It was many months ago and some board members decided to have a get together a local pizza place and share some laughs, some stories and some beers. Here I met Mike-Tracey along with some of the other members and told him how I was/had been looking for an SS for quite sometime. Eventually we all gathered outside for some pictures and parted ways. A couple days afterwards, Mike sent me a message giving me a heads up that he was probably going to sell his red 91 and told me before he posted on here just in case I was really interested in buying an SS. So he gave me a price and we worked it out with some payment action. Unfortunately I had only a short while before I got underway but it gave me some time to gather the money and Mike some time to get it back up and running.
Well I came back around late march and handed him the last payment and he handed me the title. However, the car wasn't ready yet. No big deal I had time. Mike called me up sometime after that and told me the car was running but a little funny. Well another friend Steven, aka EJ KILLA who I had met cause I bought some EJ22T heads from was helping Mike diagnose the situation. They suspected and was hoping it was the turbo so they switched it out real quick and that didn't work. By this time I was staying in Bellingham, WA because our boat was in dry dock. So they went to the old compression check to find that the piston rings were most likely the cause. So Steven informed me that he could do the surgery and the car could be resurrected. So I said, lets do it.
We then fumbled with the idea of rebuilding the 22T but cost and time were of importance. I had around a month until I got underway again and Steven was in school and coming up on break before going back. We started looking for rebuild kits and were getting ready when Steven discovered that there was indeed something worse than was originaly thought. Well !@#$, now that was my initial reaction. Then he informed me that the battle wasn't lost and that he had a JDM STi 2.0L short block that we might be able to use instead. Well, I said, ah yea that would be sick but the cost came up again. However, he said as long as nothing was wrong with the block it would be cheaper to rebuild than the 22T so we went for it. Now we just had to source some heads. Again Mike came to the rescue and offered up an extra set of DOHC WRX heads. So I paid the piper and said, good day sir. Then I had to go underway and had to wait for any port visit that I could get so I could use the internet and see if any progress was made. The block and crank checked out and the heads as well.
I made it back from the patrol and was ready for the car but it wasn't ready for me yet. The three of us met at Mike's auto yard and begin the installing of the engine. While Steven worked, Mike and I drank some beers and he showed me all the stuff he got from the junk yard. Eventually we got everything put were it went and it was ready for starting time. Guess what, she started on the first try believe it or not. However, there was a tiny hole in the lower radiator hose and she had to stay the week at the auto yard once again until the team could reassemble. So I got a lower rad hose from Subaru and Steven installed it and we started our journey to Seattle.
Upon arrival to base, Steven noticed that the oil light had turned on. So we parked it and took a look and no oil. We hoped the light was true and it had just ran out only minutes ago but no way to tell. I was able to see the oil return line was in bad shape and decided that was the culprit. The next day I got a new hose and uninstalled the down pipe and the turbo for the first time ever. Put the new hose on, reinstalled everything, filled her up with oil and started her up. Guess what I did alright and there was no leaks or puddles.
And so, after many years of searching, many months, 2 patrols of waiting and misfortunes. I have her safe at home on base with her older sister to keep her company when I am away. Well, sorry that was so long but I hope you enjoyed my story.
Big thanks to Steven for all the engine work and to both Steven and Mike for using many of their weekends to help bring it all together. In short it was a blast and great to hangout with fellow board members as well as friends.
pics to come as soon as I get another camera. It got jacked in Mexico, no joke.
91 SS rio red auto
Mods: Updated 21Dec 014
Car:
91 Legacy SS Sedan-$1450
Engine:
JDM STi EJ20k block
USDM WRX EJ20G heads Engine build cost-$1674
EJ20 ECU, 440cc and JECS-$250
WRX TD04 turbo
WRX TMIC Turbo upgrade-$150
JDM WRX TD04 90* inlet-$140
Perrin heat shield-$70
WRX BOV adapter plate-$18
Tsudo 3" stainless down pipe-$120
Wheels:
16X7 Gold Preo-R Speedlines- $800
Brakes:
02-03 WRX front brake setup-$150
Suspension:
WRX springs
Sti Group N engine mounts-$150
STi Group N tranny mount-$80
Kartboy Tranny crossmember bushings-$30
Interior:
full black interior-$350
JDM stainless scuff plates-$150
Nardi Torino-$200
EDM electric gauge cluster-$150
APEXi boost gauge-$80
AEM wideband-$180
APEXi AVC-R-$150
APEXi turbo timer-$50
Exterior:
EDM headligts-$300
EDM tail lights with fogs-$200
EDM power folding mirrors-$200
EDM head light washer system-$100
EDM fog lights-$105
RS-RA corners-$110
David Carter Hood-$675 includes shipping
Drivetrain:
5spd swap-$755
Not complete total=$8837
When I bought and brought it home
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/91SS.jpg)
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/DSCF1002.jpg)
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/DSCF1004.jpg)
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/DSCF1005.jpg)
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/DSCF1006.jpg)
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/DSCF1009.jpg)
At the end
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/IMAG0731.jpg)
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/IMAG0711.jpg)
![Image](http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/TonyHamre/91%20SS/IMAG0708.jpg)