'05 RS Mod Plan

[052pnt5RS]

I've only had it for about 2 months and one oil change. I just finished paying off my student loans so this should go pretty fast..

So far:

Rally Armor Classic Mud Flaps
OE Rear Diff Cover (not installed yet)
OE Rubber Floor Mats
Debadged Trunk


Yet to go:

25mm Rear Sway
Replace all endlinks (the idea of plastic endlinks just erks me)
Exhaust - torn between Megan Type2 or SPT
K&N Filter
Tint - car is black and it gets pretty hot
Strut bars (not sure on this yet)


I also picked up an extra set of RS wheels through my work (large distributor of used car parts) that I'm going to repaint (gunmetal, black, or something extremely bright) and use those for winter.

I really need to replace these stock RE92's. My autoX buddies are recommending Falken 912's, anyone have any input? Also, anyone using an HID kit or do you guys kind of frown on those? I've never had one, just curious.

[MetalNeverDies]

get bridgestone re01r's stay away from any falken tires. they suck.

[052pnt5RS]

Do you have any reasoning for your statement of why the Falkens suck, or just saying that?

And the Bridgestones aren't available in the stock tire size for my car.

[williaty]

25mm Rear Sway
Too big without supporting mods. Start with a 20-22-24mm adjustable set to 20mm until you get the rest of the suspension to a place where it can handle the extra stiffness.

Replace all endlinks
You should do the rears when you do the rear bar. Leave the fronts alone unless you're doing a front bar.

Exhaust - torn between Megan Type2 or SPT
Keep in mind that a catback gets you 0 power on an RS. Unless you're just after a different sound, don't waste your money.

K&N Filter
Bad idea. Filters worse than the stock filter and barely flows any better.

Strut bars (not sure on this yet)
Front strut brace is a huge waste of money without many, many other mods first. Rear strut bar is a waste on a sedan but a huge help on a wagon.

My autoX buddies are recommending Falken 912's, anyone have any input?
I have no idea why they'd recommend those. The Falken 452s are a great street+comp summer tire. The 615s are a good-ish AX tire.

All season suck. Period. If you car about the way your car drives, man up and get real summer tires and real winter tires. My suggestion, until you get more modding done, is to go with the Falken 452s for summer and the Hankook Icebear (if you see mostly cold, occasional snow) or Icepike (if you see consistent snow). Cheap tires that perform well. The two together will cost you less than a good all season and outperform any all season.

Also, anyone using an HID kit or do you guys kind of frown on those? I've never had one, just curious.
Anyone who retrofits a HID kit into a halogen lighting system deserves to have their car confiscated and be forced to watch as it's crushed in front of them.

For reference, the mod list to my 05 RS:
Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, it's DONE

2005 Impreza 2.5RS Wagon in Regal Blue Pearl
Basic Suspension: Full Sedan Front End Conversion, USDM STi Springs, Tokico D-Specs, Paranoid Fabrications 1/4" Saggy Butt Shims, PolTec Heavy-Duty Endlinks, Whiteline 22mm Adj RSB, Whiteline QR Rear STB, GT-Spec ALK, Whiteline Max-C Motorsport camber plates, Whiteline KCA313 Roll Center Adjustment Kit, Turn In Concepts Fender Braces
Bushings: Full STi Group N Lateral Link, Trailing Link, and Rear Strut Mount Set, Kartboy Tranny Crossmember, TiC Comfort Rear Diff, Whiteline Steering Rack, Interestingly Hacked Outrigger Bushings, Kartboy Front and Rear Shifter Stay Bushings, TiC 5MT Shifter Pivot Bushing
Brakes: OEM blank rotors, Carbotech Bobcat Pads, TechnaFit Stainless Steel Brake Lines, ATE Superblue Racing Brake Fluid
Competition: Primitive Racing 3/16ths Front Skidplate and Rear Diff Protector, Alfa Club Rally Odometer/Chronometer, Schroth Rallye 4 Quick-Fit Harness for the Navi
Powertrain: OBX Stainless Steel Equal Length Headers and Cat Delete, Stromung SS 2.25" Midpipe, DIY Catch Can, Group A Performance Lightweight Crank Pulley, Hybrid Silentake, Group A Performance Throttle Body Spacer, RomRaided, Delta Wild Cams
Electronics: Hawker Odyssey PC-680MJT Battery, Hella Rallye 1000 FF Driving Lights and Micro DE Fog Lights, Rear Deck Light Addition, Map Light Addition, Hella Supertones, Innovate Motorsports LC-1 WBO2 w/ LED Gauge, Icom IC-208H, Midland 1001Z, Larsen NMO2/70B and NMO27B, Uniden Bearcat ESP-20 and ESP-5
Rolly Bits: Summer-16" OEM wheels in Falken FK452s | Winter-16" OEM Wheels in Hankook Icebear W300s
Body: Front Grille Center Pillar Delete, DIY Big Assed d@mn Serious Rally Style Mudflaps, Aluminum Hood
ICE: Pioneer DEH-3900MP, Pioneer CD-IB100II iPod Controller, Pioneer TS-D161R 6-1/2" Kevlar 2-Ways
Interior: DIY Hypoallergenic Cabin Air Filter, GC-Lock, S204ed Center Console, Obsessive Amounts of RAAMmat and Ensolite

