DD 2004 WRX wagon (retired from motorsports)

[em99sport]

After my '97 OBS gave up the fight, http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4051&highlight=subaru+car+wash, I was forced to look for a new car. The decision was an easy one to make, after finding a very clean platinum silver 2004 WRX wagon at a local Volvo dealership. I started off looking for a GM6 2.5RS, but couldn't pass up the potential of turbocharged power and the practicality of another wagon.

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/P1000490.jpg

Having experienced the fun of a Subaru off-road, I had big plans of preparing the wagon for mildly competitive rallycross duty, weekend woodline playtime, and daily driving. However, those plans included me keeping my turbocharged Miata for autocross and track days. Since deciding to sell that car, the wagon has also served as my autocross car, too. So versatile, these Subarus.

Initially, the power bug got the better of me, but I have since tried to balance the car out a bit, concentrating on practical mods. Losing some weight is still a priority, and I'm always searching for that perfect suspension solution. If there's one downside to having a wagon, it's definitely the suspension. I can deal with rolling fenders, but I hate having to settle on struts and springs.

Current mods:

Suspension
Tokico D-Spec struts
USDM STi wagon Pink springs
Group N front and rear top hats
Jackson Rally 1" spacers
SPC camber bolts front and rear
Whiteline 22mm front and rear sway bars w/ Kartboy end-links
Whiteline steering rack bushings
TiC fender braces
Whiteline rear tower brace
Whiteline rear subframe lock bolts
Group N transverse link bushings
Whiteline Plus front control arm bushings
Whiteline Plus trailing arm bushings
Whiteline Plus lateral link bushings

Drivetrain
Kartboy short shifter
Kartboy shifter bushings
TiC shifter pivot bushings
Group N trans mount
TiC trans crossmember bushings
Group N pitch stop mount
Whiteline rear diff outrigger bushings
TiC rear diff mount bushings

Wheels/Tires
daily driving-
OE 16x6.5 alloys w/ 205/55-16 Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs
autocross-
OE '04 STi silver 17x7.5 BBS w/ 225/45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE-01Rs
rallycross-
gold 15x7 Raceline RL-7s w/ 195/65-15 Kumho R700s

Brakes
Group N 4-pot front kit
H6 rear kit
KNS stainless lines
Stoptech "street" front and rear pads

Power
VF39 (Grimmspeed ported/coated)
Draco Performance turbo blanket
STi top-mount intercooler
Deatschwerks 565cc injectors
Walbro 255 lph fuel pump
Cobb APv2 (Protuned by Draco Performance)
Cobb catted turbo-back exhaust
Grimmspeed ported/coated exhaust manifolds
Grimmspeed coated crosspipe
Grimmspeed coated up-pipe
Cobb crank pulley
Samco MAF pipe
K+N panel filter
Rallitek silencer delete elbow

Miscellaneous
Oswald Performance lightweight front bumper beam
AMS lightweight battery kit
Rally Armor urethane mud flaps
Rally Armor 3/16" front skidplate
STi hood scoop and splitter

While the car will probably be a work in progress until I part ways with it, I am trying to keep it reasonably streetable. Having gone too far with a couple cars in the past, I know all too well what it's like driving a race car to work every day. It looks now like the future of this car will be a 2.5 swap, either FXT or STi. With either, I'm looking to use the FXT 4.44 5-speed and necessary rear gear change. Then, probably an 18G and the necessary support mods.

John

[em99sport]

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/P1000492.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/100_4183.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/DSC_1728.jpg

[MConte05]

The wagon looks great with those Rally tires on!

[em99sport]

Thanks, I've been wanting a set for a long while. I was pretty excited when I picked them up.

John

[em99sport]

I'm about 2.5 months away from returning to the states, so its time to make a decision on what to buy. There's a rallycross on November 21st, so I'll be back just in time. I'm hoping to have the car better set up suspension-wise, in an effort to take advantage of the new (to me) rally tires.

Although I'd really like to pick up a set of the All Wheels Driven gravel coilovers, I can't drop the coin on them right now. I'm looking at picking up an STi for autocross/track days, so I need to keep some savings for that. Most likely, I'm going with some Tokico D-Specs, USDM Pink wagon springs, Jackson Rally 1" spacers, and Group N front and rear top hats. I'm thinking that this setup will work well for both rallycross and daily driving.

