Bashproof Exhuast

[d'cheat]

Yesterday, I had the kick a$$ fellas at Full Throttle Performance in sparks nevada build me a custom exhaust. I got sick and tired or replacing down pipes etc. Ill never have to worry about it again. Here, clicky this link: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3375609/2 (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3375609/2)
To check it out. Its quicker than me having to re-type and post the pictures again.

D'cheat

[moosedude]

Ah dude, that is awesome stuff. Talk about full protection.

[RS MN]

beastly.
let us know how it works out.

[UP2MTNS]

nice!! just be careful with that word 'bashproof' ;)

[d'cheat]

Coming from a rockcrawling background, Im sure that I can bounce this car of some rather nasty stuff before at least the DP is in need of replacement. So, this is at least, "Bash-resistant" Step 2 is removing the spare tire well, sheeting it over and moving the catalytic and muffler into the nice big space. PGT rules state that you can modify the sheet metal in the trunk for better fitment of tools, components or reinforcement. So, ill be taking advantage of that to keep the cat and muffler from getting banged up as well.

[d'cheat]

Here ya go. Video :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtJu8LwtOcs

[rollo]

Looks great! How easy is it to pull off for service?

[d'cheat]

Thanks for the compliments fellas! :)
Its attached to the front primitive racing skid. You unbolt the front skid plate like normal, then there are just two extra bolts in the back. All of an extra 2 minutes.
For whats its worth, the shop has told me to send more soobies their way. They would love to make this a regular thing. As it is, they build Shelby Cobras, Datona's and GT-40's. They really get a kick our of our cars. :)

[Safe Drives]

This will not fly in a stage rally.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3503/2181/33756090029_large.jpg

<- I have been building and driving rally cars for 7.5 years now. I have won three PNW regional drivers championships.

Listen to me now and I will save you a bad day learning this on a stage. Put the leading edge of your new second skid plate UNDER the trailing end of the original skid plate. You do not want to give gravel any chance at all to peal that leading edge of your new skidplate back because trust me, it WILL. I see you have put the angle on that leading edge of that new new skidplate but that WILL NOT WORK. Trust me, I learned this the hard way.

Also of note, this new second skid pate will affect the cooling ability of your radiator. A lot of the airflow from the front of the car that goes through the radiator exits the engine bay UNDER the car via the path that you have just blocked with your new skidplate. You can combat this the same way that a modern WRC car does and that is to put the two GIANT openings in the top of the hood. Much like what the 1998 to 2001 2.5RS had in fact. Now I will note that your car probably drove home just fine like that without overheating. However, after 5 minutes on a rally stage on a 90 degree F day and your car will overheat unless you either remove that extra skid plate or put the holes in the hood..

I have learned these facts of rally prep the hard way during my 7.5 years as a rally car driver and team owner / builder.

In my Impreza Rally car I actually had some 1/4" steel plate welded to the bottom of my Perrin downpipe. It has lasted like 10 days of rally now and is good for another weekend easily... Even I am amazed!

I do hope this helps.

[Gnome]

i didnt know you were in oregon....

[UP2MTNS]

+1 on flipping the leading edge at least.

[Tommy Gun Rally]

That plate will also likely overheat the clutch and tranny. A lot of heat coming off that stuff during a rally.

[KevinWelker]

With the excellent fab job on the down pipe and the rest of the exhaust that extra plate is probably redundant anyway.

Also, I think your planned work on the trunk is cool, but might also be of diminishing returns. Not many subies lose the axle back if they have it properly fitted and tucked up close to the bumper. There is a TON of room in there where the stock can was, and if all you are putting in there is a cat or a straight through muffler there is little risk of damage.

Nice work though, i like your unconventional approach to things. Maybe it's time to put down the fabbing tools and hit the stages with it to test out what you've got done and have some fun with us?

[A1337STI]

Having torn off my rally exhaust quite a few times, with a car that sits pretty low. I have barely ever even taken a rock hit past the mid point in my exhaust.

Uber though,

Hey did you buy that White pgt WRX in reno ? cause there's one i've seen for sale (Actualy they guy saw me in my rally car on lunch break in kragen and tried to get me to buy it, i'm like "i Already have a rally car, but thanks bro" hehehe

We need to go on some dirt drives together... :)

[d'cheat]

This will not fly in a stage rally.


Listen to me now and I will save you a bad day learning this on a stage. Put the leading edge of your new second skid plate UNDER the trailing end of the original skid plate. You do not want to give gravel any chance at all to peal that leading edge of your new skidplate back because trust me, it WILL.

Also of note, this new second skid pate will affect the cooling ability of your radiator.

I do hope this helps.

