Here is the long awaited DD Subie Write up.
Where should I start, the mods I guess. Here is what I did before the complete detail was done. I researched and found all the parts I wanted to make this car look and handle a bit better.
Take a look at the work done, I did just about all the install work myself less the AV system and a few bushings (needed a press to get some of the stock ones out)
This car was a treat I never really did any of the wrenching myself so this was a great learning experience. One big lesson, the right tools and a lift are a HUGE Plus
Take a look:
Tuning mods:
Harman DP (removed when the car was traded in) not installed yet -installed and loving it 3/17/09
Harman Motive CAI
Magnaflow CBE --> removed
Invida Q300 CBE installed 3/2009
Access Port (stg 2)
Group N Engine Mount- installed 4/21/09
STI Heat Sheid
Exterior/interior:
Rally Armour Mud Flaps.-->deleted
Rear Bumper cargo strip (incoming) -
Arm rest extension (incoming) -installed 3/17/09
Rear Cargo Tray (incoming) - installed 3/17/09
Piaa Xtreme White Plus High Beams (9005)- installed 3/09
Piaa Plasma Ion Yellow Fogs -installed 3/28/09
Perrin Super Shorty Antenna - installed 3/28/09
Harman Motive Rear Overlay - installed 4/27/09
Valentine One - hardwired 4/27/09
Suspension:
BC BR CO's installed 3/2009
Whiteline Front Sways (22 mm) - installed 3/29/2009
Whiteline Rear Sways (20 mm) - installed 3/29/2009
Whiteline Sway Bar Support Brace - installed 3/29/09
Whiteline Anti-Lift Kit - installed 3/29/2009
Perrin Front End Links - installed 4/21/09
Perrin Rear End Links - installed 4/21/09
SPT STI Front Strut Bar - installed 4/27/09
SPT Lower H Chasis Brace - - installed 5/1/09
Whiteline 08+STi Positive Traction Kit- KDT902 - installed 5/1/09
Whiteline 08+ WRX Rear Differential Mount Inserts - KDT903 - installed 5/1/09
Whiteline rear camber adjusting kit 08+ wrx/sti hatchback subaru-kca326-- installed 5/1/09
Whiteline Steering Rack Bushing kit 08+ - ksr207 -- installed 5/1/09
Whiteline Rear Trailing Arm Bushing * W0568 -- installed 5/1/09
Whiteline Front Control Arm Bushings - W0507 -on the way
Stereo upgrades:
Kenwood DNX 7140 installed by Mobilewerks 4/7/09
JDM AV Panel installed 4/17/09
The car in stock form
At the dealer before delivery:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...umbnails-1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...mbnails-10.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...mbnails-11.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...umbnails-2.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...umbnails-4.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...thumbnails.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...umbnails-9.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...umbnails-8.jpg
The STI at its first mobile detail job nice and dirty after a couple snow storms
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...i/IMG_8544.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...i/IMG_8546.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...i/IMG_8547.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...i/IMG_8554.jpg
Let the mods begin...
