83 replies to this topic

[El_Freddo]

Awesome story and connection with this STi mate! Did you keep the STi fog light covers after the sale or did they go with the owner?

And that paint correction stuff does wonders, it seems like its a miracle product! Whats the upkeep required to keep it looking that good?

For a vehicle that lived on dirt roads its done quite well I reckon! I wonder how many of those corners were sideways

Its a shame to see the RS go, I bet that wasnt an easy decision! I hope it went to a good owner. Do you guys not have a club registration scheme in NSW? If you do, was this ever considered as an option to keep it?

Cheers

Bennie

[allpaw4]

This is amazing! Glad you've dropped back in to post!

So glad you managed to get her back, the sentimental side of the first STi you sold would be up there!

The stock WRX wing would have thrown most people to it being an actual STi, especially when coupled with the fog covers being pulled and actual fogs being refitted.

Can't wait to see the rest of what you post up man, it sounds like we've just touched the edges.

Cheers,
Ben

[GNGBNG]

Awesome story and connection with this STi mate! Did you keep the STi fog light covers after the sale or did they go with the owner?

And that paint correction stuff does wonders, it seems like its a miracle product! Whats the upkeep required to keep it looking that good?

For a vehicle that lived on dirt roads its done quite well I reckon! I wonder how many of those corners were sideways

Its a shame to see the RS go, I bet that wasnt an easy decision! I hope it went to a good owner. Do you guys not have a club registration scheme in NSW? If you do, was this ever considered as an option to keep it?

Cheers

Bennie

Thanks Mate.

The fog light covers went with the car when she bought it. Unfortunately she lost one, so I did have to find one.

Like any black car, pain in the rear to keep it looking clean.

Knowing her, if it did go sideways, it would have been a mistake.

Wasn't to hard to get rid of the RS, had it for around 8 years, and i was looking forward to doing something else.

We do have club rego in NSW, the car needs to be 30 years old. The RS needed to be sold to fund improvements on the STI.

[GNGBNG]

This is amazing! Glad you've dropped back in to post!

So glad you managed to get her back, the sentimental side of the first STi you sold would be up there!

The stock WRX wing would have thrown most people to it being an actual STi, especially when coupled with the fog covers being pulled and actual fogs being refitted.

Can't wait to see the rest of what you post up man, it sounds like we've just touched the edges.

Cheers,
Ben

I regulary check in and have a look around. 

It was just a pain that my RS thead disappeared for no reason.

[GNGBNG]

February and March 22 was mainly consisted of getting the RS cleaned up and sold, and working out what needed to be done to the STI.

With the RS gone and money inmy account, it was time to go shopping.

The STI needed alot of work to the suspension. Everything was worn out. The amount of knocks and bangs coming from the front and rear was a worry.

So i went ape shit and ordered everything from the Whiteline catalog.

• BSF33Z - Front Sway Bar – 22mm 2 Point adjustable
• BSR36Z - Rear Sway Bar - 22mm 3 Point Adjustable
• KLC139 - Sway Bar Link - 10mm Ball Stud
• KLC26 - Rear Sway Bar Link
• W51709A - Front Control Arm Lower - Inner Front Bushing Kit
• KCA359 - Front Control Arm Lower - Inner Rear Bushing Double Offset Kit
• W92829 - Front Gearbox To Crossmember - Bushing Kit
• KSR202 - Front Steering Rack and Pinion - Mount Bushing Kit
• KCA313 - Front Roll Centre/Bump Steer - Correction Kit
• W61382A - Rear Control Arm Lower - Bushing Kit
• W91380 - Rear Differential Mount - Rear Bushing Kit
• W91379 - Rear Differential Mount - Front Bushing Kit
• W61381A - Rear Trailing Arm Lower - Front Bushing Kit
• W61383A - Rear Trailing Arm Lower - Rear Bushing Kit
• KDT958 - Front Gearbox Selector - Bushing Kit
• KCA377 - Rear Control Arm - Inner Lock Washer Kit
• KTA109 - Rear Control Arm Lower Front and Rear Arm
• KSB750 - Rear Subframe - Lock Kit

 Upgrade 1.jpg   957.7KB   1 downloads

 

 Upgrade 4.jpg   1.02MB   1 downloads

 

 Whiteline 1.jpg   101.2KB   1 downloads

 

 Whiteline 2.jpg   127.23KB   1 downloads

 

 Whiteline.jpg   269.2KB   1 downloads

[GNGBNG]

The factory pink struts were also clapped out, so I ordered some coilovers.

I went with BC Racing as i had these in the RS and was very happy with the ride, adjustability and price.

The model of choice was the DS-DH series, mainly because it has the adjustable camber tops front and rear.

Alos got the extendable rear damper adjusters so i dont have to pull the rear seats out to adjust the damping.

 

 Upgrade 5.jpg   1014.62KB   1 downloads

[GNGBNG]

The Brembo brakes also needed an overhaul. New seal kit front and rear from Brembo.