Indeed it does help! I thought doing the knife edge thing on the front of skid#2 would help with that issue. Your right. We bounced the idea of creating a bracket and mounting it flush with the back of skid #1. You do have a point. The last thing I want is a 1/4" thick sheet of metal trying to peel its way backward at 100+ mph. Ill remount with our original idea this weekend.
As for the cooling, I had planned on cutting vents in the hood as allowed in the rules and regs, along with some dimple die holes in both skids in strategic places for a little air circulation. Should not be that much of an issue. * I hope! *

Im liking the idea of my remaining exhaust. Im not looking for returns as it were. I just have no space for a catalytic converter. Rules state you have to use a functional cat, and more and more rallys have stringent DB restrictions. Its just the best place to tuck everything with room to spare :)

As it is, I cant run in PGT quite yet. I bought this car already set up for rally. *far cheaper than building it from scratch!* Oddly enough, you can find my exact car on page 138 in the High Perfomance Subaru Builders Guide as an example of a PGT car.
According to Rally America, I dont have enough experience for a waver or an official license in that class. Im going to run in some more nasa events, and a few scca road race events before I can officially hit the trails for Rally America. I have gobs of experience with high performance cars, and the same on dirt. But its mostly undocumented. Hell, sit in the co-drivers seat and youll see that I can handle my car. But, rules are rules.
Give me a bit of time to save up to replace my leaking rear coil-overs, And Ill Gladly go to a few fun-runs or recce runs :)

[d'cheat]

Hey did you buy that White pgt WRX in reno ? cause there's one i've seen for sale (Actualy they guy saw me in my rally car on lunch break in kragen and tried to get me to buy it, i'm like "i Already have a rally car, but thanks bro" hehehe

We need to go on some dirt drives together... :)

Indeed we need to head out! There are some stellar roads out by Red Rock or MoonRocks OHV park.

Hmm.. It could have been my wrx. I bought this car last June. Rodger was trying to sell this for two years. To this day, I dont know why nobody bought it.

[A1337STI]

Yes i know 1 savage road out there... bet you know the same one and a few more.. hehehe

Ya i'm not sure why anyone else didn't buy it either. Most people figure its easier / more fun/ get exactly what they want by starting a project and "making payments" over time than buying a prebuilt.

Also not a big demand for rally cars from the average john Q plublic .. hehe

You planning on running some events this year?

[d'cheat]

Im still finding new roads all the time. I used to RockCrawl, so the vast majority of dirt roads I know are strewn with boulders the size of VW's. Thats the fun of recce :)

I plan on running as many events as I can this year, funding allowing of course.

[GravelCrewMedic]

overheated clutch and tranny here you come

[d'cheat]

Oh chipes. Dont give me that. There is still plenty of air circulation. There is a three inch gap on both sides of the skid, the TMIC airflow blows directly to the bell housing, I have no wheel well liners, I now have venting in the hood for better evacuation of underhood heat, and your just jealous. :D

[UP2MTNS]

^^ time will tell....I'm also thinking you'll be OK.....you're not running in the WRC or anything. :)

[GravelCrewMedic]

jealous ? nope. giving you some advice yes.


/thread.

[Rally OBXT]

^^I can't believe that the gravel crew website is still up, amazing.

[d'cheat]

You advice that my transmission and clutch will overheat is greatly appreciated. I always enjoy comments from experts and will take it under advisement :)

[Gnome]

You advice that my transmission and clutch will overheat is greatly appreciated. I always enjoy comments from experts and will take it under advisement :)
hahahahahaha
hmmm i think it will be fine you just have to be carefull, maybe some sort of thermometer for down there until you figure out if it works or not?

[d'cheat]

Funny you should mention that. I was looking at temperature gauges yesterday. I think Ill take apart one of my spare transmissions and find a good place to thread in a temperature bung. I like keeping an eye *or having my co-driver do so in this case* on all the temps of the components. Oil temp, egt, and now trans temp. Meh, couldn't hurt.
I performed a 45 minute full throttle shake down yesterday and had no cooling issues nor overheating issues. I get the feeling that ill be okay. But then again, its not 100+ degrees outside. We shall see!

[hoche]

Im still finding new roads all the time. I used to RockCrawl, so the vast majority of dirt roads I know are strewn with boulders the size of VW's. Thats the fun of recce :)

I plan on running as many events as I can this year, funding allowing of course.

Oh, man, I gotta talk to you. The North Nevada Rally is right in your backyard, and we're always looking for more good roads. I've been over Pershing Co with a fine tooth comb, but am still exploring Washoe and Churchill.

You are going to enter, I hope! June 4,5th. It's a NASA event so you're eligible.

Is there any sort of Reno/Tahoe Rallyists meet? We've been doing casual meets in the Bay Area for about a year now. UP2MTNs is up there a lot (hence his nick), Alex is in the Tahoe area, and I'm up there at least once a month on average.


-michel
NNR Co-chairman