Edit 10/6/2014: My restless mouse found another Subie on CL (WRX), so this one is going back to stock to sell. Tried selling it as is, and except for a 6'8" guy who didn't fit (but liked the car), had very little interest. One thing I've noticed is the SS is a bit easier to drive w/the stock ECU back in. Cold start and general city driving are smoother (I thought my 5-speed driving technique just sucked!). The RT-EJ20G had a few annoying issues that the stock one does not....but the lack of boost is a BIG missing ingredient in the stock tune's grin factor. We'll see how long the 'Rex' keeps my attention....maybe I'll be back again for an ol' Legacy.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
My goal from the beginning was to find a clean, mostly stock, Sport Sedan, although I was starting to consider Touring Wagon turbos due to the lack of sedans. I would then limit the upgrades to those that are proven and/or that I've personally used. Other than doing Auto-X in the warmer months, this will be my Daily Driver.
As I'd already been down the swap path w/my '90 Legacy (turbo and 5-speed swapped) and a '98 Forester (turbo'd) with limited success, I wanted to avoid buying someone else's project or starting another.....which I almost did w/my '96 Impreza.
After months of watching CL for a clean SS, two came up about the same time: A white '92 and a silver '93. Both had <140K and were 5-speeds. And they were somewhat close>>less than 400 miles.
I settled on the '93 as it had only 2 previous owners and the 2nd owner only owned it for about a month...and had bought it from the original owner about 1 day b4 I was able to grab it. Also, I've had lots of white cars and was glad to expand my palette.
An added bonus was that the 2nd owner resealed the sunroof, which in itself was worth the $$ to me. EDIT: Either they lied or just did a $#!++y job as it still leaks when it rains hard.
![Sad :-(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
I also bet that this will be one of the shortest Build Journals as I know what I want to do and once it's done, I'm going to just drive it (plus my budget is pretty set in stone).
Mods
Summary (current):
- Rob-tuned ECU - "550" tune
- Rob's Ignition Converter
- JECS/Autecs MAF
- TD05H
- NXS MBC
- 525cc Sti injectors in '95 EJ22 Fuel Rails
- STi fuel pump
- '06 WRX TMIC
- Exhaust : 3" TBE - Downpipe, mid-pipe w/ a resonator, and a DynoMax VT muffler.
- Mopar coil pack and newer style OEM wires.
- STi 20mm front sway bar
- AGX struts w/H&R lowering springs
- STI Transverse Link/lower control arm bushings
-Rear Subframe Lockdown Bolts
- Rolled fenders
- Hankook S1 Noble2 - 225/50R-16- Impreza wheels.
- Exedy Stage 1 clutch
- WRX short shifter
- Shifter linkage Bushings
- Kartboy Transmission mount bushings
- STi boost gauge
- RS hood scoop
-Stock SS seats (repaired bolster and added foam to driver's seat)
- Manual Seat Belts
- Alpine 6.5 Type R's in the front
- Pioneer DEH-X6500BT deck
Engine Management:
-Rob-tuned ECU: Ordered 6/1/13 (bought the ECU+chip, already had the 4-2 converter). --Installed 7/18/13
Engine upgrades:
-Turbo:
TD04 - Installed 7/16/13.
==Info: Had it as an extra and wanted to test it, so installed b4 the VF24.
VF24 (from UK) - Installed 8/14/13 - - See below.
==Info: The VF24 appears to be a great turbo to keep lag to a minimum but also hold 17-18 PSI.
--Considered VF39, TD05-16G, TD04. I didn't consider the TD04 worth the trouble to upgrade, although they are way cheaper than the others, and on the Forester XT w/its EJ25, TD04 and 525cc injectors there are people making over 250ft-lbs @ the wheels w/a good tune. The VF39 is probably about the same as the VF24, but the positive reviews I read on the VF24 led me to give it a try. The TD05-16G has the same 90 inlet as the VF11, but I've ran 2 of them and they seemed laggy.
TD05H (from UK) - Installed ~10/15/13
== Bought this 'on a whim' and decided to go ahead and install it so I could get a fairly accurate Dyno run....many use this turbo w/the Rob Tune, etc. so figured it would make for the best comparison. It's very similar to the VF24 and I only think I feel more on top. The VF24 seemed to spool quicker, which is what I'd read.
