually forgot to bring these down to have them installed, but I figure I'll save it for another day.

Edit: Btw thanks for posting up those rear control arms. I asked Kirill about it and he said they are much beefier than stock.