strat's project wrx

[strat]

I started with a 96 Legacy wagon which I had lifted on outback struts with a set of general grabber at2's mounted on wrx wheels. originally, I built the car to play in the mud with my 2 buddies that got into jeeps and was fairly successful going wherever they went. Anyways, after a subaru meet in wellsboro (home of the stpr), I realized I'd much rather play on dirt roads and learn how to control the car at speeds in the dirt, then to just blast through some mudholes. I ran the wagon a bit more until one weekend, I went with a buddy to an auto auction in NY. His dad (formerly an owner of a car dealership) was buying cars to put on the car lot and bought a world rally blue '02 wrx. The car had some problems (disconnected bypass hose and the most horrid aftermarket tail lights I've ever seen on a car) but I ended up driving it back as they had multiple cars to take back to the lot. Boy was that a mistake. For you see I had recently started a new job and was kinda in the market for something with a bit more power and potential than the wagon I had. Monday I talked to the bank and the following weekend, I bought the car. Which I promptly took to my friend's house and put the stock tail lights back into and rattle canned the stock wheels.

how she looked when I first got her home (pic taken in a parking garage)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00004-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00003-3.jpg

Now my buddy (Brandon aka westy) had a turbo legacy at the time and it just so happened that he wanted an axle back and my car had a stromung on it. I was looking for something louder and freer flowing as well. He came across a steal on a barely used hks downpipe and apexi worldsport II catback. I also koji'd the stock headlights during this time.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00001-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00004-4.jpg

since then, the car has gone through a few stages...

kyb agx's/swift springs/group n top hats, rota subzeros, hella 500's in the stock location with kartboy mounts, and morettes
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0408071824.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0408071823.jpg

switched to legacy gt wheels for the STPR charity rally
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00014.jpg

tenzo r passion 5's (off my other toy), JIC FLTA2's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00110-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00112-1.jpg

and how it currently sits, stock springs/struts, stock wrx wheels with nokian wr's.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/1108071239.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/1108071239a.jpg

and dirty :muhaha:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/1122071325.jpg

mods include:

Drivetrain:
-AEM cold air intake
-HKS catless downpipe
-Apexi Worldsport II catless exhaust
-Turboxs up pipe
-Group N transmission mount
-Energy shifter stay bushing
-Kartboy short shifter
-custom bronze shifter bushings (replace the stock plastic pivot bushings)

Suspension:
-JIC FLTA 2's
-Ebay strut tower bars
-WRX wheels with Nokian WR's (winter setup)

Exterior:
-Morettes
-Hella 500's with Kartboy mounts
-CF corner markers
-Sparco Rally flaps

Interior:
-OEM Subaru boost gauge
-Pilot shift knob

[strat]

near future plans:
-Enginuity stage II (saving up for a Tactrix cable
-Rally Innovations skid guard
-Hella Black Magics
-Front skid plate (haven't decided exactly which one yet)
-Rear diff guard
-Kartboy rear shifter stay bushing

[rllyrckt]

very nice lookin bugeye, well i guess it isnt a bug eye any more with those SWEEETT lookin headlights, ive never seen them before, they look AWESOME, how did you get to do the stpr charity rally, i wanna do that this year, we should put together a mini-meet of local guys to go to stpr this year, again SWEET CAR!!!

[strat]

that charity rally is real easy to enter. you just have to go to the airport friday morning and register for it (i think you can pre register too on rally america's website... but closer to the time of the rally). it's a time/distance rally.

[kreitz3]

I want to to a TSD.

[strat]

time/distance rally's are pretty fun. my gf was my codriver and we actually did pretty well in the novice class for our first time out (10th in our class, 17th overall out of 36 cars).

i'm looking to do some that the NY fingerlakes region SCCA puts on this winter. Hence the need for the lights.

the only thing is it's hard when your on dirt roads to drive the designated speed. too fast and you do badly.

[strat]

worked on a temporary solution for mounting the blackmagics on the car until i have the scratch for the rally innovations skid guard. I plan to paint the brackets flat black before final install. again, this is TEMPORARY...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00076.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00077.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC00078.jpg

next up is getting them wired to the switch my 500's are already on, painting the brackets flat black, and a stage II tune with the tactrix cable i'll be aquiring shortly!

