grambo's 06' STI (Martha Stewart Would Be Proud...)

grambo · 12-26-2006, 02:31 PM

In October of this year I had had enough of my little domestic ****box. I drove a 2001 Dodge Neon ACR for 5 years. The car had probably $10K+ into it and was just on the cusp of being a track only car. My family was protesting driving around in this loud, unforgiving, uncomfortable newlywed-on-a-budget corner carver.
I had but two choices....Evolution MR or this little honey...

MODIFICATION LIST:

EXTERIOR:
* FRP - V-limited Replica Lip
* Rally Armor Mud Flaps
* Hella Supertone Horns
* Yakima Rack with Load Warrior
* JDM Rain Guards
* Center Grill Mod (DIY)
* Plastic Coated Rear Tow Hook (DIY)
* Painted Front Tow Hook (DIY)
* 05' Tail Light Assemblies (Thanks derek_valentine!)
* Rain-X Wiper Inserts
* JDM ChargeSpeed Carbon Fiber Roof Vane 1 of 1 in the U.S. for now!!!(Thanks Seventy Sti!)

INTERIOR:
* Italvolanti Team Orange Edition Steering Wheel
* Works Bell Team Orange Edition Quick Release
* Symms Team Orange Edition Shift Knob (Summer and Winter)
* Works Bell Hub
* JDM S204 Hazard Button
* STI factory Boost Gauge Kit (Lamco)
* A-spec Shift Knob (Spring and Fall)
* Garagespec Shift Extension
* STI Embroidered Floor Mats
* Craftsman Trunk Non-Skid (DIY)
* JDM Armrest Extension
* ZeroSports Shift Boot (DIY Custom Competition Orange Button)
* Gravel and dirt from Tahoe...

ENGINE:
* COBB AccessPORT Stage 2
* COBB Short Ram Intake
* COBB Turbo Heat Shield
* GP Moto Snorkus Delete
* Forge Motorsports Upper Radiator Reservoir
* Forge Motorsports Power Steering Reservoir
* Forge Motorsports BPV (Yellow Spring, 2 Shims)
* Forge Motorsports Silicone Radiator Hoses (Black)
* Forge Motorsports Silicone Ancillary Hoses (Black)
* Forge Motorsports Turbo Intercooler Hoses (Black)
* HKS Radiator Caps
* HKS D1 Oil Cap
* Project Kics Magnetic Oil Plug
* FilterMAG
* Redline Oil 5w30
* K&N Oil Filter
* Beatrush Pulley Cover (Self Destructing JDM Bling..not once but TWICE!)
* Beatrush Radiator Gap Cover
* Greddy EVO 2 Cat-Back Exhaust
* Kartboy Exhaust Hangers
* Accurate Machine Works Catch Cans
* Custom Made Beatrush Relay Cover
* ZeroSports Intake Pipe
* grambo's 4 Gauge Welding-Cable Grounding
* Power Enterprise Timing Belt
* Power Enterprise Accessory Belt
* Titek Catted Down-Pipe
* Walbro Fuel Pump
* AMS Small Battery Kit
* CDOC Gold Foil Film Insulation (Battlestar Galactica Bling)
* Forge Motorsports UNOS Manual Boost Controller

DRIVELINE:
* Group N Engine Mounts
* Group N Transmission Mounts
* TiC Unabomber's Sexy Rearend
* TiC Transmission Crossmember Bushings (pink)
* TiC Rear Klicky Kit
* TiC 6MT Shifter Pivot Bushings
* COBB STS
* COBB Front Shifter Bushing
* Redline Rear Differential Fluid (75w90)
* Redline Transaxle Fluid (75w90)
* Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
* grambo's 4 Gauge Welding-Cable Grounding

SUSPENSION:
* Cusco-02E Coilovers with E-Controller
* Car Labs X-Brace
* Carbing Front Strut Brace with integrated MCB

BRAKES:
* Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines
* Motul RBF 600 Brake Fluid
* Speed Bleeders
* StopTech Centric Posi-Quiet Pads

ICE:
* Ghetto Cobra Radar Detector
* LoJack Vehicle Recovery System
* Clarion Door Speakers (Front)

ROLLING STOCK:
* STI BBS / Bridgestone Blizzack LM-25 (Winter)
* Semi-Gloss Powder-Coated Black Rota Torque / Falken Azenis RT615 (Summer)
* Skunk 2 Forged Lug Nuts

SOON TO COME:
* Energy Suspension Front-End Control Arm Bushings
* Super Pro Rear Trailing Arm Bushings
* Beatrush Propeller Shaft Bushings
* Power Enterprise Timing Belt (To Be Installed)
* Cosworth Timing Belt Guide (To Be Installed)
* Agency Power Hard Turbo Inlet Pipe (Chrome)
* Forge Motorsports Silicone Intake Pipe Couplers (Black)
* Cusco-02E Coilovers with E-controller (To Be Installed)
* Carbing Pulley Cover (On Its Way To GarageSpec Then To Me..)
* Speeding Ticket (Thanks CHP!)

