[Ben]

Welcome to the Team RD #27 GC8 STI Race Car Member Journal brought to you by Forman Performance. The original post and story can still be found at the bottom of this post.

To view a condensed version of this entire journal in blog format, visit the Team RD website at: Team RD #27 Race Car


------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS ------------------------

Post #1 - The story and the initial parts list.
Post #35 - Clear lights, RS body panels, and hood scoop are on the way.
Post #40 - The color scheme has been chosen: A brown Subaru?
Post #62 - The parts are here (with some hidden surprises).
Post #93 - The shell has arrived and I'm almost done stripping it already .
Post #101 - Interior stripping day 2 - Everything's out!
Post #122 - The world's largest GC hood scoop has arrived.
Post #129 - Fun with dry ice! It's time to remove the sound deadening material.
Post #134 - Racecomp Engineering & KNS Brakes have joined the team!
Post #137 - NRG Innovations is now an official sponsor of the Team RD race car.
Post #142 - APR Performance continues their support of Team RD.
Post #152 - Seam welding preparation is almost done...kind of .
Post #153 - Off to the cage shop we go!
Post #174 - Rear X welded in and lots of metal cut out.
Post #183 - APR Goodies have arrived.
Post #191 - The Blouch Dominator 3.0r and APS 50/50 BOV are here! (Some bad news too... )
Post #204 - 2 days of cage progress. Over 25 pictures!
Post #217 - Wave goodbye to the stock block!
Post #222 - The hardest work yet (scraping the bottom of the car). More cage progress too!
Post #243 - The NRG quick release is here.
Post #252 - The cage is 90% done!
Post #261 - Cage Complete!
Post #285 - The DOM 3 is back. Now with a round inlet!
Post #292 - The aluminum trunk floor is ready.
Post #325 - Stripping down the wiring harness to remove excess weight.
Post #329 - Wiring update #1 - Rear harness complete.
Post #336 - Thanks to our newest sponsors: Killer B Motorsport & Kartboy.
Post #340 - Wiring update #2 - Main cabin harness.
Post #347 - The Killer B Motorsport oil pickup is here.
Post #352 - The Fedex man brings Racecomp Engineering swaybars.
Post #353 - Wiring Update #3 - Basically done!
Post #366 - APR Wing test fitted.
Post #383 - Finally, we're off to paint!
Post #392 - Enkei is on board. RPF1's here we come!
Post #411 - The custom BC coilover kit is ready for installation.
Post #413 - Paint / body shop update #1 (white).
Post #425 - Paint / body shop update #2 (black).
Post #436 - Paint / body shop update #3 (dark grey metallic).
Post #449 - Paint / body shop update #4 (reflection / outside shot teaser).
Post #452 - Paint / body shop update #5 (interior complete) AND dash flocking!
Post #480 - The car is officially back in my hands. It's GO-TIME!
Post #487 - More wiring and the car is rolling on 4 STI wheels.
Post #496 - The wiring is in the car.
Post #567 - Our new shop is open!
Post #577 - Enkei wheels have arrived.
Post #592 - The block has been "wet sleeved" and it's a monster!
Post #600 - Preview of the graphics.
Post #648 - The GrimmSpeed invasion.
Post #662 - Wiring is finished and the Killer B Motorsport Oil Pan arrived.

-------------------------- SPONSORS -------------------------



-------------------------- THE PARTS/MODS LIST -------------------------

CHASSIS & STIFFENING

• 1995 Subaru Impreza GC8 Chassis
• All sound deadening material removed & fully seam welded
• Jackson Rally Custom 8 point roll cage
• Jackson Rally Rear Strut X-brace (welded to cage)
• Jackson Rally Front Strut V-brace (welded to cage)
• STI front & rear crossmember
• Cusco engine & transmission mounts
• Kartboy pitchstop mount

