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BlueScooby's 06 STI - Another day, another mod ;)

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268K views 1K replies 60 participants last post by  BlueScooby 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi, my name is Aaron and this is my 2006 STI. My goal is to have the ultimate daily driver, capable of some light track duty without sacrificing too much comfort.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Regularity rally Rallycross


Table of Contents:

*LEGEND*
Event Results
Aero Improvments
Cooling Improvments
Power Upgrades


Post #0002 - Introduction
Post #0003 - Mods List
Post #0011 - PIC(s) Removed Pin-stripping
Post #0012 - PIC(s) Plastic Sheet added to Front Bumper
Post #0013 - PIC(s) Photoshoot 7/7/13
Post #0014 - PIC(s) USB/Aux Extension Cord Installation
Post #0025 - VID(s) 7/20/13 Auto-X in Fayetteville
Post #0026 - PIC(s) Ram Intake/Brake Duct Installation
Post #0034 - PIC(s) Wheel Spacers Installed
Post #0046 - PIC(s) Installed JDM V7 STi Seats
Post #0049 - PIC(s) Pictures of my newborn son!
Post #0051 - PIC(s) Night Photoshoot 11/11/13
Post #0054 - PIC(s) Access doors cut into undertray
Post #0060 - PIC(s) Intake air box construction progress
Post #0061 - PIC(s) Completed intake air box
Post #0067 - PIC(s) Mishimoto Radiator Installed
Post #0085 - TIC Holy Shift Set (shifter bushings) installed
Post #0086 - Finally Tuned! (Dyno graph from Virtual-Dyno included)
Post #0090 - PIC(s) Got backed into :(
Post #0092 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom for Bumper fab'd and Installed
Post #0099 - PIC(s) Painted Headlight Housings
Post #0100 - Sparco Evo 2 seat installed (barely)
Post #0101 - PIC(s) Sparco Evo 2
Post #0104 - VID(s) 5/10/14 Auto-X at NCCAR
Post #0112 - PIC(s) 5/10/14 Auto-X at NCCAR
Post #0113 - PIC(s) Hellas and Rally Armor Mud-flaps
Post #0114 - PIC(s) Power Steering Cooler
Post #0115 - PIC(s) New Wheels! SSR GTV02
Post #0125 - PIC(s) Wheels back from Powder Coating
Post #0129 - PIC(s) Wheels and Tires installed
Post #0133 - PIC(s) Recaro Pole Position Installed
Post #0145 - PIC(s) Recaro Baby Seat and Umbrella Holder installed
Post #0147 - PIC(s) Lunchtime Photoshoot
Post #0151 - PIC(s) Gauges Installed
Post #0158 - DD Tire Analysis
Post #0179 - PIC(s) 11/7/14 VIR Holiday Laps
Post #0184 - VID(s) 11/7/14 VIR Holiday Laps
Post #0185 - PIC(s) Continental DWS Tire Review (winter setup)
Post #0193 - Swapping a to a Legacy key with integrated keyless entry
Post #0210 - PIC(s) Flip Key Conversion Complete
Post #0216 - PIC(s) Maddad Whisper CBE installed
Post #0223 - PIC(s) Trunk Utility Panel built and installed
Post #0224 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Resumed!
Post #0225 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 2) - Panel #5 and Project Outline
Post #0226 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 2) - Panels #3 & 5
Post #0227 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 2) - Panels #3 & 4
Post #0231 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 2) - Mounting locations
Post #0236 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 2) - Phase Complete (ABS Panels)
Post #0239 - PIC(s) First Track Day at CMP
Post #0240 - VID(s) First Track Day at CMP
Post #0296 - PIC(s) Brake Cooling Step 1: cutting holes in the dust shields
Post #0298 - PIC(s) Brake Cooling Step 2: foglight ducts
Post #0307 - PIC(s) Brake Cooling Step 3: Brake Ducts installed
Post #0308 - PIC(s) Fog Lights Secured after being hit
Post #0313 - PIC(s) Bumper Secured
Post #0320 - PIC(s) Heat Taped the Intercooler
Post #0324 - PIC(s) Random pic a friend took :)
Post #0328 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 2) - Panels #2, 3, 4 & 5 cut and welded together