* Special thanks to the NorCal Chat Thread Crew, RAPTR, Ed and John at GarageSpec, Angel at Forge Motorsports, my HP-hungry-awesome wife, my badas* son, GoodTimes, Turn In Concepts, jdmdave, SeventySti, derek_valentine, muskathomas, Mark Lopez's free powder-coating, and anyone else who responded to my enquiring PM's...

***Tomerville*** · 12-26-2006, 02:40 PM

Congrats! Good stuff with the Brake fluid Brake lines and stuff. On warranty issues using the AP, the new AP2.0 will reset the ECU to factory settings unlike AP1 which would just remap a Cobb factory setting. $tealerships can recognize (if the bother to) that you have an AP1, but not with the 2s. There seem to be some issues so far with the 2s though, so hold off.

Oh, one more thing -- We have catless up-pipes so no need to get a new one unless you have plans for an EWG, or bigger turbo, so save that money to get a Protune after you get your DP.

hoffit · 12-26-2006, 02:59 PM

Congrats and welcome.

fourseasonsandles · 12-26-2006, 03:14 PM

Congrats.. Hot car, I would know

I also drove a 98 neon for a bout 6 years.. no mods for me though!

As far as the AP goes, from my research the dealer shouldnt be able to notice it but you might want to look into that a bit more. There also seems to be some people that are having probs with the APv2. I, however am not one of them. I just got mine yesterday, loaded Stage 1 93oct and have had 0 problems as of yet. I like the pep it seems to have brought back and the butt dyno likes it!

Now get some more pics up!!

grambo · 12-27-2006, 02:27 PM

Wow. Thanks for the nice greetings guys.

I found a good/great deal on some Crucial Racing Springs in SF. (One more Christmas present haha) I'll be picking those up as soon as the shop guy gets back to me. (FIASUBARU) I hope they are reputable. For the price I am getting on these, JDM pinks can stay in JDM. I'll rock something else with teh same spring rates and have cash for a UDP. yay

I hope to install some of my parts tonight. Forgot to mention my Blizzacks and Rally Armor I picked up for Tahoe runs this year. I also forgot to list the STI I/C airbox hose my honey got me with the Limited Red Hazard button....damn woman shocked me this year! (I bet she spent a ton on clothing or the UPS driver is Brad Pitt or something...whatever..lol)
Not alot of HP stuff but for a chick to get all this stuff right was nutty!

I'll post some pics as soon as I'm not building Legos anymore and wrenching on this friggin beast of a car!

nice-rice · 12-27-2006, 02:41 PM

Nice choice going with the STI

Car parts for Christmas are the best.

***Datadatum*** · 12-27-2006, 03:04 PM

Welcome! and nice upgrade!

Definitely send the TT back. The winter tires will be one of your favorite upgrades - get those babies on before you drive in any temperatures under freezing!

grambo · 12-27-2006, 04:49 PM

^ Yeah, I got it at Modacar in Livermore, Ca. They are poo when it comes to returns. I may just try and wire it in and use it for measuring quarter mile times and such. Or I may try for store credit and get some HP adding vinyl stickers..j/k

The Blizzacks were phenominal up in Tahoe a few weeks ago. I appreciated the paint-saving prowess of the Rally Armor too. (Though, why bother with colored letters if it wears out in one road trip? meh..)

I recently (Christmas day) took the car to a place called Carnegie here in NorCal. Its an Off Road Vehicle Park. I wanted to try and finally get this monster to brake loose. It did, in some VERY loose dirt, but not much before it launched into a rocket-like motion forward. What a friggin' beasty. The rangers quickly asked me to refrain from annoying the Metal Mullisha'..pssh.

PigsXTi · 12-27-2006, 06:47 PM

Welcome brotha, the Nasioc crowd can be a little rough. You made a great choice and will have lots of fun.

