Dave's 2005 STi *SOLD--Evo Time!* R.I.P. 10/4/05 to 10/19/09

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by redline

+1

Nice car dude! BTW your shiftknob is on backwards

haha yeah, it wasn't fully on yet when i took the pic after installing the 2007 radio

[DaveSTi]

So I'm looking at new turbos and I'm thinking of three different ones. Which route do you think I should take with the following goals:

-daily driver friendly response and meaty powerband.
-autocross-able, but willing to trade the sick spool of my stg. 2 for a little more lag.
-safe on the stock block for many, many miles and HPDE work if needed. (I know the tune is the biggie here, but I also know an FP Red is too much for the stock pistons).

Here are the 3 turbos I'm looking at and why:

-Blouch TD06 20g 8cm: I've long heard that this turbo is the perfect match for the 2.5l for a daily driver and its a decent enough upgrade to be felt all around. It's also safe on stock internals and wouldn't require a lot of changes to my current setup.

-Blouch Dominator 3.0R: Giving up some turbo response on the street, but ball bearing design and 400whp+ capable wheel makes up for it. Stock mount location means I don't need to change much in my current setup.

-Perrin GT3076 rotated mount kit w/ Perrin FMIC: I drool over a rotated GT30R kit and this one seems to be doing pretty well now that the version 2 is out with fitment issues corrected. Not sure what advantage the rotated mount would have over the Dom 3.0R?

What do you guys think? If I went with the 20g, I'd stick with my TMIC. No meth, I don't want to deal with it. If I went Dom 3.0R or rotated, I'd go with the Perrin FMIC. I'm thinking 740 Deatschwerks for the 20g, and 850cc PEs for the big wheels. I'd like to run my GT SPEC header and up-pipe, but I know with the rotated mount or a EWG, this isn't possible really without custom work. I'd probably switch over to the Perrin header for the Perrin kit...

Thanks in advance...I want to do this right, once.

[DaveSTi]

No answers to my turbo question

Small update then:

Ordering RCE T2's with Vorshlag plates front and rear. Anyone want my BC Racing BR Series?

[DaveSTi]

Just called up Andrew at RCE and put in my order for a set of RCE T2's in 500/400 with Vorshlag plates. I also ordered a pair of 300 lbs springs in case the 500/400 combo is too stiff for the roads around here, I could then run 400/300.

I'm very, very excited to be taking this step up. I think Andrew was in shock ("woah") when I told him it was me ordering it. I had looked into other brands like Bilstein, Ohlins, and TiC over this time, but kept coming back to the bump travel, droop travel, stainless steel construction, track results, customer support of RCE, and the flexibility and versatility of the T2 for different conditions.

I'll post pics and do a similar review as I did for the BC Racing BR series for anyone who might be interested in this option.

Can't wait to have these on the car.

[Goddabob]

Def interested on your review of the RCE's also I seen your thinking of going with a acpt driveshaft, did you get a quote on how much that driveshaft would cost. Its nice to see there is another nice Subaru in Allentown.

[TROLL]

nice, the new suspension setup sounds sick... if i have a chance i'll try to get a ride sometime down the road.

as far as turbo selection... its a tough one. the 20G is the smallest of the group obviously and should spool the soonest... guys are seeing a solid 350 whp out of them which is pretty nice, and it should still be auto-x worthy and streetable.
the Dom 3 and 30r kits are bigger and will put you more at the 400 whp range, but of course at the expense of some spool (although they still do pretty well). i wouldnt consider these as much autox setups though, but i think they'd be fine on a road course.
if you're ready to take the plunge on turbo, fuel, tune, etc. then i think you'll really be happy with any of them. just have to decide what your priorities are and if you're leaning one direction or another at this point.

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by Goddabob

Def interested on your review of the RCE's also I seen your thinking of going with a acpt driveshaft, did you get a quote on how much that driveshaft would cost. Its nice to see there is another nice Subaru in Allentown.

Thank you!

The ACPT tends to run $1149. I'll be buying mine from Josh at importimage.com.

Definitely, we need to get more meets together of the Subarus around here.

TROLL:

Thanks man, I'll go to an Applebee's meet one of these nights. Turbo-wise, with this purchase that got pushed off a bit, haha. I'm leaning towards the GT30R rotated kit now more than anything. The 20g would just be the easiest to upgrade to, I'd only need the turbo and injectors.

[sisforsurfing]

Really looking forward to your opinions on the new RCE coilovers. I was just reading a long thread on iwsti about them this morning, glad to hear a local took the plunge.

[DaveSTi]

Small update:

RCE T2s have an ETA of 2 weeks out. From what I've read, that's a soft target that may extend out further. Hopefully the shipment from Germany will be on time as they're expecting.