[sebhockey]

Good job, it's looking mean.

[Not All There]

those will make night driving alot more fun!

[RS-ti_Andy]

wow..overall i love it! haha and u made the bugeyes into "projecteyes" lol

and i see your sponsered by DC...lol jk

[strat]

i can't wait to get them wired up to see what kind of light output i'll have at night.

[Azewaldo]

-HKS catless downpipe
-Apexi Worldsport II catless exhaust
I'm interested in how you go cat-less, what about CEL & smog checks?

[RS-ti_Andy]

I'm interested in how you go cat-less, what about CEL & smog checks?

he doesnt live in CA duh! i dont have smog or cel tests ever up here!

cali=retarded governor and rules and hippy conservationists!

[strat]

pa is a visual inspection... they look under the car and see a cat, it passes. so when inspection time comes around, the stock downpipe goes back on...

the rest of the time, there is a mechanical cel fix that works. (basically you just need to space the 02 sensor near the cat out of the exhaust flow a bit) some aftermarket exhaust that are catless have this built into their design.

[04caliwrx]

car looks good man

[WRR]

it is looking good!


just a note from experience.. a few years ago (ok, many years ago :)) my good friend (& wanna be rallyer) bolted a set of big Hellas behind the grille of his Volvo 142 sedan and we went out to 'test' the new lights.. about an hour later we both had really bad headaches and were kinda sick to our stomachs and after spending some time trying to figure out why - we determined that his mounting materials were a little weak and the lights were bouncing or shaking enough to give us both bad headaches - be careful cause I see some familiar materials in your 'temp. solution'

[RS-ti_Andy]

yeah i hate flickering lights because they are loose lol i feel your nausia

[strat]

the brace in the center holds it pretty steady. it bolts from the light bracket to the bottom bolt on the hood latch. we used a similar setup on westy's old outback sport wagon and it worked good.

again, this will only be till i have the scratch for the rally innovations skid guard.

[rllyrckt]

i sure do love pa vehicle laws, but there are the dumb ones....i cant htink of any now but they will come to me......uhhhh......for later

[RS-ti_Andy]

i sure do love pa vehicle laws, but there are the dumb ones....i cant htink of any now but they will come to me......uhhhh......for later

lol sounds like cali.. and wisconsin

[strat]

tactrix cable + wrx with catless up pipe and turboback exhaust= stage II!!!

and man is it worth it!

[strat]

i have on order a rallylights.com harness for the black magics and a set of rally name decals for me and my co-driver (my girlfriend)

[wolfman79]

Like the black magics, can't wait to see them wired and ready.

[RS-ti_Andy]

black magics... sounds like who ever named them liked playing the game Magic as a kid..lol yes they should look killer

[strat]

let there be light!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/IMG_0382.jpg

[wolfman79]

let there be light!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/IMG_0382.jpg

Excellent you have started the new year on the bright side. Now put them to use with the snow and show us the aftermath.

[409industries]

Azewaldo... I'm running catless here in CA (just have my TBE in the attic for smog check time). The only thing you really need to do is the CEL fix on the DP 02 sensor. I had Steve at Aerosim do it for me, when they were in business. So im not exactly sure what it is, but i know its on scoobymods.

Love how the car is doing! id really like to do a TSD sometime.

[strat]

i've still got some aiming to do but i plan on putting them to good use

[strat]

got a few small things for the wrx...

driver/co-driver names (although that's the passenger side so it's actually co-driver and then driver)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0119081646.jpg

and noltec steering rack bushings
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0119081659.jpg

the steering rack bushings are pretty sweet. the steering response is NOTICEABLY improved. cheap and effective mod for sure!

[strat]

working on pickin up ANOTHER set of hella 500's for the wrx... after that i'll be designing a new light bar to accomodate...

[I Like It Sideways]

Holy jeez awesome lighting action

The picture links won't work though :cry:

[04caliwrx]

no pix man!

[rllyrckt]

trying to catch up to me for most lights on the front of a subaru in PA are ya? just kidding and yeah photobucket is screwin us over, i see no pics!!!