-Boost control: NXS MBC - installed 6/25/13
-Injectors: Forester/STi/GT 550 / 525cc's - Installed 7/18/13.
==Info: Bought from a Subaruforester.org member (w/fuel pump); dropped off @ local Mr. Injector to get them cleaned and new o-rings for $64.
--Only 2 choices for the Rob Tune: USDM 525cc or UK/JDM 450cc (aka 440's). @ least 2 reasons to consider the 450's, IMHO: 1: It would allow me to run an EJ20G ECU stock and 2: I could run them w/the stock EJ22T ECU if I every needed (it'd run Rich, but doable).
But the yellow side-feed 525cc injectors ('04-'06 STi, Forester and Outback XT, Legacy GT, BAJA turbo) were easier to get and would get me a bit closer to stock STi power levels.
-Fuel rails: '95 Legacy - Installed 7/18/13.
==Info: Bought a complete IM from a '95 Legacy for $20 from CL. '92-'98 all the same for the EJ22, per opposedforces.com.
--Needed '92+ for 525's.
-Fuel pump: STi pump - Installed 6/15/13
==Info: Bought STI pump w/injectors from subaruforester.org
--Considered STi, DW, Walbro - + kit?
-Intercooler: '06 WRX TMIC - Installed 7/16/13
==Info: Bought '06 TMIC from Ebay; Y-pipe kit from Ebay; Bought WRX BPV from NASIOC- The WRX BPV will NOT fit. Used the stock EJ22T BPV w/a BPV adapter and hose.
--Considered Slanty TMIC from EJ20G-era WRX, FMIC, and AWIC. Due to the install hassle, which includes cutting the front bumper, decided to just stick w/the (relatively) easy to install '06-'07 TMIC. Got the BPV w/the hose that runs under the throttle body to the turbo inlet pipe on the WRX. I'll see if I can make it work w/the EJ22T setup>>No Go - too much crap in the way under the throttle body and the throttle/cruise cables are in the way.
Exhaust:
- 3" Downpipe - Installed w/VF24 - 8/14/13.
==Info: DP was too f'ing long; had it shortened and extra bung added for WB (if needed in future). Also, used a downpipe adapter that allows me to keep the stock mid-pipe/axle back.
![Image](http://autoplicity.com/masterimages/full/eba/d56bb56d-11d8-4266-b24d-97dd8e6e9477-350.jpg.ashx?maxwidth=328&maxheight=228)
- Upgraded to a 3" mid-pipe, Vibrant # 1794 bottle-type resonator and Dynomax VT muffler - # 17962 - Installed 4/1/2014
==Info I tried a Flowmaster 3" In/Dual 2.5" out and a Cobb muffler - both were too loud and droned on the freeway. The VT provides a civilly obedient tone @ idle and is barely audible while cruising the interstate, but when @ WOT it sounds like a Subie w/an open system.
Suspension:
-Sway bars: STi 20mm front bar - Installed 6/12/13
==Info: Had a 20mm STI front bar in my stash. - Installed 6/12/13.
--Looking for WRX Wagon (20mm) if it doesn't work out.
Struts/Springs: AGX struts w/H&R lowering springs - Installed 6/12/13
==Info: Bought both from members on here. Shop called and needed FRONT camber bolts to get in spec on alignment. Set @ -.5 degrees negative camber.
== Edit 3/15/14: After noticing some pulling in the front I had it realigned @ a Subie dealer and it did NOT need the camber bolts and drove better. Don't know if the original shop had a bad rack or what.
STI Transverse Link/lower control arm bushings
==Info: Bought used on NASIOC - Installed 9/12/13.
Brakes:
- No plans to upgrade, but have 17" wheels. Figure I'll hold out for Legacy GT 12.3" (require 17" wheels) or even STi Brembos if I REALLY need it.
Tires/Wheels:
==Info: No-name 17" wheels w/225-45R17 Fuzion HRI tires - Installed 6/15/13
==Info: See Brakes. Fenders rubbed. Rolled w/rented Eastwood fender roller and heat gun (see post below).
