WRX USA Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) I purchased a 2002 WRX in October of 2001, something I had been planning to do since Subaru announced a WRX finally coming to the US. At that time I chose 'WRX USA' as my user name and I have no affiliation with the Subaru parts place in SoCal (although I am sure he hates that I have the gmail account and the California license plate). After modding my bugeye for almost 12 years, I wanted a daily driver that didn't attract as much attention and allowed me to go camping, hiking and on more road trips more comfortably. My intention was to take it easy on mods on my OBXT and go crazy on my WRX. I still have the bugeye as of March 2024. I purchased my 2009 satin white pearl Outback XT back in July 2013. I had been looking for 4-5 months trying to find a one owner five speed that was well maintained. I was willing to drive 600+ miles to Portland or somewhere else in the northwest where I could actually find one of these from time to time. Searching on CL one came up 50 miles away and within minutes of it being listed I had it held until the following day when I could come for a test drive. I bought it that next day and picked it up three days later, after they replaced the windshield. It had 77K miles on it and it was a one owner car and that owner lived about 15 miles from me and they traded it in on a newer Outback. Even though I had planned not to do major mods, I already had an AP V2, a Prova Si knob and a STi Genome strut tower brace. I should have known at that point that I was going to completely fail on "taking it easy" on the mods. Here I am picking it up. How it looks now: Power IAG Stage 2 Tuff (#2476) - new OEM block - new OEM nitride coated crank - Cosworth 1431 pistons - IAG Spec H beam rods - ACL “H” STD HX main bearings - ACL “H” STD rod bearings - Manley piston rings ARP Head Stud Kit Blouch DOM1.5xtr 2.4” inlet and 8cm hotside Cobb SF intake and box Cobb Flex Fuel Kit with Fuel Pressure Monitoring kit Company 23 Anti-Surge EBCS AEM 340lph fuel pump relayed to 12v source -4 Fuel Return line Fluidampr crank pulley Fuelab Mini fuel pressure regulator 25-90psi Grimmspeed TMIC w/ black thermal dispersant coating Grimmspeed STi style hose for TMIC GSC Beehive Valve Springs w/ Titanium Retainer Valvetrain Kit GSC Power-Division Stainless Steel Exhaust Valves, 32mm GSC Power-Division Stainless Steel Intake Valves, 36mm IAG TGV Deletes (black) IAG fuel rails anodized black IAG fuel lines with STi FPR IAG AOS in black IAG air pump delete ID1000's IP&T V1 Filtered Oil Feed Kit Killer B Motorsport High Flow Water Pump Housing (WPH) Killer B Motorsport High Performance Oil Pan (EJ25Pan) Killer B Motorsport Ultimate Oil Pickup (070-110) Killer B Motorsport Oil Baffle Windage Tray (EJWT) Killer B Holy Header with EWG V-Band Uppipe, Swaintech Coated Koyo aluminum radiator Perrin 2.4" black silicone turbo inlet Prova Air Intake Guide Samco ancillary, radiator and oil cooler lines STi 11mm Oil pump Subaru OEM water pump Tial MV-S 38mm EWG in Black rerouted into downpipe Tomei Poncams Tomei Timing Belt Guide TurboSmart BPV Transmission/Driveline SpecB 6MT (swapped at 114,850 miles with 63,500 miles on driveline swap) SpecB Driveshaft SpecB R180 Rear Diff SpecB Front/Rear Axles SpecB Aluminum R180 Rear Diff Mount SpecB Clutch Slave Cylinder SpecB Shift Linkage Cobb Double Adjustable Short Throw Shifter GroupN Transmission Mount Cobb Front and Rear Shifter bushings TiC transmission crossmember bushings (1001-01-0025) Suspension JDM Outback Bilstein Tuned Suspension (BTS-5056J) SpecB top hats (20320AG01A) SpecB dust cap (20326AG000) JDM rear shock perch (20370AG010) JDM rear rubber upper (20375AE011) STi flexible front tower brace (ST2050221010) STi flexible lower arm bar (ST2051221010) STi front support kit (ST20106ZR000) http://www.sti.jp/spp/01/index.html http://www.sti.jp/spp/03/index.html STi S402 flexible rear arm bar and matching floor board (ST2050321020/ST9506521010) http://www.emotion-fuk.com/sti.htm Whiteline 22mm front sway bar with lateral locks (BSF30Z) Whiteline front end links (KLC32) Whiteline 20mm rear sway bar with lateral locks (BSR39Z) Whiteline rear end links (KLC144) AVO HD rear sway bar mounts braces (S1104M1HT001T) SpecB front aluminum control arms (polished and clear powdercoated) Whiteline lower inner front bushing (W0508) Whiteline lower inner rear bushing (anti-lift/caster correction) (KCA334) Whiteline front roll center/bump steer - correction kit (KCA313) SpecB rear upper aluminum lateral links (polished and clear powdercoated) Whiteline upper inner bushing (W63396) Whiteline upper outer bushing (camber correction) (KCA399) SpecB Rear Aluminum Trailing Arms (polished and clear powdercoated) Whiteline