[Dasani]

I've been wanting to gather all these posts and pictures together for a journal for a long time. I finally sat down today and compiled everything together one place.

-Dasani



A little bit of history - I usually do the work myself on my own projects and below are two examples.

This is a street Mustang that ran 8.66 at 162mph and it was powered by a stroked 5.0 liter and Vortech supercharger. It was truly a street car - I campaigned it in the True Street class where the rules required you to drive 50 miles and then make 3 back-to-back passes, who ever had the fastest average of the 3 passes was the winner. The rules only allowed for a rear tire change after the 50 mile trip - no changes to anything else; no adding fuel, no raising the hood, no cooling down, etc. I was the True Street National Champion for 3 consecutive years in the mid 1990's with it. I also won a few Fun Ford Street Outlaw races and a couple of the Muscle Mustangs Magazine Shootouts during that time.


The 1989 Ford Mustang LX:






I was burnt out after spending 4 years criss-crossing the states while racing the Mustang, so I sold it along with my Saleen Mustang, and bought an S10. I swore to myself that I wouldn't modify the S10, but after about 6 months, I started swapping out the 4.3 liter V6 for a 5.7 liter LT4 V8 from a Corvette. The LT4 was modified with the usual hot rod gadgets - ported heads, bigger valves, cam, etc. The truck was great fun and I ending up running 11.50's with it while hazing the rear tires the entire quarter mile.


The 1999 Chevrolet S10 Xtreme:








I sold the S10 because it basically stayed in the garage - the last year I had it I only put 700 miles on it.

[Dasani]

(Last Update June 21, 2008)

Current Pictures:







Engine
- Accurate Machine Works Oil Catch Cans
- APS 3.5in Turbo Back Exhaust
- APS 80mm Cold Air Intake
- APS Billet Aluminum WRX Fuel Rails
- APS Braided Stainless Steel Fuel Rail Lines
- APS Braided Stainless Steel Power Steering Lines
- APS DR725 Front Mount Intercooler
- APS Dual Vent Bypass Valve
- APS Split Pulse Header
- APS Split Pulse Header Exhaust Shields
- APS TSR70 Turbo
- Cosworth 274 Exhaust Camshafts
- Cosworth 278 Intake Camshafts
- Cosworth Big Valve Cylinder Heads
- Cosworth Billet Steel Crankshaft
- Cosworth Billet Aluminum Timing Belt Guide
- Cosworth Connecting Rod Bearings
- Cosworth Cylinder Head Studs
- Cosworth Forged Pistons
- Cosworth H-Beam Connecting Rods
- Cosworth Head Gaskets
- Cosworth Main Bearings
- Cosworth High Pressure/High Volume Oil Pump
- Cosworth Piston Rings
- Crucial Racing 160 Degree Thermostat
- Crucial Racing Ported Stock Throttle Body
- Crucial Racing Radiator Caps
- Custom Automatic Intercooler Sprayer
- Custom Harmonic Damper
- Denso IKH24 Spark Plugs
- HKS 1000cc Fuel Injectors
- HKS A/F Knock Amp
- HKS F-Con V Pro Engine Management
- HKS Twin Power DLI Ignition Amplifier
- JDM WRX Tumble Generator Valve Deletes
- Koyo Aluminum Radiator
- KS Technology 3mm Phenolic Intake Spacers
- MZM Performance Braided Stainless Steel Fuel Lines
- MZM Performance Braided Stainless Steel Wastegate Lines
- MZM Performance Brake Line Heatshields
- MZM Performance HKS F-Con V Pro Tune
- MZM Performance Ecutek Reflash
- MZM Performance Fuel Pump
- MZM Performance Turbo Blanket
- Roger Clark Motorsports Titanium Exhaust Cam Pulleys
- Samco Silicone Radiator Hoses
- Sard Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
- STi Kevlar Timing Belt
- System One Fuel Filter
- Tial 44mm Wastegate
- Thermotec Intercooler Piping Heatshield
- Unorthodox Racing Aluminum Alternator Pulley
- Unorthodox Racing Aluminum Power Steering Pulley

Drivetrain
- ACPT Carbon Fiber Driveshaft
- Carbonetic Carbon Triple Plate Clutch
- Driveshaft Shop Front Axle Shafts
- Driveshaft Shop Level 5 Rear Axles/Hubs/CV Joints
- Kartboy Front Shifter Stay Bushing
- Kartboy Rear Shifter Stay Bushing
- Kartboy Shifter Lever
- Kartboy Transmission Crossmember Bushings
- SPT Short Shifter Mechanism
- Turn In Concepts Shifter Linkage Bushings
- Turn In Concepts Shifter Pivot Bushings