First up the CO's, Exhaust, and Removal of the Mud flaps
The BC Coilovers:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...%20sti/bc1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...%20sti/bc2.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...%20sti/bc3.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...%20sti/bc4.jpg
instructions and adjusters:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...nstructins.jpg
Install pictures:
Frt stock:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...i/stockfrt.jpg
Set up and install:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...nstallshot.jpg
Loosening up and removing
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...cktogether.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../frtsusoff.jpg
After shot:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...nstalledbc.jpg
Adjusters on the front
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...sti/frtadj.jpg
Rear install:
before:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../rearstock.jpg
after:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...sinstalled.jpg
Rear adjuster:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...rearadjust.jpg
Invidia Q300 Install pictures:
the exhaust in the box:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ti/invidia.jpg
Getting ready to remove the Magnaflow exhaust
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...dotherears.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...theexhasut.jpg
Old exhaust removed:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...magnaflow1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...lowfullpic.jpg
Joe doing the final install
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/08%20impreza%20sti/joeworkingontheexhaust.jpg[/IMG]
Mud flaps on the car:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../mudonrear.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...kheightfrt.jpg
Mud flaps off the car:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...sti/final3.jpg
Final shots of the car:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...sti/final1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...sti/final2.jpg
my favorite shot:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...frtbestpic.jpg
Next up the downpipes
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...sti/5050dp.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...voingstock.jpg
Extended arm rest install
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...20sti/5050.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...i/install3.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../installed.jpg
Extended
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...dexteneded.jpg
Cargo Tray
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...i/hbandfog.jpg
Rear bumper guard
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...bumpertrim.jpg
Tranny mounts
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ginemounts.jpg
Sways, Tranny Mounts, Bushings all getting installed
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9052.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9055.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9065.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9077.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9076.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9082.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9086.jpg
More bushings
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_0441.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_0442.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_0443.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_0444.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_0446.jpg
Support Brace
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_0447.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_0453.jpg
Strut Bar
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...l/IMG_2585.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...l/IMG_2587.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...l/IMG_9972.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...l/IMG_9973.jpg
Endlinks
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_2552.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_2557.jpg
Shorty antenna install
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9048.jpg
Stock
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9049.jpg
50/50
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9050.jpg
After
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...D/IMG_9051.jpg
Kenwood DNX-7140 Install (installed by the pro)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...nwood/act2.jpg
AV Panel from Japan
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...d/jdmpiece.jpg
Stock panel with the new head unit
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...hejdmpiece.jpg
After with the new Japanese AV Panel
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...thjdmpiece.jpg
Random stuff
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_2536.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_2542.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_2543.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_2549.jpg
Debadging the car
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ing/subaru.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ng/impreza.jpg
Dental Floss
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...detalfloss.jpg
Leftover adhesive and ghosting
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...imprezaoff.jpg
3M adhesive remover was used
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...madremover.jpg
Compounding and polishing
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ing/polish.jpg
Final before and after
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...beforeshot.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../aftershot.jpg
Now onto the detail......
Products Used:
Exterior:
Adam's All Purpose Cleaner in the
Cam Spray Foam Canon
Adam's Clay Bar and
Optimum Instant Detail Spray and Gloss Enhancer for clay lube
Menzerna Super Intensive with the
Uber Orange Pad
Menzerna PO85RD with the
Uber Blue Pad
Menzerna Top Inspection
Lusso Prototype for Detailer’s Domain
Einszett Spray Wax
Wheels and Tires
Uber Wheel/Tire/Wheel Well Kit see below for more of the wheel write up.
Interior and Glass
Adam's Glass Cleaner and
Uber Glass MF Towels
Leather Master Foam Cleaner (alcantara)
Leather Master Nubuck Protection (alcantara)
Leather Master Strong Cleaner (leather)
Leather Master Vital (leather)
Engine:
P21S Total Autowash
Adam's VRT Diluted with Water in a
Spray bottle
Trim:
Black Wow
Tools:
Infratech 5300
Brinkmann MaxFire
Metabo PE12-175
Makita 9227 Hi Speed Rotary
The Uber Foam Pads (5.5inch)
Tons of "Uber" Microfiber Towels
Uber Drying Towels
Cam Spray 1500A with Cam Spray Foam Gun
Let's start with the wheels.
Here is the set up, I have had the STI now for over 3000 miles and unfortunately I have had no time to give it even a proper wash, actually I haven't washed it yet. The day I figured I had some time it got just too hot to finish it. (98 degrees!)
Anyway here is a teaser. I got started on the wheels and after 3000 miles of caked on brake dust I decided to go all out!
By this I mean wheels were off the car, wheel wells were cleaned and dressed, brakes were polished and waxed.