I know I'm going to want some more power down the road, so I'm already planning a Grimmspeed 38mm EWG setup, along with their ported/coated manifolds and crosspipe, and a VF39/STi TMIC/565cc upgrade, with the requisite protune. I think that might hold me over until I need an STi shortblock.

Our local club classes all rally-tired AWD cars together, so why not, right?

[conorpeterson85]

awesome wagon

[MConte05]

Sounds basically like my Suspension/Power upgrade plans too. Although I'd probably pick up a used Evo III 16G over a VF39

[em99sport]

Sounds basically like my Suspension/Power upgrade plans too. Although I'd probably pick up a used Evo III 16G over a VF39

If I was to go all-out, that's the exact turbo I would go with. Obviously, it would cost a good bit more, though. If I do come across a good deal on a used one when the time comes, I will go for it instead. You have to admit though, $150-250 for a VF39 is a great value.

[tzdevill]

ya that is the great thing about the classing over here. The only thing they care about is 4 wheel drive or not and street tire or dirt tires.

I cant wait to see the wrx wagon again. You two be safe and get home quick.

Jeremy

[em99sport]

November 21st! We'll be there in the wagon, unless Adam has an STi waiting on him, in which case he'd be in S04 with you. Since I bought Kevin's rally wheels/tires, I wonder if he's going to be in S04 with you, too...

[em99sport]

As I get closer to heading back stateside, I decided to start piecing together the suspension. I ordered the D-Specs yesterday, and am planning on picking up the top hats, springs and spacers in the coming weeks.

Also, I found a set of '99 RS silver 5-spokes on rs25 that were in good condition for a reasonable price, so I finally got around to buying a set. I'd wanted a set of those ever since I bought the wagon, and they will come in handy once I finally get the FHI 4-pots. In the mean time, they'll probably sit until the Dunlops on the stock wheels are kicked. (No sense in paying to remount the tires.)

Pics will follow once I get back to NC.

[04trailsti]

This wagon is well built and being the influence of em99 to first purchase the OBS, then influencing him to drive into a lake, then finishing it off by poping the OBS motor while borrowing the car. Then working side by side with em with damn near every mod on this car, and even "fab"ing up some of our own parts. It has definatly opened the my eyes to non-power mods and how much they change the feel of the car. And yet theres still (not so much dirty impreza members) so many Suby drivers that drop their jaws over carbon fiber trunks and interior trim pieces, and monster turbos. They are pushing "400whp and dont even know what steering rack bushings feel like. It boggles my mind.
And when em99sport and myself get back from this ****-hole. weather its in his car or my car we hope to hit up every auto x / rally x in the southeast, and east coast. Hopefully keeping our track record of 100% podiums.

Nevermind I take it all back john woke me up early today and I lost out on 1 and half hous of sleep.

[em99sport]

Update:

Ordered the JR 1" spacers, wagon Pinks and Group N top hats, along with Whiteline Plus lateral link bushings, so the suspension stuff will all be waiting on me when I get back. Then it will be install time, followed by a realignment.

I also bought a RA front skid plate, as my custom plate was on the thin side. I'm not a fan of adding weight to the car, but it's obviously good piece of mind when bombing through trails and hitting smallish jumps!

Now, about that external wastegate idea???:muhaha:

[em99sport]

I'm finally back in the states, so the following stuff has to get installed on the WRX:http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/DSCN0288.jpg

[em99sport]

Installed the RA skid plate the other night, and got the rear struts, springs, top hats and lateral link bushings installed last night. The fronts will go in tomorrow, and then time for an alignment.

The ride with the D-Specs on full-stiff (the delivered preset) is reasonable for me. It's been a while, but it feels similar to stock '04 STi ride to me. I can't wait for the fronts.

The lateral link bushings weren't too bad to put in, although I have the luxury of a lift and a 25-ton press. I would have liked to have installed stuff separate to better identify differences in performance, but I'm tight on time, and I'd like to knock out one alignment after all the suspension items.

I forgot to bring the camera to the shop, but I'll snap some photos when I do the trailing arm bushings and the front suspension.

[em99sport]

I got the front struts, springs, spacers, and top hats installed today. The only issue was the added length of the spacer making re-installation difficult. Everything went smoothly once I disconnected the sway bar end-links to allow for more play in the hub assembly, though.