[strat]

yea... i exceeded my bandwidth for last month... from the email they sent me, pics should be back up in a couple days...

rllyrckt... actually, tryin to make sure that if i get to a night time/distance rally, that i can see where the hell i'm goin... LOL

[rllyrckt]

yeah thats what i was goin towards too, ive just gotta find a night TSD and then that would be awesome, i know of Pine Barrens but theres gotta be more around, ohh and they are good for spotting park rangers at night too, trust me....

[strat]

finger lakes scca runs a series of events in jan-march... i just haven't made it up for any yet... :(

[rllyrckt]

yeah and they are about half way done too, hmm i gotta look into them

[strat]

my gf is my co-driver but her getting off work is a problem (she's in the reserves so she already has to take one weekend off a month for drill in addition to the two weeks she's on currently)

[rllyrckt]

yeah, i know all about that military stuff, your talking to an air force brat, so i can understand, my prob is getting off of work, but having enough vacation time to cash in on to pay my bills for the month, but ill make it to one i swear...

[strat]

let me know what one you plan on attending. maybe we can make it up for that event as well.

[rllyrckt]

ok ill look into it and ill let ya know

[strat]

pics are back up guys!

[nordicskiah]

Am I missing something here? What happened to the Sparco logo on the mud flaps? haha I'm going to feel retarded if this is obvious and I'm just missing something

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/1108071239a.jpg

and dirty :muhaha:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/1122071325.jpg

[strat]

the decals don't stick too well with the heat/cold and the mud and such...

[nordicskiah]

ahh, yeah that's what i first thought, but i couldn't tell if they were branded in like Rallyarmor's

[strat]

nope... when you buy the sparco flaps, you get the flaps and decals to put on.

[VermillionX]

I love the way you have the flaps rigged up. If I could get them in black they would be on my car.

[Jard]

Did you ever get a Tactrix cable?

I have a cable and Cobb Stage I and II maps for a bugeye.

[strat]

yes i did get the tactrix cable... i'm running an xptuning stage II map (just his free base map, not the full on race map).

still have some bugs to work out as i'm getting some detonation.

[strat]

Launch control added yesterday.

I will try to get some vids up shortly. it rocks! I can't wait for the next rallyx

[I Like It Sideways]

!!!! Niiiice!!! That is badass, can't wait to see videos.

[strat]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/hella.jpg

preview of the new light bar and another set of 500's

[the_DiRTY_koobaru]

holy crap man! that is freakin sweet. what did you bolt to under there?

[strat]

it's bolted straight to the bumper beam. I had to trim the bumper cover a bit but there are some factory holes that i used. i'll get some better pics of it once I have it cleaned up, shortened, and such.

[aerioAWD]

I was wondering, why do so many folks have light bars when most of the events, meets etc are during the day. I mean it looks pretty tight but do you really need that many lights?

[strat]

i'm getting ready for night time/distance rallies so the lights will come in handy...

as promised, launch control!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/th_MVI_0921.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/?action=view&current=MVI_0921.flv)

[the_DiRTY_koobaru]

nice!
jeez, i still need to get to stage 2

[newbie101]

light bar looks sweet...launch control also FTW!!

[westy2005]

Not too bad Strat...glad to see all my parts are still in good use!! only 1 more set of lights and you will be caught up with my 02 RS LOL. Hmmmm Launch control....I used it in Laughlin this year, along with flatfoot shifting, and all the guys not from DI.com looked at me funny :-o Lookin good man!! See you in June!

[StanBo]

i'm getting ready for night time/distance rallies so the lights will come in handy...

as promised, launch control!



Hahaha that **** puts a smile on my face :headbang:

[strat]

btw stan, i have the wrong patch for the launch control. that's why it wouldn't work on your ecu when we tried on sunday. there are different variations of the 02-03 ecu.

westy... mine's not as cool though as it doesn't shoot flames like your's did when you were running utec launch control

[strat]

all lit up!!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/bright.jpg

i've got some decent plans in the next month or two so stay tuned!!