FYI the bov mod is always a touchy subject.

grambo · 12-28-2006, 07:08 AM

^Hey thanks man.

grambo · 01-02-2007, 02:04 PM

The saga continues and I've barely turned a 10mm wrench. I approached a guy at I-club today about some COBB springs he has for sale and cancelled the Crucial Springs I was gonna' get. The price was right and it left me with $$$ for some IWSTI stickers and Hella Supertones!!!!

The STI air-box hose and COBB heat shield are installed, so I'm officially not a boxer virgin anymore. I was nervous without a Chilton's or Haynes guide but, I could not wait. The STS and bushings are sitting on the bench with the TT, Goodridge lines and associated peripherals. I have yet to brave my dashboard removal without some sort of guide to do the Hazard button. I took it apart a bit Sunday and didn't wanna hear that fatal "snap" of expensive plastic letting go.

I pray this dude gets back to me on the springs. I wanna' get the STI dropped and aligned before I start my wife's truck. (I bought her a Hyperflex Kit for Christmas...she "loved" it...lol)

grambo · 01-08-2007, 02:26 PM

My dirty engine with the Christmas bling installed...

I love this car....

grambo · 01-18-2007, 10:41 AM

More dirty pictures....installed the Supertones yesterday. Crappy quality but..meh.

spikbeatz · 01-19-2007, 02:23 PM

Welcome buddy! I just got my wife to halves with me for this bullet camera and mount bracket I found online. I love her! But if she put all that stuff under our tree, I wouldn't know what to do.

Again, congrats on the car don't have too much fun putting legos together. You'll end up buying a new set just for yourself!

**tyler_sti** · 01-19-2007, 02:31 PM

Man (legos) I could have gone pro (im serious, I got an offer) If it wasn't for the thousands apon thousands of lego constructing when I was little, then I probly wouldn't be working on my car now. Play with the little tyke and make sure he's the best lego builder in you're town!! nice car by the way!

12-26-2006, 02:31 PM	#1
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,382 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	grambo's 06' STI (Martha Stewart Would Be Proud...) In October of this year I had had enough of my little domestic ***box. I drove a 2001 Dodge Neon ACR for 5 years. The car had probably $10K+ into it and was just on the cusp of being a track only car. My family was protesting driving around in this loud, unforgiving, uncomfortable newlywed-on-a-budget corner carver. I had but two choices....Evolution MR or this little honey... MODIFICATION LIST: EXTERIOR: FRP - V-limited Replica Lip * Rally Armor Mud Flaps * Hella Supertone Horns * Yakima Rack with Load Warrior * JDM Rain Guards * Center Grill Mod (DIY) * Plastic Coated Rear Tow Hook (DIY) * Painted Front Tow Hook (DIY) * 05' Tail Light Assemblies (Thanks derek_valentine!) * Rain-X Wiper Inserts * JDM ChargeSpeed Carbon Fiber Roof Vane 1 of 1 in the U.S. for now!!!(Thanks Seventy Sti!) INTERIOR: * Italvolanti Team Orange Edition Steering Wheel * Works Bell Team Orange Edition Quick Release * Symms Team Orange Edition Shift Knob (Summer and Winter) * Works Bell Hub * JDM S204 Hazard Button * STI factory Boost Gauge Kit (Lamco) * A-spec Shift Knob (Spring and Fall) * Garagespec Shift Extension * STI Embroidered Floor Mats * Craftsman Trunk Non-Skid (DIY) * JDM Armrest Extension * ZeroSports Shift Boot (DIY Custom Competition Orange Button) * Gravel and dirt from Tahoe... ENGINE: * COBB AccessPORT Stage 2 * COBB Short Ram Intake * COBB Turbo Heat Shield * GP Moto Snorkus Delete * Forge Motorsports Upper Radiator Reservoir * Forge Motorsports Power Steering Reservoir * Forge Motorsports BPV (Yellow Spring, 2 Shims) * Forge Motorsports Silicone Radiator Hoses (Black) * Forge Motorsports Silicone Ancillary Hoses (Black) * Forge Motorsports Turbo Intercooler Hoses (Black) * HKS Radiator Caps * HKS D1 Oil Cap * Project Kics Magnetic Oil Plug * FilterMAG * Redline Oil 5w30 * K&N Oil Filter * Beatrush Pulley Cover (Self Destructing JDM Bling..not once but TWICE!) * Beatrush Radiator Gap Cover * Greddy EVO 2 Cat-Back Exhaust * Kartboy Exhaust Hangers * Accurate Machine Works Catch Cans * Custom Made Beatrush Relay Cover * ZeroSports Intake Pipe * grambo's 4 Gauge Welding-Cable Grounding * Power Enterprise Timing Belt * Power Enterprise Accessory Belt * Titek Catted Down-Pipe * Walbro Fuel Pump * AMS Small Battery Kit * CDOC Gold Foil Film Insulation (Battlestar Galactica Bling) * Forge Motorsports UNOS Manual Boost Controller DRIVELINE: * Group N Engine Mounts * Group N Transmission Mounts * TiC Unabomber's Sexy Rearend * TiC Transmission Crossmember Bushings (pink) * TiC Rear Klicky Kit * TiC 6MT Shifter Pivot Bushings * COBB STS * COBB Front Shifter Bushing * Redline Rear Differential Fluid (75w90) * Redline Transaxle Fluid (75w90) * Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings * grambo's 4 Gauge Welding-Cable Grounding SUSPENSION: * Cusco-02E Coilovers with E-Controller * Car Labs X-Brace * Carbing Front Strut Brace with integrated MCB BRAKES: * Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines * Motul RBF 600 Brake Fluid * Speed Bleeders * StopTech Centric Posi-Quiet Pads ICE: * Ghetto Cobra Radar Detector * LoJack Vehicle Recovery System * Clarion Door Speakers (Front) ROLLING STOCK: * STI BBS / Bridgestone Blizzack LM-25 (Winter) * Semi-Gloss Powder-Coated Black Rota Torque / Falken Azenis RT615 (Summer) * Skunk 2 Forged Lug Nuts SOON TO COME: * Energy Suspension Front-End Control Arm Bushings * Super Pro Rear Trailing Arm Bushings * Beatrush Propeller Shaft Bushings * Power Enterprise Timing Belt (To Be Installed) * Cosworth Timing Belt Guide (To Be Installed) * Agency Power Hard Turbo Inlet Pipe (Chrome) * Forge Motorsports Silicone Intake Pipe Couplers (Black) * Cusco-02E Coilovers with E-controller (To Be Installed) * Carbing Pulley Cover (On Its Way To GarageSpec Then To Me..) * Speeding Ticket (Thanks CHP!) * Special thanks to the NorCal Chat Thread Crew, RAPTR, Ed and John at GarageSpec, Angel at Forge Motorsports, my HP-hungry-awesome wife, my badas* son, GoodTimes, Turn In Concepts, jdmdave, SeventySti, derek_valentine, muskathomas, Mark Lopez's free powder-coating, and anyone else who responded to my enquiring PM's... This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Attached Images Last edited by grambo : 07-17-2008 at 07:59 AM. Reason: Cannot find my own thread...lol