Now that the entire suspension has been replaced, I feel good about my decision to go with the D-Specs and wagon Pinks. The ride isn't too harsh, even with the struts at full-stiff. Since the spacers are 1" all around, there is still a slight rake to the rear, just as there is stock. As mentioned previously, I was expecting a .5" lift when combining the spacers and the Pinks, and it looks as though that will be the case.

My wife had the camera at work today, so I'll get some underbody pics some other time. I will get some shots of the fender gap tomorrow, though.

[MConte05]

Will be curious about your longer term review on the suspension. Except for the spacers, that is pretty much the exact setup I plan on running on my car. Tokio D-Specs with STI springs.

[em99sport]

Pictures from the Tar Heel Sports Car Club rallycross today, in Clayton, NC, showing the fender gap with the aforementioned suspension setup:
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/DSCN0307.jpghttp://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/DSCN0309.jpghttp://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/DSCN0301.jpghttp://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/DSCN0326.jpg

[em99sport]

Be advised: With this setup on a GG wagon, camber bolts will be necessary just to reach okay camber settings, both front and rear.

The ride and handling are both outstanding, but the hassle of the alignment must be addressed immediately after installation, so keep that in mind.

[tzdevill]

def looked good this past weekend

[em99sport]

Thanks, man. Hopefully, it will be as successful as your OBS soon.

[Jard]

Will be curious about your longer term review on the suspension. Except for the spacers, that is pretty much the exact setup I plan on running on my car. Tokio D-Specs with STI springs.
The pinks are going to sit a *tiny* bit lower than USDM STi springs in the front. In the rear, the USDM STi springs would sit lower than pinks since they aren't made for a wagon.

[em99sport]

That being said, I'd say the STi take-offs would sit much too low in the rear for those of us seeking even fender gap. The Pinks sit about at stock levels, in relation to front/rear fender gap, but I figured the take-offs would be lower in the rear. If I wasn't using the JR spacers, I would probably pick up the Paranoid rear spacers or make a custom set.

[em99sport]

First off, I recently purchased a VF39, STi TMIC and DW 565cc injectors used from a friend, and picked up a new Walbro 255 pump. Monday, a couple friends (including the one who sold me the stuff) helped me install it all, and I flashed the Cobb OTS VF39 tune. I'm currently waiting on a Protune, and I'm planning on installing a Grimmspeed coated up-pipe beforehand, as my solid Cobb is leaking a bit. I also have a 3-port boost control solenoid that will go on before the tune. I'll update after with numbers and impressions.

In anticipation of an upcoming autocross and my temporary move to Arizona this spring, I removed the front JR spacers, as I was going to a tarmac setup. Since I had so much visible ass-sag, I decided to keep the rear spacers in until the Paranoid 3/8" spacers I ordered came in. With the 1" lift in the rear, the car still appears to have a slight rake rear-ward, and it bothers me just a bit. I guess you have to space the rear more than an inch if you want the gap to look the same front and rear! For the time being, I'm keeping the JR spacers in back, and the Paranoids are on standby if the springs settle some more. Also, the stance up front with the wagon Pinks is still really high. It really is a great DD setup, as the car is far from slammed. MTF.

[conorpeterson85]

In anticipation of an upcoming autocross and my temporary move to Arizona this spring, I removed the front JR spacers, as I was going to a tarmac setup. Since I had so much visible ass-sag, I decided to keep the rear spacers in until the Paranoid 3/8" spacers I ordered came in. With the 1" lift in the rear, the car still appears to have a slight rake rear-ward, and it bothers me just a bit. I guess you have to space the rear more than an inch if you want the gap to look the same front and rear! For the time being, I'm keeping the JR spacers in back, and the Paranoids are on standby if the springs settle some more. Also, the stance up front with the wagon Pinks is still really high. It really is a great DD setup, as the car is far from slammed. MTF.

I'm confused, are you running the STi takeoffs in the back and pinks up front? and are you planning on running the paranoid spacer on just the rear?

Killer wagon, my plans are along the same lines.

[em99sport]

I'm confused, are you running the STi takeoffs in the back and pinks up front? and are you planning on running the paranoid spacer on just the rear?