lower front bushing (W63398) Whiteline lower rear outer bushing (W63394) Cusco HD sway bar end link brackets (684316A, powdercoated gunmetal) Whiteline adjustable rear lower front and rear lateral links (KTA124) Whiteline rear control arm - lock bolt kit (toe correction) (KCA307) Whiteline front steering - rack & pinion mount bushing (KSR207) Cusco steering rack brace (692026ALHD, powdercoated gunmetal) Perrin Steering Dampener Lockdown (PSP-SUS-565) SpecB Steering Rack Wheels/Lugs/Tires Summers- Enkei Raijin wheels, 18x8" gunmetal Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 235/45ZR/18 Winters- Subaru 2004 STi BBS wheels, 17x7.5" (powdercoated gunmetal) Continental ExtemeContact DWS06 tires, 225/55ZR/17 (installed 11/7/15) Spares- Subaru JDM V7 STi wheels, 17x7.5" +53 (powdercoated gunmetal) STi/McGuard black locking lug nuts (ST28170ST020) STi/McGuard security lock nut set (ST28170ST060) Brakes 04 STi Brembos (rebuilt and powdercoated white with gunmetal logos) DBA T2 front rotors (DBA4654S-10) DBA T3 rear "adapter" rotors (DBA4655S-10) Technafit rear stainless steel lines (SUB-1125CL) Stoptech front stainless steel lines KNS Brakes rear Legacy Brembo swap stainless lines (bSWAP-100 Clear) KNS Brakes v1.1 rear Brembo adapter brackets (KNS-005) Porterfield R4S front brake pads (AP1001-R4S) Porterfield R4S rear brake pads (AP961-R4S) Motul M550 brake fluid Grimmspeed master cylinder brace (091029) Interior/Convenience JDM STi/Recaro passenger’s seat with side impact airbag (mounted in USDM drivers position and modified with OEM seat heating element) JDM STi/Recaro driver’s seat with side impact airbag (mounted in USDM passengers position and retrofitted with USDM OEM Occupany Detection system and modified with OEM seat heating element) EDM facelift center console swap STi parking brake lever WC Lathewerks Titanium reverse lockout, shift boot retainer, and parking brake button WRX dead pedal WRX drive-by-wire accelerator pedal WRX clutch and brake pedal Prova yellow wide view rear view mirror (90130IT0020) Prova Si-Drive selector knob, black (90000IP0100) DAMD steering wheel, round, black leather with black stitching (SS358S-2) Prova shift knob (94000MS0011) Subaru JDM dual center console Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX Infinity Reference 6500CX 6.5”+ front door speakers Alpine tweeter panel (KTX-F01LE) Infinity Reference 6032CF 6.5" rear door speakers (with adapters from phenryiv1) Subaru JDM Tuned by STi doorcards with Alcantara Subaru JDM double DIN/dual climate control panels (H6217AG911) Subaru JDM Hazard Switch (83037AG001) Subaru JDM Clean Box Subaru JDM rear bumper luggage cover (E1017AG000) Subaru JDM STi door sills (ST5802021000) Subaru JDM Alcantara covered center armrest Subaru JDM rear all-weather cargo mat (J5017AG360) Subaru JDM SpecB reclining rear seat with cup holders in armrest (perf’d black Alcantara/leather) Subaru JDM rear trim pieces (with slots for reclining seat) Subaru JDM rear seat belt guides (for reclining seats) Subaru JDM reclining rear seat brackets Subaru JDM black D pillars and rear gate window surround Subaru JDM rear cargo cover/tonneau (for reclining rear seats) Subaru OEM side and middle cargo nets SpecB Shifter Trim STi/Defi Performance Gauge Pack (Boost/Oil Pressure/Oil Temp) Dynamat Xtreme and 1/2" Dynaliner on all 4 doors Dynamat Xtreme in spare wheel well All interior lights converted to LED All black trunk floor (w/S402 specific floor board) Exterior Subaru JDM Outback D-F Bumper Subaru JDM Outback bumper beam with lines for washer headlights Subaru JDM Outback D-F Bumper Skirts (E2417AG090) Subaru JDM S402 Grille (from #241) ZeroSports Carbon Fiber Grille with badge Subaru JDM Outback Grille Subaru JDM S402 HID Washer Headlights (with LED turn and city lights) Subaru JDM Outback D-F Foglights Subaru JDM Outback Fenders Subaru JDM Outback Flares Subaru JDM Outback Fender Liners Subaru USDM Aluminum hood Subaru USDM Hood Scoop Subaru JDM Outback rear bumper Subaru USDM Legacy GT rear bumper beam Liberal wagon spoiler Liberal under panel Subaru JDM waist spoiler (E7217AG010) Subaru JDM power folding/heated side mirrors Subaru JDM mirror garnishes (J1017AG070) Subaru JDM S402 side aero panels Subaru JDM rain visors (E3617AG010) Valenti full LED taillights (SB1101-C5W-R) TapTurn w/Strobepack module Debadged rear hatch Prova Yellow wide view side mirrors (90130IT0010) Diode Dynamics LED fog lights (6000K) Diode Dynamics LED reverse lights Diode Dynamics LED switchback turn signals (amber/6000K) K2 Twin Tube LED mirror turn signals Primitive skid plate Engine Bay/Dressup Prova Carbon Intake Duct (50130TR0000) Prova Air Intake Guide (81130FD0190) SuperStik oil dipstick Syms Brake Master Cylinder