Mod My Subie

First Run At The Drag Strip

While traveling with the Street Tuned Motorsports, (STM), Crew this weekend down to Norwalk Ohio for the DSM Shootout, I decided to make a couple of runs down the track to see how she would do. It should be mentioned that for this run, I did have the subwoofer in the back and a 6′4″ buddy of mine who comes in around 300 pounds riding shotgun. Overall, I think the little Subaru performed very respectably.  Now It’s time to start doing some performance upgrades

We were car number 1122 in the right column.

STI Pink Springs and Window Tint

We installed the Subaru Technica International Pink Springs on our 2008 STI this week and couldn’t be happier with the ride. The suspension feels amazingly firm and stable without beating you up. It is really like driving a whole new car and these springs were what has always felt “missing” from this vehicle. Turn-in is much more crisp and accurate. The sponginess that this car has had from day one is simply no more. The one thing that I have always felt the EVO X had over the GR was that locked-in feeling, and the Pinks have definitely evened up the playing field. It makes me wonder why Subaru decided to go with the softer spring from the factory.

While we were at it, we went ahead and tinted the windows to 35% VLT all around.

Baseline Dyno Results

So here we have the baseline results from our first dyno pull. We took the car up to Street Tuned Motorsports in Rochester for the test. The Mustang Dyno gave a 203HP/246TQ reading. Netting a 30%+ HP loss in the drivetrain from Subaru’s specified 305 BHP? I should note that this was done prior to Subaru Of America’s determination that there was something wrong with this engine, (rod bearing), and replacing the short-block as a warranty issue.

Subaru Roof Racks

We picked up a set of the factory Subaru roof racks for the STI and a couple of
Yakima Bike Racks. These make the car so much more useful. After all, this IS a Subie…

Summer Rubber

Time to put away the winter rubber and opt for little bit different look. I’m not a big fan of the factory Subaru STI 18″ wheels and I am definitely not the type to opt for the slightly-less-awful BBS option set from Subie for a price higher than a nice set of after-market forged aluminum wheels. Luckily, we had this “old” set of Volks here pulled from our EVO8 project, (as it’s getting a wider setup). The setup is an 18×8.5 Volk CE28N in gunmetal wrapped in a set of Toyo T1R’s. Initial impressions on this car is that it loves the added width to the stance as the back-spacing/offsset set these tires out about another inch wider than stock. The car is terribly stable and looks much more aggressive. We also decided to paint the tails using Testor’s Transparent Candy Apple Red model paint.

Subaru Sport Grille Installed

Warning: Completely Cosmetic Upgrade

The factory Subaru STI grille leaves something to be desired, IMO. Therefore, we decided to install the optional “Sport Grille” from Subaru. We found that by using the installation images below, (provided by Subaru Of America), the installation was a snap and did not actually require removal of the entire bumper cover. Instead, the lower four screws can be accessed with a stubby screwdriver by reaching down between the radiator support and factory grille. Before and after pictures attached. I, personally, think it makes for a much cleaner look with less of the “cheap plastic crap” feel of the original.

Winter Prepped Subie

First official upgrades to the Subaru. Here we have the vehicle prepped for day-to-day use in the winter up here in Western NY. We have installed the Rally Armor Urethane Mudflaps in Black with Red Logo and a set of 17″ BBS wheels from an ‘06 STI with Blizzak Winter Rubber.

The Arrival

So here she is. We took delivery on the 7th of October, 2008. Brand new bone-stock 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX/STI, (GR). This little Subie is just itchin to get some upgrades. Grabbed a few shots of this gorgeous new wagon.