Topic: SpdDmn's new FXT - rather less shiny... (RIP)

[deedz]

Did you or are you selling that Q300 then?  Let me know, I'm interested.

[SpdDmn]

It was my birthday a couple weeks ago, and I got massively spoiled! Or I should say, the Foz did, which is pretty much the same thing

Stopping power == GO power now!!
This is a colossal improvement over the stock Forester brakes (duh), but also way, way better than my 05+ LGT calipers and rotors, while still being small enough to fit under my 16x6.5" OEM WRX winter wheels. It's a night and day difference, so happy.

Fully rebuilt JDM 4pot front calipers:
   

 

Stainless brake lines (fronts installed; waiting to pick up a set of 2pot rears to install the rear lines):
Those are Endless SSY pads, too. The initial bite is perfect for how I want my brakes to respond.


DBA 4000 Series T3 rotors:



And then, MORE surprises! My G200 catback exhaust finally arrived after Invidia was backordered for several weeks. It was installed with the brakes JUST in time before I arrived home from Syncrude.
With Kartboy XL exhaust hangers:
** Pics to be added once I wash 'er tonight **

[Canuckrz]

This is a colossal improvement over the stock Forester brakes (duh), but also way, way better than my 05+ LGT calipers and rotors, while still being small enough to fit under my 16x6.5" OEM WRX winter wheels. It's a night and day difference, so happy.

How would you describe them as being better? Just less spongy? Did you have SS lines when you ran the LGT brakes? Have you installed the sti master cylinder/booster yet?

How do you find your sti takeoff suspension on the fozzy? There's a set kicking around locally I was thinking about picking up, not sure if its from a sedan or wagon.

Also happy belated birthday.

[GrantC]

Fully rebuilt 06/07 JDM 4pot front calipers:

06/07 Calipers didn't have the raised lettering, it was just painted on.

Raised lettering like that is earlier JDM calipers (same in every _other_ way AFAIK).

[SpdDmn]

How would you describe them as being better? Just less spongy? Did you have SS lines when you ran the LGT brakes? Have you installed the sti master cylinder/booster yet?

How do you find your sti takeoff suspension on the fozzy? There's a set kicking around locally I was thinking about picking up, not sure if its from a sedan or wagon.

Also happy belated birthday.

I'm used to a strong initial bite when I get on the brakes, whether I'm pressing moderately hard or softer. I want to feel it's working immediately, not coming on gradually. The LGT calipers had a softer initial feel, that remained spongy and soft as I'm braking. No SS lines, or booster on the LGT setup, although now I have the SS lines installed. I feel it's the calipers making the difference right now, but with my WRX, I felt the master cylinder brace made a big difference (I ran OEM WRX calipers and SS lines, same pads & rotors, before and after the master cylinder brace was installed, so easy to compare).

I think my suspension is just JDM wagon, not the STi. It's much stiffer, so a bit tooth rattling when things are cold. I wouldn't hesitate to autocross it, hugely improved body roll with the 3"+ lowering. I like the ride height for summer especially, but wouldn't mind a bit more lift next winter when I go bigger sidewall, studded winters on little rally rims - needs the taller stock height IMO! I don't find my butt is overly saggy because they're wagon struts rather than sedan.

06/07 Calipers didn't have the raised lettering, it was just painted on.

Raised lettering like that is earlier JDM calipers (same in every _other_ way AFAIK).

Good to know! JDM bragging rights, y0 

[93ScoobyD]

I have a set of rear kartboy adapters for 2 pot upgrade if you're interested. Sorry for the orwhaying

[SpdDmn]

The Foz had been making a disturbing whine, which VEX diagnosed while it was in to have its timing belt looked at. After following 10secdream's issues, my issue sounded way too familiar.

So this weekend, Ryan and I pulled apart the center differential housing (rear extension of the transmission). The bearings were pretty noisy in all but the center differential itself (thankfully!), so we pressed out and replaced one of the bearings (part #24 below). The donor transmission was none other than my little bugeye's!

For my own reference, NASIOC has these P/Ns:
(24) G32204 roller bearing
(26) G33008 roller bearing
(32) G23017 ball bearing
(28) G25501 ball bearing




I only grabbed a couple photos before my POS S3 crashed.