I have USDM wagon Pinks all around, and have the JR 1" spacers still installed in the rear.

I removed the front spacers in preparation for autocrosses, and was planning on removing the rears when my Paranoid spacers came in. While waiting on the Paranoids, I decided to just leave the JRs in out back, as the car looks almost even with that setup. (BTW, the Paranoids are for the rear only).

[em99sport]

It seems that the VF39 that I just installed is leaking a bit at the compressor/center cartridge joint, so it will get pulled after New Year's and sent to Grimmspeed for porting and coating. If they don't, I will take it apart and redo the seal at that joint. Hopefully that works (the improved spool is a nice side benefit :lol:).

As an aside, it looks like my run at Deal's Gap will be nixxed by snow in western NC. :pissed:

[em99sport]

Got the ported/coated VF39 back from Grimmspeed, and re-installed it along with the 3-port BCS, and took the car for a protune. With response and mid-range being the goal, the numbers were 265/270 on a Mustang. I'm pretty happy with the pull, as the car feels much stronger.

BTW: The leak at the compressor housing was fixed by the reseal job done at GS.

[tnl_dohcter]

Nice write up. I want to do something similar to this on my wagon when time/money permits. Where did you get all of your hard parts at/pricing. (pink wagon springs, shocks, tophats, rally wheels)
Thanks in advance. Looking good.

[em99sport]

Nice write up. I want to do something similar to this on my wagon when time/money permits. Where did you get all of your hard parts at/pricing. (pink wagon springs, shocks, tophats, rally wheels)
Thanks in advance. Looking good.

Been a while since I had a lot of free time, so sorry for the delayed response.

I got the springs, struts and top hats from TiC. I suggested a similar setup being offered as a rallyx special package, but didn't hear anything back...;) You're looking at ~$1220 for the same package from them, as the DSpecs went up in price.

The Racelines I have were a private purchase from another local rallycrosser here in NC. Good luck finding a similar set. I recommend trying to find some Team Dynamics Pro Rallys, as they're easier to find.

[em99sport]

I'm in Arizona, and the 91 octane sucks. No boost for two weeks is really getting to me.

I don't have the time for it anyway, but I think it's crazy that there are no rallycrosses out here. There are a ton of great dirt roads, so I'm sure I could find a good course location.

[em99sport]

I found VP 100 octane "Street Blaze" at a Gas City here, so things are looking up now. $6.50/gallon sucks, though, and I have to play the mix game at the pump. Running 93 octane is simpler and so much cheaper.

[em99sport]

I'm back in NC, and finally got around to upgrading the brakes. Picked up some new Gr N 4-pots for the front, and the H6 kit for the rear. I went with Centric premium rotors and Hawk HP-Plus pads. The HP-Plus ended up being a bit too loud, and I already feared their appetite for rotors, so I scored some Stoptech street performance pads.

Since the OEM 16x6.5 wheels don't clear the 4-pots without spacers, I'll be mounting the Star Specs on the '99 RS wheels I have. In the mean time, I'm cruising the BBS with 225/45 RE01Rs.

Pics to follow.

[em99sport]

Although it's been a very long time coming, here are the pics as promised:

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/DSCN0917.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh212/em99sport/DSCN0918.jpg

[ScoobNJ]

I think that stance looks pretty good with the BBS 17's. Which spacers do you have in there with the sti pinks?

A little bit of dragging this back from the dead... I have '05 wrx wagon, debating 1" spacers, but don't want huge tires filling the wheel wells and sapping my power.

[em99sport]

I have wagon-specific Pinks (springs), with Jackson Rally 1" spacers in the rear. I really don't like the idea of the rear being jacked 1" higher than the front, but the stance is perfect like that. The practical, function over form side of me hates that the superficial, aesthetic side won out (for now...).

For clarity, I originally had the spacers installed in the front as well, but removed them. I left the rears in for a "test period," just to determine if it resulted in a slight front rake. It did not, but rather evened everything out, to the plain eye.

Once I get the time, I'm pulling the spacers and installing the 3/8" saggy butt spacers I have. There's a clunk in the driver's side front strut assembly anyway, so the suspension really needs the attention. At that time, I'll probably reconnect the rear sway bar, too.

[em99sport]

Car is for sale. See post in appropriate section.