ENGINE & POWER

• EJ257 (2005 STI) 2.5L Complete Engine
• Valley Engine Custom "Wet Sleeves" (complete cylinder replacements)
• CP custom forged/coated pistons (9:1 compression, 99.75mm)
• Eagle chromoly rods
• ACL race bearings
• ARP headstuds
• 09 STI oil pump
• Killer B Motorsports oil pickup
• Killer B Motorsports oil pan
• Setrab STD-650 oil cooler
• Canton Racing 2QT Accusump
• Koyo Racing aluminum radiator /w Samco hoses
• Blouch Dominator 3.0r turbocharger (3" inlet, 8cm hotside)
• GrimmSpeed up pipe /w EWG dump tube
• Tial 44mm external wastegate
• GrimmSpeed ported & coated exhaust manifold with hiflow crosspipe
• GrimmSpeed ported intake manifold
• GrimmSpeed TGV delete
• GrimmSpeed 3mm phenolic spacer
• GrimmSpeed EBCS
• Griffin 1000CFM top mount intercooler
• APS 50/50 BOV
• APS 3" turbo inlet pipe
• KS Tech 83mm MegaMAF Intake /w AEM DryFlow filter
• Invidia v2 3" catless downpipe
• Blitz Nur Spec Touring 3" catless exhaust (Modified to be a full 3" without taper)

FUEL, TUNING, & ELECTRICAL:

• 110 Leaded VP Racing Fuel
• AccessPort Pro Tune (~475whp, extremely conservative)
• Walrbo 255 Fuel Pump
• Ultimate Racing Fuel Rails
• Ultimate Racing 900cc low impedance top-feed injectors
• STI Gas Tank
• STI Wiring Harness, ECU, DCCD, & Fuse Boxes

TRANSMISSION & DRIVETRAIN

• STI 6-Speed Transmission with DCCD
• STI 6-Speed Shifter / Lever / Linkage / Knob
• Kartboy Short shift kit
• ACT HD Clutch
• ACT Streetlite Flywheel
• STI Driveshaft
• STI Rear Differential
• STI Axles
• STI Hubs (114.3)

SUSPENSION

• BC Racing Coilovers /w Custom Valving & Spring Rates (10k/12k)
• BC Racing Front & Rear Camber Plates
• Racecomp Engineering Swaybars
• Kartboy Swaybar Endlinks
• STI Control Arms
• STI Lateral Links
• STI Trailing Arms

BRAKING

• Brake Man F4 Tornado Calipers (front)
• Brake Man F3 Tornado Calipers (rear)
• Brake Man Lightweight Molycarbide Rotors (front)
• Brake Man Super Lightweight Revolution Rotors (rear)
• Brake Man #3 Racing Pads
• Brake Man Stainless Steel Brake Lines
• Brake Man DOT 6 Racing Fluid
• STI ABS Controller

WHEELS & TIRES

• Enkei RPF1 Wheels in 17x8.5 +40 (Silver)
• Yokohama 230 slicks

INTERIOR & SAFTEY

• Cobra Suzuka kevlar racing seats (HANS compatible)
• Schroth Hybrid II HANS 6-point racing harnesses
• Schroth HANS device
• Sparco steering wheel
• NRG v2.5 quick release hub
• STI gauge cluster
• STI flocked dash
• STI pedal box /w STI drive-by-wire gas pedal
• Jackson Rally custom 8 point cage

EXTERIOR

• RS v6 front bumper
• STI front lip
• Clear OEM style headlights & corner lights
• Seibon carbon fiber OEM style hood
• 22b replica hood vents
• STI (GD-Style) hood scoop
• Side markers removed
• JDM RS side skirts
• RS rear bumper
• JDM RS tail lights
• APR Formula GT3 mirrors
• APR GTC-200 dry carbon adjustable wing
• APR carbon custom front splitter

WEIGHT REDUCTION

• Interior completely removed
• All sound deadening material removed
• Wiring harness stripped, 80% of wires removed
• Spare tire tub cut out and removed. Replaced with aluminum sheet.
• Rear deck lid cut out and removed
• JDM front bumper beam
• JDM rear bumper beam
• Braille B106C carbon fiber battery
• Seibon carbon fiber hood
• APR carbon fiber GT3 mirrors

-------------------------- THE STORY -------------------------

As you all may know, I took a break from Subarus for a while. It was suprising enough when I came back with an 08 STI, but this latest project is going to surprise a lot of people. I know this because even I'm suprised, and I know what's coming...

So, what's all the fuss about? I'm building a new track car...and this one is going to make the old race car build-up look like a joke.

Introducing the Team RD #27 GC8 STI Race Car

I just purchased a 1995 Impreza L and it's being shipped to me next week. This poor car isn't doing so well at the moment, seeing as how it doesn't have an engine or transmission. It's quite dirty, the windshield is cracked...let's just say it's seen better days.

That's all nothing to worry about though. I won't be needing the engine or transmission. In fact, I won't need anything besides the shell.

