Project: 2002 WRX Wagon -- The Gravel Express

[CaptainHenreh]

were'd you get the brackets? i'm having bad thoughts.

Vatozone. Cardone PN: 14-1605
Or "2000 Subaru Outback". It's called the 'H6' upgrade, but all the outbacks had it, not just the 6's.

Now, this uses the same caliper as the WRX, I don't know if that's the same in the RS, but this thread implies that all single-pot rear calipers are virtually identical.

So basically what you do is take your stock caliper & bracket off, take your rotor off, and either bend or remove your heat shield. Install new 2000-2004 Outback Rotor (290mmX10mm solid, pn 31273), install new pads and *maybe* brake pad hardware. (clips, etc) Since it's the bracket that determines your pad shape, you'll need new pads, even if you've got the same caliper.

Ta-da! You're done. 6% moar brake torque. (in theory). But it's supposed to balance out the car's braking, since Subaru sends so much braking force to the front calipers. It might be bullshit but I know the rotor is bigger and bigger is better.

Scotty do you have 16's or 17's? If you've got 17's, the 2005+ Legacy brakes might be a better option. (much larger front rotor, larger, vented rear rotor) I considered it, but until I have a really compelling reason to switch, I'd like to stay with 16" wheels.

[ScottyB]

very cool. my rear rotors are probably at the far end of wear and this would be a good opportunity to upgrade. i did a similar thing with my old A4 on the front - bracket upgrade to accept 332mm A8 rotors and i loved it.

i've got 16's and i'm not particularly interested in switching wheel size either. i may go with a 16x8 if i can find one or maybe some STi BBS's since they're an easy button option but i like keeping the rotational mass down with my paltry 170hp.

[CaptainHenreh]

Moar driving impressions:

I rike it. It's deceptively fast. In the Mazda, full throttle meant hold on to your ass with one hand and the wheel with the other. Even in a straight line, your instinct told you to LIFT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. In this thing it's like "oh, so that's 80. I should probably lift". It was easy to not speed in the Speed3 (like 10,000 spoooons) but I'm definitely gonna have to watch myself.

I really hope I can fix the sunroof and not have to eliminate it. Auto open, auto close, it's really easy to work. Too bad it leaks!

I also have noticed a noise from the rear when making sharp (60deg+) right hand turns. I s'pose I should price out wheel bearings....

[ScottyB]

i miss the sunroof in my old accord so bad miss the whole car actually, but especially the roof.

if you're doing the rear bearings, you might as well just add a little old Group N bushing into the hub for the trailing arm. you know, since you're in there....

[JohnC]

I also have noticed a noise from the rear when making sharp (60deg+) right hand turns. I s'pose I should price out wheel bearings....

Ours just started doing the same thing. I'm going to check this before I start worrying about wheel bearings.

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[ViPER1313]

Does the sunroof have drains or a hard seal? If drains, make sure they are clean. Also, you can try putting some silicone spray on the gaskets and see if they soften up a bit - it fixed 90% of the SHO's trunk leaks.

[CaptainHenreh]

I also have noticed a noise from the rear when making sharp (60deg+) right hand turns. I s'pose I should price out wheel bearings....

Ours just started doing the same thing. I'm going to check this before I start worrying about wheel bearings.

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Well shit, that's heartening.

[Jake]

I also have noticed a noise from the rear when making sharp (60deg+) right hand turns. I s'pose I should price out wheel bearings....

Ours just started doing the same thing. I'm going to check this before I start worrying about wheel bearings.

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Well shit, that's heartening.

Pretty sure David L had a similar problem (the same?) as this with his 02 WRX sedan. Not sure what he's done about it to resolve it completely. I know he had it over at Bob Wade for the wheel bearing(s) but dunno what progressed after that. Miles-wise I think it happened around 88k, give or take?

[CaptainHenreh]

Just got back from the DMV. What a joke. Looks like I won't have my "OMG TRBO" plate anymore after all. I brought them in, and the guy was like "Have you had it emissions tested?" No, I haven't, why would I do that if I don't have a title or legit plates or anything.

So instead of transferring my OMG TRBO plates, he gives me NEW plates. WTF. And then I'd have to go BACK to transfer my old plates. If you can give me new plates, why can't you do my old plates? This is retarded. So, whatever. Non vanity plates are cheaper anyway, and less likely to attract attention.

Anyway. 202.75 in taxes. Let's do a running total.

Purchase Price: $6000.00
Taxes: $202.75
"H6" Rear Brake Brackets: $64.04
CX Racing all aluminum Radiator: $133.99
TOTAL: $6400.78

[WRXtranceformed]

I miss my buddy's old white WRX wagon with white Buddy Club rims. That thing shot 3' flames out of the exhaust and had two carseats in the back

This thread is reminding me of the good ole days.

[HAULN-SS]

You should put some gobs of vaseline all over the seals for the sun roof. I did that on a car that had T-tops that would leak occaisionally, stopped it completely.

[Dave]

[quote="ViPER1313"]Does the sunroof have drains or a hard seal? If drains, make sure they are clean.[quote]
I feel like most aftermarket kits wouldn't include drains b/c that's a lot of extra work for installation. Not saying it doesn't, but would prob be reserved for the real high-quality ones.
But, if it does have drains I bet a coat hanger could be a quick cleaner. Just make sure to wrap the end in tape or something so it doesn't puncture the tube.

[Maengelito]

CX Racing all aluminum Radiator: $133.99

yessssssssssss

[Mike]

I bet a coat hanger could be a quick cleaner. Just make sure to wrap the end in tape or something so it doesn't puncture the tube.

TWSS.

And OK, maybe a little bit over the line.

[CaptainHenreh]

Well, the radiator shipped, that was fast! Can't complain about that at all! If it's not a total piece of shit, I might buy one of their TMIC kits too.

Jason (NTIMan) drove my car around today, and nothing immediately struck him as a mechanical issue. So that's good news. The Gravel Express will be grounded in Winchester until further notice. :-)

[WRXtranceformed]

Another free mod for you: Take apart the glove box door and remove the metal bar weight thing in there. It's not much but it saves you maybe a pound or two and your door still opens and closes just fine.

[Mike]

lol

[CaptainHenreh]

Speaking of cheap, does this seem really cheap to anyone else?

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Not that I'm planning on doing it in 2010, but a 16G should easily meet my power requirements, and for under 300 bucks...?

[Goodspeed]

Speaking of cheap, does this seem really cheap to anyone else?

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Not that I'm planning on doing it in 2010, but a 16G should easily meet my power requirements, and for under 300 bucks...?

Its a Chinacharger. A bolt-on frag grenade, but for that coin, who cares?

[CaptainHenreh]

Speaking of cheap, does this seem really cheap to anyone else?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUBARU-WRX-STI-TD05-16G-TURBO-CHARGER-BOLT-2002-06-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ110576564719QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUBARU-WRX-STI-TD05-16G-TURBO-CHARGER-BOLT-2002-06-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ110576564719QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories</a><!-- m -->

Not that I'm planning on doing it in 2010, but a 16G should easily meet my power requirements, and for under 300 bucks...?

Its a Chinacharger. A bolt-on frag grenade, but for that coin, who cares?

There are chinese made turbochargers? wtf...