[newbie101]

thing looks like a UFO...sweet stuff

[StanBo]

btw stan, i have the wrong patch for the launch control. that's why it wouldn't work on your ecu when we tried on sunday. there are different variations of the 02-03 ecu.

westy... mine's not as cool though as it doesn't shoot flames like your's did when you were running utec launch control

No problemo. If you have a link to the right one it would be appreciated. Right now I have to work on cleaning out my intake system and going from there.

Strat post up a shot of the lights hitting something for reference. Those things look like they put out a good amount of light.:eek:

[strat]

stan... i'll see what i can find for you. i'll try to get some night pics with them lit up tonight. that pic is with my camera phone...

[strat]

ordered primitive skid plate, subaru diff protector, and swapped out my trunklid for an STI trunklid.

pics coming soon!

[StanBo]

When you install the skidplate do yourself a favor and put some lock washers on their bolts. I know guys have complained of having to go under and tightening their plates.

At least with the locks they will hold up better. :D

[strat]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0413081213.jpg

[MConte05]

Niiiceeeeee.

[newbie101]

looking good

[strat]

diff protector comes in on friday. my skid plate should be shipping soon as well. i can't wait!!!

[pigpen]

i love bugeyes with STi wings. nice!

When you install the skidplate do yourself a favor and put some lock washers on their bolts. I know guys have complained of having to go under and tightening their plates.

At least with the locks they will hold up better. :D

i wouldn't bother with that if you need to remove the plate for oil changes. i've never noticed mine getting loose between oil changes.

[westy2005]

^^+1 me either...

[strat]

i got the plate with the oil drain plug delete so it'll definetely be coming off for oil changes. ;-)

[pigpen]

ah, wise choice spence. i did the same!

[MConte05]

Your skidplate should see much action. I haven't even gone "true" off-roading since I got mine and its already taken some good hits.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3236/bushinginstall002vu7.jpg

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5231/bushinginstall002fl3.jpg

[strat]

nice!!

some lit up pics for those that asked...

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/IMG_1022.jpg

low beams
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/IMG_1016.jpg
high beams
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/IMG_1017.jpg
low beams with hellas
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/IMG_1019.jpg
high beams with hellas
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/IMG_1020.jpg

[Galen]

im so jealous of your hellas! those look great. where did you attach your light bar to?

[rllyrckt]

your car looks like it has an ANGRY smile to the front, that looks awesome, I love that everyone is goin to the 4 extra lights up front like i did, it just looks great strat, nice job

[aerioAWD]

Honestly I try to keep lights point to the side so i can see deers etc.

[strat]

the light bar is bolted to the underside of the bumper beam. i keep meaning to get some pics of how it's mounted.

dimitri... the blackmagics (two in the center) are angled outwards for cornering/animal duty.

it doesn't look nearly as bright in the pics as it is in person. there is a wide spread of light though. driving in town, you can see the blackmagics shining on houses as i pass (mind you i try not to use them in town)

[anaonbd]

Thinking about going with some hella 3000s and of course the roll cage. AT to MT swap and other stuff.

[strat]

got my diff protector installed last night!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/0418081958.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/0418082050.jpg

please excuse the crappy cell pics

[pigpen]

black? who makes that one? combined with the black magics, i'm starting to think you're going for a stealth rally look...except for the names on your window. :lol2:

[sebhockey]

black? who makes that one? combined with the black magics, i'm starting to think you're going for a stealth rally look...except for the names on your window. :lol2:

Subaru makes a black one that looks just like that...I would assume that that's the subaru rear diff protector.

[westy2005]

Yah..OEM/dealer installed is what it looks like

[MConte05]

Yep, that is the OEM one. That was the first mod to my car, complimented with RA mudflaps. That thing is tough as hell.

[Blix666]

that OEM rear skid is great. i've had mine on for 'bout 6 months now and it's saweet. good jacking point too to speed up wheel changes.

[strat]

it is in fact the subaru genuine parts diff protector. seemed like it would give the most protection given the 3" exhaust. (primitive's apparently doesn't fit well with a 3" exhaust that has a flange near the rear diff)

[strat]

primitive skid plate comes in tuesday!!

[strat]

skid plate has arrived along with new tires to replace my worn nokians.

pics and such to come!

[pigpen]

nice. can't wait to see you out there running even harder at the next event!

[strat]

some quick cell pics...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/0429082045.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/0429082038.jpg

Paul at Team Illuminata mentioned some new features which i'm assuming are the louvers??

i'll get some pics of the tires tomorrow.

[Galen]

yah, i would say so, mine dosnt have em'.

Looks saweeeet!

[MConte05]

Looking gooooood.

[I Like It Sideways]

Looks slick!! Nice investment!

[pigpen]

yeah, i'm pretty sure it is the louvers. looks sweet!

[strat]

i can't wait to go try it out. i need to get my new tires on first though.

[VermillionX]

Awsome Spence. Can't wait to see the new tires.

[brd360sk8]

We need to see how that light bar is made still! lol

[strat]

slight update (aka no pics yet)

picked up a set of soft compound pirelli rally tires mounted on 15" steelies from westy. also acquired a rally america banner from STPR this past weekend.

new DD tires are on my wrx wheels and are holding up pretty well. I went with dunlop sp60's. They have a low speed rating (98mph i believe) but are aggressive treads for a spritied back road drive and should do well in the white stuff this winter.

next up will either be a set of team dynamics wheels or an rs/i/outback downgrade on the front brakes to clear the steelies. (i figure with decent pads they should perform similarly to the stock wrx parts and I normally don't drive the car hard on pavement)

pics will be coming soon along with the promised light bar pics.

[pigpen]

it looks like the sp60's are an S rating, which is 112mph...that's a little better. they definitely look like they'll do alright off-road. lucky for you there are so many dirt/gravel roads near you to warrant these as your everyday tires.

[strat]

yes sir... that and the fact that I don't need to go over 100 mph. LOL

I forgot to mention in my other post too that I finally got the stock air intake system to replace the AEM. The car is MUCH happier about that.

[strat]

pics...

pirelli's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0060.jpg

dunlop sp60's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0061.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0062.jpg

stock airbox and happy engine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0063.jpg

rally america banner
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0098.jpg

lightbar mounting pics (please excuse the rust as I have not painted my bar yet)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0065.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0064.jpg

and some randoms
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0102.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0100.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0099.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0068.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0967.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0966.jpg

[westy2005]

hmmm..thats a pretty nice cabin you shot those pics at!! Wonder where that is?! LMAO

[strat]

westy's wellsboro retreat ftw!!

[pookdizzlehtk]

How do you think a set of hella 500s for fogs and four hella 500s for the light bar would look??

[brd360sk8]

If you uhhh ever wana go back to stock headlights id love to take those morettes off your hands hahaha jussst kidding

[Ath]

Lookin good Spencer!

I'll try to get some more shots of your car from Colton Point processed and posted.

[strat]

thanks chris!!!

pookdizzlehtk... you should check out vermillionx's light setup. he has 4 500's on the front of his gc. it still looks good without the offset sizes.

[westy2005]

If you uhhh ever wana go back to stock headlights id love to take those morettes off your hands hahaha jussst kidding

sorry bro....they will be going back to ME!!! LOL lookin good as always Spence

[strat]

sorry bro....they will be going back to ME!!! LOL lookin good as always Spence

who says they are goin ANYWHERE??? :nono:machinegunleft::punch:

[westy2005]

That car is bound to die someday....LMAO either that or I could ninja them outta there...hahahah

[strat]

you ninja them outta there and i'll send chuck norris after you. ;)

[westy2005]

go for it...i aint scurred LMAO!!! I will just reverse those proficies thingies.....

[strat]

brake downgrade complete and dirty impreza decals ftw!!

pic coming shortly!

[strat]

cell phone pics for now...

dirty impreza ftw!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0723081940.jpg

2.5i front brakes... gotta get those steelies on there somehow!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0727082109.jpg

better quality pics coming soon along with the steelies/pirelli soft compounds on the car.

[MConte05]

Shame I won't get to run against you with that Rally Rubber!

[strat]

tell me about it! I can't wait for the next rallyx... i might just actually BE competitive...

pic of the pirellis on the wrx!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0486.jpg

[pookdizzlehtk]

How much smaller are the 2.5i brakes that the wrx?

