Topic: SingallZ's 97 v3 JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI TYPE-R build

[SingallZ]

I thought I'd start a thread on this since it'll most likely be turning into this someday. First off the name of the car (and thread) is hilarious to me: "97 v3 JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI TYPE-R 555 edition", its really just a ridiculously long name for "goes way faster then an 09 STI".  I plan on someday converting this into a rally car (not sure what class), but its by far the best handling/performing cheap little car I've ever driven in my life period (and I've had my share of cars), until that day I'll settle for it being my daily driver.

Where I got it:
I imported the car through JDMConnection (William) which was simple, informative, and awesome. However the registration part was a little shaky due to inept registra office employee's and short JDM VIN's, but after that its been nothing but smooth sailing. (would recommend it to anyone, and plan on doing it again)

Tasteful Modifications:
17X7 Gold Work Emotion 11R rims with Michelin Pilots Sport Extreme summer tires
16X6 White Sparco Assetto Grata rims with Continental Winter extreme snow tires
Whiteline 22in front sway
Whiteline 22in rear sway
Whiteline rear sway bar mounts
Whiteline anti lift kit
Whiteline roll centre adjust kit
Whiteline Tie-rod ends
GT-Spec trunk cage
KYB AGX Struts
Eibach Sport Springs
Fujitsubo Legalis R Catback
Killer B Motorsport Oil Pan
Killer B Motorsport pickup
Group N engine mounts
Group N dog-bone/pitch stop
Boost gauge
TPP Manual Boost controller
Exedy stage1 clutch
Fog lights
Cobb Shift bushings
RA motorsports Skid plate
RallyArmor mud flaps
Apexi cone filter
Grimmspeed up-pipe
Sparco Steering wheel
Sparco Steering wheel adapter
Odyssey Lightweight battery and tie-down
Group N rear rotors
Group N rear callipers
Stop-tech metal brake lines
Endless brake pads front and back
GFB Blow of valve
JDM Tomei Exhaust headers
Defi gauge cluster

OEM maintenance items:
New Coil pack
New Spark plugs & wires
New Fuel pump
New Timing belt and pulleys
Fuel injectors (cleaned and replaced)
New MAF
New Crank position sensor
New Cam position sensor
New Coolant Temperature sensor
New IACV
New OEM Shifter linkages
New Rear main seal
New OEM Rear breather cover and seal
New OEM Alternator

When I first got the car (got rid of the giant STI sticker on day one):

Not sure why there are 2 of these stickers (usually they only have one)


Engine out for new pan, clutch, seals:


New Exedy clutch:


New pan and wrapped headers:


Replaced plastic breather cover with new metal one (if you have the engine out always replace it, this ittshay plastic one was cracked and leaking):


Getting the rear main seal out was a pain, wound up putting 2 screws in it and pulling it out, installation was easy


This caused days of frustration, sometimes it would be fine others it was terrible, finally found it by accident


Pic of the sways and anti-lift kit:


Re-soldered the MAF (this was a bit of a pain in the arse):


Pic of the car going sideways at CSCC Ice Cup


Timing belt arrived today and it sparked this post:



Also I've been kind of lazy doing this, and I plan on making a few DIY tutorials for some of the other stuff someday. More posts to come.

[SingallZ]

Finally got the timing belt and all the pulleys in, not an easy job, and way harder then it looks. But after a few rotations everything still lines up.



Great video on how to get this setup:


Also got the Crawford air separator in, I'll do a more detailed post on this soon.

[SingallZ]

Figured I should put these on. They're not going to improve handling, but they won't rip off in a corner either 



Probably the easiest update I've done yet

[SingallZ]

I got the Crawford oil separator to nicely fill the void the A/C unit left. It also made pluming in all lines a little easier, but I wound up routing the oil return line flush along the top of the engine. It's not a perfect downward direction, but it is draining.



Quick diagram of how this is connected:



Also FYI, I blocked off the PCV valve and other line into turbo inlet closest to the turbo.

[GrantC]

Are those STI pink spark plug wires?!?