Chassis
- Cusco Motor Mounts
- Cusco Rear Subframe Brace
- Cusco Transmission Mount
- Happi Motoring Fender Cowl Braces
- Kartboy Billet Aluminum Engine Pitch Mount
- Kartboy Exhaust Hangers
- Kartboy Rear Differential Crossmember Bushings
- STi S204 Front Performance Damper
- STi S204 Rear Performance Damper
- STi JDM Transmission Under Panel
- STi Spec-C Titanium Strut Tower Brace
- Turn In Concepts Rear Differential Bushings
- Whiteline Rear Subframe Locking Bolts
- Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings

Suspension
- Cobb Tubular Front Sway Bar
- Cobb Tubular Rear Sway Bar
- Ohlins 25 Way Adjustable Front Struts
- Ohlins 25 Way Adjustable Rear Struts
- Perrin Front Sway Bar End Links
- Perrin Rear Sway Bar End Links
- Racecomp Engineering Front Camber Plates
- STi JDM Spec-C Front Spring
- STi JDM Spec-C Rear Springs
- STi Group-N Rear Strut Mounts

Brakes
- Goodridge Stainless Steel-Braided Brake Lines
- Hawk HPS Front Pads
- Hawk HPS Rear Pads
- The Brakeman 2 Piece Front Rotors

Interior
- 2004 WRX Black Carpet
- 2004 WRX Katzkin Leather Covered Rear Seats
- 2006 STi Center Console
- 2006 STi Steering Wheel & Air Bag
- 2006 WRX Armrest Extension
- 2006 WRX Limited Leather Door Panels
- 2007 STi Limited HVAC Controls
- Autometer Triple Gauge Glove Box Mount
- Autospeed Billet Aluminum Dead Pedal
- Bazooka 8in Subwoofer Tubes
- Defi Dash Triple Gauge Mount
- Defi Exhaust Temperature Gauge
- Defi Fuel Pressure Gauge
- Defi Link 2 Gauge Controller
- Defi Oil Pressure Gauge
- Defi Oil Temperature Gauge
- Defi Water Temperature Gauge
- Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 Front Speakers
- Infinity Kappa 42.5i Rear Speakers
- Kenwood DDX-7017 Head Unit
- Kenwood KDH-C710 Hard Drive Unit
- Kenwood KNA-DV4100 Navigation Unit
- Recaro Sport Black Leather Front Seats
- Redline Automotive Leather Armrest Extension Cover
- Redline Automotive Leather Emergency Brake Boot
- Redline Automotive Leather Shifter Boot
- Rockford Fosgate Power 851 Amplifier
- Rockford Fosgate Power 1001BD Amplifier
- Solar Gard Window Tint
- STi CDM Black Floor Mats
- STi JDM Automatic Intercooler Sprayer Switch
- STi S204 Hazard Button
- STi S204 Shifter Trim
- STi Spec-C V-Limited Shifter Knob
- Turbosmart e-Boost 2 Boost Controller
- Valentine One Radar Detector

Exterior
- 2005 STi Headlight Housings
- 2005 STi Front Emblem
- 2005 STi Rear Emblem
- 2006 STi Rear Diffuser
- 2006 STi Side Under Panels
- 2007 STi Limited Rear Wing
- 2007 STi Limited Trunk Lid
- Autospeed Billet Aluminum Front Bumper Trim
- BBS RE 18x8 Diamond Black Wheels
- Car Service Hiro Battle Hawk Carbon Fiber Hood
- Carbign Craft Alternator Shroud
- Clearshield Vinyl Front Bra
- Cusco Stainless Steel Hood Pins
- Gruppe-S Carbon Fiber Radiator Shroud
- GT Spec Carbon Fiber Rear Bumper Heat Shield
- Hella Xenon Blue High Beam Headlight Bulbs
- Kartboy Billet Aluminum Battery Tie Down
- STi S203 Wheel Center Caps
- STi Spec-C V-Limited Front Lip
- STi Spec-C V-Limited Rubber Under Lip
- Trust Aluminum Lug Nuts
- Yokohama Advan Neova 235x40x18 Tires

[Dasani]

(December 28, 2005)

Well, at least for me, the combination of the Ohlins fixed perch struts and STi JDM Pink springs is absolutely perfect.

I drove on the stock set up for a little over 4000 miles before the legendary STi 'bobble head' syndrome irritated me enough to make some changes. I changed all the strut mounts to STi Group N hardened mounts and changed the stock springs to Tein H-Techs.

It was a nice setup and I put a little under 27000 miles on it, but the 'bobble head' monster would rear it's ugly head once in a while on certain roads and drive my crazy.

