darkstarxi's '07 spec.B Project

[darkstarxi]

Installed a modified GrimmSpeed radiator shroud w/ P2R poly upper radiator bushings made for Hondas pressed into it.

After pressing bushings in, and hacking it up to fit snorkel:

With snorkel installed:

Got a custom alignment:

Contacted Tuning Alliance about an e-tune but he apparently doesn't do Accessport tunes anymore. Asked the guy who did my alignment if he could recommend anyone local. He recommended TurboTime in Sanford, NC, Insomnia Motorsports in Cary, NC, & National Speed in Wilmington, NC.

I've previously had my car tuned at TurboTime and almost refuse to go back to them because I don't like the way they conduct business, Insomnia is temporarily closed for whatever reason, and I had my eyes on National Speed after Tuning Alliance didn't work out, but it's about two hours away.

I reached out to National Speed to get the ball rolling but am happy to hear if anyone on the forum has any recommendations for other highly regarded e-tuners who'll tune via Accessport or for anyone highly regarded and local to the Raleigh, NC area who'll tune via Accessport.

Edited September 3, 2023 by darkstarxi

[darkstarxi]

Added some of the same stuff I used on my air intake box and my skid plate to the cut edges of the radiator shroud to clean it up and maybe make it work more effectively + bored out the holes in the shroud and the radiator support for the snorkel clips to fit bigger clips...

Hoping to hear back from National Speed tomorrow or some time this week...

[darkstarxi]

Forget National Speed in Wilmington, NC.
Forget TurboTime in Sanford, NC.
Forget everyone anywhere near my current residence.

Going with CryoTune Performance for e-tuning. May get a dyno tune in the future but not impressed by any of the clowns locally so e-tuning for now. I received my base map from Dave @ Cryotune and plan on taking the car out later to get logs for him. Very excited to have a tune from someone who isn't a clown.

Also bought and installed a used STi flexible front strut tower bar.

[darkstarxi]

Slowly working through the e-tuning process w/ Dave @ Cryotune.

When that's finally done, I plan to install the Techna-Fit Front & Rear Stainless Steel Brake Lines that I've had sitting on my bench for awhile and the STi Group-N Motor Mounts that I finally committed to yesterday to add to the already installed STi Group-N trans mount & pitch stop mount.

Then all that's left is:

- Potentially dyno tune when the time is right
- Exedy (15803HD) Stage 1 HD Clutch Kit & Subaru OE (12310AA410) 2004-2021 STi Single Mass Flywheel + replace rear main seal & separator plate at same time when the clutch needs replacing
- Subaru OE (34110VA121) 2015-2017 STi 13:1 Steering Rack when the rack leak gets bad enough to warrant it
- Full size spare when I come upon one for a reasonable price

Edited September 30, 2023 by darkstarxi

[Febreze Mee]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:51 PM, darkstarxi said:

Slowly working through the e-tuning process w/ Dave @ Cryotune.

When that's finally done, I plan to install the Techna-Fit Front & Rear Stainless Steel Brake Lines that I've had sitting on my bench for awhile and the STi Group-N Motor Mounts that I finally committed to yesterday to add to the already installed STi Group-N trans mount & pitch stop mount.

Then all that's left is:

- Potentially dyno tune when the time is right
- Exedy (15803HD) Stage 1 HD Clutch Kit & Subaru OE (12310AA410) 2004-2021 STi Single Mass Flywheel + replace rear main seal & separator plate at same time when the clutch needs replacing
- Subaru OE (34110VA121) 2015-2017 STi 13:1 Steering Rack when the rack leak gets bad enough to warrant it
- Full size spare when I come upon one for a reasonable price

Man! This all sounds so wonderful. I cannot wait to hear your impressions of the STi rack when you do get it. I have very similar modifications made to include the STi trans mount, and Techna-Fit lines. I also have a spare RPF1 for five total RPF1s. Love it!

[SoobyDoobyDoo]

Shame you had to back up that grimmspeed rad support plate but I get it…still looks good, like it could have come that way. That’s one reason I didn’t get one so I could still run the snorkel. Glad someone’s helping you out with the tuning, I’d much prefer a dyno tune but seems like any decent shops are coming few and far between, esp for/with AP tunes anymore.

[darkstarxi]

Seems I cracked the flex section in my OE uppipe doing 2nd & 3rd gear pulls while getting logs for e-tuning. Ordered a COBB Stainless Steel 2" Uppipe to replace it (sans flex section this time) and all new gaskets for the many flanges that need new gaskets for the job.

New vs. Old:

Also figured this is an excellent opportunity to install the STi Group-N Motor Mounts that I had sitting on my workbench, as a) I'm in there already and b) they will significantly reduce drivetrain movement, hopefully preventing damage to the new uppipe and reducing the need for a flex section in it.

New motor mounts installed:

The rest of the gaskets I'm waiting for should arrive tomorrow and I hope to get everything back together tomorrow or the next day and then resume the tuning process.

[darkstarxi]

Got everything back together last night. Going to smoke test the exhaust and give everything a once-over today before taking it out to get more Accessport logs for Cryotune.