[strat]

not TOO much smaller... i'd say maybe 1-2" overall dia between rotors.

*edit*
if you look at the pic i posted of the brakes, the dust shield on the car should be around the dia of the wrx rotors.

[MConte05]

Those things were beasts.... Me really want some Rally Rubber now....

Did you feel much of a difference while sliding compared to a softer sidewall on the winters?

[strat]

honestly... the slides are a TON more controlled with the rally meats. especially on that soft loose sandy surface.

[PONCH]

maybe you should put down the pipe!:nono
the car looked good until the ''erector-set'' light bracket:-(

[strat]

function over form...

this isn't a show car. for what it's worth, the light bar will be getting a new cross bar, some paint, and another set of blackmagics to replace the 5oo's

edit...

are you talking about my original light bar or the one with 4 hellas on it?

[pookdizzlehtk]

Are you Hella Spoken for yet? I'll take them off ur hands when you take them off.

[strat]

they'll probably go on my girlfriend's outback sport wagon.

;)

[strat]

picked up an sti piston shift knob!

thanks westy!

[brd360sk8]

Any how-to write up comin on that rally bar anytime soon? lol

[strat]

no write up on it yet but i'll try to get something pulled together with pics here soon.

meanwhile, picked up a 3" bellmouth ebay downpipe to replace the hks dp

[rllyrckt]

which ebay DP did you go with and why are you replacing the HKS dp, just doin some research to figure out my next mod...

[strat]

i'm not sure which ebay dp it is. picked it up used off westy.

the hks dp is a blank plate design where the ebay is a bell mouth. the ebay is also stainless where the hks is not.

the fact that i got a good price on it to paid a large part in me switching dp's.

i'll be sellin the hks if you're interested. ;)

[pookdizzlehtk]

Any more updates yet?? Im in love with this bugeye!!

[jmailhot]

Strat, I love your bugeye. lights+gravel tires= FTW!

[strat]

no recent updates but hopefully a nice group of mods coming in the next month or so...

at the moment, it's wearing 18's as I have a few autox's to get out of the way and my other car (Cavalier that I run in SM) is winterized...

[westy2005]

...your welcome, since im slow and NEVER sign in anymore!

[dropdfocus]

I now have posession of the HKS downpipe. I'm going to have a local muffler shop make the HKS pipe divorced. Then I'm putting it aside for the wife's 2.5GT (named Gretchen) which is getting motor swapped in the spring after I install my Frankenmotor into Trixie.

[StanBo]

i wouldn't bother with that if you need to remove the plate for oil changes. i've never noticed mine getting loose between oil changes.

Good point. They are on there now so I just leave them.

low beamshigh beams

I am putting my package together now (planning). I would like to swap my factory fogs out for driving lights. I am happy with the short distance light.

I have trouble with depth. The farther I can see the faster I can drive (or more confident).

Strat if you want to do something with some square stock and need it welded give me a buzz I will hook you up. **** I friggen owe you one as it is :D

[strat]

thanks stan! i'll have to see if i need any welding...

just picked up a set of 17's for $50...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/downsized_1116081626.jpg

plans are to sand blast the black paint off, come spring i'll slap a set of all seasons on and then probably grab a few cans of the bbs gold grimspeed spray paint and paint'em up

also picked up a pyrotect helmet from aaron. :)

[dropdfocus]

Yep... just HAD to one up me picking up EJ20G heads for $68.77 huh??? :lol:
Lucky bastard! Now find me a set of WRX 16's for the winter months cheap and we'll be good! :mrgreen:

[strat]

the past year in the wrx...

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Backroad-Rally-III_199304.htm

[dropdfocus]

Extremely awesome Spencer! Two thumbs up my friend. Did Lyle put that together for you or did you do it?

I hope to have some footage of "Trixie" over various point this winter playing in the snow... :twisted:

[strat]

i put the vid together using windows moviemaker.

[aerioAWD]

Awesome editing Spence. Will i see you in Connecticut 1/10-11?

[strat]

thanks Dimitri... not sure yet if we'll be making the drive to CT or not... I'll have to talk it over with Tasha

[strat]

diy lip

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0113092044a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/0113092043.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/downsized_0113092044.jpg

[dropdfocus]

Sawwwwwwwwweet. Total cost from Lowes?

