[Drifting Platypus]

I purchased my 2004 Forester 2.5XT in July of 2006 with the intent of making a Forester STi without importing one.
One of the first things that had to be done was polish the paint since it had clearly been abused by its previous owner. So a few beers (lots) and a few hours later I had myself a pretty car again. I neglected to take pics of "before" but we took "after" pics instead.





We (my boss and I) found it funny how Java Black Pearl turned into Java Greenish Pearl after the polishing.
More to come here on Visual and Appearance modification later.
After a good polishing I recieved an STi badge that just had to go on, so...it did.

I also got an STi style hood scoop from a local forum to complete "the look"

I was told that I needed to have a boost gauge so we put one in. While we were at it we put in a shift light since I had no idea when to shift while I was out on my first track day.

[Drifting Platypus]

My first real "mod" was an SPT intake, followed shortly thereafter with a turbo back exhaust and a catless up-pipe.

I ran Platypus this way for a few months and then got invited to a dyno day. I was curious so I figured I would check it out.

I was pleased with my results but upon seeing my AFR's I realized that I was in desperate need of an AccessPort and a tune. You can't see the AFR but it was ~14.7:1 until about 3500 rpms.
After getting a tune I made the same power but with a safer AFR.
So 222whp was truly not enough and so then came the Dominator 3.0R, A turboXS TMIC, phenolic spacers on the heads, tgv deletes, injectors and walbro pump which lead to an e-85 conversion and a bit more power.

[Ikon]

forester looks good

[Drifting Platypus]

With all the "go" I started to think about the "whoa" factor since I was starting into track days and braking was getting somewhat scary on stock brakes.
So I got the 4pot 2pot upgrade from the 06-07 wrx. Rotors are RacingBrake one piece slotted rotors.



The next big thing that happened to my brakes is actually a bit disturbing and was a learning experience for me.
The Rocky Mountain shootout was pretty much the crappiest weather day I had been to a track event on ever. It was cold and nasty, but what a fun time!!


Until at bandimere...on my first and second runs of the day. The first run of the day I ran a 14.0 at 106mph...weak I know, but when I was slowing down I heard a "ping" noise and my brakes went kindof soft but then they were ok. So I made another pass, 13.9 and 107mph but this time when I went to slow down there was a bang and very poor brake feel followed by a "clangy" sound that was really really bad.
Upon limping Platypus to the pits we found that my brake rotors were broken and cracked.


The hat of the rotor even came off.

Wow right? On the plus side I got some rotors from the subaru dealer and then ran my best time two times in a row. 12.6 at 112mph!

RacingBrake and I discussed a solution for me that was supposed to help me with braking at high speeds and track time by getting me into some two-piece rotors and their ET800 pads.
This was fine once I put them on for track only use only.
I have now had trouble with RB and this setup but I am not going into too much detail other than my "motorsport pad" failed which lead to me crashing about 3 weeks ago at another track day.
As of right now I am looking for a high quality BBK that will aide me in not crashing...I.E. something with eye sucking power and reliability to slow down a Forester that weighs in around 3380lbs with me inside. Any suggestions will be appriciated.

[YellaHID]

Damn!!! ... i wonder how they cracked... did they get wet after being so hot?

[1BA06STI]

Wow, I never did see what happened to your brakes at the strip, thats crazy. Although I did see your incident at the last trackday which is up there as one of the wildest brake failures ive ever seen.

Did you ever hear back from racing brake as to your recent brake failure, or are they still giving you the cold shoulder? When are you gonna make the pictures of the damage public?

You defiantly have a sick ride; it’s amazing how you’ve transformed it into what it now is from how it was stock.

So whats the ETA on getting the platypus back on the road? You making any progress repairing the damage from the incident?

[96accord]

damn that's some nice track times!

[Drifting Platypus]

Originally Posted by YellaHID

Damn!!! ... i wonder how they cracked... did they get wet after being so hot?

It was rainy and the track was slightly wet so there is a possibility.

Originally Posted by 1BA06STI

Wow, I never did see what happened to your brakes at the strip, thats crazy. Although I did see your incident at the last trackday which is up there as one of the wildest brake failures ive ever seen.

Did you ever hear back from racing brake as to your recent brake failure, or are they still giving you the cold shoulder? When are you gonna make the pictures of the damage public?

You defiantly have a sick ride; it’s amazing how you’ve transformed it into what it now is from how it was stock.

So whats the ETA on getting the platypus back on the road? You making any progress repairing the damage from the incident?

I have not heard back from RB since I asked them politely if they would help out with some of the costs or repairs.
Thanks for the compliment I am still driving Platypus, its just not fast since there is a bad boost leak somewhere. I will have some work finished this weekend though.
The pics will be up tonight of what happened to the car. Those with weak stomachs may want to look away

Originally Posted by 96accord

damn that's some nice track times!

Thanks

[Drifting Platypus]

Here are the pics of the brake pads, rotors and what happened to Platypus



Bent/broken wheel


Rotor (shot with the wheels on)


These are misc damage shots from the crash and the fire that resulted from the header finding grassy spot







This is a shot with the hood closed





Grille and FMIC


I hope its not a bad thing that I just sucked up a ton on bandwidth with my journal pics.

[Loubaru]

Good god...

I'm assume the story is: Your brakes failed, you went off the track into some rough ground/tall grass, then the grass caught fire?

Wow. I think RB owes you some money. They are lucky that all they caused was a couple grand in damages (assuming your engine is okay) instead of killing you.