Beefy header flange, beefy header>uppipe gasket, beefy uppipe flange:

Edited October 17, 2023 by darkstarxi

[SoobyDoobyDoo]

Holy beefy exhaust flanges Batman! What kind of headers are you running? How was installing the motor mounts? Probably not a bad idea to install since mine are 18 yo originals…

[darkstarxi]

3 minutes ago, SoobyDoobyDoo said:

Holy beefy exhaust flanges Batman! What kind of headers are you running? How was installing the motor mounts? Probably not a bad idea to install since mine are 18 yo originals…

CNT equal length header. Installing the motor mounts was kind of a bitch but not too bad - about in line with how bad everyone makes it sound.

[darkstarxi]

Still slowly working through the tuning process. Having an issue with it taking a bunch of attempts at turning over before it finally does. Hoping for another map revision today.

Used the Accessport to adjust my idle speed +100 RPM in the meantime to smooth out the idle and see if it would help with turning over, but it didn't. Definitely helped with the idle though.

[darkstarxi]

Still working through the tuning process - been a lot of delays, mostly caused by me - mechanical issues, work travel, etc. No complaints about Cryotune.

Restored my headlights w/ CERAKOTE Ceramic Headlight Restoration Kit...

Driver's side before vs. after:

Passenger's side before vs. after:

Replaced MAF sensor w/ new OE and found/repaired some intake/boost leaks...

Broke and replaced my windshield washer fluid reservoir cap while leaning over it hunting intake/boost leaks...

Absent-mindedly f*cked up my front passenger's side door while pushing the car in the garage after I let the battery die. Bent the door and chipped off a bunch of paint. My half-assed good enough repair attempt included bending it back and touching up the paint. I don't think you can even tell unless you're looking for it or close to it:

Trying to figure out what's going on with this issue with turning over. Also trying to figure out why I can never seem to get rid of my exhaust leaks permanently - I plan on using red RTV next time the exhaust has to come apart to hopefully fix them once and for all.

[darkstarxi]

Got the cold start / cranking issue worked out! Happy Thanksgiving, all!

[darkstarxi]

Got another tune revision from Cryotune and took the car out to get logs. My TPMS light was on because of the change in weather so I inflated all of the tires back to where they should be.

Took advantage of GrimmSpeed's Black Friday sale + got some gasket maker for exhaust flanges/slip joints.

New GrimmSpeed 1.3 bar radiator cap installed on the coolant expansion tank to replace the OE 1.1 bar cap.

Like I said in my last post here, next time I have a good reason to remove the whole exhaust system, I'll install all new gaskets (again) & use the red RTV pictured above to hopefully get a well-sealed exhaust system.

Also just updated my my mod on the first post so it reflects what's currently done, in progress, and planned for the future.

Edited December 1, 2023 by darkstarxi

[darkstarxi]

Ordered the parts necessary to have a full size spare tire setup from eBay & RockAuto. $323.39 + the cost of mounting and balancing for a like new OE refurbished wheel, a lightly used tire that matches my other four exactly, and a new TPMS sensor that also matches my other four exactly...not too bad.

Anybody want my donut spare?

[SoobyDoobyDoo]

Check the wear on that tire-if they’re more than 1/4 (which is more on the high side) it can cause issues with the awd system. Tire rack can also shave tires so you don’t have to replace all 4 at one time. 

[darkstarxi]

20 minutes ago, SoobyDoobyDoo said:

Check the wear on that tire-if they’re more than 1/4 (which is more on the high side) it can cause issues with the awd system. Tire rack can also shave tires so you don’t have to replace all 4 at one time. 

These particular tires are 10/32” new. This one is advertised at 8/32”. I specifically selected this one with that in mind.

Also, fairly certain the difference between the donut and the other four tires is far greater than the difference between this matching wheel/tire and the other four tires could be at any wear level.

[darkstarxi]

Bunch of good news to report...

I quadruple verified there are no more intake/boost leaks and moved on to the exhaust...

Luckily, head to header flanges were both sealed, as were the up pipe to turbo and turbo to downpipe flanges. Everything else was leaking at least a little bit. The worst and most concerning leak was the header to up pipe flange, right near the upstream O2 sensor.

Header to up pipe flange leaking smoke when I smoke tested the exhaust:

Old GrimmSpeed 2x thick gasket black where it was leaking:

New GrimmSpeed 2x thick gasket w/ Permatex 27038 Optimum Red High Temp Gasket Maker all over it:

Header to up pipe flanges, after being torqued, allowed to cure, and then driven 24 hours later:

Same for downpipe to midpipe w/ GrimmSpeed gaskets & lots of Permatex Red:

Same for midpipe to rear y-pipe w/ Torca TorcTite slip fit clamp & Permatex Red:

Same for rear y-pipe to the two axle back sections w/ Torca TorcTite slip fit clamps & Permatex Red:

Smoke tested the exhaust system again and...no leaks, thanks to GrimmSpeed gaskets, Torca TorcTite slip fit clamps, and most of all, Permatex 27038 Optimum Red High Temp Gasket Maker! Car is noticeably more quiet!