Cover Grimmspeed ceramic-coated turbo heatshield (092002) Subaru JDM accessory engine bay covers (46112AG000) Prova oil cap (94000MS0110) Subtle Solutions alternator cover GroupN Motor Mounts Exhaust Maddad Catted Downpipe Nameless Performance mid-pipe JDM Prodrive wagon-specific mufflers Wheel/Brake/Suspension: Front Suspension: Rear Suspension: STi S402 Flexible Rear Arm Bar (and all black trunk floor) Engine Bay: JDM Valenti Tails and Rear Garnish Prova Mirrors and K2 Twin Tube LEDs Interior: This is just my first attempt at getting this started and there will be many edits to this original post and updates and more pics along the way. Edited March 22 by WRX USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) Edited April 3 by WRX USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 Reserved 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 Reserved 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 nice lookign wagon Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leviman Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Nice! How does the grimmspeed cooler fit with the LGT hood scoop ducting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightmaresmk Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) Nice! How does the grimmspeed cooler fit with the LGT hood scoop ducting? It fits but there is a gap at the front edge, because of the drivetrain being lower within the body than an LGT. This is the best place for info on GS TMIC (http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/grimmspeed-08-wrx-lgt-top-mount-intercooler-interesti-212367.html). Especially the last few pages, after people have received them. Edited May 20, 2015 by WRX USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelvrick Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Very nice. A few questions, if you don't mind. Are you still running 225/55/17 tires? Also, are you considering blacking out your headlights or going black around the grill instead of the white surround? Did you do all the dynamat at once? I'm wondering if you felt the doors or the spare tire well made more of a difference? I was considering doing the four footwells and the spare tire well and thought I'd ask you how much of a difference you thought the doors would make. My Outback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) Kelvrick said: Very nice. A few questions, if you don't mind. Thanks! Quote Are you still running 225/55/17 tires? Yes, I am still running the 225/55/17 Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires that the car came with but these will be replaced with higher performance tires soon. Quote Also, are you considering blacking out your headlights or going black around the grill instead of the white surround? I'm not sure how obvious it was from my previous pics but I have wrapped the surround of the grille in matching vinyl, the "wings" in the middle are gloss black, and the Subaru badge is satin white on gloss black. I have no plans to change the grille but I do have another set of headlights that I plan on doing an HID retrofit on and clearing the corners. I am not decided on how much (if at all) I want to black them out. Quote Did you do all the dynamat at once? I'm wondering if you felt the doors or the spare tire well made more of a difference? I was considering doing the four footwells and the spare tire well and thought I'd ask you how much of a difference you thought the doors would make. Yes, I did do all of it at the same time. The doors makes the door speakers sound much better and it seems like there is less road noise. I am not 100% convinced that Dynamat that I did in the trunk did anything. Edited February 24, 2023 by WRX USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelvrick Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Thanks for the response. I did notice the changes you already did and was referring to the surround that you vinyled white. Just in case you haven't seen, Heffernan has a similar grill, but with the surround in black. http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5140992&postcount=1052 I'm jealous of your suspension and brembos. My Outback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 Thanks for the response. I did notice the changes you already did and was referring to the surround that you vinyled white. Just in case you haven't seen, Heffernan has a similar grill, but with the surround in black. http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5140992&postcount=1052 I'm jealous of your suspension and brembos. I'm not sure if I have seen Heffernan's grille before and that is what my original plan was. I like the white on the surround but I might change things up when I retrofit the