So in the meantime, I've picked up some gaskets and bolts for the GT Spec clone header I have. I need to run to the auto store and pick up a 1/8" NPT bolt to close off the EGT bung in the up-pipe. Then I'd like to get the header and up-pipe coated. Does anyone know a place around here where I can get that done at? I want a quality coating that'll withstand 1600 degree EGTs and higher for longevity sake.

I also ordered a Carbing front subframe for the car. This will help shed some weight up front (20lbs or so) and from the reviews I've read, it sounds like another X-Brace type of mod, so I'm very excited about that. The stock splash shield will bolt right up to it and the ALK will clear as well.

Oh yeah, I also ordered up a Prodrive 3 port EBCS for the car from MSPT. They're running a sale on them if anyone is interested in picking one up. That'll go on the car at the Protune.

Once the BC coilovers sell, I'll be picking up some 18x8 O.Z. Ultraleggeras in black with 235 Michelin PS2 Sports on them off my buddy who has an 05 STi. These will be my lightweight summer wheels and I'll convert the BBS stockers to my winter wheels.

I'd like to put in a strong recommendation for Zaino, too. The stuff wasn't cheap, but its OH SO WORTH IT.

It makes cleaning the car so much easier after long trips. I've seen rain alone take off pollen and bugs from the paint. When I wash it, it puts more Z2 polish onto the car each time to keep it looking great, and everything just wipes right off with no effort. Water beads all over the paint and glass and I haven't seen any water spots yet. Just a great product and after using Zymol, Megauirs, Mothers, etc. over the years, this is by far the best.

Ok, maybe this wasn't a small update after all.

[ZillaSTI04]

nice setup man how do you like that downpipe and catback

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by ZillaSTI04

nice setup man how do you like that downpipe and catback

I love it! It really brings out the boxer rumble and continues to pass inspection. My neighbors complain that it is too loud, but screw them, I've heard MUCH louder.

[Honest_Bob]

I'm gonna have to try the Zaino products. I've heard so much about them.

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by Honest_Bob

I'm gonna have to try the Zaino products. I've heard so much about them.

they rule. the first time you use it takes the most time since you have to dawn the car, claybar it, dawn it again, use bug and tar on it, etc. just to make sure the clear coat is as clean as it's going to get. then you apply the steps. after thats all done, you only have to maintain it with washing it with the zaino wash.

since its a polymer instead of a wax, it'll last you a good 6 months to a year before you have to go through the steps again. it's incredible.

[DaveSTi]

Ordered an AMS lightweight battery kit today to reduce front end weight a bit further. Very close to ordering the APR front strut bar for underhood bling. Anyone want my TopSpeed front strut bar?

Also picked up Grimmspeed hood dampers to replace the broken prop rod clip in my engine bay.

[Honest_Bob]

Originally Posted by DaveSTi

Anyone want my TopSpeed front strut bar?

What are you asking for it?

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by Honest_Bob

What are you asking for it?

Well, I'm actually in the process of painting the ends of it black. Sanded down the ends that had rusted, and now just spraybombing them with 3 coats. Fits great. How much are you willing to spend, these aren't ebay cheapies so I was thinking $70 picked up?

edit: oh yeah, paint job is looking nice

[TROLL]

Sounds like you've got some nice new stuff on the way. I know there's a local Jet Hot place around... and also I believe that Bonehead Performance who is a vendor on here has begun doing ceramic coating as well but not positive what temps its good for.

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by TROLL

Sounds like you've got some nice new stuff on the way. I know there's a local Jet Hot place around... and also I believe that Bonehead Performance who is a vendor on here has begun doing ceramic coating as well but not positive what temps its good for.

Thanks man, yeah this has been a bit out of the norm for me, but my planned mod list is being crossed off pretty quickly, a relative end is in sight

oh yeah? I'll have to PM them, that sounds like a nice option to keep it local. Thanks for the heads up!

[RyanG]

Dave,

We need to sit down and talk about your headers buddy. I have some things I want to go over with you.

[DaveSTi]

Ryan,

Thanks for the help. decided to coat them with the VHT paint since Jeff Perrin uses it on his headers:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=19773588

If its good enough for him, it'll be good enough for my ebay header, haha.


Grimmspeed hood dampers came in the mail at 230, were installed by 3, haha. took out the prop rod and liking the change.

just put the last coats of paint on the TopSpeed STB for Honest Bob. Isn't turning out as well as I was hoping, but it's better than it was before with rust from engine heat.

carbing front subframe is set to arrive on the 10th and the AMS lightweight battery kit has shipped with no ETA. no word on the RCE T2's yet either...would like to have everything on before September.