Products used:
Uber Wheel Kit
Menzerna PO85RD
Sears Jack
19mm Socket
Ratchet
Torque Wrench
Cam Spray Pressure Washer
Now to the pictures:
Before shots of the wheels.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...irtywheels.jpg
Before Brakes and Wheel Wells. (reference left side, forgot to take all the complete shots, both sides were pretty dirty)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...celeftside.jpg
Wheel being pulled off using ratchet and jack.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...eljackedup.jpg
Wheel off the car.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...loffthecar.jpg
Back
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ackofwheel.jpg
P21S Gel on the wheels, I let it dwell while I cleaned the wheel wells and brakes
Back of the wheel
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../backdwell.jpg
Front of the wheel
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...il/p21sgel.jpg
What it looks like after
P21S sits for a while, the
P21S Wheel Gelis pretty thick.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...nomorefoam.jpg
Cleaned both the front side and the back side with the
Uber Boar's Hair Wheel Brush, The Uber Spoke Brush, and the Swissvax Wheel Brush, each one helped with the process of cleaning all that brake dust and dirt off the wheels.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...spokebrush.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...rushwheels.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...hbackwheel.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...shfrtwheel.jpg
After I applied
Swissvax Autobahn on them.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...axonwheels.jpg
Results from all that hard work on the wheels.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...fwheeldone.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...twheeldone.jpg
Now that the wheels were done...on to the wheel wells.
P21S Total Auto Wash was used to cut the dirt and grime off the wheel wells as well as the suspension bits, and brake calipers.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...il/p21staw.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...akedbrakes.jpg
Brushes were used to help clean up the wheel wells etc
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...nthebrakes.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...honthewell.jpg
After everything was rinsed and cleaned up, I moved on to polishing the brake calipers with
Menzerna PO85RD after I put a nice coat of
Swissvax Autobahn on them to give them a nice shine and protection.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...shfrtbrake.jpg
Caliper After
Polish and before
Autobahn
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...eelsbrakes.jpg
Applying the
SV Autobahn
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...l/IMG_9920.jpg
Removing the
SV Autobahn
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../wipebrake.jpg
Adam's Undercarriage Spray was applied to bring back a nice new look to the wheel well covers (note I did wipe down any access to prevent a oily greasy look, I was going for a matte finish)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...wellsafter.jpg
Rear Before
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...rearbefore.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...earbefore2.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...orecloseup.jpg
Rear After
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...reardone-1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../reardone1.jpg
Front Before
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...celeftside.jpg
Front After
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...wellsafter.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...hedfrtwell.jpg
After of the wheel back on the car (less the tire dressing)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...tail/done1.jpg
Of course the wheels were done again but much easier this time around.
Take a look.
Let's do the interior first
Before
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1591.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1606.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1593.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1595.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1596.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1586.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1587.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1588.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1589.jpg
After
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1714.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1717.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1720.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1722.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1724.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1728.jpg
Prep
Some before shots (this is how I got the car from the dealer)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1583.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1597.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1598.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1599.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1602.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1604.jpg
Before engine shots
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1611.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1612.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1614.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1615.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1617.jpg
Cleaning up the engine
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1628.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1629.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1634.jpg
P21S Total Autowash on all the areas with wax build up around the rubber trim, bug and tar etc.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1620.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1621.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1622.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1623.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1624.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1625.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1626.jpg
Now for the foam canon
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1635.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1636.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1640.jpg
Claying the car
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1644.jpg
Swirls everywhere
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1645.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1647.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1648.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_9962.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_9964.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_9965.jpg
Measuring paint
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1662.jpg
After polishing under the Brinkmann
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1658.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1659.jpg
After shots of the engine
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1665.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1666.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1668.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1669.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...e/IMG_1673.jpg
After shots of the car
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1675.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1676.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1677.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1682.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1683.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1684.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1685.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1686.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1689.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1703.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1702.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1692.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1690.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1708.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1705.jpg
Last shot
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_1674.jpg