[052pnt5RS]

Thanks for the input.

I'm not new to modding my car, just new to modding a subaru. This is and will be my daily for a long time, just looking for some ways to make the drive more enjoyable.

Forgot one thing - Maybe its just me not being used to the sound of the car/engine, but I swear it sounds like my exhaust either has a leak or one of the heatshields is loose and rattling. Also, I sometimes hear a clunk when shifting to second from first, is this normal? Is there some bushing or mount that's worn or just normal drivetrain noise?

[409industries]

Consider starting a member's journal in this forum to document the progress of your 05RS. :)

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=45

[Boxer_rumble_Addict83]

Thanks for the input.

I'm not new to modding my car, just new to modding a subaru. This is and will be my daily for a long time, just looking for some ways to make the drive more enjoyable.

Forgot one thing - Maybe its just me not being used to the sound of the car/engine, but I swear it sounds like my exhaust either has a leak or one of the heatshields is loose and rattling. Also, I sometimes hear a clunk when shifting to second from first, is this normal? Is there some bushing or mount that's worn or just normal drivetrain noise?


Hey greg its me Hondaluver from 6thgenaccord, where is the clunk coming from? Sometimes an aftermarket exhaust will contact the rear diff on bumps or hard shifts. I've experienced that typical diff clunk sound on a lot of my buddies subarus, its normal for the most part. The problem is the rear diff mounts, there are some inserts you can use to eliminate that "clunk".

Ive already done this job twice, its pretty simple. Here is the link for the mount inserts.

http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/Subaru/02_07_WRX_STI/Suspension/Suspension_Bushings_for_02_07_Subaru_WRX_STI/Whiteline_Rear_Differential_Support_Lock_Kit_for_0 2_07_Subaru_WRX_STI.html

[Kampfzentrum]

I'm not new to modding my car, just new to modding a subaru. This is and will be my daily for a long time, just looking for some ways to make the drive more enjoyable.

I'm in the same boat as you (minus that I have a wagon), but have a bit of a head start on you. Speaking personally, when I walked into modding my Subaru, I had to chose from handling (i.e. suspension) or power. I ended up choosing the suspension as my first task and what a payoff. Learning how to drive the car slow with a good suspension will really help when I get my RS faster. Not to mention it's a lot more fun.

I drive on Falken 452's, I cannot say a bad thing about them minus they are a bit loud. I've beat them up offroad and they keep coming back. I've had one bust a sidewall out - which was due to come the way I was driving - and just called up Discount Tire Direct to get it replaced. That is the way to go.

Check out my build thread, maybe will give you some ideas.

[williaty]

Here's what you can say that's bad about FK452s: They're almost as expensive as some really good tires and yet they're not nearly as good.

That's it, really. They're perfectly serviceable, but you can spend about 10% more and get a 60% better tire.

[Kampfzentrum]

Here's what you can say that's bad about FK452s: They're almost as expensive as some really good tires and yet they're not nearly as good.

That's it, really. They're perfectly serviceable, but you can spend about 10% more and get a 60% better tire.

I guess, but when you are rolling on 4, it is easier to replace one than the whole set. I don't know how long I'll be on them, but a change would be nice.

[williaty]

Well, next time you're up for tires, compare the price of the 452s to the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs. Small price difference, HUGE performance difference.

[Kampfzentrum]

Well, next time you're up for tires, compare the price of the 452s to the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs. Small price difference, HUGE performance difference.

What?! Not from where I'm standing. I'm getting my 452's for under $100, these Dunlop Direzza's are $200 or a little over - $250 at DTD (where I buy my tires).