It took me a few months to convince myself to spend the money for the Ohlins struts. They are expensive, but they have 25 adjustments for bump and rebound together, plus they are rebuildable. So I put in the Ohlins struts and STi JDM Pink springs along with a pair of RCE Camber Plates in the front.

After getting everything in and setting the struts at 10 clicks from full soft, I took the car for a ride and all I could say was 'WOW'! It is a totally different car. I really expected it be a harsher ride switching to the stiffer Pink springs, but it was BMW type smooth. In fact, it was a little too smooth for my tastes, so I cranked the struts up another 10 clicks. That was just a bit too harsh, but the car handled like it was on rails. So I turned the struts down 3 clicks and it's perfect, for me.

I have put a little over 1000 miles on this setup and I have zero suspension noise, even with all the hardened and solid mounting points throughout the suspension (BTW: my stock struts never had the 'clunk' problem either). The struts can be easily adjusted by reaching under the car and turning the knob, the car doesn't need to be lifted at all. And the 'bobble head' is completely gone!


Suspension & Driveline Modifications:
Ohlins Struts (Front & Rear)
STi JDM Pink Springs
Racecomp Engineering Camber Plates (Front)
STi Group N Strut Mounts (Rear)
Cobb Sway Bars (Front & Rear)
Perrin Sway Bar End Links (Front & Rear)
Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
Kartboy Crossmember Bushings
Turn In Concepts Differential Mount Bushings
BBS RE 18x8 Wheels
Yokahoma Advan Neova AD07 235-40-18 Tires


Gratuitous pics:

[Dasani]

(April 7, 2006)

This is my daily driver with a nice conservative tune from MZM Performance (Austin, TX). I drive over 100 miles everyday back and forth to work. The car is absolutely wonderful to drive around with almost instant boost. So, I wanted to know what the car would do in the same form it's driven in every day.

The APS DR725 FMIC is probably too much intercooler for the 20G and the car actually made 20 ft/lbs more torque previously with a APS DR500 FMIC. But the DR500 was injured and is now on the permanently disabled list.

Drove 35 miles to the track, went through tech and spent about 5 minutes in the staging lanes before making a pass. Zero race prep done, nothing removed, nothing changed, no cool down, no tire pressure change etc. Launched easy, no clutch dumping or riding the clutch.

Track Conditions: 86F / 83% humidity / 7mph headwind
Car weight: 3565 with driver and half a tank of 93 octane pump gas

R/T   ...   .454
60'   ...  1.875
330   ...  5.108
1/8   ...  8.001
MPH   ...  91.54
1000  ... 10.296
1/4   ... 12.408
MPH   ... 111.40

2004 STi

Modifications:
APS 65mm cold air intake
Deadbolt TD06H-20G turbo
APS DR725 front mount intercooler
Cobb catted downpipe (with 2.5 inch neckdown)
Borla Hush cat-back exhaust
NGK LFR7AIX spark plugs
MZM Performance 720cc injectors
EcuTek reflash tuned by MZM Performance (Austin, Texas)
Boost at 21psi

Dyno:

[Dasani]

(May 22, 2006)

The car is a 2004 STi
Front seats are 2004 stock STi seats with a Katzkin leather kit.
Rear seats are 2006 stock WRX seats with a Katzkin leather kit.
Carpet is 2006 stock WRX
Door panels are 2006 stock WRX Limited leather
Steering wheel/air bag/shifter knob are 2006 stock STi
Center console is 2006 stock STi
Shifter trim is STi S204 "type"
Leather boots are from Redline Automotive
And everything works

Thanks to Jamie from SubaruGenuineParts.com for her help!


--- 2004 STi to 2006 STi/WRX interior swap---

Cliff notes on the install (from memory):

Re-use all of the 2004 switches except the mirror control

Use 2005/2006 brackets on everything except the rear console mount

Steering wheel and air bag:
- direct swap
- electrical connections are plug and play

WRX rear seats:
- direct swap

Front door panels:
- use 2005/2006 handle brackets
- use 2005/2006 mirror control
- move tweeter mount and rotate
- trim tab on passenger side window/lock switch
- electrical connections are plug and play, except
- mirror control wiring needs to be run from console to drivers door

Rear door panels:
- use 2005/2006 handle brackets
- move rear screw/clip mount
- trim tab on window switches
- electrical connections are plug and play

Console:
- use 2005/2006 brackets, except
- use 2004 rear bracket and grind to clear the parking brake cable
- small notch to fit the 2004 DCCD roller switch
- electrical connections are plug and play

Climate controls:
- direct swap
- electrical connections are plug and play

Price:
- depends on how much you swap, trade, sell, and spend on new parts

I'm sure I left something out, but that's pretty much it.

Note: This is a STi to STi conversion, a WRX will probably have differences that I'm not aware of (climate control, cruise control, etc).

