Criewry's S402

[Criewry]

Hi all, It's been real helpful reading through the build threads on here. I thought I'd start documenting some photos and my research on the S402. These are now legal to import to Canada, and so maybe I can help someone else with the info.

I think this might be the first in North America (If you have one let me know otherwise I'm claiming it lol)  #349/402.  It has ~99,000 km's and was grade 4 interior C. It came from HAA Kobe, and I got a bit of a deal as this was listed for several months at a dealer (I could see it on goonet) and then went to auction the weekend I decided to go for a sedan instead of a wagon.

For the import side it took 8 months to win the auction, and 5 months to get it into my hands in BC. I used B-pro which I highly recommend. Everything was smooth, and they communicate well. Although my owners manual did get lost in the journey that's more on the port and I couldn't read it anyway...  It still has a couple things to be done to get it passed BC provincial inspection, specifically:

- 3 windshield wipers.
- Daytime Running Lights.
- Front and Read brake pads.
- Both LCA rearward bushings.
- Front Rotors (these failed due to a shudder under braking, they might not fail once the LCA bushings are replaced)

It also needs the following:

- Power steering pump screaming.
- Timing belt as there isn't maintenance history.
- Dash has cracking, two tears
- Drivers seat leather cracking
- New head unit, it has a Panasonic stradia nav unit in the center cubby.
- Cracked the front carbon lip getting it on my trailer... had to remove it to get it off at the end.

Hopefully I can get it passed soon, I booked a Dyno in a couple weeks. I don't plan to tune it, but our gasoline in BC worries me and considering it's probably impossible to get a replacement engine I want to make sure it's not unhappy on our premium. Our goverment recently mandated ethanol and I guess the silver lining is I can now get chevron 94 octane + eth here. My region doesn't get the Shell 93 + eth.  Regardless I'm excited to share the findings.

 

[Criewry]

Starting easy, the windshield wipers were a quick replacement. I basically felt like I was gambling so I'll confirm the wipers are 24, 18 with a 9x3 J hook. The rear is 14 but I don't recognize the mount. The PIAA super silicone wiper I got has an adapter that seems to fit. I used PIAA aero vogue on the front.
Edit: The rear is not 14, and it is not a regular hook. It mounts up to one of the PIAA adapters but falls off easily (found out when cleaning the windshield). After a bit of exploring figured out its the exact same as my Outback windshield wiper. Some sort of OEM specific Subaru mount, buy it from a dealer for cheap.

Edited Sunday at 06:46 AM by Criewry

[tysparks81]

Beautiful pick up.

[JBSPEC86]

Congrats on the buy, it might be the first S402 vehicle in the North America. Unfortunately USA has to wait roughly 8 more years to import those Legacy's. Beautifully pick up indeed I'm sure it cost quite alot of pennies auction and import wise.

 

[apalileo]

Yo congratulations on this acquisition! I also saw your teaser shot on reddit!

[SoobyDoobyDoo]

Think we’re all excited to see someone with a legit s402! Thanks for sharing, it’s a clean car. It’s too bad about the dash and seats, but it is 20 years old. Be curious to see how the tuning goes with available fuel in BC, what’s cost of eth vs std gas?

[DoctorDaveLGT]

Congrats on the pick-up......and in white!

I think the most important thing to address, is to determine if you're now able to order new S402 parts from Japan since some items required proof of vehicle ownership to do so (i.e. CF lip). If you could that would be incredible.......and would you also consider fielding some requests?

[Criewry]

I would love too, I looked into it a bit with a guy on FB marketplace. Seems like you need not only a vin, but a maintenance order form a local (japan) shop unfortunately. If anyone has a line on a shop in Japan that might be willing to purchase and export I'll explore it shoot me a pm.

Pushing through everything. Lots of little issues, mostly due to my own inexperience with car repair. Only a few S402 specific notes but:

-LCA bushings are unique. I replaced with Group N's as the entire control arm is 598 USD...

-VA STI 6 pot's are essentially the same brakes, any tutorial will work and the brake pads are direct swap.

-It's much less confusing if you're using a JDM service manual, chrome translate and a certain site are your friend.

-Enki RPF1's do not fit... I thought these were great at fitting over larger brakes but my 18x8 +53's wont even mount without banging the caliper.

Edited Sunday at 07:23 AM by Criewry

[DoctorDaveLGT]

Tsubasa Ochi from the groups by chance? Process makes sense but I'd still be intrigued enough to take it to a CA dealer to just see if it's possible, especially since you cracked your lip. Sucks the RPF's dont fit even though same specs as the BBS's. Always wished they tweaked the design to be more BBK friendly.

If you're looking to replace the front rotors. Paragon makes a 2-piece rotor in the exact factory size (2mm thicker than VA 6 pots). Was the only OTS option I found other than custom and the front rotors are also one of those "ownership verification" parts. Gyrodisc makes a 2-piece rear if you want to do matchy-matchy. With some Endless brake pads that whole package is a phenomenal setup.

[SoobyDoobyDoo]

Check out Amayama.com…maybe you might have some luck? Dunno, but worth a shot. I was able to put a few s402 items that were still available in a basket (interior trim pieces) so you might be able to order some generic replacement parts (bushings, brake pads, etc) without verification? It helps to filter the car too so you don’t get all the different model options. I’ve got rear AL control arms I was wanting to buy bushings for and looked into the sti rear control arms…I think you can buy these at cost ($$$$) but also listed STi’s JPn phone # so don’t know if these are available through them or if you have to contact STi Japan. Unfortunately just a part of their culture MO…. I also work with an individual from Japan who has a BL5 non-turbo I could ask…but don’t know if he’d oblige. Sometimes they’re cool about that stuff and sometimes they won’t due to not wanting to step on toes, so to speak.