Project: Puddles

[theDiabolicaL1]

http://i.imgur.com/BH0Lt0B.jpg

 

...so named for the puddles of fluids she leaves where ever she goes. I bought this wagon with some maintenance issues that had been... lets say, deferred.

 

My wagon has spent the last few weeks on stands in the shop, torn apart. It needed brakes in the worst way when I bought it, l'odeur de coolant that I presumed came from a failing coolant hose just above the turbo and a few other aesthetic type things. Mostly, the re-clearing of the yellowed, heavily oxidezed headlights. I also had a front lip delivered, but I'm waiting to put it on until the roads are good again.

 

I'm pretty new here. This is my first Subaru. I've owned something like 40 cars previous to this one but I think this is my favourite. Performance and versatility in one neat, perfectly proportioned package. Pretty amazing machine.

 

So, first on the upgrade list--brakes. I opted for the following:

 

• Stoptech Slotted Rotors (for the aesthetics)
  
• Hawk HPS 5.0
  
• Stoptech Stainless Brake lines
  

After getting everything apart, I found the fluid inside the calipers chunky and jet black, appearing to have never been changed. The boots on the pistons were also destroyed. Since I was forced to order new calipers, I decided to paint them before they went on. I felt red paint on the calipers would have been too ostentatious for a silver car so I opted for gold paint instead.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/5At1Uli.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nYkPREg.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

I'm very impressed with this combo. I think the pads are still wearing and things are still mating up to each other but I'm blown away by the differences in stopping performance. I was worried the Hawk HPS 5.0 pads would be noisy as some people had reported but they're quiet on my car. The brake pedal is very firm now and the feel of the brake and ease of modulation is greatly improved.

 

 

 

While I was digging around in there, I located the source of a clunk in the front end that I noticed when going over speed bumps--the end links and front sway bar bushings were shot. I picked up some Energy Suspension Bushings and Whiteline endlinks. Probably the single best modification to the car. It's never felt more planted than it does now. Feels like a different car.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/nrqqGBd.jpg

 

 

Since I took the headlights out of the car to refinish them, and the bumper needed to come off anyways, I decided it would be a good time to upgrade the lights on the car. The bulbs that were in it were fine, but standard halogen color. One of the fog lights was burned out though and since I was already there, I opted for LEDs. 2nd generation, ballast-less LEDs, that is. 6000k headlights, 3000k foglights. I think the color combo is kinda sexy..

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/bnEEZiN.jpg

 

 

Trying to capture for you guys what the headlights look like as you sit in the car, driving, was a bitch...

 

 

 

6000k Headlights only:

http://i.imgur.com/a3Ux2Cb.jpg

 

 

6000k Headlights and 3000k Foglights:

http://i.imgur.com/hxWoGn7.jpg

 

 

Nevermind the speeds!

 

 

While I was digging around in there and waiting for parts, I managed to get the failing hose above the turbo replaced, a coolant fluid flush, the turbo oil line banjo bolt filter removed, and a oil change w/ Rotella t6 5w-40. The previous owner ran Mobil1 and when I drained it, it came out the consistency of water.

 

 

Thanks to an error in Rockauto's catalog, I received the wrong parts to replace the weepy front axle seal that's the main culprit behind Puddles leaving puddles everywhere but the fluid will be replaced with a motul300/smurfs blood cocktail after I get the seal and axle back in.

 

 

I'm trying to figure out where to go from here with upgrades. I'm thinking a tune is in order. I have a invidia up-pipe ready to go in but need a downpipe before stage two (right?). The car came with a cobb intake and magnaflow cat back (sounds ******* great too!) It seems getting off the stock tune is pretty high on the recommended list, but for reasons I don't yet understand. I'd love to get your thoughts on it.

[Max Capacity]

The stock tune will/can burn valves or break ringlands.

For your tune contact www.tuningalliance.com Mike is one of the best if not the best. They also have good prices on parts.

 

If your tranny shifts fine just go with 3.8 qts of Motul 300, You need a 70 torx to get the plug out. Make sure the plug is in good shape, I stopping by the dealers tonight on the way home to pick up a new plug and gasket.

 

 

Before you buy anything for the car, ask us first.

 

Oh head light's check out the sticky on the top of the exterior forum in the Tech forums. Candlepower.com

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/daniel-stern-lighting-and-subaru-headlight-options-45991.html

[theDiabolicaL1]

Thanks for the advice on the tune. I'm not sure I'm ready or willing to spend 6 bills on a tuner. I mean, I'm not opposed, but, if I can achieve the same thing, cheaper, I'd rather. Are there any DIY options that I could explore? I really don't know much about it.

 

I added my light pics to the thread you posted, thanks.

[battelready]

Thanks for the advice on the tune. I'm not sure I'm ready or willing to spend 6 bills on a tuner. I mean, I'm not opposed, but, if I can achieve the same thing, cheaper, I'd rather. Are there any DIY options that I could explore? I really don't know much about it.

 

I added my light pics to the thread you posted, thanks.

 

You can get a e-tune which is way cheaper.

[seanyb505]

My etune with Tuning Alliance:

-$120 tactrix plug (some say cable, but the cable portion is just a USB cable)

-Laptop

-Download Romraider (google)

-Download ECUFlash (google)

- http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/complete-beginners-guide-e-tuning-vendor-and-vag-com-cable-158118.html

-Other threads in the Tuning section of this site

-Communications with Tuning Alliance

-Pay for Tuning Alliance Tune ($ depends on your goal and setup, I think it starts around $200.)

 

Total for me was $345. Freaking awesome price for a tune from someone that offers the kind of revision support to their customers and this site the way they do.

 

Edit: Go to stock intake if you can. Have seen/read/heard bad things about running aftermarket intake with stock tune.

 

Car looks great otherwise, welcome!

[Mike07LGT]

Thanks for the advice on the tune. I'm not sure I'm ready or willing to spend 6 bills on a tuner. I mean, I'm not opposed, but, if I can achieve the same thing, cheaper, I'd rather. Are there any DIY options that I could explore? I really don't know much about it.

 

I added my light pics to the thread you posted, thanks.

 

If you have the cables or an accessport you can get an etune done for around $150 which is like a diy except you send the logs to the tuner and he revises them and sends them back. The process is easy and well worth it in my opinion

[theDiabolicaL1]

My etune with Tuning Alliance:

-$120 tactrix plug (some say cable, but the cable portion is just a USB cable)

-Laptop

-Download Romraider (google)

-Download ECUFlash (google)

- http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/complete-beginners-guide-e-tuning-vendor-and-vag-com-cable-158118.html

-Other threads in the Tuning section of this site

-Communications with Tuning Alliance

-Pay for Tuning Alliance Tune ($ depends on your goal and setup, I think it starts around $200.)

 

Total for me was $345. Freaking awesome price for a tune from someone that offers the kind of revision support to their customers and this site the way they do.

 

Edit: Go to stock intake if you can. Have seen/read/heard bad things about running aftermarket intake with stock tune.

 

Car looks great otherwise, welcome!

 

I was surprised to plug the Micro-Can VCDS cable I use on my wifes VW TDI in to the Subaru port and see that not only did it fit, the friggin light came on. Sweet! This is what I needed. I'll definitely look into tuning alliance!

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the stock intake. Thanks!