Once it warms up, I have '97-'99 LGT side skirts to modify to fit Trixie. Crappy thing is, they are both for the right side of the car (bought a complete set from an SLi member & one is a freebie from C-Mac). I'll likely need to borrow your assistance.

[strat]

about $28 but we bought enough to do Tasha's car too.

[dropdfocus]

Was she jealous of the fact you added another mod to your car and she's still just getting started? :lol2:

[strat]

i'll let her answer that...

[bug02eye]

Ha Ha Jason!!! I am not jealous!! I am modding little by little not to take away from other things that need to be done and we have 3 vehicles to mod and now a bike. I have had it 7months, i have been modding it for only about 3 months. So i am happy with where i am at and money and time is a factor. I am hoping in december when i am done with school both factors will change.

So many vehicles not enough money!!!!

[strat]

my new-to-me foglight pods and PIAA's came in today (thanks cusico!!)

hope to get them mounted up soon with some pics!

[SubieImpreza07]

looks good man.

[dropdfocus]

Actually Spencer, it's "cusico". :mrgreen:

How are the allergic reaction hives treating you buddy?

[strat]

alive and well and all hopped up on steroids!!

subieimpreza07... THANKS!

[dropdfocus]

Are you gonna be like Barry Bonds now? If so, I'm afraid I can't hang out with you any longer. You might go psycho on me and hit me with a baseball bat... :-(

[strat]

no baseball bats... rubber mallets are definetely a possibility though. ;)

[dropdfocus]

OK, THAT was low and brings back too many memories of Dan's (VermillonX) inability to hit the desired object while under his 2.5RS... :nono

Plus it was one of the larger sand loaded mallets too! My face hurts just thinking about it. :oops:

[strat]

i've gotta be a tease for now...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/downsized_0214090913.jpg

[Galen]

Time to change my pants... :unamused:


Thats Badass, you should get a hood light pod to complete the look! Looks great 8)

[strat]

i was actually looking at the pods on primitive last night... i dunno that i want to shell out $350 a pod though (they are the 2 light style that mount over each headlight)

[dropdfocus]

Spencer, if you make a mold from foam to your liking, I can use that to make you a light pod. :muhaha:

BTW, his D/S light is with me to get repaired and strengthened. :headbang:

[strat]

we'll see jason... i'm not sure i NEED hood pods... but we'll see.. :muhaha:

[dropdfocus]

i'm not sure i NEED hood pods...
:shocked: :bs:

[strat]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/DSC_0079.jpg

pods mounted and dirty

[rllyrckt]

looks great!!!! as always

[dropdfocus]

Man-o-man were they a real bitch to deal with because a local shop did have the propper length pop rivets in stock to mount up the metal collars. The previous damage was repaired and over strengthened! There's no chance they'll break there any time soon if they're taken care of by their current owner... :roll:

[Jordanh]

i'm curious what mounts the light to the pod? it appears that its a ring that clamps the O.D. of the light, and then has tabs that bolt/rivet to the pod? i cant seem to find much info on them, or where to buy them.

do they make rings specific to 500ff lights?

[dropdfocus]

Ok, here's how it works:
- you are correct about the light ring design
- threaded metal collars with two ear tabs are pop riveted to the fiberglass pod
- a long spring slides down the length of a long Allen key bolt
- the bolt threads into the collar on the pod
- the spring & bolt combo allow for beam direction adjustment

[dropdfocus]

Found pics I had taken that I forgot about when repairing the fiberglass damage:

Used a Dremel tool to cut out all the broken material
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn399/dropfocus/Spencer/DSC00216.jpg

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn399/dropfocus/Spencer/DSC00218.jpg

Took a bit of tweaking it, but I finally got the mounting ring straight again
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn399/dropfocus/Spencer/DSC00222.jpg

Repaired and much stronger than before!!!
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn399/dropfocus/Spencer/DSC00223.jpg

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn399/dropfocus/Spencer/DSC00224.jpg

3 full layers of the woven glass mat, not the weaker fine hair material
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn399/dropfocus/Spencer/DSC00225.jpg

[strat]

i don't believe they make rings specific for the 500 series lights. pretty sure you can only get this style mounting on the more expensive lighting. (from what i've seen it's specific to pod mounting and most pods run some pretty large lights... think hella 4000's)

[Jordanh]

damn, thanks alot for the help though! i guess i'll have to get a little more creative!

