Underdog

Nope, I was stuck in traffic on Rt.2 near exit 30... I hate that area during rush hour. GRP wagon heading west on rt.2 this morning, west of 495. Probably 7:45ish...

Yup, that's right, I'm bumping this thread. I have and have always had the gap on the passenger side and have tried all of the fixes to no avail. The only thing I didn't try was having the dealer replace the side trim part because it seems to come back every time for other people. Recently I've had the shifter surround plate out to troubleshoot a particularly obnoxious rattle (seems to be from the driver side panel and trim) and I've noticed there is a gap between the floor liner and the passenger side panel (the one that is supposed to get replaced to fix the problem). When I push firmly on the panel to close up the gap with the floor, the gap between the shifter surround and HVAC/radio surround closes. When I take the pressure off the panel, both gaps open back up. I think the panel needs reinforcement to hold it's original shape. I was thinking of making a jig to hold the panel in place and then adding ribs to stiffen the panel so that it doesn't deform again. I will need to study it more closely to determine if that will be a good fix.

^ Bump for the pic. LCA's showed up and assuming the packaging Ken sent them in was original, they match up with the part numbers Opie listed in post 118. There are a few surface nicks near the ball joints but otherwise they seem to be in great shape. LH weighed in at 6lbs 4.2oz, RH was 6lbs 6.4oz. This is including the ball joints and bushings. I wonder if it is worth throwing in new ball joints while I have them off the car. Oh and these came with AVO caster bushings pressed in, hopefully they dont need to be pressed out and back in for differences between the cars. Gonna call a local dealer for prices on the rear components.

Christmas Day - 2 GRP sedans going eastbound on Rt.2, west of Gardner. One had a spoiler, the other didn't. Probably around 12-12:30pm. This morning, going south on 495 around exit 30. GRP Sedan, no spoiler. Probably around 8-8:15am. I haven't seen so many GRP's since I joined the board!

Yup, I got the concept but I can't picture the brace so I was thinking it was part of the wheel/axle assembly which would make it unsprung. If it is truly a reinforcement brace I will probably hold-off on that part until I did the cusco stuff. The arms/links/springs/struts/etc is expensive enough for round 1. I am going to try and source all the parts through K.O.P. and will report back with my complete list.

I need to get some vaca pix from '06... it would make things so clear. May have to look into that today as I have s#!t else to do. Is the rear diff support part of the unsprung weight? If it is steel or JDM only I may pass on it, unless it's really beneficial.

That should suppress some of the jumpy feeling in the rear of stock suspended vehicles. Someday I can enhance that further with lightweight wheels, but not while driving in Massachusetts, that's for sure. Srsimon, yes, I recall an arm that braces the rear as well. If the price is not outrageous, I would just as soon replace all applicable parts while I'm under there. Eventually I'd like to put in the cusco rear lower braces as well.

Wow! I didn't realize the upgrade parts were iron->aluminum... that's a world better than steel->aluminum. I just bought the LCA's used from Legacy_Otaku and will look into buying the above components for my BHD/Swifts build. Thanks!

Can't see the pic... *edit* Pic is there.. By the way, would you happen to have an answer to my question (above)? From what I vaguely remember, it's really only the control arms and trailing arms that were unique to the '06(+?) Spec. B's. The forward and upper lateral links, I think, were the same as the base GT and would be better upgraded to perrin/sti/etc pillowball links, with the usual trade-offs.

Looks like the rear forward lateral link and control arms are different numbers from the old list. I'm still left wondering how these match up against the regular GT components.

Opie, can you verify the P/N's for the Aluminum Spec. B suspension bits that are unique. Working from the list in the OP, I asked The K.O.P. to verify and this was their response: How do you interpret this? I thought everything but a few of the rear links was different (aluminum) for the Spec.B but this seems to say almost the complete opposite.

GRP wagon heading westbound on Rt. 2 between 495 and 190 @ 7:45ish this AM. I think you waved but I was still in shock to see you and didn't react until we passed each other.

I spotted you at TDC's dyno day! Nice looking car... someone is going to get a great deal.

What's with all the cabin noise when I'm going double the posted highway speed limit? WTF SUBARU?!?!?!?!??!1 Crappy gas mileage too...

Are you effing serious?

Tinted ABP sedan with HIDs, blank mesh grille, CBE and a "Linus" sticker on 2W yesterday (between 495 and 190) around 5:30. You waved when I pulled up next to you... who are you?

Yesterday evening, around 5pm on 495S between Rt. 4 and Rt.2 I saw an ABP GT sedan w/ headlight work and a badgeless grille. You were driving so slow I didn't get a chance to take a better look.

B.Dagwood: Thanks! Let me know when you are planning some mods... IWSS: Maybe once the suspension, brakes and powertrain mods are done... Lowering as a result of suspension mods and maybe a bumper swap if I'm feeling crazy. Those are the only other cosmetic mods I'll consider for the forseable future. (I have stanza eyelids waiting to go on the car, so those don't count.) For the brakes I'm looking at the Mach V kit... DBA slotted rotors, hawk pads, fluid & ss lines. The suspension is tougher... there are a lot of variables to consider just in the mechanical aspects, nevermind balancing my goals/money/timeframe.

Tint is 45% Sun Tek Carbon. Service was performed by Tint King in Billerica, MA. There is some very minor haze that is expected to disappear in the near future as it cures. I could have gone with 35% but wanted to avoid inspection headaches down the road. I'll be struggling with suspension and brake decisions for the next few months while the nest-egg grows. Stay tuned.

Yesterday (Easter), chick in a SWP LGT Sedan with tint & hood protector going south with me on 24 through bridgewater, etc... around 10:45-11am Also saw a tinted OBP sedan going the opposite direction on 24 in the high speed lane. I waved, you were on your cell phone.

Waiting for the elusive "last snow" before I put on the new Tarmac2's with Toyo T1-R tires 225/40-18. Wheels: $600 from MachV Tires: $987 from Direct tire. This price was $170 more than if I had bought the tires online and had them installed by a competent tech on good equipment. However, they offer free balance, rotation, alignment check and flat repair for the life of the tire. It also covers all road-hazard damage 100% for the next three years. To top it off, they can handle a claim the same day since these tires are always in stock... I will also be putting in a Cobb DA STS, tinting the car and painting the calipers in the next few weeks. Waxed the car finally when it was warm enough. Using NXT for the transitional months and switching to Wolfgang in the summer. Caught a pic with a rainbow reflecting in the hood... of course it rained a few mins later!

OK, I bite... who was the silver gt that raced up next to me as I dropped off 128S onto Trapelo Rd around 4:45ish. I regretted no continuing on till rt. 20 or 16. What was your badge? I only caught a glimpse as I exited... Nice tint too, what %? oh well... that's my regular commute so I'll be on the lookout.

A chop with the wheels I’m looking at (Rota Tarmac II) and the original posted below... Oh, and my new plates! As always, thanks for looking...

Gah! I was on 495N to rt. 4 this morning and didn't see anyone! Yesterday I saw like 3-4 legacies and flashed hi-beams and waved to all... no response.