Post #0338 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 2) - Panels #2 & 3 Completed, Aluminum Panel VS Plastic Panel
Post #0339 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 2) - Phase Complete (Aluminum Panels)
Post #0343 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 3) - Panels #6 &7 Beginning/rough first cut
Post #0344 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 3) - Panel #6 Complete
Post #0370 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 3) - Panel #7 Complete
Post #0374 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 3) - Phase Complete
Post #0375 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 3) - Mounting locations
Post #0377 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 4) - Rear Diffuser mocked up and cut out
Post #0387 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 4) - Rear Diffuser fitted and trimmed (no strakes yet)
Post #0392 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 4) - Rear Diffuser sides removed and one end fence fitted
Post #0399 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 4) - Minor Aero Improvements and Water Pattern on underbody results
Post #0409 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 1) - Flexible air dam added under front bumper
Post #0410 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 4) - End-Fences complete, next up strakes!
Post #0418 - VID(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 4) - Video of Water Spray out of Diffuser
Post #0430 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 4) - Painted End-Fences Flat Black
Post #0431 - PIC(s) Installed Hood Scoop Mesh Screen
Post #0434 - PIC(s) Flat Bottom Panel Project Update (Phase 4) - Rear Diffuser Complete(ish)
Post #0444 - PIC(s) Bought some vents for my hood
Post #0447 - PIC(s) New Alignment spec
Post #0454 - PIC(s) Trimmed out the hood vents
Post #0455 - PIC(s) Cut in and Installed Hood Vents
Post #0456 - PIC(s) Hood and Hood Vents Painted
Post #0463 - PIC(s) Trimmed/Reshaped Intake Box for better clearnace
Post #0489 - PIC(s) Group N Transmission Mount install
Post #0500 - PIC(s) Leaking Brake Line!!!
Post #0501 - PIC(s) Carbon Fiber Vinyl wrapped center console
Post #0504 - PIC(s) Downpipe installed, TGV deletes and turbo inlet next
Post #0513 - PIC(s) IAG AOS Installed
Post #0514 - PIC(s) Up-Pipe and Dump Tube Ceramic Coated
Post #0522 - PIC(s) Intake Temp Sensor Installed in Intercooler
Post #0524 - PIC(s) Installed IAG AOS Breather Vent through Underpanels
Post #0535 - PIC(s) Strapping down on the Dyno
Post #0537 - PIC(s) Dyno Results
Post #0540 - VID(s) Dyno Video
Post #0541 - PIC(s) Cobb AP V3 Hard mounted to dash
Post #0543 - PIC(s) EWG Muffler custom muffler installed
Post #0548 - PIC(s) Picture of my newborn daughter!
Post #0557 - PIC(s) Painted the lettering on the tires
Post #0558 - Installed Oswald Performance Rear Triangle Brace
Post #0559 - PIC(s) EWG Dumptube rerouted into Downpipe
Post #0566 - PIC(s) New turbo-blanlet installed
Post #0568 - PIC(s) IMSA Weathertech GT Race at VIR
Post #0581 - IAT data pre/post turbo blanket install
Post #0592 - PIC(s) New Fender Vents just arrived
Post #0601 - PIC(s) Cars and Coffee 11/05/16
Post #0616 - PIC(s) Windsheild Banner and Light-Weight Battery Installed
Post #0620 - PIC(s) Vents Cut into Fender Liner
Post #0622 - PIC(s) Fender Vent cut and test fitted
Post #0636 - PIC(s) Fender Vents painted and passenger side vent installed
Post #0641 - PIC(s) Winter cover for lower radiator opening built
Post #0645 - PIC(s) Fender Vents installed and complete
Post #0656 - PIC(s) Started custom switch panel project
Post #0671 - PIC(s) Custom switch panel test fit in car
Post #0685 - PIC(s) Custom switch panel mounted and wiring ran down A-pillar
Post #0722 - PIC(s) Oil Cooler Core installed along with front tow-strap
Post #0723 - PIC(s) Oil Cooler Core installed with front bumper back on
Post #0724 - PIC(s) Hawkeye bumper fitment discovery! Fix that sagging bumper!
Post #0730 - PIC(s) Mocal Sandwich adapter with �AN fittings assembled
Post #0731 - PIC(s) Pressure testing oil cooler lines
Post #0742 - PIC(s) Phone Holder project started and Oil Cooler fully installed
Post #0753 - PIC(s) New Auto-X magnets and new WedsSport TC105N wheels
Post #0771 - PIC(s) Gurney Flap added to rear wing
Post #0780 - PIC(s) RE71-Rs are finally mounted on GOLD WedsSport TC105Ns!
Post #0791 - PIC(s) Radio wiring cleaned up and Fuseblockk added
Post #0797 - PIC(s) Rear Fenders rolled to fit WedsSports/Bridgestones
Post #0800 - PIC(s) Built a replacement USB plate for center console
Post #0820 - PIC(s) USB Plate completed
Post #0826 - PIC(s) Installed the new wheels/tires for the first time!
Post #0838 - PIC&VID(s) HyperFest Results (First Session)
Post #0839 - PIC&VID(s) HyperFest Results (Second Session)
Post #0857 - VID(s) 06/03/17 Auto-X at Cary Town Centre
Post #0868 - PIC(s) 06/03/17 Auto-X at Cary Town Centre
Post #0871 - PIC(s) 06/03/17 Auto-X at Cary Town Centre
Post #0872 - PIC(s) Rear Diffuser functionality (V1 Design Analysis)
Post #0885 - PIC(s) Lifted catback for V2 underbody clearance
Post #0887 - PIC(s) Muffler-Bumper Heat sheild
Post #0905 - PIC(s) Modified OEM Plastic undertrays with skirting and added aluminum angle for V2 panel mounting
Post #0912 - PIC(s) V2 Underbody/Diffuser Phase design plan
Post #0913 - PIC(s) Muffler-Bumper Heat shield replaced/upgraded
Post #0919 - PIC(s) V2 Underbody Panel Dimensions
Post #0930 - PIC(s) Singular Motorsports Hood Vents Cut-in
Post #0931 - Diffuser design research findings
Post #0933 - PIC(s) Singular Motorsports Hood Vents and Hood Painted and Installed
Post #0945 - PIC(s) V2 Underbody Phase 1 trimmed out and installed
Post #0948 - PIC(s) V2 Underbody Phase 1 reinforced, and Phase 2 installed
Post #0951 - PIC(s) V2 Underbody Phase 2 Jack-Point block for rear diff
Post #0960 - PIC(s) V2 Diffuser initial mock-up and voltmeter install in center cosole
Post #0961 - Diffuser Design technical reading links
Post #0962 - PIC(s) Rear Diffuser test fit and end fence trimming
Post #0967 - PIC(s) Diffuser end fence trimming and fitment
Post #0968 - PIC(s) NACA Duct in undertays vs air velocity graph and discussion
Post #0969 - PIC(s) Diffuser trimmed and mounted (no strakes yet)
Post #0978 - PIC(s) Strakes trimmed out and ready to be mounted
Post #0985 - PIC(s) V2 Diffuser complete and mounted!
Post #0986 - PIC(s) Fire Extinguisher relocated to side of drivers seat
Post #0996 - VID(s) Video attempt at recording waterspray behind car
Post #0997 - PIC(s) Bumper quick connects installed, Ti Brake Shims, "Tallboy" shifter and custom extension
Post #1003 - PIC(s) Considering different rear wing options
Post #1028 - PIC(s) V2 Diffuser shortened to reduce rear overhang
Post #1044 - PIC(s) New WedsSports back from PowderCoaters
Post #1048 - PIC(s) Test fitting new wheels
Post #1051 - PIC(s) New Wheels and tires mounted!
Post #1066 - PIC(s) Infrared Camera Pics of vents/louvers and exhaust/turbo
Post #1074 - PIC(s) Detailed the car, so shiny!
Post #1084 - PIC(s) New Garage progress, and Oswald Performance Front Bumper Beam install
Post #1091 - PIC(s) New Oil cooler installed, front ARP extended lugs installed, JDM Mirrors arrived
Post #1101 - PIC(s) Fortune Auto 510 RDC Controller mounted
Post #1106 - PIC(s) Bought a 20gal Air Compressor and stealth mounted under work bench
Post #1108 - PIC(s) Fortune Auto 510 Coilover install
Post #1109 - PIC(s) Car aligned and corner balanced
Post #1116 - PIC(s) New underbody/diffuser design (V3)
Post #1119 - Fortune Auto 510 Review
Post #1121 - PIC(s) Front RDC Installation
 