==Info: The HRI tires are no good for Auto-X. Bought set of Hankook S1 Noble2 (nice name!) in a 225/50R-16 to install on extra set of Impreza wheels. The S1's did very well on a Tire Rack test and in Consumer Reports. Would have preferred the Michelin Pilot Sport AS/3 (latest/greatest AS tire on market, per TR and CR), but they were about $200 more. - Installed 9/14/13
Transmission/Clutch:
I'm not optimistic that the stock SS 5-speed can handle 250HP @ the wheels, but I don't plan on launching or stressing the trans unnecessarily. I have an extra 5-speed from a '98 Legacy Outback that I may swap in, but also would like to find a low mileage '05+ Legacy GT - 4.11 FD ratio (or even OB XT-4.44), and find someone to swap in the speedo gear that's required for the SS's cable speedo.
--Clutch is Slipping - 7/25/13 - Looking @ either a stock Exedy KSB03 or Exedy Stage 1 (15802). Probably use a LW FW I got locally. From what I've heard the Stage 1 has more clamping force but isn't too much - the HD clutch IS TOO MUCH, so stay away from that unless you're looking for a workout.
***Installed Exedy Stage 1 clutch, etc. - see below 8/13/13- 140K miles.
-Shifter linkage Bushings: - - For sloppy shifter (not looking FWD to fighting the PITA spring pins) - Installed w/WRX shifter.
==Info: Ordered from dealer, Part numbers: 35035AA030 and 35035KA030 and 33022GA081 - bushings and spring
-- Bought a WRX short shifter/linkage off NASIOC - Installed 8/15/13. - See below.
Misc.:
- STi (?) boost gauge - Installed 6/25/13
==Info: Marked in MPa, but it works and I know where 5, 10, 15, and 20 are.
- Hood scoop: RS scoop - Installed 11/1/2013.
==Info: Bought from RS25.com member. Looks like I can make it fit over stock hood hole.....Thread HERE.
-Seats: fixing the stock driver's seat.
==Info: Tried '08 Legacy GT seats (see below) that didn't fit.
==Info: Bought set of '06 WRX TR seats - Installed 9/7/13.
==Info: TR seats are too high for my liking - passenger is worse. Back to stock SS seats after adding foam to seat and bolsters. Installed 5/15/2014.
==Info: Drilled out the mounts for the stock 'feet' on an extra set of '96 GT seats and put them on the TR seats (passenger only to test) and they were NOT much lower, which I don't get as they definitely were shorter. Decided it wasn't worth it and left the stock SS seats installed As Is. - NOT installed 6/15/2014.
Manual Seat Belts
==Info: Installed set of '98 LGT seat belts - 9/7/13.
Deck/Head Unit/Stereo/Speakers
==Info: Installed a set of used Alpine 6.5 Type R's in the front - 8/20/13
==Info: Installed a Pioneer DEH-X6500BT deck - 8/28/13
Headlight upgrade
==Installed a Daniel Stern lighting kit w/HL relays and Osram 70/65w H4 bulbs - 9/2013
==Info: The bulbs are BRIGHT lasted about 3 months, but I (used to) drive w/my lights on all the time. Replaced w/some Philips 9003 VisionPlus bulbs, which are OK and should last longer.
PICS-when purchased:
And how it looks now -10/2013:
![Image](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cNKJsK8USmU/UmVVmnzJ0bI/AAAAAAAAFQc/MjIprErVDxw/s800/1993%2520SS%252010-2013%2520%2528Custom%2529.jpg)
Maintenance info:
- Needs a pass. side CV axle - boot torn @ knuckle >>Replaced 6/19/21 w/new NAPA axle
- Installed KS from a '98 OB - just swapped to '93 connector - 7/21/13
- Installed new OEM CTS during the TMIC install. 7/21/13
- Extra-S gear oil in the rear diff and transmission- 7/26/13. - 139, 583 miles
- New Left front wheel bearing and CV axle w/new NAPA axle: 11/15/13 and 11/30/13.
-Alignment 11/21/13
- Another alignment done ~3/15/2014 after noticing the car wasn't handling quite right. Took it to our local Les Schwab (NW tire/auto shop) and they diagnosed a worn inner tie rod. Let my local Subie guru take a look and the tie rod was fine, but noted the RIGHT tire was wearing more than the LEFT on the inside. He aligned it, which fixed the driving issue. Also, the previous alignment had 'required' a camber bolt on that RIGHT side, which was NOT needed to align correctly this last time- i think the other shop's alignment machine was 'wacked'.