The offroading Coastie's WRX

[sebhockey]

Thought I would finally post the progress of my car:

Bought my WRX December 29, 2006.

About a week or so after I got my car , completely stock and still in good ole Virginia:
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0141a.jpg

Few months and mods later here in San Diego (long before DI meet). Mods include:
SPT intake
SPT intake heat shield
SPT turbo heat shield
SPT radiator shrowd
SPT battery tie down
SPT oil cap
STI radiator caps
STI Trailing Links
STI pedals
STI rear strut bar
STI Limited rear wing
Full sound system minus 4 channel amp:
Pioneer 6800MP head unit
Pioneer 5.25" Component front speakers
Rockford Fosgate Power 4" rear speakers
Infinity Basslink in the rear

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0210a.jpg

Couple months ago in Octillo Wells and fairly up to date where the car is now.

Mods at this time include:
STI adjustable coilovers
Rally Armor mud flaps
Cobb front/rear sway bars
Kartboy front/rear endlinks

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/0528071255.jpg

Only changes since then are my Alpine 4 channel speaker amp and DI sticker. Pics of DI sticker to come soon!!!

[409industries]

Nice seb. All about the SPT goods! Keep it up man...

[sebhockey]

LOL, more like all about the STI goods with a few SPT goods mixed in. I think I have one or two last STI parts that I'm gonna get, STI door sills, dunno if anything else.

Something tells me this is gonna become a dedicated rally car in the future. My car's body is definately taking a beating from the offroading and trips. I think I'm gonna go ahead and finish a few more mods like turbo back exhaust and ap2, then I'm gonna put my money in to try and pay this car off sooner. After it's paid off I want to get a 350z or g35 as a daily driver. Dare I say it, it may even bee an automatic. I've been wanting one of those for awhile, but haven't been able to afford the ones I want. It would even up a DD not a track car.

[409industries]

A WRX in the garage for fun and a G35 for pimpin the ladies is not a shabby setup at all my friend.

[sebhockey]

Holy broken sway bar mounts batman. :machinegunleft: :angryfinger: :evil:

So today sucked. While trying to adjust the height on my coilovers today I found that I broke the passenger side rear sway bar mount. I must have put the front bolt in wrong/part way cause that bolt was missing and the torque on the rear caused the rear part of the bracket to break. These were the Cobb brakets. So it looks like my car is on light duty seeing as I have the stock one on that side, and it's really not ideal for it. It's temporary with a capital T as it still has some play for the sway bar bushing. I gotta call up Cobb and see if I can get a mount overnighted to me tomorrow.

In other news related to my car, I raised the height of the rear of my car to around stock height. Not sure completely as I raised it about 0.75", just making sure rears had the same adjustment. They dropped my car initially 20mm, so I'm close if not there. I also greased the top mounts and strut pistons to help keep noise down. Wednesday I plan to raise the front the same amount. Would have done this today, but damn broken sway mount killed all afternoon as I had to retap the bolt hole, well that and the auto shop isn't open that long.

Hopefully by this weekend all will be good for my car as I have a Norcal move coming up on August 10th and plan to go to a rally cross the following weekend and a rally school the first weekend in September.

[lorenkb]

Do you have cobb's fully adjustable rear swaybar mounts, or their "heavy duty" mounts?

[sebhockey]

I got the "heavy duty" mounts.

[lorenkb]

Gotcha. I've been wondering how well their adjustable mounts would hold up to some offroad abuse.

Good luck in getting the car ready for the move!

[sebhockey]

Well I think it only happened cause I didn't watch how I was putting the bolt in. It looks as if I only put it part of the way in cause it was at an angle and stripped part of the hole in the chassis when the force was enough on part of the threads. So once that front bolt was lost there was just too much torque on the rear portion of the mount that it just snapped it.

[sebhockey]

Well, got my new rear sway bar bracket in today and installed. Also raised front back to stock height, finished rotating my tires, and securely mounted my subwoofer in my trunk finally. I feel so accomplished now. Car seems happier now that it's stock height again and not having a subwoofer rolling around in the trunk destroying stuff like during a certain cayon run meet. :roll:

And because we're all pic whores, here's a pic of the carnage of the damaged sway bar mount:
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/0801071719.jpg

[409industries]

eep. thats one done swaybar mount.

[sebhockey]

It's been awhile and the mod bug hit this week since I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket. One of the goals of the mods I do to my WRX is avoid unwanted attention from the police. I had been wanting to go with a COBB tbe, but that goal above squashed the COBB idea this week.

I decided I wanted my exhaust to still be legal in the state my car is registered in, VA btw, (screw CA laws). VA laws state that muffler must be from OEM or original equipment like, and must meet federal emissions standards. Basically my muffler must be either stock, stock like, or be distributed under a subaru logo and to meet fed standards just need a cat in the exhaust. Meaning that I can use STI and SPT exhausts with no problem.

So I ordered and installed a SPT catback on my WRX today. It definately isn't a loud exhuast, but has a nice tone. I think combined with a nice 3" downpipe it'll still sound quite nice with a good performance kick. I must say it definately doesn't look too suspicious and will look even less so when I go get it dirty/wet. I want to eventually even sand the muffler so it looks dull and paint/coat/whatever so it looks even less shiny/ricerish.