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1
#806 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

lol

The guy actually went old-school on me. He carefully removed the flares then proceeded to use a heat gun and a mallet to beat out the fenders. First he flattened the inner lip, then slowly "pulled" them via the mallet. It sounds terrible, but he did a great job, and he didnt have to remove any of the spot welds or anything. :tup:

Thanks!
 
#807 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Trying to hit up Hyperfest at VIR on the 20th for a couple sessions. But I'm worried they won't allow me to run a fixed-back bucket seat without a rollbar... which is probably going to become a recurring problem :(. So either I need to get that bolt-in autopower roll bar (not sure how easily this is removable) or probably swap my Recaro Pole Position for a reclineable seat...

What do you guys think? Any experience with either of those?
 
#808 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Trying to hit up Hyperfest at VIR on the 20th for a couple sessions. But I'm worried they won't allow me to run a fixed-back bucket seat without a rollbar... which is probably going to become a recurring problem :(. So either I need to get that bolt-in autopower roll bar (not sure how easily this is removable) or probably swap my Recaro Pole Position for a reclineable seat...

What do you guys think? Any experience with either of those?
What does a fixed back have to do with needing a roll bar? Or are you referring to using a harness?

You can still use your 3 point with your PP (I got the ABE version to make it more streetable), if you run the belts through the holes properly it should be no issue (although difficult to buckle unless you have a buckle extension.
 
#810 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Looking great there with the wheels/tires, USB, gurney flap and all the good stuff. Need side pictures with the wheels and tires on.

No rules listed for the event? Seems to me they would cover what is allowed as far as seat/harness etc.
 
#813 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Looking great there with the wheels/tires, USB, gurney flap and all the good stuff. Need side pictures with the wheels and tires on.

No rules listed for the event? Seems to me they would cover what is allowed as far as seat/harness etc.
Apparently the track sessions are put on by NASA, whom I have emailed already. Here is the response I have recieved so far:
"I sent your question to our tech chiefs.......

CCR 11.4.8

"Stock / OEM belts should not be worn with hard shell, fixed back racing seats. Those seats should have a racing harness."

So, this means you will either need to put in stock seats or buy a rollbar and harnesses."

It doesn't look good for the seat, but theres always a possibility the tech cheif will give me a pass...:notsure:

I'm pretty sure it's for harness use. In a fixed back with a 3 point you can still flop forward in a roll to escape crushing from the roof. Most fixed seats do not accommodate 3 points very well though, so it can be tough to make it work. Having belts over the side bolsters would be incorrect and dangerous in a crash as well.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk
Yeah that make sense. I would think that if you can get the 3pt on correctly you'd still be fine then, but who knows.

Many events won't allow a harness bar. Too many failures.
Normally this wouldn't surprise me, but from what I've read the KB unit is legit... But I'm not sure how you would convince anyone of that though.
 
#812 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Many events won't allow a harness bar. Too many failures.
 
#814 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

How about a proper harness bar which is mounted on the strut towers?
So instead of your strut brace in the trunk, you have the strut brace where the rear seats are.
Use the proper materials & thickness and you should be good.
Extend it to be a Triangle Brace and you stiff up the rear at the same time.

Construct it properly and make it removeable and you could easily switch back to your back seats.


 
#815 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

How about a proper harness bar which is mounted on the strut towers?
So instead of your strut brace in the trunk, you have the strut brace where the rear seats are.
Use the proper materials & thickness and you should be good.
Extend it to be a Triangle Brace and you stiff up the rear at the same time.

Construct it properly and make it removeable and you could easily switch back to your back seats.

Image Link

Image Link
Interesting. Is that unit something you can buy, or do you have to fab one up? Is there a regulation out there somewhere that I can build this thing to so that it would be accepted as legit? Or perhaps a manufactured one that has some sort of recognized homolgation?
 
#816 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

as much as I love my Recaro, it seems the simplest (in many ways) answer is to swap it out for a good reclineable seat... The problem is most of them are trash... The Bride units are beautiful but way too expensive. Sparco has one or two seats that look decent, but like my previous sparco bucket, may not fit. Corbeau has a couple decent looking ones but there are mixed reviews on their quality. Cobra has a nice seat but for that price I'd get the Bride...

Used Evo seats seem to be the winning option, but those are much harder to come by and unless I can get a pair with airbags, I'm only going to touch the drivers seat... (and most are sold in pairs)

ughhh
 
#818 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Yeah, this would just be for open trackdays (HPDE). The rules are different for each club. NASA is so far the main club I know that has language in their rules regarding the use of a fixed back. The local club so far doesn't have any specific language (emailed for further clarification), and another club I messaged last night will allow the fixed back. I may just have to avoid the NASA based events :(
 
#823 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Well, you know how some days you just do stupid stuff. Today was one of them...

