The things I cannot do on my own will be performed by the boys at ICHIban and include:
service
front timing cover reseal
front crank seal
rocker cover gasket replaced (both sides)
oil cooler O-ring
remove, strip and inspect my front passenger side strut
new wheel hub
So the car went in earlier this week on Tuesday for the listed repairs however it came out with a slightly larger list:
minor service
reseal front timing cover
front crank seal
replace both rocker cover gaskets
oil cooler O-ring
replace LHF and RHF wheel bearings
replace power steering pump with a genuine reconditioned one
replace both CV boots and transmission output seals (all genuine seals and boots)
replace both accessory belt idlers
replace slightly bent pulley
It was an expensive trip out to ICHIban this time round, but after two days of work, the car is mechanically immaculate now! I feel the car drives a lot better and things are working exactly as they should. I'm extremely happy with the workmanship and communication that the boys had with me and I appreciate all the help they have given.
I have yet to check out my strut as it seems to be knocking slightly which I purposely left for my next visit to Ben.
Next on the list is to get a few things installed including my master brake cylinder stopper, TCP quad mufflers, Xforce centre and Y-pipe, Weapon R cold air intake and my new licence plates. Pictures will be provided with these updates as they occur of course. And if you aren't already aware, I have made other arrangements with regards to my tune after not being able to meet up with Matt. I believe it will be a better choice personally than taking Matt on and I definitely will not regret it. The news will come as I get closer to that stage of course. I plan to get all of this done before the HVC so fingers crossed!
Wanting to buy/looking for: single genuine STi rim, genuine STi front lip, Corazon or Zero/Sports grille and another OEM grille
Can you hook a brother up? Please contact me now. I have cash ready.
Bloody oath. But I can gladly say that everything is running schmick now. No problems whatsoever and it all has a distinctive new smell to it, ha ha. I'm so happy.
One thing at a time or I'll get over it too quickly!
Wanting to buy/looking for: single genuine STi rim, genuine STi front lip, Corazon or Zero/Sports grille and another OEM grille
Can you hook a brother up? Please contact me now. I have cash ready.
Tell me about it. As much as it cost me, I don't mind if it's for the benefit of the car. I seriously doubt I'll have to spend that much on any engine work in the near future thankfully. It felt new on the way back from ICHIban, and still feels new to this day! I can't way for excuses to get in the car and just go for a drive.
I haven't man. Every time I try and make time for it something comes up. Like me getting my foglights fixed up this afternoon. I'll definitely do it this weekend though.
Those weapon r intakes aren't worth it mate.
The H6 engine bay gets very hot and they suck in all the hot air, The metal pipe also gets heat-soaked like you wouldn't believe.
The stock box is good for some serious power.
What if I was getting it for free?
Wanting to buy/looking for: single genuine STi rim, genuine STi front lip, Corazon or Zero/Sports grille and another OEM grille
Can you hook a brother up? Please contact me now. I have cash ready.
And the long wait is over! Time for an update, so be patient and if you can't be bothered reading, then look at the pretty pictures and the cool video!
I'm gonna start off by thanking everyone who has helped me out so far with this car. There are a few people that have definitely given me the motivation and advice to get the car where it is today, and I base that solely on SubyClub (and club.liberty) in its entirety. This is THE BEST forum, community, enthusiast group and bunch of down to Earth people I've ever met. Thank you very much guys.
Here goes nothing.
First up is the Beatrush master brake cylinder stopper I bought off Tim (thanks mate). Ever since I installed it I have noticed my brake pedal movement to be decreased substantially and braking responsiveness has improved. I have it sitting nicely on the brake cylinder, but not excessively tight so no damage is done to the brake cylinder itself (that could end up being a costly exercise). Enough chatter, here is a before and after pic.
It sits neatly against the chassis and if you didn't know what it was, you'd think it was something that came with the car from factory. I really love the fact that the gold paint matches to that of the other factory gold bits.
I finally managed to get my self refurbished fog light installed. It completes the front end and I also installed some Philips 5000K bulbs into them. That'll be enough to light up the road! Looks a lot better than the pictures show as well, and they are definitely not as blue in person. Camera's do funny things, especially when they're on a phone.
Parker lights.
Low beams.
Sexy right?
Now onto the more exciting modifications.
If you haven't already seen the pic floating around, I'll give you one hint; RS-R springs.
I managed to get these installed last Friday and I must say they make the car look absolutely fantastic! Here's the height comparison as close as I could get it.
Before at the 2014 SubyClub Hunter Valley Cruise.
After, in my driveway the day after installation.
I will not be going any lower after this. It seems to me like nothing else is needed any time soon with regards to handling and suspension. The height should be close to even front and rear, I'm not sure why it looks slightly lower in the back. It could possibly be my rear shocks needing a regrease or something of the like? Possibly the camera angle?
Considering the 30-40 mm height decrease, the ride is very good! In all honesty you do notice more on the road and have to slow down a little extra when it comes to speed humps and steeper driveways or ramps, but I was prepared for that and have no problems with it. Not to mention swerving around the larger potholes and what not. It is stiffer as you would expect and cornering has become a lot better and feels more go-karty. I like it.
One of the best modifications I've done is FINALLY get my exhaust system together and installed. I bought the TCP Auto quad mufflers and managed to buy and install the 2.25" Xforce front muffler and Y-pipe assembly just before the Hunter Valley Cruise. A mate and I spent a night removing the stock exhaust and getting this one on. I jizzed in my pants when I turned on the car. Here's why (GoPro HERO3: Silver Edition doesn't do it justice):
And the best pic I can find of them is from the HVC (thanks Zac). I'll get a better one when I have the time.
Last but not least, I have decided to install the Weapon R cold air intake I managed to get for free off Cliffo (thanks man)! When installing this in the carpark at a Hooters meet, the guys noticed the internal structure of the piping. It sort of had a small pipe directly through the centre of the larger pipe (what you physically see on the outside). Most of the guys found this quite weird, however the only assumption we could come up with is that it is purposely there to assist in preventing heat soak. Win. I have noticed throttle response has increased and the car really does feel less sluggish, which I am a little guilty of. My stock air filter was quite dirty and the stock system contained a few leaves and dust.
Best thing about this is that I can replace it with the stock air intake at any time I please so if things don't work out well with it, I'll just take it off.
That brings us to the end of the update. I think I might start updating things as I go to avoid writing up encyclopaedic posts. As I've already mentioned, I'm extremely happy with where the car is at the moment and again, thanks to everyone who has helped on the way.
Next on the cards include:
tune
window tint
That'll be all until I can save up enough money to start getting a little OCD with everything.
Wanting to buy/looking for: single genuine STi rim, genuine STi front lip, Corazon or Zero/Sports grille and another OEM grille
Can you hook a brother up? Please contact me now. I have cash ready.
As soon as she hands it to you, slowly take of your pants, then, while staring her straight in the eyes rub it against the tip of you penis, while continuing your painfully intense gaze whisper to her;
I want one of those STI battery tie downs now.
