Topic: Mudferret's HWhip - ask me about my exciting new end links

[mudferret]

Not really a build project, just present and planned mods and bolt and/or glue ons.  Bought the car last year and have enjoyed it thus far.  I had every intention of keeping the car stock, but the bug has bitten.  I try to shy away from purely aesthetic modifications, I want something to have a purpose.  If it looks good, then that's a bonus. 

I'm getting too old to get pulled over for tint and/or loud exhausts so any visual or audible mods will be subtle. 

2006 SGM WRX Sedan

Engine/Exhaust

• Accessport V2, dyno-tuned by Airboy (91 and 94 octane tunes) 288 whp / 315 wtq on Airboy's Dyno Dynamics
• Invidia catted downpipe
• AVO catback
• Grimmspeed exhaust and up/downpipe gaskets
• Kartboy standard length exhaust hangers
• Samco BPV hose and throttle body coupler, with t-bolt clamps
• Samco Afta MAF hose with t-bolt clamps replaced with a stock piece, Afta MAF hoses don't flex nearly enough, t-bolts to be sold for scrap
• Tomei turbo inlet
• Crawford AOS
• 2007 STI TMIC + splitter/bellows
• VF43
• Intake milk jug removed, "velocity stack" added to airbox
• Vibrant silicone elbow cut to fit y-pipe -----> turbo
• WRX_RA made heat shield, he makes a nice product Sold
• NGK Iridium 1 step colder plugs OEM heat range back in
• Killer B Ultimate oil p/u tube

Drivetrain

• Kartboy Shift knob - Sold
• WC Lathe Works GF4 shift knob
• Kartboy front/rear shifter bushings
• Group N transmission mount
• Group N engine mounts
• Whiteline transmission crossmember bushings Ended up removing these whilst diagnosing something else, nothing wrong with them, but reinstall wasn't worth it for me
• Whiteline outrigger bushings Didn't appreciate the quality of NVH, may have been different if I installed diff bushings at the same time
• TiC shifter pivot bushing
• Exedy Stage 1 clutch
• Exedy LWFW

Handling/Brakes

• Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus and Blizzak WS70 tires
• Slotted/drilled rotors /w cermic pads; stop well but unsure of brand
• Whiteline 22mm, adjustable sways: softest setting front/mid setting rear for now
• Whiteline endlinks front/rear
• Kartboy rear endlinks; the Whiteline ones seized beyond rescue, replacement bushings a PITA to source
• Tokico D-Specs front/rear /w extenders
• Tic Scooby 921 strut spacers
• 07 STI springs

Interior/Exterior

• Grillcraft upper/lower grills
• Rally Armor UR's
• 20% tint rear 3 windows
• Center armrest extension
• Subaru all weather floor mats
• Alpine something 'er other
• Plasti Dip'd centre console

Future thoughts

• Timing belt/pulleys well, well, well before 168k km

Came with slotted/x drilled rotors and ceramic pads, I'm unsure of the brand:


Didn't like the stock shift knob, and didn't want to drop a ton of coin on a new one, so I bought a Kartboy delrin knob.  Better alternative to metal IMO since it doesn't get hot or cold:


Realized during winter that mudflaps are a must:


Initially bought the lower grill to protect my rad from gravel/rocks, I ended up getting the upper portions as well since I had a lot of bent fins in that area too:


Wanted to minimize the body roll so I got some Whiteline sways and end links, feels much more stable now.  Front:


Rear:

[TOMBONOMBONA]

Looks real good so far.

[mudferret]

For those wondering what the center armrest extension looks like.  All I could find before actually purchasing it off Kijiji were micro thumbnails.  Replaces existing lid.  Felt awkward at first, but I got used to it and it almost doubles storage.  Wicked awesome mod.

[mudferret]

WRX_RA made heat shield in 2B stainless.  Will be running this in combination with my stock (cut) heat shield when my down pipe is installed.  Very well made piece.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Lookin good! I like the heat shield.. I may steal it =P

[teg_09]

Looks good so far! Keep posting pictures with updates.

[mudferret]

Thanks guys.  My AVO catback will be installed on Friday.  Still waiting for my downpipe, so a full TBE will have to wait until I get back in the country in July.  Was teetering back/forth about getting the catback done then, but couldn't wait.  13 more days left before I head to Madagascar for work.

[WRX_RA]

Lookin good! I like the heat shield.. I may steal it =P

or you could just get one.. i mean its not like they're expensive hahaha

looking good man, i really need a turbo again =(

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

or you could just get one.. i mean its not like they're expensive hahaha

looking good man, i really need a turbo again =(

Well PM'ed!

[mudferret]

AVO catback installed today.  Was going to wait until my downpipe came in, but it won't be in before I leave for work for a few months.  Sounds very nice.  Similar sound to a Cobb, but maybe a bit quieter.  The rumble is there, and it's sweet.  I think the car feels faster because I am driving faster so I can hear it.

