wdb's journal: Back from the dead!

35264 Views 135 Replies 54 Participants Last post by wdb, Sep 30, 2017

wdb

Discussion Starter · May 26, 2005 (Edited)

2

Table of Contents

__________________________________________________

Chapter 1 - Initial post + bumper hole plugs

I have a 2005 STi in Crystal Gray Metallic w/ silver wheels. Factory/dealer options:

fog lamps
'short throw' shifter
auto-dimming mirror
security system upgrade
wheel locks
blue floor mats

I'm going to assume that you've seen enough pictures of people's brand new unmodified cars and just jump right to the mods.

First "mod" was to plug those ugly holes in the front bumper. I considered the brushed aluminum plates that Autospeed sells but decided that simple = better and went with a couple of 3/8" hole plugs, painted to match. I'm very pleased. This is a simple, cheap fix that really cleans up the look of the front end.

Next up: Defi boost gauge.

Cheers!

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81 - 100 of 136 Posts

520

· #81 · May 11, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT begins in earnest!

wdb said:
Hi, thanks for noticing.

My next 'mod' is brakes. My original pads and front rotors were due for replacement so I decided to upgrade the system while I was at it. The work is almost finished; I'll post up when it's complete.

After that comes powah. Nothing crazy, because this is my only car and is daily driven hundreds of miles. I am doing a Cobb catted DP, mated to the stock exhaust for now (and probably until the stock exhausts dies). Also an AP for EM and a protune. Tuning goals are reliability, efficiency and driveability; my mental ideal picture is a wider, higher, but still pretty flat power band. I'm in the process of collecting parts for this little project.

Since the power will be upgraded I decided that more gauges should be on the mod list too. Hopefully they will be mounted in a custom dash pod of my own design; something lower and more subtle than the usual 3-humpers. This mod is further out on the timeline.

I'd love to put a rear diffuser on the car also. I've rationalized this expenditure three ways. First, I am wingless and would benefit from the reduction in rear lift a diffuser would give me. Second, I'm curious as to what effect a rear diffuser will have on fuel economy. Third, I think they look hot.

That sounds like a perfect plan. A diffuser would set it off nicely!

wdb

Discussion Starter · #82 · May 11, 2007 (Edited)

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT begins in earnest!

lokutus1 said:
i love the gc grill. :tup: where did you get it? did it come black already or did you paint it?

I ordered direct from Grillcraft. I didn't know at the time that subarugenuineparts.com carries Grillcraft products; if I had known I would have bought from them instead.

The grille is available in black or silver powdercoat finish.

wdb

Discussion Starter · #83 · May 12, 2007 (Edited)

Chapter 13: Time to stop

The brake job is done!

Ferodo DS2500 pads F/R
Technafit SS lines F/R
ATE Super Blue brake fluid
DBA 4000 front rotors
Rear rotors resurfaced

What a difference all of that makes! Especially compared to what came off; the original pads and rotors. The front pads were right at the edge of disaster as it turns out, with one of them having literally just a skin of pad material remaining. Compared to that, the new brakes are awesome. Firmer pedal, better initial bite. I haven't really beat on them yet and so a more thorough report will have to wait until I've lived with them for a few weeks. In particular I want to drive through rain, to see if my rationale for buying slotted rotors was valid.

EDIT 5/13: Oh yeah, I forgot to mention -- they squeal at low speeds under light pedal pressure. You know, parking lots, traffic lights, crosswalks; anyplace where there are at least a dozen or so sets of ears to immediately turn towards you. :lol: I guess I'll have to learn to modulate the noise, maybe make bird sounds or something.

Obligatory parts shot:

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Greg

· #84 · May 12, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops...

Nice. How many miles did you have on the stock pads?

wdb

Discussion Starter · #85 · May 13, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops...

I had about 55K miles on the stock pads and rotors. My original plan was to resurface front and rear rotors, but the fronts were too far gone. So I had a perfect excuse to upgrade! :devil:

chaos311clarity

· #86 · May 23, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops...

i just read thru this whole thing haha... AWESOME.

SinistreLefty

· #87 · Sep 28, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops...

...I can't believe I read the whole thing. Car looks awesome though!

:tup:

wdb

Discussion Starter · #88 · Sep 29, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops...

I can't believe you read the whole thing either, especially when there are so many hotter cars on this forum! Be sure to read up on some others, there's a lot to learn in the member journals.

wdb

Discussion Starter · #89 · Oct 18, 2007 (Edited)

Chapter 14: Time to go!