The following is arriving in about a week and a half:

- Complete 2005 STI 2.5L Engine with 1,500 miles
- STI Top Mount Intercooler
- STI VF39 Turbo
- STI Starter
- STI Radiator /w brackets
- Invidia v2 Downpipe
- Cusco Motor Mounts
- STI Clutch
- STI Flywheel
- STI Clutch Master & Slave Cylinder
- STI 6-Speed Transmission
- STI 6-Speed Shifter / Lever / Linkage / Knob
- STI Front & Rear STI Cross Member
- STI Driveshaft
- STI Rear Differential
- STI Axles (front & rear)
- STI Rear lateral links
- STI Rear trailing arms
- STI Struts and Springs (front & rear)
- STI Font & Rear Hubs 5x114.3
- STI Front Aluminum Control Arms
- STI Brake Booster & Master Cylinder
- STI Pedal Box
- STI ABS Controller
- Brembo Calipers
- Brembo Rotors
- Brembo Brake Lines
- Brembo Pads
- STI E-brake cables
- STI E-brake handle
- STI Gas Tank
- STI Gas Tank wiring
- Walbro 255 Fuel Pump
- STI Full Wiring Harness /w all sensors & controllers
- STI Immobilizer with ECU and Key
- STI Drive by wire gas pedal
- STI Fuse boxes
- STI DCCD units / controller / switches
- STI Gauge Cluster
- STI Dash w/o Stereo or HVAC
- STI Center console (cup holder / ebrake area)
- STI (BBS) 17x8” Wheels /w tires
- Personal Steering wheel /w quick release
- Recaro Pro Racer Hans Driver's seat

Yes, you read that list correctly. That's EVERYTHING that is needed to fully convert a 95 L to an 05 STI. Nothing is being half-assed here, this is going to be the real deal. The only non-STI parts on the entire car will be the chassis and exterior panels .

With that said, what's up first? Seam welding! The car will be stripped down and out comes the saws and sanders. I'm getting rid of every square inch of sound deadening material and seam welding the entire chassis. Once that's done, a cage is going in, but we're still figuring out the exact cage details at this point.

Once the chassis is finished we'll paint it and begin the swap. In the mean time all the STI goodies will probably have to sit in a storage locker .

This is going to be one hell of a project. The initial goal is 400whp in a 2600 lb car. I think we'll hit that no problem. Stay tuned!

[VSGTS14]

holy moly

[pharo]

That is a dream car Ben! Do you plan to build it to race in a specific class?

I saw a gc8/STi at buttonwillow the last time I was there, and he was flying around the track.

[sgtpeper]

First! Holy Hell!

[Ben]

Originally Posted by pharo

That is a dream car Ben! Do you plan to build it to race in a specific class?

I saw a gc8/STi at buttonwillow the last time I was there, and he was flying around the track.

It probably won't be built for a specific class. Perhaps the occasional time attack. To be honest, it's more of a personal thing. I want to race against myself and see how much faster I can make this car than the old one. With any luck I should be seeing similar lap times right around the initial completion of the build but it will be interesting to see how much work is required to make it *faster* than the old car. It definitely has the potential...and for a lot less money too!

[06STIlin]

ARGGHHH Ben! You Bastard! *SHAKING FISTS* That's just not fair!

HAHAHA Good luck on the build! I'll be keeping posted on the progress!

Looks like a lot of fun! 22B fender flairs might be in order! $0.02

[Kevin]

Oh you finally made the announcement!

Based on the plans you shared with me, I anticipate this being a BIG project. Congrats

[fourseasonsandles]

Awesome! Looking forward to it!

[Chris05STi]

Nice!!!!! Ben, do I hear the USDM version of the Gobstopper?!?!?! Flare that bish up! Can't wait to see the progress. So may I ask another questions: What color will she be?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Chris05STi

Nice!!!!! Ben, do I hear the USDM version of the Gobstopper?!?!?! Flare that bish up! Can't wait to see the progress. So may I ask another questions: What color will she be?

I was just going to make a post about that. I'm not sure what color it's going to be yet. I'm thinking about white / carbon accents (mirrors, lip, spoiler) but I'm still deciding.

I'm also thinking about doing the widebody kit now rather than later ...but we'll see how it factors in to the budget. It's something that is in the plans, I'm just not sure if it will happen before or after the swap. The smart thing would be to do it before and paint the whole thing, but I might just paint the chassis (not the body panels) first, get the thing running, and then worry about a wide body kit later.

I'm 90% sure that this is the wide body kit I'll be using though. It's from HT Autos out of the UK: