I figured I had better stop procrastinating and start a build thread.
I had been wanting a Subaru since I had been able to drive. After finishing high school I began working full time and saving up money for the day when I could purchase my dream car. On November 12th, 2011 I purchased my 2006 USDM WRB Subaru WRX STi from Red Deer, Alberta. The car was stage 2 when I purchased it with 32000miles, protuned by Airboy via Cobb AP. The modifications that had been done by the previous owner were: Tomei UEL headers, Up-pipe, Greddy Ti-C TBE, HKS SSQV BOV, ARC Super Induction Airbox, and KW v3 Coilovers.
I decided I would drive down to Los Angeles, CA with a friend over Xmas break to stay in Venice Beach, CA. We made the 6000km trip without any problems whatsoever. During the drive we drove some of the best roads I have ever driven in my entire life. To anyone who is thinking of making the drive down there it is worth it to take a little longer and drive the West Coast all the way down to CA (roads/views are spectacular).
Bugatti Veyron on Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles, CA
Golden Gate Bridge
In the summer of 2012 I did my first auto-x and became hooked. I did numerous auto-x events including the SSIS weekend on September Long. I also raced the Boxer Battle at Auto Clearing Speedway. I still have yet to try my hand at drag racing. The car handled very well at all the events I did, however I just wanted more out of the car. So the build began!!
SSIS 2012
Boxer Battle 2012
I began the build in October 2012. I started with the suspension first. Then I would focus on the Engine once I was happy with how the car handled. After the suspension was complete I realized I had an engine knock (spun rod bearing cyl. 2). So I began looking at different builders and talking to people (Funk 32, binjoau, MPS, Element, MAPerformance). I liked what Element offered so Phil Grabow and I decided on the Track built engine. However once they had the engine it was made clear that the engine was not salvageable so I needed a new block. From there I decided to have them build the engine you see below.
Modifications as of December 30, 2014Engine/PowerElement Tuning Built Shortblock w/ 8500rpm redline (Closed Deck Modification)
Element Tuning Big Valve Heads +1mm
Element Tuning H Beam 4340 Forged Rods
Element Tuning Manely Forged Race Pistons Custom
Element Tuning Modified 11mm Oil Pump
Element Tuning Engine Assembly Kit (Main Bearings, Rod Bearings, Engine Gaskets, ARP Head Studs)
Subaru Forged STi Crank
BC 272 Cams
Element Tuning GT52 Turbo
Perrin Black FMIC with Black Piping
Hydra EMS 2.7
Hydramist Meth Injection
Element Tuning EBCS
P&L Street Series 3" Exhaust
Perrin EL Headers/Up-pipe
Perrin Short Ram Intake
Turbosmart Dual Port BOV
Perrin 3" Turbo Inlet
DW 1100cc Side Feed Injectors
DW 300 Series Fuel
Killer B Oil Pan
Killer B Baffle
Killer B Pick up
Suspension/DrivetrainFeal Suspension 441 Coilovers (Custom Valving)
ACT Extreme Duty Clutch w/ ACT Street-lite Flywheel
Goodridge Steel Braided Clutch Line
Whiteline 20-24mm Sway Bar Mount Kit
Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
Whiteline Anti-Lift Kit Sport
Whiteline 27mm Adjustable Front Sway Bar
Whiteline 24mm Adjustable Rear Sway Bar
Whiteline Gearbox Positive Shift Kit
Kartboy Endlinks
Kartboy Subframe Lockdown Bolts
Torque Solution Motor Mounts
Torque Solution Rear Differential Mount
Beatrush Transmission Mount
Kartboy Pitch Stop Mount
Stock Gold 17” BBS Rims wrapped in 225-45-17 Dunlop Star-Specs
Stoptech Steel Braided Brake Lines
Grimmspeed Master Cylinder Brace
DBA 4000 drilled/slotted rotors w/ Hawk HPS pads
Interior/ExteriorDefi Gauge Pod w/ controller
JVC Double DIN receiver (wired for subwoofers)
Painted silver console sections with black Plasti-Dip
Currently the engine is being built by Element Tuning and should be completed around Xmas or early in the new year. In the mean time I had been driving a friend’s 2009 STi while he was going to school. It also had a new engine on warranty so I was breaking it in for him. Pretty sweet deal for me I think!!
Pictures of the blown engine that Element Tuning sent to me once they had it taken apart.
