StripesRX's 04 STi

[StripesRX]

Hey everyone! I guess its time for me to start a journal, since getting this car has turned into one heck of an adventure.

Right now my plans are to try to get the car in running condition, allow enough time for financial recovery and then start in on other mods something in the spring. This car is going to be a DD, so I’m not going for raw power. Just a middle of the road STi that can get from A to B, fast.

Table of Contents

Post #1 – The Story So Far
Post #12 - New Pics of the heads
Post #30 - More Pics of the motor
Post #34 - Motor is almost done!
Post #54 - Manifold is on. Only a matter of time!
Post #60 - Motor is in! Its runnin and waitin for me!
Post #71 - The UBER Update!
Post #80 - BSS Intoercooler is in and STi's first snow.
Post #83 - Tune day! 351whp/353wtq

Mod List

Engine
Brand new ’08 Short Block
Subaru Gasket Kit
ARP Head Studs
EFI Logics 99.5mm Forged Pistons
EFI Logics 99.5mm Ring Set

Brand New Heads
Kelford 264/264 Camshafts
Supertech +0.5 Intake and Exhaust Valves
Supertech Titanium Retainer-Seats
Supertech Valve Spring Set

’08 Subaru Oil pump
NGK One Step Colder Spark Plugs
AgencyPower Turbo Inlet Hose
TGV Deletes
Deatschwerks 740cc Side feed Injectors
Walbro 255lph Fuel Pump
GT Spec Unequal Length Headers
AEM Short Ram Intake
Ultimate KillerB Motorsport Oil pickup
Perrin Radiator Shroud
Zerosports 160* Thermostat

Blouch Dom 3 Turbo with 2.4" Inlet
Invidia V2 Bellmouth Downpipe
HKS Hi Power CBE
Prodrive Electronic Boost Control Solenoid

Cobb V2 Accessport

Drivetrain
ACT Street Clutch
Resurfaced Flywheel

Suspension
None (So far)


Exterior
None(So far)


Interior
None(So far)


This car is most definitely a work in progress, so stay tuned!

[StripesRX]

The Story so far:

Alright everyone. First off, my name is Amy and I’ve wanted an STi pretty much since I saw the 04 come out. So I was overjoyed to find this little car not to far from me, for a price I could afford. In silver, the color I wanted. It had a few miles on it (120k at purchase) but I knew that I’d want to build it from the ground up.

Heard the saying be careful what you wish for? …Yeah

Day 1:

Got the car on June 16th 2009 and I was the happiest girl in the world.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/StiandI.jpg

Had a great time driving it home from the dealer and a terrific time cruising and driving circles around my friends SRT-4

The problems begin:

I spent about a week and a half being carefree, then the CEL came on. And things went south.

Had the CEL checked(P0011-camshaft position advance) and cleared and was told to drive around to see if it came back. A week later I was finally able to drive for the proper length of time since I was going on vacation that weekend and sure enough, CEL was back. Along with a great grinding sound.(BAD) On the way back, the grinding noise stopped, but the tailpipe started blowing oil out the back like mad. Got it back up to my Dad’s garage, where we proceeded to take it apart.

BLOWN TURBO #1:

We found the exhaust impeller in the downpipe.

So, ordered and new MHI TD05 18G turbo, timing belt and gaskets galore. Put it all back together and it started up great. Drove fine and no CEL. I made an appointment for a tune at EFI Logics for August 12th.

EFI visit 1(of many):

I spent the time leading up to the visit driving carefully so I could break in the new stuff. The morning of my appointment with EFI, the CEL returned on the drive over. Chris told me to bring it in, but instead of tuning it we elected to do a compression test to try to diagnose the problem.
Results:
Cylinder 1:130
Cylinder 2:120
Cylinder 3:130
Cylinder 4:130
Since the compression test didn’t show much, Chris suggested we replace the oil pickup.

