The dscoobydoo legacy story

[dscoobydoo]

Back in 2004, I was driving a late 90's Nissan maxima as a daily driver. I was thinking of going turbo, and had been contemplating this route for a bit. But after serious consideration, spending $3000 for just a turbo kit, or about the same for a turbo car made no sense to me.

So Tasha and I hashed it out, and we decided on either a Vr-4, or a legacy turbo. Since she already had a 2001 RS, the Subaru was the better option for familiarity. But the VR-4 was the obvious easier build with the availablity of the 4G63 engine parts.

In the end, we ended up throwing out a stupid bid on a 1993 White Legacy turbo in PA on EBAY. 119,000 on the clock and a manual transmission. The car needed some work, but the body was straight and there was no rust.

So for $3000 we bought the car ( and a little more for the trip to Philly to pick it up.)

We almost walked away in the end, as the car saleman tried to screw us and get more money from us. That failed, and we drove the car back to Spokane, WA. in a two day trip.

[dscoobydoo]

On the drive back, we knew that the stock shocks/struts had to be replaced. The engine was very clean, but the owner was dogs and let them roam in the car. So there was hair everywhere.

Also we had a small cam and crank seal leak. In all, not a big deal.
It still had a subaru battery, so we assumed that the owner before us had done all the work at the dealership.

So we took a weekend in March and gutted the interior. We pulled out the seats and carpet and steam cleaned them both. Sadly, this also showed us a few small tears in the seats that had to be dealt with in the future.

[dscoobydoo]

We wanted to Dyno the car bone stock, to get a baseline for comparison on all the mods we were going to do. We headed to PDX tuning in Portland, and put the car on the dyno.

While the results we not great, mathematically it was close to what we were expecting.

[dscoobydoo]

We lured for awhile on here and did some research before we started the modding.

First thing first:
The shocks and struts had to be re-done, so we opted for the KYB AGX's and the H&R springs. The springs were not too hard, and they gave a small 3/4 inch drop.

( you can see the difference between these two pictures)



Then the first wheel change to her original RS 6 spokes with those tires. Personally, they look much better than the 15's.

[dscoobydoo]

After doing some research here, we ended up getting a cusco lower arm bar ( fits the GC8, but also the legacy), the STI front strut tower bar and the rear tower bar.

We also upgraded to the Perrin Helical sway bar links, the Whiteline HD sway bar mounts and the Whiteline 20/22/24 rear sway bar for the legacy.

we figured we had it dropped, tightened and just better overall.

Once we had all the suspension parts covered, it was on to the brakes.

[dscoobydoo]

Since the legacy turbo rears are one of the best sliders out there, we upgraded to the WRX fronts ( sliders) with Powerslot front rotors.

But I knew that was not going to be the final move.
But at this time, we had gone to the WRX wheels as well.




So we saved up, and I found these brakes in Japan:


with the kartboy rear brackets, these were in like Flynn.
But now, the WRX wheels were worthless.

So we went looking for a set of 5 spokes, as we had already done the 6 spokes.

I found a set, but decided they needed some color. So we ended up powdercoating them a dull dark gunmetal.



It was not quite the color I wanted, but it hides the brake dust very well. And it fits the 4/2 pots.

[dscoobydoo]

Since the car had a few small wear points, we decided to have the interior re-upholstered.

But I did not want to have to do the door cards. ( Call me lazy)

So a good friend who does upholstery, took the whole car interior, and cut all the fabric out of the seats. Since we can't get replacement blue/grey mix fabric, we opted to clean it and re-use it so it will match the door cards. But much of the rear seat tops had faded with age, so we replaced ALL of the black seat fabric in the car. She also added a bit more foam, so the seats fit better and looked and smelled good.

( pics would not do this justice, as you can't see anything different)


I felt gauges were a necessity, and I had already done a custom gauge pod in the Maxima, I went this route with the legacy.

Autometer EGT, Boost, Oil temp, Oil Pressure, and volt.
( pics to come,I think)

The original shift knob was replaced with a Leather 03 WRX one.

[dscoobydoo]

We had been lurking here for a bit and went the route of the usual intercooler progress.



the SAAb set-up



The slanty set-up.

and finally the 06 WRX set-up.


We also did the coffee-cup mod


but this was replaced with the Australia MRT piece that is made specifically for this application.

The air filter was changed out for a K&N pod, but I have to wonder if all this did is put more hot air into the intake tract. The jury is still out on that one.

We also did the coolant tank re-location that is required for the intercoolers, and we changed out the AC line ( custom made without the dogbone) to clear these applications.



We picked up a JDM TD05-16G and went to 12 lbs boost for awhile. ( We also did the full exhaust at this time to take advantage of the power of the turbo, full 3 inch with a divorced gate downpipe.

[dscoobydoo]

I kind of like some of the options that JDM land did not give to us.

The fogs,


( With switch)


and the power folding mirrors


( Yes, Jake, they are just a stupid mod, but I like them anyway)

( note in the pic above, the mirrors are in- very useful in apartment parking)

We changed out the tails to the all white 92's and I made some clear side markers to match.
( i will find pics soon)

[dscoobydoo]

We added the PP6 and the 565 injectors and threw it on the dyno.

Saldly, we found a small scratch on the inside of the intake of the turbo, that caused cavitation after 15 lbs boost.

So this is what we were left with at this point.


We changed out the turbo to a Deadbolt super 16G and pushed for a bit more power.

Sadly, it seemed that the intercooler was not enough for the engine,as the car did not produce enough power for me ( and the power levels dropped fast after a few runs.)

So seems we are going to have to go to a FMIC this summer.

The guys at PIA put on a turbo heat bag to try and save the intercooler a bit. ( But it will only do so much.)

Pics to come.

[dscoobydoo]

I had picked up a set of the late 90's JDM legacy 17's/ and put them on as the studded snows had to go.



Tasha wanted the EDM lights with the levelers, so we got them and are in the process of making the wiring harness,

[94SS_Canada]

Nice

[chochocho]

great journal and great ride.

[ciper]

Dyno sheets are from two different types of dyno.

[dscoobydoo]

Yes, the dyno sheets are from two different Dynos.

I had planned on using one place only from the start, but matrix sold their dyno, which hosed me on that.

at this point, I will be at PIA only for all of the dyno stuff, so from here on out, all the plots should have a similar reference.

[SuperRallyRoo]

Siqqq nice levelers... I still need some EDM lights argh. Do they ever come with the switch?

[LegacyT]

How'd make the clear side markers?

[joeWM]

where do u shop for your parts?!!!

[ou812]

very cool posts about your car......looks like fun!

[dscoobydoo]

The clear side markers are made by taking the amber off the originals and gluing on a clear from another plastic lens diffuser.

As for parts, I source some of them from japan

[LegacyT]

Nice! how'd you clear the side markers?

[LegacyT]

Dooh! Never mind

[fatgc8]

very nice ride man... if you ever sell the wheels can i purchase them lol..