[strat]

how about a teaser or two??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/downsized_0712091318.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/downsized_0712091318a.jpg

let's hear a round of applause for my lovely model... dropdfocus

[pookdizzlehtk]

OH man!!! That is SEXY!!

[rllyrckt]

OHH DAMN!!!! that better be on there for the DI meet in October!!!! that right there is gorgeous!!!!

[dropdfocus]

Spencer, you now officially SUCK!!!!! I didn't even think about you posting up those pics on here... At least I could have picked a better pose to show off my figure. :lol2:

[97ScoobyL]

looks sweet! Gonna paint it body color?

[pigpen]

OH man!!! That is SEXY!!

yeah...so is the wing! you're a hot bitch jason ;-)

[dropdfocus]

Oh thanks a TON Ryan!!!! :bs:

[strat]

it will be painted wrb. hopefully it'll be on by the october meet too. (especially since i have a bunch of holes in my trunklid right now...)

:mrgreen:

[rllyrckt]

Sweet!!!!

[turboimprezagirl]

how about a teaser or two??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/downsized_0712091318.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/strat81/downsized_0712091318a.jpg

let's hear a round of applause for my lovely model... dropdfocus
Damn.....well I see were I rate. Jason does my wing for me too but never modeled with my car!!?? Its because its a REX isnt it! Lol......u sexy sexy boy. My car is jealous. haha

[dropdfocus]

:lol2: LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol2: Yeah, it's a WRX thing... :mrgreen:
I still have lots of love for your car Andrea! 8)

[strat]

just a small update...

traded out the worldsport II exhaust for an HKS HiPower II (the worldsport made it over to the gf's wagon.)

also, the wrc wing is still in the capable hands of dropdfocus but i'm told will be all fixed up soon. :)

[97ScoobyL]

also, the wrc wing is still in the capable hands of dropdfocus but i'm told will be all fixed up soon. :)

Saw it today its looking good. :D

[strat]

just a small update... picked up a kartboy rear shifter stay and installed it. never want to install another. at least not on a car that has the drive shaft in it...

wing has been repaired and is in the hands of turboimprezagirl's husband who will be painting it soon. :)

also have some 2.5 rs 6 spokes that replaced the wrx 5 spokes. :)

pics soon.

[dropdfocus]

Yup, been there done that with Trixie utilizing the very same part from Kartboy. Driveshaft in the way FTL!!!! I seriously contemplated removing mine to get to at it with ease, but there was more work than it was worth to remove the DS.

[strat]

I had a hell of a time getting the bolts to thread in.

[rllyrckt]

we want pics!!!!!

[strat]

pics of what? the bushing is under the car and the wing is not currently in my possession. pics of the wheels?

[dropdfocus]

LOL!!!!! :lol2:

[strat]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/dirt%20with%20ryan/DSC_0303.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/dirt%20with%20ryan/DSC_0298.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/dirt%20with%20ryan/DSC_0326.jpg

[dropdfocus]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ovation81/dirt%20with%20ryan/DSC_0303.jpg
:roll: Oh sure, post up the picture where you decided you don't like the bottom light pods that were just fixed (by me!)... :nono

[wagonryan]

so.many.lights. I thought I get a lot of people staring, but you must get TONS. can't wait to see that wing on!

[rllyrckt]

yea the wheels hahaha jk, i thought that maybe when you GET everything installed you can show some pics

[RS MN]

cool pics man, and awesome car!
cant wait to see that wing on there!

[strat]

jason... quit your belly aching... that one was the one you hadn't repaired. :p

i'll try to snap a few pics of the rs wheels. haven't really taken any since i got them.

[dropdfocus]

Oh yeah, well... :tongue:

[StanBo]

Strat am I reading your signiture right? Did you get an XJ?

[skipow]

what are those light pods on your bumper? they look sick, i havent seen them before on bugeyes