Project WRX

[SethM]

Central Tire in Verona will give you a custom alignment, and they are very good. I printed out some custom alignment specs just a couple weeks ago for the SRT4 and as usual they had no problems with it.

[flintster55]

So a little update:

I ended up buying an XPT Stage 2 map that I flashed to my car via a Tactrix cable a month or so ago. The car runs great and feels quite a bit stronger. The XPT map is tuned for about 17.5 psi vs stock 13ish and also has launch control built into the map.

So... I had to take my new power to the track and see what kind of n00b times I could pull. The only tracks near me are 1/8th mile but I would like to get to a 1/4 sometime over the summer if I can.

I ended up with a best run of 9.4 at 76 mph. I think the car has high 8's in it really with just a really good launch and lightning fast shifting. While my times weren't amazing I still had a blast even though it's 9 seconds of driving straight down a track.

Video of the last run:


The Baja I was against was a guy that works at the repair shop my family owns. It's turbo too and is actually pretty quick. The guy that owns it was convinced he could beat me so we actually had to take it to the track to find out (even though I really already knew what was going to happen). 8)

A few pics:


My buddies new Evo X


And some wicked fast WRX that was running slicks all the way around and still spinning through 1st and 2nd gear

[WRXtranceformed]

Nice bud! Glad u took it to the track

[ScottyB]

nice job, looks like you guys had a fun time!

i bet that evo is slow

[BLINGMW]

bajajaja

[Nis01]

I believe one of those models of the baja had a WRX engine and drivetrain swapped straight in, I've always thought those were pretty cool vehicles. Nice going on the ECU update, I never really did get into the whole Tactrix cable to tap the ECU but I've heard its the cheapest and most effective way to do it. Subie seems to be coming along well. Keep the updates coming.

Bet that black WRX on Hoosiers had a tough time with the whole shot... :wink:

[flintster55]

I believe one of those models of the baja had a WRX engine and drivetrain swapped straight in, I've always thought those were pretty cool vehicles. Nice going on the ECU update, I never really did get into the whole Tactrix cable to tap the ECU but I've heard its the cheapest and most effective way to do it. Subie seems to be coming along well. Keep the updates coming.

Bet that black WRX on Hoosiers had a tough time with the whole shot... :wink:

Yea some of the Baja's borrow the 2.5L out of the newer WRX's and have the same transmission and everything. It's way faster than it looks and it only ran a second slower than I did which is impressive considering it's still completely stock. The tactrix cable has been interesting and I have been trying learn as much as possible by logging, comparing, etc. but I still have a lot to learn and that is why I went with an OTS map instead of trying to tune one myself.

And yes the black WRX had his hands full. I really wish I had gotten a picture or video of him with 4 ft flames coming out of the exhaust during his launch control. Oh and seeing him actually do a burnout in the water pit with AWD and slicks was just amazing

[flintster55]

So I come back from a week at the beach with WRX and boost withdrawl from not having my car for a while. Except I walk up to the car to go for a drive and it looks like somebody had mistaken my hood and roof for a drumset.

Hail FTL







And the $ shot

[Mike]

ouch. insurance covering it?

[flintster55]

Yes thankfully. It's covered under what's called comprehensive I think. It covers it fully with only a $100 deductible so I'm soooo glad I had that coverage.

[Goodspeed]

Damn, sorry to see that damage Adam. We had a terrible series of thunderstorms two days ago, the worst I've ever seen around here. I keep two car covers in my trunk (and dual-layer them, lol) when there is a hail warning. I hate not having a garage....

[ViPER1313]

I just drove through it at 40mph..... I thought the car was going to have a ton of damage but there wasn't a scratch on it.

[ScottyB]

yikes, glad it came clean. hail sucks.

[Beej]

Weird coincidence...the guy that bought my old STi sent me an email a little while ago saying he got hit by a hailstorm, too (he's in FL) - $8k worth of damage.

[WRXtranceformed]

Oucchhh! At least your insurance is covering it. We just had a hail storm here yesterday while I was at work... I cringed for about half an hour but it doesn't look like any damage was done.

[flintster55]

So I finally sacked up and bought a set of wheels and tires since the stockers and my crappy Goodyear tires left a lot to be desired. I found a set of Rota Torques on VAdriven a few weeks ago. They are gunmetallic (gunmetal) 17x8 +48 wrapped in 235/40 Yokohama rubber. I have to say this mod has been the best bang for the buck out of everything I have done so far, in performance as well as looks. Handling is drastically improved. Turn in is crisp but there is still a hint of understeer. I hope to fix this with sway bars in the near future. Road noise is a little high but thats a sacrifice I'm more than willing to make.

Sorry for the pitiful cell phone pics- Ill get some real camera pics up soon

Post mounting


After being cleaned up


Actual close up of wheel


A photoshoot with the Evo X should be coming soon too 8)

[WRXtranceformed]

Great success, you can't go wrong with those wheels. I'd also look into painting or picking up a set of painted sideskirts... it looks sooo much better. I had the JDM aeroguards and OEM strakes on my old WRX and then on the STi and they looked awesome. The aeroguards were hard to find though and were expensiveeee

[DavidL]

Nice man!!! I was waiting for you to post up pictures!! I have to say, the car looks so much better with those-- and the color is great! +1 on the painted side skirts, I am thinking about buying the paint and doing it myself, if you wanted we could make it a sideskirt paint day and work it out? Either way--- wheels look sick!

[ScottyB]

well done dude. those look killer....are you going to keep the stockers for winter duty?

[flintster55]

Thanks for compliments guys, I really like them. I can't wait to tear it up at Autox now too. I do plan on keeping the stockers and getting a good set of all seasons or even winter tires mounted for winter duty and the occasional snow playing.

Painted sideskirts might also be coming soon too. I'm a big fan also and I almost had them painted while it was in the body shop for hail but I was already paying a lot out of pocket to rid my car of its 140,000 rock chips on the front bumper and fenders. Needless to say I have a flawless front clip now and I plan on tackling the sideskirts soon.