12-27-2006, 02:27 PM	#5
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,382 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	Wow. Thanks for the nice greetings guys. I found a good/great deal on some Crucial Racing Springs in SF. (One more Christmas present haha) I'll be picking those up as soon as the shop guy gets back to me. (FIASUBARU) I hope they are reputable. For the price I am getting on these, JDM pinks can stay in JDM. I'll rock something else with teh same spring rates and have cash for a UDP. yay I hope to install some of my parts tonight. Forgot to mention my Blizzacks and Rally Armor I picked up for Tahoe runs this year. I also forgot to list the STI I/C airbox hose my honey got me with the Limited Red Hazard button....damn woman shocked me this year! (I bet she spent a ton on clothing or the UPS driver is Brad Pitt or something...whatever..lol) Not alot of HP stuff but for a chick to get all this stuff right was nutty! I'll post some pics as soon as I'm not building Legos anymore and wrenching on this friggin beast of a car! Last edited by grambo : 12-27-2006 at 02:32 PM.

01-18-2007, 10:41 AM	#13
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,382 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	More dirty pictures....installed the Supertones yesterday. Crappy quality but..meh. Last edited by grambo : 03-13-2007 at 08:36 AM.

01-19-2007, 02:31 PM	#15
tyler_sti Gold Member Car: '07 CMG STI Fav Mod: carbing subframe, driving experience:) Location: los angeles Posts: 3,160 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (11)	Man (legos) I could have gone pro (im serious, I got an offer) If it wasn't for the thousands apon thousands of lego constructing when I was little, then I probly wouldn't be working on my car now. Play with the little tyke and make sure he's the best lego builder in you're town!! nice car by the way! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

12-26-2006, 02:40 PM	#2
*Tomerville* Likkle Jacob Car: '06 STI Fav Mod: AVIC D-3 Location: Too many places. Posts: 1,115 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Congrats! Good stuff with the Brake fluid Brake lines and stuff. On warranty issues using the AP, the new AP2.0 will reset the ECU to factory settings unlike AP1 which would just remap a Cobb factory setting. $tealerships can recognize (if the bother to) that you have an AP1, but not with the 2s. There seem to be some issues so far with the 2s though, so hold off. Oh, one more thing -- We have catless up-pipes so no need to get a new one unless you have plans for an EWG, or bigger turbo, so save that money to get a Protune after you get your DP.