[Dasani]

[Dasani]

(July 24, 2006)

I've been waiting to post these dyno charts because I wanted to go to the track so there would be ET/MPH numbers to go along with the dyno numbers, but work has owned me lately. I'm starting a new project which will own me again for another 6-8 weeks, so going to the track just isn't going to happen, for quite a while.

This is my 2004 STi daily driver and I travel over 100 miles a day going back and forth to work. I previously had a Deadbolt TD06H-20G installed and ran a 12.4 ET at 111 MPH without pushing the car too hard.

The TD06H-20G was really sweet and the car should have come stock with a turbo along those lines. But, as always ends up happening, I wanted more.

I decided to go with an APS SR55 hoping that I would gain some nice top end power and not lose too much low end grunt.

The car made some real nice power with the SR55 and is an absolute blast to drive on the street. It idles super smooth and is averaging about 24-25 miles per gallon driving back and forth to work.

On the drive home from MZM, I was thinking that the SR55 didn't feel laggy at all, like I thought it would. So I asked the guys at MZM to send my printout of the my SR55 vs my TD06H-20G. I thought it was interesting to see that both turbo's are making almost the identical power down low and then the SR55 just pulls away at about 4000 RPM (see second chart below).


Modifications:
APS 3inch Turbo Back Exhaust
APS 70mm Cold Air Intake
APS DR725 Front Mount Intercooler
APS SR55 Turbo
APS TGV Deletes
APS Turbo Inlet
Denso IKH24 Spark Plugs
HKS DLI Ignition Amplifier
MZM 720cc Fuel Injectors
MZM Tuned Ecutek Reflash
Turbo XS DTEC Boost Controller
And quite a few parts coated and/or ported by Crucial Racing.


All tuning done with 93octane fuel. Stock STi's usually put down about 200-205whp on this particular dyno.


--- APS SR55: ---




--- SR55 vs TD06H-20G: ---

[Dasani]

(November 11, 2006)

The black leather Recaro Sports are now installed. Of course, my lack of camera skills don't do them justice.

Thanks to Nick at Speedware Motorsports for the deal on the Recaros!

[Dasani]

(April 6, 2007)

I just don't have the free time like I used to, so over the course of those 2 years I had developed a level of trust with Chris and Kenny at Gillman Subaru North in Houston and with the guys at MZM in Austin, to do the things I didn't have time to do or just didn't feel like doing myself.

Both the TD06H-20G and the APS SR55 had been tuned by the guys at MZM, so after visting the shop one day, I ordered a complete Cosworth setup from MZM and spent time there last October while we installed everything.

For better fuel and timing control, a HKS F-Con V Pro was installed while doing the engine swap, in preparation for the new fuel injectors and turbo that would be installed in the near future.

I drove the car when I had a chance and finally got the new engine broken-in at the end of January. By this time I had complete trust in MZM, so I dropped off the car and to let them finish up everything.

Anyway, enough with the talk and on with the pics!


Cosworth EJ257 short block:




Cosworth STi cylinder heads:




Cosworth timing belt guide:

[Dasani]

APS headers with heat shields:








HKS 1000cc fuel injectors, APS WRX fuel rails and TGVs from a JDM WRX to convert to a top feed fuel injector setup:

[Dasani]

Custom fuel line, System One fuel filter and APS fuel system:












HKS DLI ignition amplifier and Sard fuel pressure regulator:

[Dasani]

APS TSR-70 turbo:

[Dasani]

Tial 44mm wastegate and APS dump-to-atmosphere tube:








I knew I wouldn't like the dump-to-atmosphere configuration for driving around, so the guys at MZM put together a second down-pipe with the wastegate routed back in to the exhaust. That way I can run the dump-to-atmosphere setup when needed for all out performance and swap to the routed-back setup when the noise isn't wanted.


Custom routing of the wastegate back in to the APS 3.5in exhaust:

[Dasani]

Carbonetic triple plate carbon clutch:










ACPT carbon fiber driveshaft:




The guys at MZM were nice enough to stay late on a Saturday and help me install a different hood and trunk.


Hiro Battle Hawk hood and STi Limited trunk/wing:








The last pics are of the car near completion and strapped to the dyno getting the initial parameters configured. It idles amzingly smooth with the cams and 1000cc injectors. We are now waiting on the down-pipes to return from Jet-Hot and the real tuning will begin.

[Dasani]

(April 6, 2007)

Pics of one of the down-pipes after coating.

APS 3.5in down-pipe with MZM custom re-circulation of the wastegate and Jet Hot 2000 ceramic coating:









A quarter throttle test the guys at MZM did earlier during the week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOCmf7FwUQ