Tire & TPMS sensor for the full size spare came in & the wheel should be here the day after tomorrow. Will bring somewhere to be mounted & balanced & maybe to have the TPMS sensor woken up when I'm able to.

Got an email from Cryotune...

"The logs are looking great, how does the car feel? 

Let me know and we may be complete once we do our one week drive with no resets in full mixed aggressive and non aggressive driving."

Finally almost done w/ tuning!

[darkstarxi]

Wheel came in...

Pictured w/ tire & TPMS sensor:

Made an appt. for 12/20 to have TPMS sensor and tire mounted on the wheel, assembly balanced, & TPMS sensor woken up/programmed to car. Maybe some day, I'll have my own tire mounter, balancer, & a TPMS scan tool, but hard to justify for the time being.

Took the car out for awhile last night to get some feedback for Cryotune and decided to get another set of logs to ask him to once-over. Sent Dave @ Cryotune the following email:

"Hi Dave,

Car feels great. Clutch started to slip with the added power and the experimenting w/ different gears/engine speeds/throttle positions to get a good feel for the car, but that's not your problem.

Do me a favor - I got another set of logs with the R3A map in S#. Can you please look them over just to make sure they look great like the last set?

datalog22 = 2nd gear pull
datalog23 = 3rd gear pull
datalog24 = cruise w/ some aggressive driving mixed in

With your blessing on them, I'll be ready to do our one week drive with no resets in full mixed aggressive and non aggressive driving. Very much looking forward to wrapping this up and having a respectable tune on the car.

Thanks!"

[darkstarxi]

Day 1 of the "one week drive with no resets in full mixed aggressive and non aggressive driving" is today and Day 7 is 12/20, same day I'm scheduled to get the full sized spare setup put together. Nice way to close out the year!

[darkstarxi]

All done w/ the e-tuning by Cryotune. Quite pleased with it - way better than my previous tune by a local Subaru performance shop in NC. I have my idle speed RPM adjusted +100 RPM for smoothness but all else is well.

Had to re-secure a few caps on the intake manifold this past week as boost kept blowing them off. Used my good zip ties this time instead of the crappy ones I originally used and they seem to be holding up.

Got the TPMS sensor and tire mounted to the wheel for my full size spare setup. Two different shops couldn't program the TPMS sensor to the car and I also decided I want to get a center cap for the wheel. Currently awaiting delivery of an Autel MaxiTPMS TS508WF TPMS Relearn Tool and an OE center cap. Will post pics of setup after I (hopefully) get everything sorted out.

Started looking more into the clutch replacement job and what else I can improve upon while I'm in there. Found this Torque Solution Solid Shifter Linkage U-Joint: Subaru STI 2004-2021. Contacted TS and they can't verify whether it'll fit my '07 spec.B but it's the same OE part number for the 2004-2021 STi and for the 2007-2009 spec.B so I think I'm gonna give it a shot.

Also trying to figure out if there's a Techna-Fit SS clutch line that will work with my car. Contacted Techna-Fit and they said: 

"These are the only Subaru clutch lines we currently offer.
"

I'm thinking the SUBCL-130 might work with my '07 spec.B as the following cars use the same OE part number:
Subaru Legacy 2.5L TURBO 6MT GT-B SEDAN 2007, 2009
Subaru STI 2.5L TURBO 6MT Sport SEDAN 2012, 2013, 2014
Subaru STI 2.5L TURBO 6MT WAGON 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014

Think I'm gonna give that a shot too.

Edited December 22, 2023 by darkstarxi

[darkstarxi]

Pics of the new & improved full size spare setup...

Mounted the factory tire tools, jack, etc. directly to the spare tire well floor

Refurbished OE wheel w/ lightly used 225/45/18 tire that matches the other four exactly sits nicely on top of tools with face up - wish my other four wheels looked this nice

Back together w/ trunk floor, rubber trunk mat, trunk net, & my crate of handy items that now includes what was inside the factory organizer

What was removed - for sale if anyone is interested

Unfortunately, I was unable to get the TPMS sensor in the full size spare activated with the Autel MaxiTPMS TS508WF TPMS Relearn Tool that I bought. Does anyone know if the TPMS modules in these cars have the capacity to recognize a TPMS sensor in a full size spare along with the other four TPMS sensors so that if I need to mount the spare, I will not have a TPMS light on?

[RumblyXT]

Not sure about the TPMS question.. but that's a great mod!

[darkstarxi]

I've been sick for awhile and haven't been working on the car, but I have been researching what parts to replace/upgrade while the trans is separated to replace the clutch.

Came up w/ the following table for my '07 spec.B:

[Febreze Mee]

I hope you enjoy the TS solid shifter linkage. It's been awhile since I've looked at the OG members build thread, but I don't think too many ppl on here have that linkage installed. 
 

I can tell you it will increase NVH, adding noise to the cabin due to harmonics under certain RPM. I think the trade-off was worth it. Please report your thoughts on the piece after some seat time with it.