headlights. I really wish Subaru didn't give the US a completely different grille than Japan, for the facelift, because that would make my life much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted May 22, 2015 Author Share Posted May 22, 2015 (edited) Got this today: I plan on getting Whispbars tomorrow. Edited February 24, 2023 by WRX USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaitanium Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 (edited) i think this is the first time me seeing your car! NICEE. One day Ill see ya in person. Do the control arms make much diff for everyday driving? So nice looking and theres so much that can be done to spruce up the OB suspension! Its really the only thing i dont like about the car. Edited May 27, 2015 by kaitanium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted May 27, 2015 Author Share Posted May 27, 2015 i think this is the first time me seeing your car! NICEE. One day Ill see ya in person. Do the control arms make much diff for everyday driving? So nice looking and theres so much that can be done to spruce up the OB suspension! Its really the only thing i dont like about the car. It's hard to quantify how much of an improvement the aluminum arms made because I replaced all of the bushings at the same time, but even if they don't they sure do look good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Ridiculous mod list - beautiful car! Do you use the ride height, or are there plans to go low? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJMC Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Love the car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmpequeno Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Nice car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 Ridiculous mod list - beautiful car! Do you use the ride height, or are there plans to go low? I use the ride height on road trips and camping, and that is why I opted for the JDM Outback Bilstein's so I could have the heigth and the best possible ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightmaresmk Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Being able to fit under the car to check it out with out ramps is nice too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) It has been a while since I have updated this thread. I am now almost at 107K miles. I did the 105K service and installed the Gates Racing Timing Belt, Tomei Timing Belt Guide and Killer B Water Pump Housing at the same time. Since then I have installed the Perrin Steering Dampener Lockdown (http://perrinperformance.com/i-22342620-steering-dampener-lockdown.html) and Group-N transmission mount. http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/JoshEAllen/9FCAE791-FCC6-41C2-909F-62AEF9C84697.jpg Edited December 10, 2015 by WRX USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdmcargirl Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Love the outback, absolutely fantastic build. But God I love your wrx [emoji7] the morette lights look fierce. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) I have been amassing parts for some time now. I am planning both a power upgrade and an aesthetic change. I'll provide more details this week when I get a large shipment but I am pretty sure no one has done this in the US. In the mean time, I got these mirror finishers/garnishes yesterday (J1017AG070) http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/JoshEAllen/C6FBB97D-0AA8-4494-A7D0-6F243FCB418F.jpg Edited April 17, 2016 by WRX USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heffernan Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Since then I have installed the Perrin Steering Dampener Lockdown (http://perrinperformance.com/i-22342620-steering-dampener-lockdown.html) and Group-N transmission mount. http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/JoshEAllen/9FCAE791-FCC6-41C2-909F-62AEF9C84697.jpg Any noticeable improvement with the Perrin lockdown installed? I was looking to do the same mod but wasn't sure if it was worth the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 I have been amassing parts for some time now. I am planning both a power upgrade and an aesthetic change. I'll provide more details this week when I get a large shipment but I am pretty sure no one has done this in the US. In the mean time, I got these mirror finishers/garnishes yesterday (J1017AG070) http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/JoshEAllen/C6FBB97D-0AA8-4494-A7D0-6F243FCB418F.jpg How much did you pay, if you don't mind? I have a garnet red pair that I don't intend to use. The Crimson Dynamo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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