since betasniper is complaining about the forum slowing down

[sniper1rfa]

Here is a picture of what's been occupying my time, now that i don't play paintball much anymore.







:D
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Remember kids, Alice says "Don't do drugs!"

[betasniper]

Very, Very nice.

[sniper1rfa]

I like it.

No idea how to drive it though, as ~330 HP from the turboz is a lot different than my 170 N/A. I drove it last night, because we finally got it together in running form, and the right pedal might as well have been called the Wheelspin Modulator. :P


It's actually being swapped for an N/A motor in the near future - until we get coefficients to drive super-production (turbos allowed) we're limited to the new open-light class, which has a 2.65L N/A restriction. It's basically the N/A subaru class, with the displacement upped a bit to allow for engine rebuilds. Will be the worlds slowest STi.



It's been a real education to work on it, but i'm really glad it's a friend who actually owns it.






This is my car:



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Remember kids, Alice says "Don't do drugs!"

[betasniper]

may be you have to push start it like nascar

[Surestick]

+1 on the "very very nice" comment.
The STi is the car I'd buy if I had money but not crazy amounts.

Out of curiosity, it the air intake on the roof functional or just for looks/sponsor $$?
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[sniper1rfa]

It's actually a fresh air vent into the cabin - the car has no A/C (i lobbied to keep it, but noooooo, it takes too many powers!). Although, to be fair, we ended up taking the heat exchanger for the a/c out of the heater core in order to fit it under the new knee bar (roll cage replaced stock bar).






I really like subarus. They suck, but the drivetrain makes up for it in spades.


EDIT: more pics and info here: http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2368
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Remember kids, Alice says "Don't do drugs!"

[sniper1rfa]

Made a new lightbar over the weekend. Made from 1.25" thin wall square tubing. Slips into two mounts welded to the bumper beam. The mounts are slotted along the bottom, so when the bolts are tightened, the whole assembly clamps together. Very strong. Can probably tow the car with the bar.

Two of the old hella 700's were replaced with 4000's, which will be getting HID kits (H1 bulbs). Hopefully, the light output doesn't suck balls, but i'm not holding my breath. If it sucks, the 4000's are going away for some real 4000HID.


Honestly, the welds are terrible and i think this thing is going to vibrate itself to pieces, but i could be wrong. I think i might try to weld up some gusset plates on the joints, make the thing more sturdy. We'll see.[/img]
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Remember kids, Alice says "Don't do drugs!"

[jwigum]

[sniper1rfa]

Only big issue i've heard of are 2.5L headgasket problems, which my '02 had at 80k.

After '03 that was supposedly fixed, and 05+ 2.5L have different heads.

General maintenance can be a pain - plugs are especially difficult to get at in the newer motors and head work almost requires pulling the motor. Putting a block heater in mine meant removing the exhaust manifold. However, changing the starter or alternator is easy as pie.

Otherwise, they are fantastic cars for generally Doing Stuff. Cheap, reliable, useful. Not a superb interior, so they don't make a real good commuter car, but that's not really the point.

I get 26-33mpg depending on what i'm doing. 28 highway is easy even with tons of crap on the roof.



I recommend these things to anybody that actually goes and and Does Something - enough that both my friend and his dad bought outbacks, and another friend is thinking about it. A subaru with snow tires is unstoppable on any road still considered passable. Keep in mind, though, that the AWD system isn't very advanced on the low-end and manual trans. vehicles - The don't handle traction on patchy roads well. Mine is just open diffs front and back, with a crappy viscous center, so it only works well if each tire has similar traction. The AT cars are great, though.

I'd also look at the suzuki sx4 as an alternative. Also a great car.
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Remember kids, Alice says "Don't do drugs!"

[Surestick]

I have to agree with everything sniper1rfa says.

I've got an '02 Impreza Outback Sport and, especially in the snow, it's amazing compared to the Civic I was driving before.

Mileage is a little bit worse (heavier car, AWD & 2.5L vs. the Civic's 1.6) but not terribly so.
Love the sound of the motor too!

Haven't had any head gasket issues myself but I've heard on the forums that they do occur. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
_________________
Current markers:

Automag powerfeed left.
PGP w/some Palmer's love
WDP Angel Speed 03
Sheridan Piranha LB
PMI-III
Spyder Victor-II

Looking for:

Airstar Nova/Supernova or PGI Mayhem

[sniper1rfa]

Surestick, HG problems are sure as shit on that car, unless you keep up on the subaru HG conditioner additive they have for the coolant.


80kmi or so is usually about when they go, which is fine since you're about due for a timing belt then as well.


The problem is actually a design flaw concerning the difference in expansion between the heads and the block.
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Remember kids, Alice says "Don't do drugs!"

[sniper1rfa]

I won, BTW. 1:52, closest competitor was my teammate (in the rally car) with a 1:54. :)
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Remember kids, Alice says "Don't do drugs!"

[sniper1rfa]

It's now *officially* a rally car. Took first in class, 8 of 11 overall this weekend at nemadji trail stage rally in duquette mn. :)
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Remember kids, Alice says "Don't do drugs!"