Nice plaque:


Subtle tip:


3".  Tucks up tighter, but is also bigger, not sure if ground clearance was increased, or lessened.


It's pretty on the inside too:

[mudferret]

Installed standard length Kartboy exhaust hangers today to get rid of the minor exhaust movement/rattle upon deceleration.  These things are incredibly stiff and there may be +/- mm of movement now if I grab the exhaust tip and attempt to move it back/forth.

[seat safety switch]

How hard is the centre armrest extension to install? It looks almost like it just clips onto the existing lid.

[mudferret]

There's nothing to it, 2 minutes at most.  You remove the existing lid altogether, 2 screws, and then install the extension to take it's place.

[wingless]

Nice start to a thread!!!
Keep it coming!

[pearl boxer]

It's pretty on the inside too:

What is this?  A colonoscopy?!!

Nice work bud.  Keep it up.

[mudferret]

Well, it's great to be back home in Canada, and I've been having a blast driving my car. 

Invidia catted DP going on on Monday, along with new GS gaskets.  The WRX_RA made heat shield will be bead blasted since I messed up the finish, and then proceeded to thoroughly mess it up while trying to fix it.  Torqued the crappy gaskets that came with the AVO a little too much and crushed them when I was installing the hangers and realigning the exhaust.  Ordered these ones up a few months ago.

Can't recall but I don't believe these are the 2x thick variety.





Next on the agenda will be a tune rather than the OTS Cobb map.

[mudferret]

Invidia DP, Grimmspeed gaskets, and WRX_RA heat shield installed today at Lightspeed.  Figured the best way to go back to work after my vacation was taking my first day back off and going for a drive.  The whoosh of the turbo is now audible, and the exhaust is a little bit louder with a little bit more boxer rumble, but still sounds great. 

Considered sticking around to see a beautiful 09 STI on the dyno, but didn't like the look of the approaching storm.

Didn't have a chance or the proper environment to do any pulls, but I can feel there's much more power on tap.  Didn't take much effort to accelerate in 5th gear on my way back to Calgary from Red Deer.  As usual I drove much more conservatively than any other driver on that road.

[mudferret]

Updated my future mod list, pared the plans back a bit for now, between vacations, 4runner maintenance and WRX mod costs I've blown my "luxury" budget for the year.  Have talked to Airboy about getting a tune.

[mudferret]

Got tuned by Sunny today.  Had a good time and the car is so much smoother now.  Picked up 30 ft-lbs over the stage 2 OTS map.  Tuned for 91 octane.   Good to meet you Sunny.

[mudferret]

Fairly certain my next plan of attack will be a Samco y-pipe, BOV tube, coupler and a pitch mount of some sort.  Makes for a convenient install since both involve removing the IC.

Having recently gone stage 2, and getting tuned by Sunny, the added torque (eked out an additional 30 TQ over the OTS map) is making the engine move around under hard acceleration.  Typically under getting up to speed conditions on merge lanes, etc...

I'm thinking because of the scenario that a pitch stop would take priority over engine mounts at this point since I'm not on/off the throttle on race course.  Make sense?  If a pitch stop makes sense right now is the Group N stiff enough?

[GrantC]

No, do the engine/tranny mounts.

There's not much the pitch mount can really do, especially the group-n one.

[snackers]

^^This.
Or at least go with a pitchmount that will make a difference (though will not solve the problem you are talking about) like a GroupA or other such solid aluminum dogbone.

Plus, the engine mounts are WAY more fun to install.

[mudferret]

Ack...I was afraid of that.  I'd assume that engine mounts would best be done with a hoist?  Transmission mount I'd tackle, not sure about the engine, might have to call in the pros, or the less amateurish amateurs for that one.

Group N engine/tranny mounts?

[snackers]

Ack...I was afraid of that.  I'd assume that engine mounts would best be done with a hoist?  Transmission mount I'd tackle, not sure about the engine, might have to call in the pros, or the less amateurish amateurs for that one.

Group N engine/tranny mounts?

yes, group n.
Unless you want to be baller and go with cusco solids (I would but you sacrifice DD comfort)

A hoist is not necessary. Just put a block of wood on a jack you know to be trustworthy and lift via the oilpan.
An engine lift would work too if you have access to one, but you're only lifting the engine about 2-3 inches.

[Tenacious_B]

The tranny mount isn't that bad, but the engine mounts are hard enough that I paid a shop $75 to do it, and I still have all my fingers!

Group N Engine/Trans mounts are great, but for a pitchstop I'd probably go with Beatrush or a similar solid one, as your tranny and engine mounts do the majority of keeping the engine in place so many people just skip the pitchstop.

If you do the tranny mount you may as well do Kartboy shifter bushings front and rear while you're in there, I also installed Whiteline Tranny Crossmember bushings too since it has to all come apart under there.

Well.....Pearl Boxer did it while I watched.... 

Good call on the Grillcraft Grills, and er....nice color!
How difficult was the install of the lower grill?