Project Turbo Wagon: 2002 Subaru WRX

[V1GiLaNtE]

Changed the oil @ 110,737. With ramps its about about as stupid easy to change as the XJ. Solid work Subaru.

I started poking around the underside to get a good idea of what I was working with and the underside looks really good. Most of the bushings look to be in fairly decent shape and the surface rust on things is pretty minimal.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Subaru guys,

No bs answer. How much does an up pipe install suck?

[Sully]

[CaptainHenreh]

It's not too bad, but yeah, get rid of that mid-cat before your turbo gets sandblasted.

[DavidL]

It sucks.

I think I recall 4-6 hours... on a lift...

The problem is mostly just the tight quarters you have to work in - as Justin found out recently, working down in that turbo area in incredibly tough - and even once you get the uppipe free, it is an absolute pain in the ass to get it out (and get the new one in). I believe I remember loosening engine mounts and lifting the engine to squeeeeze it out? That kind of fun

[V1GiLaNtE]

It sucks.

I think I recall 4-6 hours... on a lift...

The problem is mostly just the tight quarters you have to work in - as Justin found out recently, working down in that turbo area in incredibly tough - and even once you get the uppipe free, it is an absolute pain in the ass to get it out (and get the new one in). I believe I remember loosening engine mounts and lifting the engine to squeeeeze it out? That kind of fun

Consistent with the interwebz.

Apparently lifting the engine helps with removal. Most aftermarket up pipes are slightly less bulky and squeeze back into place nicely. So they say...

[V1GiLaNtE]

I look at it as preventative maintenance. It's cheap insurance in comparison to replacing a turbo. Why not get some hp/tq out of it too!?

I'll be switching jobs in 2 weeks with a nice bump in pay. I think from the bonus and my current PTO payout I can afford to throw 500 bones at the following preventative maintenance/best bang for buck mods:


Whiteline Steering Rack bushings
Turn In Concepts "Klunk Killer" comfort bushing bundle
Turn In Concepts Tranny Crossmember Bushings
Group N Transmission mount
Grimmspeed Uppipe with ceramic coating

Another thought is I am thinking of just flat out selling the motegi/tires on the car now and wrapping the OEM wheels in some sort of high performance all season in the 225/50/16 variety. Seems to be the most tire you can fit on the OEM wheels. I've read good things about the Continentals ExtremeContact DWS. :dunno:

[ScottyB]

steering rack bushings will be a bitch and a half. they work, but just fair warning your fingers are going to be raw.

i'd put some good brake pads on your list too. Stoptech Street Performance is hard to beat for the price.

i'd go the wheel dump route as well if you are just going to be tooling around in it for now. i run high performance all seasons on my stock 16's and keep up pretty well with some quicker cars, and they even survived a track day with no real damage.

the DWS are very highly regarded. my Kumho 4X's have been pretty solid and are often priced great. Potenza RE970s are supposedly excellent as well and they often do rebates on Tire Rack. a new one i've been seeing is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric with great reviews.

[V1GiLaNtE]

i'd put some good brake pads on your list too. Stoptech Street Performance is hard to beat for the price.
.

Is it worth the cost for pads in all 4 corners?

[RawrImAMonster]

Another thought is I am thinking of just flat out selling the motegi/tires on the car now and wrapping the OEM wheels in some sort of high performance all season in the 225/50/16 variety. Seems to be the most tire you can fit on the OEM wheels. I've read good things about the Continentals ExtremeContact DWS. :dunno:

The ExtremeContact DWS's are pretty good all seasons. They have excellent snow grip for what they are. I literally plowed a path out of our driveway with my lowered Evo when we had 18 inches a couple years back.

However, don't think they are summer tires. I understeered bad on the first hard turn I took in the Evo after I swapped to my winter setup.

Overall, for the price, they are great tires if you're ok with them not being the most grippy thing around in the summer.

[ScottyB]

i'd put some good brake pads on your list too. Stoptech Street Performance is hard to beat for the price.
.

Is it worth the cost for pads in all 4 corners?

no, if you're really pinching pennies. do the front first, hit the rears later when you have time.

i run the stoptech's in the front and Hawk HPS in the rear. does great for a stock caliper/rotor setup that is street friendly and stops well when its cold.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Another thought is I am thinking of just flat out selling the motegi/tires on the car now and wrapping the OEM wheels in some sort of high performance all season in the 225/50/16 variety. Seems to be the most tire you can fit on the OEM wheels. I've read good things about the Continentals ExtremeContact DWS. :dunno:

The ExtremeContact DWS's are pretty good all seasons. They have excellent snow grip for what they are. I literally plowed a path out of our driveway with my lowered Evo when we had 18 inches a couple years back.

However, don't think they are summer tires. I understeered bad on the first hard turn I took in the Evo after I swapped to my winter setup.

Overall, for the price, they are great tires if you're ok with them not being the most grippy thing around in the summer.

Can I look for something a step above without sacrificing rain traction or colder temps? Keep in mind amazeballs winter performance isn't a must have as I do still own a jeep for shitastic weather.

[RawrImAMonster]

Can I look for something a step above without sacrificing rain traction or colder temps? Keep in mind amazeballs winter performance isn't a must have as I do still own a jeep for shitastic weather.

They probably aren't quite as bad as I made them out to be there. I also switched to a taller sidewall and smaller width for winter. If you don't need max grip all the time, they aren't a bad tire. Pretty quiet too from what I remember.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Can I look for something a step above without sacrificing rain traction or colder temps? Keep in mind amazeballs winter performance isn't a must have as I do still own a jeep for shitastic weather.

They probably aren't quite as bad as I made them out to be there. I also switched to a taller sidewall and smaller width for winter. If you don't need max grip all the time, they aren't a bad tire. Pretty quiet too from what I remember.

As long as it's grippy enough for NOVA traffic idiots and spirited mountain driving I'm happy.

Scotty, think they can handle a rallyX session? :wink:

[ScottyB]

hey i've seen people rallyx on nearly bald summer tires. traction isn't the best on anything gravelly, but with AWD at an occasional event you can manage. what decides if a tire can handle rallyx is the sidewall stiffness and inflation pressure. too soft/low and if you turn the wheel in a rut you'll blow the tire off the bead of the rim.

[JustinG]

Didn't see these on your list.....

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[V1GiLaNtE]

Didn't see these on your list.....

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Rally armor without paying Rally Armor prices!?!?

God bless you Gallamore.

[JustinG]

Yea, fuck RA. $150 for some fraps. Thank Rex/Dave, the pointed me to them. Held up well thus far.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Yea, fuck RA. $150 for some fraps. Thank Rex/Dave, the pointed me to them. Held up well thus far.

Fraps were just sorta assumed as part of ownership. Just didn't prioritize them because $$$$ for essentially Ikea cutting board material.

Do you have the simplifieds or originals?

Also, while I have the OEM wheels unmounted I'm contemplating spraying them gold. Because Red + Gold = HAWT

[JustinG]

I have the OG flaps