Project: 2002 WRX Wagon -- The Gravel Express

[CaptainHenreh]

Well. I'll take delivery today, and I'm not doing anything at the moment, so here goes:

The Gravel Express!

Specs:
2002 WRX Wagon
Color: Sedona Red Pearl
Mileage @ Start: 115,621
Engine: 1994cc 'EJ205'
Rating: 227hp / 217 ft-lbs
Total Cost as of August 12, 2010: $6000

Pictures:








Known Issues:
Rashed up Wheel (writeoff)
Fucked up RF fender
Timing belt is in need of a change.
Left Fog Light is inoperable
Cloudy headlights

Immediate action:
Delivery is going down today. Friday, car will be delivered to mechanic for the following:
Timing Belt
Water Pump
Acc Belt
Fluid change
Spark Plugs
Brake Check
General Health Assessment
Alignment
Fog light repair

When that is complete the first order of business will be sourcing a new stock WRX wheel, and either a new SRP Wagon fender or a pair of SRP sedan fenders. Then I'm gonna try to "ding king" the dent in the hood.

Modification Philosophy:
Reliability combined with tarmac and gravel performance. Power goal is in the 250's (wheel). Goal is something not out of place at a Rally-X, but with good street manners. Drag racing & track days are not required duty for this project

Tentative Roadmap:
Aug 2010: Health check and basic maintenance. Set baseline. Clean interior, address interior deficiencies. (Translation: MOAR Satellite radio) Attempt to address fender situation. Immediate fender action: Large "Band-Aid" sticker.
Oct 2010: Source Subaru 4 Piston brakes & related parts. This will likely necessitate a wheel change. (or a 5mm spacer, at a minimum) Possibility of larger TMIC. Non-stock gauge additions. Boost, oil pressure, ┬┐Wideband?
Dec 2010: Address suspension. Research and purchase "medium-duty" stock height suspension.
Uncharted (2011): Power gains. Focus on reliability over maximum horsepower. At 130k+, turbocharger will likely need replacing. Excellent opportunity for properly sized turbocharger in line with mod philosophy goals.

For those curious about "Gravel Express", basically that's what the turbo Outback Sport was called in Japanland. I think it's appropriate for this project, considering what I want it to do.

[JohnC]

Is that an aftermarket sunroof, and, has it been taped up at some point?

[WRXtranceformed]

Might I suggest a VF34 turbo if that's your power goal and you don't want to push it much further in the future? It was a decent little upgrade to my old WRX and if you *really* wanted to you could push the power envelope a little more. It will still have good spool characteristics on that engine and it's a stock Subaru turbo so it works well on the car. Honestly you may not even need to replace the TMIC, you could probably get away with that turbo, exhaust, stock intake, FP and STi "pink" injectors with a moderate tune.

[CaptainHenreh]

Is that an aftermarket sunroof, and, has it been taped up at some point?

Yes it is aftermarket and yeah, it looks like there is tape residue around it. Apparently it was pretty common for dealers to install sunroofs in '02. If it leaks, I'm going to have a body shop permanently install a piece of fixed glass.

Might I suggest a VF34 turbo if that's your power goal and you don't want to push it much further in the future? It was a decent little upgrade to my old WRX and if you *really* wanted to you could push the power envelope a little more.

The power in the MS3 was more than sufficient. If I can have similar horsepower in the WRX with AWD, I'll be quite satisfied. I was never a big horsepower junkie. It pulled quite hard enough on my test drive, I think I'll be pleased.

[WRXtranceformed]

Nice, that turbo will be perfect for you then. You can keep it reliably tuned for your hp goal.

[ScottyB]

for suspension, might i suggest stock STi take-off springs (225F 217R or something close) combined with Tokico D-spec struts. combine with group-n tophats in the rear and either camber plates or whiteline com-c tophats in front.

the STi springs are a nice bump in stiffness but retain stock ride height which your geometry and oil pan will appreciate. additionally, they're real cheap. the D-specs are rebound adjustable and handle consistent, large bumps more reliably than Koni yellows (which are not bolt-in) which would work nicely with your rally-x goals. They're also cheaper than yellows.

lastly, your wagon RSB is 17mm i believe? pick up a used early WRX sedan RSB for cheap, and gain 3mm thickness.

edit: when you get your alignment, max out your stock camber as much as possible. there ain't much to be had to take advantage of, and the car responds well to it. i found 0 toe all around to track just fine and keep the tires wearing nicely at my camber setting (almost -1 degree)

[Jeff]

Cute pink car.

[Mike]

why replace the rashed wheel if you're just dumping the wheels when you get new brakes in 2 months?

[Jeff]

why replace the rashed wheel if you're just dumping the wheels when you get new brakes in 2 months?

+juan

[CaptainHenreh]

why replace the rashed wheel if you're just dumping the wheels when you get new brakes in 2 months?

Might be able to get by with just a spacer on the stock wheel. Moar research required.

[CaptainHenreh]

Cute pink car.

