lilredwagon

Nice! I didn't realize this thread existed! Here's my OBXT!

Thanks! They're 18x8.5 +40, but they're also available in +45 since you don't have the Outback flares. Tires are 245/45/18. Tirerack has them on a crazy sale right now.

^ Sweet! Those are similar to my new wheels, Enkei TS9:

Thanks! I'm already down that path - I picked up a set of calipers from the FS section, and am probably ordering the rotors/pads/SS lines/fluid/speedbleeders next week. Excited to get the braking taken care of. Also, I forgot to include my thoughts on the updated parts. Cosmo Racing coils - They're a bargain! And they work well. Well enough to get rid of my ignition stumble and occasional misfire CELs. The question is how long will they last, I guess we'll see. Incidentally, when I was changing the coils, I learned that the right side motor mount bolt was rounded. So that was a fun surprise. Rev9 turbo inlet - I've installed so many silicone turbo inlets on Subarus over the years when I used to work at a shop. They all do the same thing, but some are easier to install than others. Cheapie ebay inlets are always the easiest. But if you're running high boost (>23psi or so) put a couple hose clamps around the middle of it. IMO, there's no reason to spend $250+ for this part. Mine was $90 and it works just fine! Perrin throttle body hose - I had it, so I threw it on. It fits worse than the stock piece, and was an annoying install to make sure it was clocked correctly. If you don't have a problem with the stock piece, don't change it. VF52 - This was more of a diagnostic change than a mod. I gained maybe +50whp, and it cost just a couple hundred RPM in spool. So it was a positive change, but not a huge difference. You get used to it in a day, and it's just like driving the VF46. I changed it out because I thought my VF46 was making a noise at startup, but it turned out to be the starter motor, so I kept it on. Hogzaust mod - Two words: Hell. Yeah. I only really did this because I was pissed that the coils took so long. I was doing maintenance work and just wanted to do something that I would notice a difference. Turns out, it's not bad. It gurgles a little and never gets loud - no drone, which is good. Thinking about it more though, it DOES work to relieve pressure. I noticed a slight difference in spool and throttle response, so I tuned for it, and it allowed a tiny bit more power. Consistency is difficult with a road dyno, but averaging out the many different pulls, I'd say it may have added +5-7hp. Something in that range. Within the margin of error, but most of the runs were a tiny bit higher. Wheels/Tires - I'm very happy with them! The wheels were on sale at Tirerack for cheaper than STi takeoffs (I was looking for a set of '08-11 STi BBS). So they were a great buy. And they weigh ~21 lbs, so they're about as light as the STi BBS. Plus I would have had to run spacers with the STi wheels, which would add weight. I also like that they remind me of the old school Prodrive P1's but in a more favorable size. Overall, so far I'm really enjoying this car. I'm sticking with the budget build theme since I really can't justify dumping a ton of money into a car worth under $10K. Really looking forward to sorting out the brakes.

Time for an update to this thread: Since the last post: - Ignition coils (Cosmo Racing) - Silicon turbo inlet (Rev 9) - Silicon throttle body hose (Perrin) - VF52 - Tune - Hogzaust mod - Wheels (Enkei TS9 18x8.5 +40) - Tires (Pilot Sport A/S 3+ 245/45/18) - Maintenance items: cleaned PCV, oil change, fixed the AC, etc. Next up: - Bulletproof TMIC mod - Brakes - Continue working on all the dings and cosmetic stuff Pics: Reminder for why I bought the Outback in the first place. GF says, "Hey can you help me pick up some stuff from Lowes? It's just yard stuff." Sure, I said... It was a pallet of patio pavers (bricks)!: Dyno (322whp/315wtq on Virtual Dyno): Glamour shots with the new wheels: Perfect offset and width:

I'd buy a kit too!

Bumping this... Do you have any kits available?

Thanks! No rubbing issues - I'm still on stock wheels/tires. Details of my setup are here (JDM LGT Bilsteins): http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2008-outback-xt-big-louise-268872.html

Figured I'd update this thread. I've been working through some previous-owner gremlins. Things like the pile of dirt on the cabin air filter, and getting the AC running strong: In addition to that, I: - Refinished the headlight lenses and installed +100 halogen bulbs from candlepower.com. Huge difference! - Installed a Rev9 catted downpipe, so I could install my boost/AFR gauge. Nothing to show here, but I will mention that the cheapie downpipe didn't really fit. Well, it does fit, but they put the bellmouth piping too close to the holes on the flange by the turbo, so I can't get all of the nuts on. It's fine with 4 out of the 5 nuts holding it in place. When I have more time, I'll grind out some more room to get the last nut on. - Used some rubbing compound on the scratches to make them less noticeable. Yeah the dents are still there, and if someone were to look at it, they'd ask what the point was, considering that it's still dinged. But the car's new to me, so I'll do what I can to clean her up. - I put a tune on it, so it's running pretty strong on the VF-46. I never dynoed it fully stock, so my Virtual Dyno plots will just be for my own reference. I also don't know if I trust the road I'm on, but as long as I keep using the same road, it will show differences. So yes, slow progress, but these little details make all the difference! Finally, I washed her!: Next up on my list of things: - VF-52 install - Ignition coils - Turbo inlet (I already have the above parts, just don't have the time) Things I'm still on the lookout for: - Catback - Wheels - Intercooler - Tint (faded, purpling tint makes any car feel old and used up)