At $800 for a set of tires, I could do a whole lot more in modifications and still prefer to ride on crappy tires.

[williaty]

Interesting. This spring I had a choice of 452s for $95 or Star Specs for $105. Same size.

[Gancherov]

@williaty: you got a good deal on the star specs.
Here they are on tire rack for $114:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+Sport+Z1+Star+Spec&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=055VR6Z1SS&tab=Sizes (Tire Rack: star specs")

And the 452's are now discontinued as far as I know. However, you should notice that the star specs have a tread wear rating of 200A-A while the 452's are 280AA-A, which means that they will last nearly 50% longer than the star specs. Put that together with being about 20% cheaper (if and when they are available) and the value is pretty obvious.

Conclusion: They won't grip like star specs but they will last longer and cost less. If the best possible grip is not your priority then you can make do with falkens.

Personally, I would go for the more expensive Star Specs because the tires are arguably the most important part of your car since they are the only thing connecting you to the ground. More grip means better braking performance and better handling.

[teslamaster]

Well, next time you're up for tires, compare the price of the 452s to the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs. Small price difference, HUGE performance difference.

The Star Specs have a HUGE performance advantage on tarmac. I actually liked the 452's better in the gravel. However, even though ~15% of my driving is gravel I still like the Star Specs better overall.

I actually found that the Star Specs don't wear THAT much faster than the 452s... but I guess that could be because with the higher grip I'm a little less sideways on most corners. We'll see when I actually wear them out...

I got my Star Specs for $99 each + $50ish shipping

[aesthetect]

so you didnt like the star specs in the gravel ('ll be in dirt)? for infrequent off road use, do summer tires do as well as, say, all seasons for the occasional rallyx?

i ask because im in need of new tires. i have yet to autox or rallyx but it looks like both will be coming together soon so for now need a tire that can do it all and later get dedicated sets. luckily i live in texas so have no need to get anything other than a summer tire - unless it will make a difference in the dirt?

i have been swaying between the bridgestone potenza RE960AS as a good tarmac performing all season that should be ok for autox and the Dunlop Direzza sport Z1 star specs as my choice if they will hold up to a few rallyxs.

edit: i suppose its smarter to get the star specs now so i have a decent summer tire and when i get a separate set can get dedicated rallyx wheels?

[williaty]

There is a huge yawning gulf of performance between the RE960AS and the Star Specs. The 960s are good for an all-season, which is to say they're highly polished turds. The SS's really aren't that bad in anything other than deep loose gravel (well and winter, obviously). In that stuff, really nothing is going to be much good other than a tire specifically for it. I disagree with charles and think that the SS's are better in all conditions, including gravel, than the 452's.

[teslamaster]

edit: i suppose its smarter to get the star specs now so i have a decent summer tire and when i get a separate set can get dedicated rallyx wheels?

Yes.

An aggressive snow tire or rally tire is going to be much better in most rallycross events than any of the summer/all season tires we have been talking about. I wouldn't let that keep you from going out to rallycrosses before you get your dedicated set though.

[williaty]

I've seen an STi rallycross in moderate mud with Star Specs. Since it was about 75F, it actually was MUCH less sucky than you'd imagine. Slow, but still fun for the driver.

Get the star specs, then get winter tires for snow and RX.

[eage8]

I ran Bridgestone 960AS in rallycross twice and autocross twice before I got my wintertires (they came on my car) and they got tore up pretty fast. They were missing decent sized chunks when I got rid of them.

all-seasons aren't good at anything period

I now run 760 Sports for summer tires (it's my daily driver so I wanted something that would last a while) and winterforces as rallycross tires/winter tires and like them, but they do get torn up too...

I have starspecs on my Rx-7 and they're great for auto-x/around town. But if I were to buy tires again I would get Kumho XSs or hankook RS3s. star specs tend to get greasy if you overheat them at all.

[williaty]

star specs tend to get greasy if you overheat them at all.

Really? That's the opposite to how I feel about them. Compared to the Bridgestone RE-01Rs I had before the Star Specs, one of the things I like most is how little they care about getting hot.

[aesthetect]

huh, very good to know, i would have thought summer tires would just slide around in the dirt - but i guess thats the point - everything does :lol:

[teslamaster]

It depends hugely on the type and condition of the dirt. At a few rallycrosses I've seen tires squealing and leaving blue streaks. Summer tires would be awesome for that... in most conditions they will be usable, but won't have nearly as much grip.