Is that code for something? :evileye:

[.RJ]

koni > tokico

(I assume they make something for the car, their 'FSD' shocks are supposed to be really good on the street)

[ScottyB]

koni > tokico

(I assume they make something for the car, their 'FSD' shocks are supposed to be really good on the street)

normally i'd agree.

aside from having to hack the struts open to install koni inserts (the only option for the impreza), people who rallycross seem to have better experiences with the tokicos. they just don't blow out as often. so easy button + cheaper + people like 'em, figured i'd throw it out there.

are FSD's just OEM replacements or designed for high rates? i don't know anything about them.

i've ridden in a wagon with konis/STi pinks and it was very nice on the autocross course.

[Evan]

nice car, i wish i still had mine.

power wise, I was always very happy with mine, but an uppipe and downpipe made the car MUCH responsive, and more fun to drive.

ive still got parts laying around that ive been meaning to get rid of. silicone intercooler hoses, new axxis ultimate pads, some other stuff if you want them cheap.

koni > tokico

(I assume they make something for the car, their 'FSD' shocks are supposed to be really good on the street)

no, fuck koni. if they are too lazy to support your car, why would you bust your ass to hack up a shock housing to fit their inserts? :finger:

[CaptainHenreh]

ive still got parts laying around that ive been meaning to get rid of. silicone intercooler hoses, new axxis ultimate pads, some other stuff if you want them cheap.

Sure, give me a list and prices.

[CaptainHenreh]

The Gravel Express has arrived.

Allow me to share some wisdom from my sketch car buying experience:

#1: Anything anyone tells you is a lie. Believe only what's written on paper, or what you see with your own eyes.
#2: Take a friend with you to look at any car. Give them a flashlight. Tell them to hate the car.
#3: After your initial inspection, let the car idle to operating temperature BEFORE your test drive. Then, go for a long test drive.
#4: If anything seems weird, ask about it, but remember #1.
#5: Never pay asking price.

So I actually put a deposit down on this car on Thursday, with the expectation I would pick it up on friday. I looked it over. It started fine, idled fine, shifted fine. Cold AC, cool sunroof. What's not to love?

Friday, I go to pick the car up. I have a friend follow me. I check under the hood. The coolant overflow tank seems REALLY full. Like, windshield wiper full full. I don't think anything of it, and I head back to Manasshole from Woodbridge. I stop and fill up with petrol at a station a block away, set the tripometer, and smile, very pleased with myself. I didn't get the world's best deal, but it's a pretty good one and I'm pleased with myself.

I drive off. Perpendicular to the sunset, cold AC in my hair.

Disaster strikes. 2 miles in.

I'd been watching my gauges like everyone should when in an unfamiliar/new car. Nothing weird showed up on my (albiet short) test drive, but I'm a cautious man at heart. I watch the temp needle reach halfway...and keep going.

Fuck.

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck hazards on shitfuckshitfuck pull over, key in accessory, don't cook this fucking thing fuck fuck fuck!

A buddy of mine who was following me pulls in behind. I warned him what I'd do if anything was wrong, and he immediately asks if I need anything. "A gallon of water, I think. Maybe more." I let the car rest until the gauge calmed down, put on a pair of gloves, and leaaaaaaaaaaaned back to open the rad cap.

Nothing.

No hiss. No spray. NO COOLANT. What the FUCK. I unbolt the (now I understand why) full overflow tank and begin to pour into the cap. It takes it all. My friend returns with the gallon of water. It takes about half of it, all while I'm squeezing the upper hose.

Fuck fuck fuck.

"Ok Dave (not Allen) I'm gonna start it."

I start it, it slurps down some more water. I get out to find out where the leak is, when BAM


The JBWELD lets loose! A torrent of bright green coolant, like some kind of automotive arterial hemorrhage bursts forth, covering my engine bay in sweet sticky chartreuse.



I call my salesman back, in a RAGE. His manager answers."You JBWelded my radiator endtank," I spit. This kind of repair doesn't last fifteen minutes, much less fifteen miles. "What makes you think *WE* did it?" You have GOT to be kidding me. "Tell you what, I'll come get the car, and get you a new radiator." You'll give me my goddam money back you vermin! "Hey man, uh, you signed the contract. As is, no warranty, I'm going above and beyond what the letter of the law says by giving you a new rad."

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE

Cut to today, i go pick up the car. Junkyard rad. I let the thing get up to op temperature. No leaks. Sweet smell, but considering the eruption from the end cap that's no surprise. Kaan and his AAA premium follow me to Manassas. No issues. No overheating. If I can get this thing to Winchester, The Amazin' Jason will restore my confidence.

To all those "I told you so's": Fuck off, I've already heard it.

[ViPER1313]

I have seen some shady stuff in my day, but that's some serious BS. Hope it treats you better in the long run. What dealership did you buy it from?

[V1GiLaNtE]

Wow... Just Wow... Well at least you got a "free" radiator out of it.. Best of luck with the rest of things man!

[Jake]

You didn't buy it from the same dealer that had the Shady McBusted Miata and RX7 that we looked at, didja?

Glad you got it sorted out, hope it works out for you long-term.

[CaptainHenreh]

You didn't buy it from the same dealer that had the Shady McBusted Miata and RX7 that we looked at, didja?

Glad you got it sorted out, hope it works out for you long-term.

No.

The thing is, I don't think anyone else would have seen anything amiss on Thursday either. The repair was under the coolant overflow tube, so you'd REALLY have had to look at it.

I honestly think it will be fine, even if it needs a new engine (which it don't) I'm still getting a decent deal.