(Also, did the type-r version of the 555 not get the wrc car look stickers?)

[SingallZ]

The spark plug wires are Bosch and just a happy coincidence that they're also pink. In the end it was hard to find a set that were compatible with this car and I was happy to have something that worked. Also the 555 edition apparently had two types, the RA sedan with stickers and Type-R's with "555" seat stitching and the WRB color (first time it was used I think), but I could be wrong.

EFA, found a link to the original OE brochure and similar conversation:
http://www.type-ra.com/pdf/impreza-type-r-brochure.pdf
http://bbs.scoobynet.com/showpost.php?p=10472715&postcount=32

[goodveet]

Finally got the timing belt and all the pulleys in, not an easy job, and way harder then it looks. But after a few rotations everything still lines up.

+1 on that for sure

[SingallZ]

So I had some problem with my fuel rails (leaking) so I figured I'd dissemble the intake manifold and put in a new inlet, gaskets, injector seals, and vacuum lines. While I was in there I painted the manifold.

Everything appart and off the engine:


Gaskets


To paint the inlet I used some self etching primer, high temp paint, brake cleaner to remove grease, and adhesive plastic wrap:


Inlet in the "painting booth":


Final product:

[RallyX]

Innis & Gunn FTW lol

[SingallZ]

Innis & Gunn FTW lol

I don't always drink beer but when I do

[purdy]

Innis & Gunn FTW lol

Noticed that too, nice choice. Intake manifold looks good

[SingallZ]

I got these beauties today, more pics to follow

[SingallZ]

So finally got the rims on... Just a little too white for me, but I'm getting used to them:

[SingallZ]

So my battery died... as a result I figured I'd get myself a slight upgrade (it weighs almost half a normal battery):

[YvanF]

Where did you get that battery holder / tie down?

[My Dad]

This car looks great! Nice work 

[SingallZ]

Where did you get that battery holder / tie down?

These guys had both the battery and holder, good deal and were very helpful:

http://www.affordablebatteryspecialist.ca/

[THE EDJ]

Looks like a great car. Beauty!

[SingallZ]

So figured it'd be a good day to do some updating and changed the some of the old shifter bushings to Cobb bushings. Total pain in the assay, but worth it. This along with the linkage update I did it feels like a new car, shifts are direct and the slop has been cleaned up considerably.

[SingallZ]

Also put on my KYB AGX struts with Eibach ProKit springs. The old springs were sagging and the struts were leaking. Overall though, I'm not all that happy with it. The Eibach springs don't lower anywhere near what they quote, and the struts really aren't stellar... I'm starting to think I should have gone with coilovers regardless of their crappy winter reputation.

The old:


The new:


Also more stickers! A sign I'm spending too much money, or slowly replacing everything on the car, or both

[goodveet]

I'm liking this build

[goodveet]

Also how much of a difference did the anti lift kit and Group N mounts make?
And what is your car boosting at?

[SingallZ]

Also how much of a difference did the anti lift kit and Group N mounts make?
And what is your car boosting at?

I'm pretty happy with the anti-lift-kit, it improved steering feel in tight corners or while braking in corners (feels more precise). However you do pickup a bit more road feel in the wheel (some like it, some think its too much vibration). As for the group n mounts, it feels solid but the old mounts were so badly worn I don't have much of a basis of comparison to what it should have felt like. Although you do feel a ton more of the engine when accelerating which I'm really liking. Also the car boosts at between 15-17psi and bounces like nuts around it, I'm thinking the MAP might going.

[goodveet]

Hmm you know what, I'm thinking the mounts will be the next mod for me.

I'm really interested in knowing your opinion on how this car drives/feels compared to your 09!

[SingallZ]

I'm really interested in knowing your opinion on how this car drives/feels compared to your 09

Its almost like apples and oranges at this point. The 09 just feels big, slow, and cumbersome (even with 22mm sways, anti-lift-kit, and JDM pink springs). While on the other hand the GC8 feels light, ridged and way faster (like a batshit crazy tank). The only thing the 09 has up on the GC8 are the tires and I'm switching those out next year.