I type this with mildly aching muscles in my neck, shoulders and hands, after having spent the better part of the day yesterday crawling around under my car yanking stuff off and putting stuff on.

The stuff:

Cobb catted DP and heat shield
TiC Bodacious Bushing Bundle

(I also flashed a Cobb Stage 2 base map, but that didn't make any muscles sore.)

All the parts are of fine quality. I'll go a step further with the Cobb downpipe; I have so much faith in the quality of the piece that I bought a used one without hesitation.

Instructions for both are plentiful enough that the install went fairly well. My biggest install issues had to do with the amount of decomposition the heat shield fasteners had suffered over 75K miles of use, and the fact that some of the steps are probably a whole lot easier with someone helping.

The result: well worth the temporary muscle aches and pains. I finished the work pretty late in the evening and have not had time to really get my head around the changes; I'll have more to say later after I live with them for a few days. On my short drive last night I wasn't sure which one to be happier about; the extra kick in the seat when I hit the gas, or the super crisp and accurate gear changes I get when reaching for the next kick!

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Majin

· #90 · Oct 18, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops...

:tup: :tup:

awesome - stage 2 is a fun place to be. stage 2+ was a terrific time in my car's life.

Cobb's DP is tops as far as i'm concerned.

fourseasonsandles

· #91 · Oct 18, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops...

Good stuff! Look forward to your review!

grambo

· #92 · Oct 18, 2007

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops...

I had to post up so I could get updates. Great job. Tastefully modded car man.

wdb

Discussion Starter · #93 · Jan 1, 2008

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops, it goes!

New Year's update. Still loving the shifter every time I use it. It's so quick, so precise, so much fun. Also still loving the seemingly endless surge of stage 2 power that takes me right to my shift point. I guess I can see why people want more than stage 2, but honestly I'm not planning on going any further for the forseeable future.

Next on the agenda: let there be light!

munky69

· #94 · Jan 1, 2008 (Edited)

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops, it goes!

yeah stage 2 is fun. sometimes i feel like it's not fast. but then sometimes i'll hit the powerband just right and i'm like damn :lol: drive a different car for awhile, you'll really like it then . i've been driving my other cars for like 2 months. took the sti out for a joy ride and i about broke my neck

Neanderthal Racing

· #95 · Jan 1, 2008

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops, it goes!

wdb said:
still loving the seemingly endless surge of stage 2 power that takes me right to my shift point.

right now, i could use a shift point...ANY shift point. good to see youre still digging it.

wdb

Discussion Starter · #96 · Jan 3, 2008 (Edited)

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops, it goes!

Neanderthal Racing said:
right now, i could use a shift point...ANY shift point.

Can't help you there, Bruce... I thought you took care of that just after midnight on New Year's Day?

good to see youre still digging it.

I really am. My car has rolled over 80,000 miles, many of those commuting to and from work. I still cinch down the CG-Lock when I approach those favorite ramps, and I still leave at least a little bit of rubber on them. I still love easing out of the stop signs onto those favorite straight stretches where I can rip through the gears. I still love it when I get to those parts of the trip where the road gets bumpy and twisty and oh-so interesting to those of us fortunate enough to drive a car as capable as an STi.

I still get a grin on my face, at some point or another, every time I drive it.

Majin

· #97 · Jan 3, 2008

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops, it goes!

wdb said:
My car has rolled over 80,000 miles, many of those commuting to and from work. I still cinch down the CG-Lock when I approach those favorite ramps, and I still leave at least a little bit of rubber on them. I still love easing out of the stop signs onto those favorite straight stretches where I can rip through the gears. I still love it when I get to those parts of the trip where the road gets bumpy and twisty and oh-so interesting to those of us fortunate enough to drive a car as capable as an STi.

I still get a grin on my face, at some point or another, every time I drive it.

:bow: :tup:

Chayse

· #98 · Jan 4, 2008

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops, it goes!

wdb said:
I still get a grin on my face, at some point or another, every time I drive it.

Sounds great Dave. I do miss mine. She would have around 65k on her now if I kept her. The '08's though have me itching to get another one. Someday soon after I can sit in one, maybe.

Fred

wdb

Discussion Starter · #99 · May 11, 2008

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops... it's mine!

Quick update; I made my final payment Saturday, the car is now mine! Woo hoo!

Neanderthal Racing

· #100 · May 11, 2008

Re: wdb's journal - STi GT: It turns, it stops... it's mine!

congratulations, wdb. mine's been paid off for a while. man, have i got my money's worth out of it. paid for 4 years. drove it for two...maybe. i'm going to figure that all the original owner 04's are all paid.

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