[UberWagon]

This is my journal for my 2008 STi in Dark Gray Metallic. The car arrived 07/11/2008 and was a special order with zero options. I like to think of it as a "clean pallet"!

I owned an '04 STi for two years and am excited to start participating actively in the community again. I will be using this journal to keep track of modifications to the car and report on track day and autox activities.

8/16/2008:

Flatirons/Subaru Track Day (in the rain!):




Day 1 (still stock):





Modifications List

Engine:

Cobb Accessport V2.0 (Stage 1)

Suspension:

Post #62: Current Alignment: Camber -0.8 degree front, -0.5 degree rear, 0 toe front/rear
Post #23: Cobb 25mm Tubular Front Sway Bar (Stock endlinks)
Post #53: Whiteline 20mm Adjustable Rear Sway Bar with KBR15 supports (Stock endlinks)
Post #62: Whilteline Steering Rack Bushings
Post #62: Whiteline Rear Camber Correction Bushings
Post #xx: Cusco OS Front Strut Bar

Brakes:

Post #42: Ferodo DS2500 Pads (Front and Rear)
Post #42: ATE Super Blue Fluid
Post #42: Stoptech Stainless Lines (Front and Rear)

Wheels/Tires:

Post #33: TireRack Motorports 18x9.5 +45 / Dunlop Z1 245/40-18 (Summer)
Post #xx: O.Z. Ultraleggera 18x8 +48 / Dunlop Winersport M3 225/45-18 (Winter)
Post #33: McGard Spline Drive Lugs (Black)
Post #44: GraphicSTI custom center cap decals

Drivetrain:

Post #23: Kartboy Short Shifter/TiC Pivot Bushings
Post #57: Whiteline Differential Bushing Inserts
Post #62: Whiteline Rear Subframe Bushing Inserts

Exterior:

Post #2: 3M Clear Bra (Hood, lights, door handles, rear bumper, mirrors)
Post #7: Subaru Sport Grill
Post #61: Subaru "V-Limited Style" JDM Front Lip
Post #xx: Perrin 3" Shorty Antenna

Interior:

Post #3: Passport Escort Radar Detector Hardwire
Post #x: Custom AP mount with direct wire to OBD II Port

[UberWagon]

I picked up my new 2008 STi in Dark Gray Metallic today! With less than 10 miles on the odometer I drove it straight over to "Rags" at Advanced Clear Mask in Boulder. He did a 3M Clear Bra on the hood, head lights, door handles, rear bumper, and side mirrors.

Improved Factory Paint Protection:




Rear Bumper (looks a lot better than the Factory protection strip and was way cheaper!):

[UberWagon]

I hardwired by Escort 8500 x50 today. I used the wiring guideline from here: 2008 Subaru WRX STi - V1 Hard Wired Installation Which I found very helpful in saving some time figuring it out myself!

The only big difference is I chose to solder my wires in place, as I feel it is more reliable.

Direct wire harness shortened and ready to install:



I tapped into the auto compass harness, not the easiest place to solder! I also wrapped the fused holder in foam to prevent rattles:



Clean and simple (I considered a more permanent visor type mount, but felt the windsheild tint up that high would hamper reception):

[YPH]

Does your clear bra let UV pass and does it resist to heat from the head lights?

[UberWagon]

I don't enough about the material to comment on the UV, although I have had the same stuff on my Forester for 4 years with no discoloration in the film or noticable differences in the paint.

No problem with the headlights (think about how hot a black cars gets in the sun).
I strongly reccomend it to anyone doing track days, etc.

[UberWagon]

The UPS man was good to me today:

Sport Grill
Slightly Used Cobb Front Sway Bar
Real Tire Pressure Guage for Autox/Track Days
Griots Garage "Crappy Subaru Paint Repair and Protection Kit"

[UberWagon]

Sport Grill Installed!



The install is super straight forward and takes only 20 minutes or so. I saved about $200 off the price of having it installed by the dealer. The fit is almost perfect, but there is a little gap around the headlights. I can't remember what the old grill looked like to compare.

[GhoSStRyda]

Originally Posted by UberWagon

The fit is almost perfect, but there is a little gap around the headlights.

is there a gap on both sides or just one side? i noticed the fit of the stock grill to be slightly "off" as well... at least on mine it was... small gap on the passenger side... but its nothing you can really tell just by looking...

sweet ride btw!

[UberWagon]

Originally Posted by GhoSStRyda

is there a gap on both sides or just one side? i noticed the fit of the stock grill to be slightly "off" as well... at least on mine it was... small gap on the passenger side... but its nothing you can really tell just by looking...

sweet ride btw!

One side was a little more off than the other. The grill basically doesn't bend in quite enough to be flush with the headlights. No more than 1/4" but enough I noticed. (Probably wouldn't even have noticed if I wasn't installing it myself.)

I actually just finished drilling two small holes and installing small self tapping screws in the corners to pull it back and fix it. It looks factory and helps appease my anal retentive nature. I'll post pics shortly...

[Rewind]

Sweet ride man, looking forward to seeing what you have planned for it/maybe seeing you on the road haha. Did you buy it from Flatirons by chance?

[GhoSStRyda]

Originally Posted by UberWagon

One side was a little more off than the other. The grill basically doesn't bend in quite enough to be flush with the headlights. No more than 1/4" but enough I noticed. (Probably wouldn't even have noticed if I wasn't installing it myself.)

I actually just finished drilling two small holes and installing small self tapping screws in the corners to pull it back and fix it. It looks factory and helps appease my anal retentive nature. I'll post pics shortly...

i'd be interested in seeing your fix as i found the fitment as you have described. its not flush on the passenger side for me and thought its not noticeable, i know its there

[UberWagon]

Originally Posted by Rewind

Sweet ride man, looking forward to seeing what you have planned for it/maybe seeing you on the road haha. Did you buy it from Flatirons by chance?

Thanks! I did buy it from Mark Berger at Flatirons. He was super easy to deal with....

Are you coming to the track day on the 16th of August?

-N

[UberWagon]

Originally Posted by GhoSStRyda

i'd be interested in seeing your fix as i found the fitment as you have described. its not flush on the passenger side for me and thought its not noticeable, i know its there

I'll get pics up this week. It only took like 15 minutes to do once I got over drilling holes in my two week old car....

[Rewind]

Originally Posted by UberWagon

Thanks! I did buy it from Mark Berger at Flatirons. He was super easy to deal with....

Are you coming to the track day on the 16th of August?

-N

Sweet, I'm a detailer there but sadly I wasn't working to help detail yours . Uh I doubt I'll be there for the track day in August, maybe the one in September.

[UberWagon]

Originally Posted by Rewind

Sweet, I'm a detailer there but sadly I wasn't working to help detail yours . Uh I doubt I'll be there for the track day in August, maybe the one in September.

Hey Rewind, quick question for you on the detailing front:

I found a scratch near the hood scoop that I wasn't able to hand polish out. My next step was to plan on touching it up with the factory touch up paint and then hand polishing around it to help smooth it out. Does this make sense to you or is there a better way?