I've heard the "350hp requires 3" pipes" theory before. The thing is that it gets confusing when you have multiple pipes. Like the question about cars that come stock with 350hp, my guess is that they run dual pipes all the way back with a crossover pipe of some kind. So with dual pipes, do you just add the diameters of the multiple pipes? So two, 2.5" pipes would be roughly equivalent to a single 5" pipe? In our case, if we have a 2.5" pipe that splits to two 2.25" pipes at the end, but with very restrictive mufflers on it, then what would that equate to?

Nope - They are the original springs thatt came with the JDM LGT (Rev A) Bilsteins. I got them from a JDM importer who only had the listing as JDM Legacy GT Bilsteing Shocks/Springs. Most people who use these struts try to pair them with an aftermarket spring, but I'm just using what they came with. I hafve no idea if they were off a sedan or wagon.

HA, I've been following your build thread! Yours has been particularly helpful since our wagons are twinsies!

I just started a build thread, but here's my 2008 Outback XT on JDM LGT Bilsteins +1" Spacer:

I decided I'd share my new-to-me 2008 Outback XT. Maybe this thread can be helpful to someone in the future. I suppose you could consider this a build thread, but I'm really trying to not build it. I have a couple other track-prepped cars, so I'm trying to keep this one as a family truckster. Basically, it needs to function as a daily driver that sits in traffic well and can carry my family. That means no hard clutches, a catted exhaust, a soft suspension that I'm not tinkering with all the time, etc... I'll update this thread as I do stuff, along with my thoughts on the mods. But to kick it off, here's a pic of my drive home from picking her up: It's obviously not a glamour shot, but it's the only shot I have of my first day with her. Fast forward a couple weeks later and I finally got my tags! The day after I put my tags on, she went from this: To this: (Please excuse the dirty car - it doesn't seem to stop raining here lately!) The suspension is a set of stock JDM Legacy GT (Rev A) shocks/struts/springs (Bilstein). <-- That's the extent of what I know about them, I don't know if they were off a sedan or wagon. I wanted to post these pics because people don't seem to run the springs that come with these. Most of what I read are people getting a set of these for the shocks, but then trying to pair them with whatever aftermarket spring with mixed results. My thought was: "Well, why don't you just run the springs that the shocks were valved for?!?" I figured I'd at least give them a try before buying a set of aftermarket springs, and I'm glad I did. To go along with the suspension, I also changed the rear upper control arms to Legacy arms but kept the Outback bumpstops, and added SPC camber correcting lower control arms. I also added a 1" rear spacer to avoid a saggy butt. As far as my impression of the suspension, it works great! If these were a set of coilovers, I'd be thrilled with how "streetable" they are. Considering that they are an OEM part, they're just a little firm on the side streets, but totally smooth out on the highway. The good thing is that they have OEM levels of NVH! I guess I should have expected that, with them being (JDM) OEM, but my frame of reference was coilovers, and again, in that world, this suspension would be the smoothest, quietest set of coilovers out there. Best part is that they were about a grand cheaper than the mid-grade coilover I was considering.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/ultra-power,CMS80182,control+arm,10401 http://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/ultra-power,CMS80181,control+arm,10401 Nice!!! I don't know why that doesn't show up by searching based on the car, but there are the links! Thanks!

i looked it up by part number. Do you have a link? I'm not trying to bust anyone's balls, I'm just looking for dirt cheap control arms!

Where are you guys seeing them for $39? CarID has them for $116, and Rockauto has them for $100... https://www.carid.com/2005-subaru-legacy-suspension-parts/mevotech-control-arm-and-ball-joint-assembly-70107153.html http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6506952&cc=1440450&jsn=417

Thanks for the response! This gives me something to think about because if I don't have to buy LGT upper control arms and bump stops, then that closes the gap in price between coilovers and a good strut/spring combo. Thanks!

I just picked up an 08 with a 5MT!

So as far as the rear suspension, are you on the stock trailing arms? I ask because your rear tires don't look like they are pushed forward as much as other lowered Outbacks. Also, did you need to change to the LGT upper control arm/bumpstop, or do your coilovers have internal bumpstops? Thanks in advance! Your wagon looks great, I'm hoping mine will look as good when I get the suspension sorted!