Project: Rumble Wagon (05 WRX)

[ScottyB]

1st: TUNE TUNE TUNE. its a reliability mod that happens to have a performance byproduct. even an off-the-shelf (OTS) tune is safer than factory (look up closed loop/open loop delay to get an idea of why its a problem, among other things in the factory tune). don't even think about the uppipe before the tune.

2nd: put a 40 weight oil in it, or a heavy 30 weight. some easy AdvancedAutoO'ReillyNAPAParts choices:
- Castrol 0W-30
- Mobil 0W-40
- Rotella 5W-40
- Castrol 5W-40
etc etc. more here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2497181">http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=2497181</a><!-- m -->

the key to keeping a subaru pancake engine intact and happy is keeping it rich when it needs to be so it doesn't detonate. the tune corrects this and in turn helps a bunch of other stuff that stems from the shitty factory tune which was optimized for fuel efficiency and reduced emmissions. detonation is what kill the already fragile ringlands, and hammers the already small rod bearings which is why the #1 and #2 killers of EJ engines is busted ringlands and spun bearings. det also doesn't do any favors for the head gaskets which is the #3 killer.

get that straight and enjoy it.

They changed the headlights to the darker ones in 05 as far as I know.

true story. my '05 is the same.