Project RS

[ScottyB]

just crossed 130,000 miles. a growing list of parts-hoarding in my garage means a big wrench session coming up:

• coolant flush + new thermostat and stat housing
• reseal valve cover gaskets (lower pass side is goopin' all over the place)
• front suspension comes out for warranty-replacement Whiteline strut tophats, then off to the shop for an alignment to get it proper straight again
• might look into upgraded front lower control arm rear-side bushings (anti-lift bushings in subaru speak) since the car will be in the air anyway - more caster, less anti-dive geometry so i'll get more weight transfer in the dirt and better traction under droop. i'm hopeless...

really considering trading out the rorty-snorty Borla unequal-length header/catback combo that i've had for like 10 years for a tuned equal length setup and an OEM STi catback to make a system that will make far more power and be more relaxed to drive. the EL header is a bucket of snakes but apparently that's what it takes to match exhaust pulses correctly:

not sure if this is me being old and bitchy or just getting tired of knowing i'm leaving like 20hp on the table with the unequal setup. i also like being under the radar, and being quieter/faster wouldn't be out of step. i haven't seen a equal length header turn up at a decent price yet. some days i REALLY love that subaru whargarrbl sound though...its just so in character for the car. i might ragret this, i dunno. at least i'll have no trouble selling the exhaust to everyone that worships that sound.

needs a heavy detail job too, and i just spent probably-too-much online to replenish my supplies so i'll put a little feedback in the appearance thread after a solid day's work one of these weekends.