Of course the legal issue wasn't the only reason I got it. The SPT CBE is also cheaper than a lot of CBE's, and it helped that the parts guy gave me a discount.

[lorenkb]

I had always thought that the COBB tbe exhaust was not too loud (not my personal experience, just what I've read)? Did you get a chance to hear one in person? I've also been lusting over one, but if it's loud enough to draw that much attention I'm with you on finding alternatives.

Pictures! We demand Pictures!

[worldrallyblue]

i have the same rear sway bar mounts in my car. I will have to keep an eye on them. Hey seb how you liking the adjustable STI coilovers?? and they are fairly easy to adjust??

[sebhockey]

I had always thought that the COBB tbe exhaust was not too loud (not my personal experience, just what I've read)? Did you get a chance to hear one in person? I've also been lusting over one, but if it's loud enough to draw that much attention I'm with you on finding alternatives.

Pictures! We demand Pictures!

Well I never actually heard a COBB exhaust in person, but have heard its about the same as the SPT. I just wanted something that looks and is legal in my home state, and the fact that it's cheaper helps. Pictures to come when I get a chance, and get new batteries for my camera. :mrgreen:

[sebhockey]

i have the same rear sway bar mounts in my car. I will have to keep an eye on them. Hey seb how you liking the adjustable STI coilovers?? and they are fairly easy to adjust??

Well the mounts weren't the problem, its the fact that the forward bolt worked it's way out. That much torque on the rear part of the bracket was enough to destroy it. New one of course went on with some locktite.

I like the coilovers, though at times I wish they were a bit softer. I might end up getting some softer springs for them soon. Ya they are fairly easy to adjust, but can be a pain sometimes too if a lot of dirty/etc gets behind the locknut.

[sebhockey]

Well the mod bug hit yet again, I just drove down to Fremont and picked up a Titek catted downpipe. I plan to rattle can it black and install soon. I also plan to rattle can the axleback while I'm at it to make it less shiny.

[sebhockey]

Installed downpipe today, fitment wasn't 100% though. It caused my catback to twist a little, so now the driver's side hanger is compressed all the way. I also rattle-canned the entire exhaust ceramic black since I hated all the polished stainless steel. Exhaust looks good and sounds good too. The car definately has more balls now, I think if I get an accessport it's balls will fully drop.

[BlueRu]

I do nt know from personal experience, but I have heard that the the Accesport is BOMB! Good luck with getting it too.

[sebhockey]

So I've been doing some planning throughout the day of what I wanna do to the car over the next few months/year. The first 3 are pretty much gauranteed to happen by the end of the year. All off course are subject to change due to funds, impatience, and product availability. Like the Jackson Rally subframe would probably jump ahead of everything, but the AP since I really need to get EM soon with my TBE and SPT intake, when it comes out. And btw even though I'm running a 3" TBE I have plenty of room for a rear skid plate, my exhuast doesn't even come close to touching my rear diff. What's everyone think?

Starting in order from top to bottom:
Cobb AccessPort V2
Front Skid Plate
Rear Skid Plate
Team Dynamics Pro Rally 1 wheels
M/S tires for TD wheels (till I'm ready for rally tires)
Grimspeed Port n Polished exhaust manifold
Kartboy or other aluminum pitch stopper
softer springs for my coilovers
Scrothe 4 pt harness
possibly new/different driver's seat, at least one with a fixed head restraint like the ones from a 06/07 wrx wagon or non tr wrx



Mods after that probably include a larger turbo, injectors. fuel pump, larger tmic, pro tune, aluminum front control arms, group n bushings for lateral links. And of course the trying to pay this car off and buying a new car so I can turn this into a dedicated rally car mod. :mrgreen:

[flooredsubaru]

Front skid plates are good.

They keep oil pans off the list of needing replaced.

I am hoping to get the full GrimmSpeed Setup for my car.

I could not believe how much temperature effects horsepower on the dyno, so my plan this winter for next racing season is to get the engine temps as low as possible. also get my GT28rs to spool up as fast as possible.

[JacksonRally]

Thanks for keeping me in mind. Don't worry cause the second I have something available it will be all over DI and I will prob. get official and become one of them vendors.

[BlueRu]

And then your goign to sponsor someone right?????

[JacksonRally]

And then your goign to sponsor someone right?????

I definetly have plans for this in '08 :D

[subyspawn]

i call dibs on first sponsored!!!

[JacksonRally]

i call dibs on first sponsored!!!

You already are!!

[BlueRu]

Lol! I suppose I would need to start racing before I could be a candidate for a soponsorship.

[sebhockey]

Looks like the 06/07 DI front bumper lip mod will be one of my next tasks with this car. Last night on my way back to the bay area a box fell off a truck in front of me and I couldn't get outa the way in time and I ran over it. It cracked the hell outa the front bumper, but only the bottom lip portion that everyone else is destroying on here. I'm debating whether or not to make an insurance claim or not over it, I could get a brand new front bumper from insurance or depending how they act around here pocket the money. At the same time I really don't want to make a claim through my insurance. If I had been able to see the plates on the truck responsible I would for sure make a claim, but the truck that lost the box was in front of the truck I was behind so I couldn't catch their plates. Well that and I didn't think any damage occured to my car since it sounded like it was just hitting under the car, so I didn't try to get their plates. I just found out this morning while I was putting something in my car.

[BlueRu]

Well that sucks. It depends on the agancy if I would make a claim or not. Good luck on your decission.

[L and E Fab.com]

Was there anything cool in the box?

[sebhockey]

Was there anything cool in the box?

I didn't see anything in it, I didn't stop, maybe I should have.

[sebhockey]

Well I just got back from my patrol and it didn't take even 4 hours before I had regained the mod bug. I got myself an AccessPort and reflashed to stage 2. After letting the ECU learn I must say that even though my car is loaded up it delivers a nice swift kick in the nuts now.

[sebhockey]

Wow it's been awhile since I've made an update in here, doesn't help that I really haven't been able to do anything to my car lately. Well until now....


I just ordered something for my car, kinda expensive too, cost me $1330 and is shipping from Canada. I'll leave you guys in suspense as to what it is I ordered until I get it in and can take pics. There's gonna be some serious jealousy on here. :FU::tongue:

[WRXCMM]

oh, i know...the underbody neon light and 5' carbon fiber wing kit...bling dog;-)...now does it come with high performance vinyls? that'd be ballin'...



seriously i dont know...is it a new full exhaust? headers and all?...15" wheels and rally rubber?..idk:pissed:


but whatever it is i'm sure it will be cool, it's always cool to get new toys...

[brd360sk8]

oh its probably some sweet tribal graphics for the sides that add like a bagillion horsepower! You guys ever hear about those?! haha

[sebhockey]

oh its probably some sweet tribal graphics for the sides that add like a bagillion horsepower! You guys ever hear about those?! haha


Damnit the cat is outa the bag now. I'm getting my car transformed into a remake of a couple of the fast and the furious cars. :crazy::lol2:

[brd360sk8]

Hahahaha ^^^ YESSSS what did I win?!

[sebhockey]

Hahahaha ^^^ YESSSS what did I win?!

You win a slice of moldy bread!!! Yes moldy bread.







offer expires April25th 2008, not good outside the lower 48 states, other rules and regulations may apply

[sebhockey]

Well got my goodies in today, thanks Barrett/All Wheels Driven...



http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0335.jpg



Revel in their glory. They're Speedline Corse 2118 rally wheels 15x7. Not the color I ordered, but I'm not waiting another several weeks to get it corrected. I also picked up those gravel wheels in the background while at the rally school from Barret. They're Silverstone 525's.

[UP2MTNS]

Not the color I ordered, but I'm not waiting another several weeks to get it correctedNot the color I ordered, but I'm not waiting another several weeks to get it corrected

Hey, if you don't like'm, I'll take'm off your hands!

Nice! mount'm up and see you at thunderhilll!

[sebhockey]

They're mounted and ready to go. I'm getting impatient waiting to try them out.

[JacksonRally]

Wow those are beautiful.

[sebhockey]

Here's another teaser pic for everyone.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0336.jpg

[JacksonRally]

Sweet now you just need a lightbar :lol2: In other news I have found a straight car to get these going again...won't be long now.

[sebhockey]

Sweet now you just need a lightbar :lol2: In other news I have found a straight car to get these going again...won't be long now.

:lol2: I've been bugging you for one for months...:pissed::lol2:

[kreitz3]

Go mount those! I want to see them on the car!

[sebhockey]

Go mount those! I want to see them on the car!

LOL I can't yet, I'm waiting on lug nuts.

[subyspawn]

sweet wheels....speedlines are sessy

[sebhockey]

Ok, since I was having a lot of vibration due to all the mud still stuck to my wheels from last weekend, I had to temporarily put the new wheels on. I also cleaned the interior real well along with my intake filter. So I took a few pics of my car with the wheels on it.


http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0337.JPG
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0338.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0339.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0340.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0341.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0342.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0343.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0344.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sbristow/IMG_0345.jpg

[WRXCMM]

very nice... love it...so you coming down to cal city?...

[sebhockey]

very nice... love it...so you coming down to cal city?...


Trying, we'll see.

[sebhockey]

So a couple changes since my last post in here. I finally got around to mounting my skids last week. Got a 3/16" front skid plate and 3/16" rear diff protector from Primitive.

I've also got a set of Hella Micro DE fog lights and 2 sets of Hella 4000's on order. I just gotta source a light bar, either buy or build. Right now it's leaning towards building since no one makes one for the 07 besides RI.

[sebhockey]

New toys for the car. Hella Rallye 4000 eurobeams. Just need to buy or make a light bar now.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3861506598_109dd56bc0.jpg

[conorpeterson85]

where did you order those from? also are they the compacts?

[sebhockey]

Got them from Safedrives, one of the sponsors on here. Nope they are not the compacts.