12-26-2006, 02:59 PM	#3
hoffit Silver Member Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Carlabs X-brace & RPM brace Location: MN Posts: 633 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	Congrats and welcome.

12-26-2006, 03:14 PM	#4
fourseasonsandles Silver Member Car: 06 CGM Wingless Fav Mod: The Newest One! Location: Ra cha cha NY Posts: 2,975 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Congrats.. Hot car, I would know I also drove a 98 neon for a bout 6 years.. no mods for me though! As far as the AP goes, from my research the dealer shouldnt be able to notice it but you might want to look into that a bit more. There also seems to be some people that are having probs with the APv2. I, however am not one of them. I just got mine yesterday, loaded Stage 1 93oct and have had 0 problems as of yet. I like the pep it seems to have brought back and the butt dyno likes it! Now get some more pics up!!

12-27-2006, 02:41 PM	#6
nice-rice S204 Racer Car: 05 STi Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 4,110 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	Nice choice going with the STI Car parts for Christmas are the best.

12-27-2006, 03:04 PM	#7
*Datadatum* 100% More Wingless Car: 05 STi + 08 OBXT Fav Mod: baby seats Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 5,397 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Welcome! and nice upgrade! Definitely send the TT back. The winter tires will be one of your favorite upgrades - get those babies on before you drive in any temperatures under freezing!

12-27-2006, 04:49 PM	#8
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,382 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	^ Yeah, I got it at Modacar in Livermore, Ca. They are poo when it comes to returns. I may just try and wire it in and use it for measuring quarter mile times and such. Or I may try for store credit and get some HP adding vinyl stickers..j/k The Blizzacks were phenominal up in Tahoe a few weeks ago. I appreciated the paint-saving prowess of the Rally Armor too. (Though, why bother with colored letters if it wears out in one road trip? meh..) I recently (Christmas day) took the car to a place called Carnegie here in NorCal. Its an Off Road Vehicle Park. I wanted to try and finally get this monster to brake loose. It did, in some VERY loose dirt, but not much before it launched into a rocket-like motion forward. What a friggin' beasty. The rangers quickly asked me to refrain from annoying the Metal Mullisha'..pssh.

12-27-2006, 06:47 PM	#9
PigsXTi Spec C Club Car: 08 XT Fav Mod: My foot! Location: N Va Posts: 1,144 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Welcome brotha, the Nasioc crowd can be a little rough. You made a great choice and will have lots of fun. FYI the bov mod is always a touchy subject.

12-28-2006, 07:08 AM	#10
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,382 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	^Hey thanks man.

01-02-2007, 02:04 PM	#11
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,382 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	The saga continues and I've barely turned a 10mm wrench. I approached a guy at I-club today about some COBB springs he has for sale and cancelled the Crucial Springs I was gonna' get. The price was right and it left me with $$$ for some IWSTI stickers and Hella Supertones!!!! The STI air-box hose and COBB heat shield are installed, so I'm officially not a boxer virgin anymore. I was nervous without a Chilton's or Haynes guide but, I could not wait. The STS and bushings are sitting on the bench with the TT, Goodridge lines and associated peripherals. I have yet to brave my dashboard removal without some sort of guide to do the Hazard button. I took it apart a bit Sunday and didn't wanna hear that fatal "snap" of expensive plastic letting go. I pray this dude gets back to me on the springs. I wanna' get the STI dropped and aligned before I start my wife's truck. (I bought her a Hyperflex Kit for Christmas...she "loved" it...lol)

01-08-2007, 02:26 PM	#12
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,382 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	My dirty engine with the Christmas bling installed... I love this car....

01-19-2007, 02:23 PM	#14
spikbeatz Professional STI Racer Car: 05 CGM STi Fav Mod: None...YET!! Location: Beverly, NJ Posts: 677 Join Date: Nov 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Welcome buddy! I just got my wife to halves with me for this bullet camera and mount bracket I found online. I love her! But if she put all that stuff under our tree, I wouldn't know what to do. Again, congrats on the car don't have too much fun putting legos together. You'll end up buying a new set just for yourself!