Project Aspen STi

[Nis01]

DJ, the headgasket issue hasn't been completely narrowed down yet... its still a new issue to the Subie track guy world. Compression tests are showing up fine on these motors but they are dumping coolant out the reserve tank like crazy. Currently there has been no resolution for the problem but it may be as easy as upgraded radiator or some other means of extra cooling.

I have done two trackdays thus far and am signed up for two more in October with the last being the NASA Summit event that I believe you are signed up for as well. I really only planned on doing one event but now I really am enjoying myself and the learning curve from my first event to the second was unbelievable so I want to keep that up until the end of the season... I really have no idea how much more I'll do next season once grad school begins. :?

I definitely cannot complain about the tire choice. I wanted a good grippy street tire that can manage heat cycles well which from reviews of other racers this tire does. I am by no means ready to hop to R-comps but one of these days I'll get there. These tires grip decently but have a lot to live up to when it comes to dedicated stickies.

[WRXtranceformed]

It wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade your radiator / tstat if you're going to the track a lot Shea. Radiators are relatively cheap and I bet it would give you a lot of peace of mind.

[Dave]

Instead of buying a big, new bling bling radiator, you really might do well to just properly duct the air going through your radiator. The opening on your bumper is probably catching plenty of air, but once it hits the radiator, it is trying to find a way around it, rather than going through it. Take some cardboard and mock up a duct to "force" it through the radiator, then buy some sheet metal from Lowe's and make the real deal. find a way to tastefully attach it and some kind of rubber "gasket" up against the radiator and i would bet you'll see better cooling from it. I'd rather pay $20 for an efficient design than $200 for a radiator to hold more water.

PS I'm really glad to see you hitting up all these track events. You must have taken a REALLY big hit on the GFCP.

[Evan]

a guy I was at the track with this weekend developed this problem on his STi. Im just not convinced its a headgasket. IMO the shops calling it a bad headgasket are just chasing $$$. From what the guy said the "blown" headgaskets even look fine after taking them out.

Its missing way too many sypmtoms of a typical blown headgasket. personally I think its something else, but of course thats just my personal hypothesis.

[Nis01]

a guy I was at the track with this weekend developed this problem on his STi. Im just not convinced its a headgasket. IMO the shops calling it a bad headgasket are just chasing $$$. From what the guy said the "blown" headgaskets even look fine after taking them out.

Its missing way too many symptoms of a typical blown headgasket. personally I think its something else, but of course thats just my personal hypothesis.

I agree with you Evan, there is definitely something going on and it may or may not be full headgasket damage. Was your student in a white STi with Sparcos and rollbar? Because I know he has been having this issue for the last couple track days. I'm hoping it gets resolved reasonably soon as I'd like to avoid the problem before it begins.

Dave, I like your idea but I really am not that talented to create what you are talking about. And yes... its been quite a hit off the GFCP, definitely enjoying learning how to go fast.

[Nis01]

9-21-07:
Finally got around to replacing my front springs with a new revised version of the same design of spring with one less coil because of a coil binding issue. I was one of the first people to try these out and probably one of the last to attempt to fix the problem. I noticed the ride was a bit more harsh and highway bumps of note were giving me a pretty good bump in the seat. Company provided me with new springs and shorter [Prodrive] bumpstops for free and as I discovered I needed them. Heres the result:


Evidence of coil bind, paint removed with contact


Bumpstop destruction

From all the people who had swapped to the new revision spring there has been no more issues so I'm hoping for the best. I've enjoyed the performance for the cost of this mod so I'm hoping to use these for a while until I can afford an upgrade which won't happen for a while.

[ScottyB]

wow glad to hear you have this nailed down Shea.

there are a few people here in atlanta that i've met, who have also had to deal with this problem. apparently it's a very unsettling feeling at speed so suddenly go from a 400 lb. in. spring rate to a 1000 lb. in. tire rate :lol: