Project: 2012 DGM WRX

[FlaakCM]

Hey all,

This is my build page for my 2012 Dark Grey Metallic WRX Sedan.

I purchased it in Feb 2012 and picked it up in Apr 2012.



Current Mods List:

Interior:
JPM Black Leather Shift Boot (red stitching)
JPM Black Leather E-Brake boot (red stitching)
JPM Black Leather Armrest (red stitching & .5" foam added)
COBB Shift Knob
Heated Seats
Leather Seats
Homelink Mirror (Auto-Dim & Compass)
V1 Hardwired in Rear Seat Headrest
Under Dash Red Illumination
WeatherTech Floor Mats
35% Tint (all around)

Exterior:
Debadged
TS Rear Lip Spoiler
3M Carbon Fibre Overlay for Side Grilles
Hella Horns (still needs to be installed)
Crux Motorsports "I" badges
Rear JDM Taillight
Nokya Yellow Fogs
Nokya Bright White Headlights
Tow Hook (For Track Use)

Suspension:
Bilstein Struts
RCE Yellow Sport Springs

Wheels:
17x8 +53 Stock Wheels (Winter Setup)
235/45/17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
18x9 +35 Rota G Force (Summer Setup)
255/35/18 Dunlop ZII


Brakes:
Motul RBF600
Hawk HP Plus

Drivetrain:
Kartboy Short Throw Shifter
Kartboy WRX Front Shifter Bushing Kit
TiC Shift Linkage Bushings
Kartboy Rear Shifter Bushing Kit
Kartboy Pitch Stop Mount
Group N Tranny bushing
Kartboy tranny mount bushings

Engine:
COBB AccessPort (Stage 2 - 93 OCT)
COBB SF Ram Air Intake
Invidia Catless Downpipe
Invidia Q300 Catback
Process West TMIC
COBB XLE BPV


This car is my DD, however, I would like to get into some autox with it in the future.



Hope you all enjoy!

[FlaakCM]

New summer wheels!

I got a great deal on these, used:
19x8 +35mm Enkei RPF1
4 Michelin Pilot Supersports (summers)
4 Bridgestone Blizzaks (winters)
$1,300

My plan is to run the stocker 17" as my winter wheels with Bridgestone Blizzak WS70s so I will probably put the 19" blizzaks up for sale.

There is some minor curb rash and one of the wheels is missing some clearcoat from the previous owner polishing the wheel too hard. I need to schedule an appointment with a wheel refinishing shop to have them touched up.

[WRXtranceformed]

Nice, good to see the Subaru love still going strong in the club. You have plenty of knowledge here in this club if you ever have any questions or advice, although the nasioc community is one of the better car communities I have ever been a part of.

[FlaakCM]

Thanks!

I've had the car for about 8 months now and have only about 5k miles. Then again, my work commute is only 15 mins each way.

I am a member over at NASIOC, which I check pretty frequently. I am actually in the process of trying to find out more about downpipe options and how they effect this car. I have read that even with a high flow cat on the DP, it might still throw CELs. Any one else know if this is true?

I want to upgrade my exhaust to at least a CBE. I just dont know if i should go full TBE.

[CaptainHenreh]

I am a member over at NASIOC, which I check pretty frequently. I am actually in the process of trying to find out more about downpipe options and how they effect this car. I have read that even with a high flow cat on the DP, it might still throw CELs. Any one else know if this is true?

I want to upgrade my exhaust to at least a CBE. I just dont know if i should go full TBE.

If you're doing a TBE, you'll need a tune. Your tuner will be able to compensate for any potential check engine lights. But yes, with a downpipe and no tune, you're going to have a bad time.

[FlaakCM]

Yeah. I have a COBB AP with a stage 2 map and Mach V motorsports is right down the street from me as well.

Do you think it is worth it to do TBE or just stick with the CBE? I am looking at the Invidia Q300 for the CBE.

[WRXtranceformed]

If you're going to do it, do the TBE. Up pipe is a nice addition too, helps with the turbo spool

[FlaakCM]

I contacted Mach V in Sterling and asked them what their charge would be for Parts and Labor for TBE. This is what they quoted me:

Modification to the turbo heat shield is included in the $270 install quote. Breakdown is as follows:



· Labor to install turboback exhaust, modify heat shield -- $270

· Turbo – downpipe gasket -- $25

· Invidia catted downpipe -- $509.6

· Invidia Q300 -- $938

· Optional Kartboy exhaust hangers -- $35 (probably want to use the stock length)

Basically comes out just shy of $1,800, not factoring tax. I think that bullet might be a little too big to bite right now.

[JPolen01]

Do the install yourself? It's not difficult at all. I can't remember how many exhausts I helped my friend put on his 2005 sti, but it was never more than an hour or two job.

[FlaakCM]

I actually didnt think the $270 labor cost was bad at all. Remember that $1,507 of that is parts.

It would be cool to do the install myself but I have never tackled an exhaust before. I understand how to, it just all lines up. Just physically haven't done it before.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Go ahead install yourself. Are there not cheaper exhausts out there? Even in BMW land, those prices seem astronomical.

[WRXtranceformed]

I forget how much my turboXS TBE was back in the day, that also seems a little high. I would definitely hit up NASIOC to see if someone is willing to help you with the install. I actually met one of my best friends on NASIOC who was one of the reasons I moved down to Charlotte....and we met installing a TBE and uppipe on my old, old WRX. Free is the best price for installs, and exhaust is super easy...it isn't hard to convince someone to help you.

[JPolen01]

Also worth looking for a lightly used exhaust on NASIOC. My friends with subarus never bought them new, always used. People are always switching exhausts.

[WRXtranceformed]

Also worth looking for a lightly used exhaust on NASIOC. My friends with subarus never bought them new, always used. People are always switching exhausts.

That's a really good point. Exhaust really isn't a consumable item and used is a good way to go, assuming they weren't super lowered and banging it up on speed bumps, etc.

[ScottyB]

good looking STi! love that color, and RPF1's look awesome on everything.

I'd second looking at a used exhaust. They don't really "wear out" aside from getting physically damaged, corroded, or being really, really old...and they only part you're going to see is the exhaust tip, so even if the pipes are scraped up, its not really a big deal. They're easy to install as well, just do it in sections (downpipe, cat, midpipe, then axleback) and take your time. Its not complex, just time consuming.

glad to see you have a tune on there. i'm pretty convinced they're just as important for engine longevity as they are for making some extra horses.

[FlaakCM]

Thanks Scotty!

Sadly, it is "ONLY" a WRX.

Although, I completely agree that the tune makes a world of difference. Just the stage one map for 93 oct. made the car perform much smoother.

[FlaakCM]

I'll probably end up holding off on the exhaust for now and watch the forums to see if anything good pops up.

In the mean time, I make a couple new purchases

New Lugnuts for the summer wheels:


JDM Third Brake Light:


What it will look like:

[ScottyB]

Sadly, it is "ONLY" a WRX.

whoops, i always get the new GR chassis cars mixed up.

nothing to be sad about...you're not missing out on much unless you're taking the car to the track. just look at some old Car and Driver magazines some day and peek at the numbers the exotics were putting down....then look at what you're driving to work in, with air con and power everything, pulling just about the same performance :mrgreen:

[WRXtranceformed]

If I had to do it all over again with a turbo Subie, it would be real simple (especially with the improvements they have made over the years since I owned mine):
Full exhaust
Intake
Fuel pump
Meth / Water injection
A tune
Better tires and maybe some springs.

That's really all you need to have stupid fun with those cars.

[JPolen01]

Nice choice on the third brake light. I've always loved the edm/jdm rear fog or third brake lights.