Fo whatever reason when i bought oil for the rear diff, i was thinking of the 4qt capacity of the transmission. So I bought 4qts of oil and one tube of LSD additive (treats 2-4qts).

Today, I go to start changing my rear diff fluid and load the ENTIRE additive bottle in first and then a qt of oil. This fills it up, at which point I realize my confusion on capacities and how I just overloaded the diff with that additive... SUUUUUPER.

Message the shop and they have an extra tube of additive, so I take the wifes car to go pick it up. Come back and pre distribute the new bottle evenly into the 3 remaining qts (will go on the shelf with a label). And now I change the rear diff fluid for the second time today...

So it got a full flush today which isn't all that bad, but it was rather irritating. No idea how I confused 4qts from the trans with 1qt for the diff... But at least i have the next two changes of oil mixed and ready.
 
#826 · (Edited)
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

And now, finally, pics of the new wheels on the car!

Swapped them on today to scrub them a little before hyperfest next weekend. Gives me a chance to confirm fitment and such this week too.






Its too bad it wasn't sunny so you could see how brilliant the gold on these wheels are. But they still look good :)
 
#827 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

That looks great!
 
#833 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Just swapped on the carbotech pads for Saturday and bedded them in. Whoa they be dusty! But much better bite than the DS2500s I normally run. I found myself not needing nearly as much pressure to get the car to dive down to a stop...

Saturday should be interesting considering I have upped the power, brakes, and tires from last time... Time to start getting a feel for the extra performance :D
 
#835 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

+1 on the Video :)

Wonder how your Pads will be working with the ABS.

I feel like my Pads (CL RC8) bite too much making it difficult to hit that initial brake pressure just right to not get into the ABS engagement range.
 
#837 ·
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - WedsSport Wheels are HERE!

Thanks!

The Outback was pretty good! Much more roomy than I thought and rode/drove well. Right now it's probably my top choice for getting the wife a new daily :tup:

Will loading details and videos from Saturday shortly :)
 
#838 · (Edited)
Re: BlueScooby's 06 STI - HyperFest (Pics&Vids)

So this past Saturday I went to VIR for HyperFest, which is a 3 day event with all kinds of cool stuff going on. I was only there for Saturday morning for their HyperDrive sessions, which are like individual 20min HPDE sessions on the Patriot Course. There is also a regular full HPDE taking place on the full track as well (which I did not realize beforehand).

So I purchased two sessions to take the car out and start getting a feel for the new setup on track and get a few minutes of seat time on the patriot course. The patriot course is roughly a 1 mile circuit and is fairly technical. There is also a lot of elevation change which is a bonus but makes the idea of an off a little scary� For each session I had my phone recording using the �TrackAddict� app, as well as a GoPro on my helmet. The phone holder I used is apparently not very stable at all, so the video is crap but the information on the video is kind of nice (no OBD to connect to since I was using the Cobb AP).

First Session:
This is my first time on the patriot course so there is a lot of learning to do. Trying to listen to the instructor for braking/turn-in points/track markers as well as get a feel for the new tires and brakes was quite a task. Oh and there was traffic too� Never the less, everything seemed to go fairly well and the car drove great! The instructor was even impressed with the handling/grip of the car! :tup: There was one 3-series that went off twice (hit a barrier the second time) but that was apparently a function of not listening to his instructor :rollseyes:

Near the end of the first session I felt a little momentary hesitation on the �front straight�(?) under hard acceleration and decided to top off the fuel tank in case it was a fuel-starve issue coming out of the corners.

Coolant temp was good, Oil temp never got over 215�F(maybe 220�F; measured at rear gallery port), Oil pressure was consistently around 80PSI, and no knocking indicated on the Cobb AP. Should�ve logged the run though� That would�ve been helpful.

My fastest lap ended up being around 1:03 but I�m confident that I could probably shave a couple seconds off that simply with a little more practice and familiarity with the track and the new tires/brakes.

Heres the TrackAddict cellphone video:

2017-05-20 HyperFest at VIR - HyperDrive Session 2 (TrackAddict App Vid) - YouTube

Heres the helmet GoPro video:

2017-05-20 HyperFest at VIR - HyperDrive Session 2 (Helmet Cam) - YouTube

Heres a screen shot of my lap times (all over the place with traffic and stuff):


Heres a gas/brake speed map based on GPS from the TrackAddict app of my fastest lap. You can see pretty clearly there are a few areas to improve based on this weak level of data recording�haha
 
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