Driveshaft removed, shifter linkage and knuckle disassembled:


Inside the tail extension bit of the transmission, with the center diff removed:


Here's a pretty good photo of both shafts, and the center diff being removed (courtesy spit_heron) on NASIOC:


Since we'd already pulled apart all the relevant shifter bits, I got a new Kartboy short shifter + shifter linkage and rear bushings! Holy, what a difference! The stock bushings are pretty much shameful in comparison. I love driving the Foz again, it's a little racecar.

Now I need to clean him up in preparation for a photoshoot with Kijho

[10secdream]

My next mod is going to be some shifter bushings. How was the install?

[SpdDmn]

My next mod is going to be some shifter bushings. How was the install?

Do iiiiit! Something you notice all the time for low dollars.

The install was on a hoist with air tools, so very easy. Without air and on my back in my garage in winter, might be less fun. That rear bushing does NOT like to line up to thread the bolts, but eventually it was persuaded! The shifter linkage bushings were ultra-easy.

[SpdDmn]

Had a weekend of procrastinating course readings nothing to do, so I cracked open the Forester's headlights to paint the bezel like the Sports version.

Unlike my little bugeye, whose headlights were held in with hopes and dreams, the first step in headlight removal for the FXT is remove the entire bumper. There are apparently 12485 dirt-encrusted plastic clips to rip out, so that was fun. For my first time, it was NOT a 30 minute job. Laugh if you will

Success, bumper off!


Apply heat, then lift tabs to separate the lens:


Five little screws to remove the bezel. Don't use Windex to clean chromed plastic
 

With the screws removed, the parking light eyebrow thing comes out. Also pulled the amber sidemarker cover off.
 

As far as I can tell, Scotchbrite scuffing provided zero advantages. My primer didn't stick at all (it wasn't plastic-specific). The paint DID stick, so hourray!
 

Bezel back in. I opted to keep the amber sidemarker plastic, since it covered the sizeable hole for a little 168/194 peanut bulb.


Heat the seal back up and squish it all back together, with every tab clicked in place, and.... Reassemble FXT!
 

 



Besides the sad swirly state of my hood and lights, I'm pretty happy with it! I'm going to order some LED peanut bulbs to finish up the look

[jellynuts]

That looks really good!  You should trade with 10sec for his projectors and do it all over again! 

[10secdream]

The blacked out headlights look great

[kijho]

Looks super awesome .. done prior to a photoshoot too  !! We'll have to setup very soon okay!

[Dylan780]

They look great! What shop you working in there? Looks like some other cool cars 

[10secdream]

Pretty sure that is Vex

[Canuckrz]

What paint did you use? Krylon?

[chico_kj_23]

Pretty sure that is Vex

99% sure its vex. Same Skyline that was there when I was there. Also, the headlight look great. It's crazy how such a small change can make such a big impact on the looks.

[seat safety switch]

For plastics you generally want to use a light dusting from a can of adhesion promoter prior to applying the primer - it's a little hard to find because it's not well stocked at CTC but they have it if you look long enough.

That looks pretty good, though. Modern paint is pretty tough and I bet it'll last regardless.

[SpdDmn]

For plastics you generally want to use a light dusting from a can of adhesion promoter prior to applying the primer - it's a little hard to find because it's not well stocked at CTC but they have it if you look long enough.

That looks pretty good, though. Modern paint is pretty tough and I bet it'll last regardless.

Damn, probably should have posted for advice before impulse-painting. It wasn't even Krylon or plastic-appropriate paint. Figured they're sealed and don't even get wind across them, let alone dust and weather... We'll see It was pretty easy overall, ready to do it again if I need!

Anyone recommend a good chemical to remove all the old paint but leave the plastic safe, if it comes to the worst?

That looks really good!  You should trade with 10sec for his projectors and do it all over again! 

Totally was wishing I'd planned ahead to at least have some LEDs on hand! I always mean to research the right retrofit parts, and never get far with it...

Pretty sure that is Vex

It is indeed!

[SpdDmn]

Something new for my winter setup! Need to order up the tires for these, plus a few other bits for install... Soooon...

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Volks as winter wheels? You've been hanging out with Jimmy too much.

[10secdream]

I can only imagine what you have lined up for summer wheels.

[kijho]

Excellent...excellent... rigging will be in order soon. Let me know!

[Markkenko]

Having Volks as winter is definitely some crazy stuff! Looking forward to see what this'll look like!

[SpdDmn]

Volks as winter wheels? You've been hanging out with Jimmy too much.

Jimmy WISHES he had forged winters

I can only imagine what you have lined up for summer wheels.

Heh heh.