wagon fettle

trails

SN has always been a source of good advice, so even though this is not jaw dropping thread like Dinges, Dynamix, E_M_B, Zen etc I thought I’d share my wagons evolution so far and try to give a little back

I brought it when it was just over three years old, early 2004 and it looked like this




After a couple of years and your average modding (the majority of the mechanical work was carried out by XS [a great job they did too], as I had nowhere I could work on the it); full decat, panel filter, ported headers, flex fit up-pipe, samco turbo hoses, three port boost solenoid, TEK3 etc…and of course the obligatory external mods I ended up with this





I really liked the way the car drove but wanted to go faster, up-rating the supporting components in line with increasing the power and doing as much of the work myself as I could. Starting with the brakes and suspension to try and retain the same sort of feel, optimising it to try to make it quicker without losing the drivability. I moved late 2006 and found myself with a garage and enclosed space I could work on the wagon so began to acquire bits for a low budget DIY upgrade…

Ian

trails

I started with the brakes; using one of Dyney's brackets upgraded from a sliding calliper to 03WRX two pots




270mm vs 290mm


For the fronts, I sourced a pair of the original Scooby Sport Bembos and two piece 325mm disks from Godspeed.



I also installed a CDF's brake stopper to stop the bulkhead flexing where the master cylinder is fitted. The new set up improved the brake pedal feel no end and I have yet to experience brake fade; in conditions where with the previous set up wilted this set up keeps working

I then moved onto the suspension; installing Whiteline solid drop-links all round and a Whiteline 22mm adjustable rear ARB. I already had Eibach springs fitted, but the drop links and especially the ARB tightened up the way it felt allowing you to get onto the power earlier when cornering.




As I had faired very well -for a mechanical simpleton at least- I decided to get brave and did this; 22B Bulletin Board: bolt on stage II mods...

After much cursing and scrapped knuckles I ended up with this

BigJay

i love wagons!

trails

It now went pretty quickly and had a brake set up that was not over whelmed by its speed. I was very happy with the results and rather proud of myself so I’ve continued to fiddle since then and (after splitting a rubber hose whilst fitting my fmic and it not working anyway), have removed my air con




I had a bit of a moment and made an impulse ebay purchase of a v5 re-trimmed wagon interior. I liked the way it lifted the interior but I didn't like the colour or the v5 drivers seat...so I bit the bullet and got my v6 interior re-covered by Concept Interiors.

v5



v6






Being a little obsessive I wasn't happy with the big-ass Momo wheel and I managed to source a MY03 sti wheel, paint strip it and clean it up to get it to match.

trails

Recently though I have been acquiring parts to upgrade my suspension; my wagon has just done 70k so the standard struts are getting a little tired. A good excuse at the very least

I managed to get hold of some rusty but refurbished mechanically KYB Group N tarmac struts, Cusco top mounts, alloy wishbones, front super flex bush set and a lower brace. Everything was (with the exception of the lower brace and bushes), second hand and I wanted to clean it all up before fitting.


More pics later...I need a PC break

trails

I quite like them too

Granby

You removed the air con you wait till we have a really hot summer this year

Looking good though Ian

trails

thanks ian

well I'd split the pipes and lost all my gas when I pushed too hard on the fmic hard pipes so as its only a toy now thought I may as well go the whole hog and bin it..we shall see how I deal with those pod traffic jams this year

trails

the struts had been refurbished, used for a couple of thousand miles and then just left in a garage. So they were mechanically sound but looked a mess.



I set about cleaning them up; the dremel lasted all of 10mins so i switched to a drill and wire brush head. Quite pleased with the results, especially considering how bad the corrosion was on the bases.



I had to hand paint them with this toxic stuff, horrible to use but did the trick.


Two coats later; milk chocolate struts



After letting the paint go off for a couple of days I repainted them with a slightly less edible looking colour.



Not the best finish but much better than they were, ready to go

trails

Top mounts next...unfortunately I neglected to take any pictures before I cleaned them up. There was some corrosion on the bottom of both plates which needed finishing and protecting, so I decided to take them apart and do it properly


Prepared to paint


I re-assembled them after painting and was pleasantly suprised with the results

trails

Wishbones then...second hand as always so I cleaned them up...





Originally i was going to purchase an anti-lift kit but with all the adjustment from the top mounts and the struts I elected to retain the standard fittings and invest in uprated bushes. So, you guessed it; I cleaned up the originals


New bushes, off to Mocom (thanks for making time for me with no notice Zak), on Wednesday to remove the old ones and press fit these puppies

SUBARGIRL FAN CLUB

Hey - nice story Ian. Anyway - it's bloody quick!!!

Granby

Bloody quick sideways so i've heard

trails

thanks Keith I'm sure you will back me up when I say it was totally controlled and safe sideways

Daveo