Rotors were worn down with a large lip around the edge. DBA T2 rotors, 

Pads were OK, but refreshed anyway. DBA Extreme Performance pads.

Braided brake lines from HEL also ordered.

 

 Upgrade 3.jpg   930.72KB   1 downloads

 

 Brake pads.jpg   409.47KB   1 downloads

[GNGBNG]

Naturally an exhaust was needed.

The stock exhaust had a leak and showed other signs of impact, and i need to hear that sweet rumble.

Invidia Q300 with a catted down pipe also.

 

 Upgrade 2.jpg   685.22KB   1 downloads

[GNGBNG]

So with the majority of the parts now here (was an exciting day as most of it arrived at the same time despite coming from different suppliers) it was time to begin.

 

 Parts 2.jpg   108.92KB   1 downloads

 

 Parts 1.jpg   1.05MB   1 downloads

 

Like the interior, I'll start from the rear. 

I dont like getting dirty, so up on the jack stands again for pressure wash before going into the shed.

 

So out came all the rear suspension, diff and subframe. (tow bar removal as well)

 

 

 Rear end 4.jpg   121.84KB   1 downloads

 

 Rear end 5.jpg   118.39KB   1 downloads

 

 Undercarriage.jpg   163.64KB   1 downloads

 

 

[GNGBNG]

Whilst this was all out, I painted the rear wheel wells in a tub liner type paint.

 

 Wheel well 1.jpg   105.29KB   1 downloads

 

 wheel well 2.jpg   102.02KB   1 downloads

 

Some bushes required to be pressed in. 

 

 rear end 2.jpg   163.86KB   1 downloads

 

 Rear end 3.jpg   185.28KB   1 downloads

 

Before anything was put back into the car, it was either thoroughly washed or repainted.

 

 Refurbed.jpg   121.55KB   1 downloads

[GNGBNG]

Going back together

 

 Rear end 6.jpg   144.39KB   1 downloads

 

 Rear end 8.jpg   143.68KB   1 downloads

 

[Barbbachello]

This is my kind of thread

[allpaw4]

Bloody nice man, looks amazing. Looking at this so far, she would have gotten a pretty well ground up rebuild almost!

[El_Freddo]

So tidy! I can’t wait to have a shed space to do something similar!

Cheers

Bennie

[duncanm]

wow - love what you've done to this so far. Such attention to detail; I'm afraid I don't have the patience. 

 

Sad to see the RS off - that was a very tasty piece of kit you put together.

[GNGBNG]

More of the rear going back together.

 

 Rear end 9.jpg   110.55KB   1 downloads

 

 Damper adjuster.jpg   105.33KB   1 downloads

[GNGBNG]

Moving to the front now.

Same process as the rear, remove everything.

 

 Front end 3.jpg   578.56KB   1 downloads

 

 Front end 4.jpg   907.6KB   1 downloads

 

I also ordered some new guard liners through Amayama as the originals had seen better days.

 

 Guard liners.jpg   109.94KB   1 downloads

 

Along with the liners, the inner guards were also painted with the spray on tub liner like the rear.

Was quite satisfying putting it back together.

As you can see, hubs all cleaned up and painted satin black with new bearings.

 

 Front end 6.jpg   669.47KB   1 downloads

 

 Front end 8.jpg   543.87KB   1 downloads

 

 Front end 9.jpg   692.03KB   1 downloads

[GNGBNG]

I also replaced the gearbox cross mounts and gear linkage bushings just prior to all the work on the front..

Gearbox mounting pieces painted, they really stand out amoungst all the dirty undercarraige.

 

Whiteline steering rack bushes also installed around this time, no pictures.

 

 Gearbox.jpg   139.44KB   1 downloads

[GNGBNG]

The next piece of the puzzle was the brakes.

As mentioned earlier, I have all new seals, pads and braided lines to install.

So out they came, and pulled apart.

They were all scratched and looking pretty sad, so I gave them a quick sand.

 

 Brembo 1.jpg   1.12MB   1 downloads

 

 Brembo 2.jpg   719.32KB   1 downloads

 

 Brembo 4.jpg   823.3KB   1 downloads

 

 Brembo 3.jpg   866.87KB   1 downloads

 

 Brembo 5.jpg   895.87KB   1 downloads

 

[GNGBNG]

The next step was to find out the factory colour for the Brembo's, I was reading a lot of conflicting information and couldn't really see a definitive answer.

So i bought a couple of cans of gold paint I thought would come close, and the winner is spot on.

This is what I used

 

 VHT paint.jpg   963.7KB   1 downloads

 

This is a comparison in the sunlight, factory colour is the bottom caliper in this picture, top is the freshly painted with a clear coat.

(new Brembo stickers also bought through Boxerbeauty)

 

 Brembo 6.jpg   681.64KB   1 downloads