Replacement… Oil ain’t supposed to look like that!:

I ordered the Ultimate pickup for KillerB, but since it was backordered I decided to just get the OEM pickup to see if it fixed the issue and swap in the KillerB pickup when it came in.

So we took off the oil pan and pickup and this is what we found:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0038.jpg

Can you say chunks? Alright, we assumed(more like hoped) that the bits of metal were from the turbo that had just disintegrated in the engine and continued. Flushed the system, new oil and filter. No CEL.

Emailed EFI the updates, and since we found that much metal in the pan, they suggested pulling the motor.

BLOWN TURBO #2… déjà vu…:

While deciding on what to do, I was using the car just to get to work and school since it was the only thing I had. On my way to class one day, I heard the new turbo make a suspicious sound… THAT sound… the sound that the stock turbo had made before it died. The oil cloud returned and there was no denying the fact that the new turbo had gone the way of the old one.

Two turbos in three months, I dub the car TK(Turbo Killer)

Off to EFI:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0301.jpg

I officially throw in the towel, contact EFI and arrange to drop off the STi to see if they could work a miracle. Turns out there was no saving the motor. The heads and block were completely shot. The car probably was driven to the ground and left to sit for a while(evidenced by excessive rust and salt buildup in the engine bay). Rob called it the “Worst rot box I have ever touched.” Hell, when I fail, I don’t go halfway.

11/21 START THE BUILD:

Went over to EFI with a few other IW guys, sat down with Pete and hammered out the build and put down a deposit. Might add a few other items to the list as we go along, but my TK is on its way to FIXED!

[turbo_turtle]

So what exactly when wrong with the engine? Or you won't really find out unless its broken down?

Chris was probably thinking low oil pressure killed the original turbo. The oil pickup tube is a common suspect for cracking. But after you find chunks like that, you know you can't just throw another turbo on it keep on going. Once there's chunks in the oil pan, there will be chunks everywhere and a rebuild is required. BTW, be sure to get the oil cooler replaced, those things hold chunks like no other.

What you and Pete decide to do for the new build? Good job on the fail factor... Rob has seen a lot of Subarus in his day.

~Dan

EDIT: Is the '08 shortblock what you are going with or is that what you had? Which heads are you going with?

[StripesRX]

So what exactly when wrong with the engine? Or you won't really find out unless its broken down?

Chris was probably thinking low oil pressure killed the original turbo. The oil pickup tube is a common suspect for cracking. But after you find chunks like that, you know you can't just throw another turbo on it keep on going. Once there's chunks in the oil pan, there will be chunks everywhere and a rebuild is required. BTW, be sure to get the oil cooler replaced, those things hold chunks like no other.

What you and Pete decide to do for the new build? Good job on the fail factor... Rob has seen a lot of Subarus in his day.

~Dan

EDIT: Is the '08 shortblock what you are going with or is that what you had? Which heads are you going with?

First, the car was bought completely stock.

They looked at the oil pump and could find no problems with it. What Chris thinks happened is that the car sat for a while and didn't go through heat cycles. That caused the breakdown of the engine parts. The engine bay is coated in rust (the lower power steering lines are pure rust) but the body is totally solid. Because of this, they came to the conclusion that the car sat for a bit.

There was no oil cooler present on the car. Unless theres a stock oil cooler that I don't know about.

The block is a brand new '08 block directly from Subaru. As are the heads. EFI orders them directly from the dealer and are putting in their forged pistons and assembling the heads in shop. Robs doing all the work :D

Turboed engines are new to me, and I'm learning tons every day. :)

[turbo_turtle]

Wow, must have sat for a couple years. There is a stock oil cooler.

How did you choose the '08 longblock vs some JDM motor?

~Dan

[StripesRX]

Wow, must have sat for a couple years. There is a stock oil cooler.

How did you choose the '08 longblock vs some JDM motor?

~Dan

From the auto report I dug up, there are no service records for about 3 years. I'm guessing thats about as long as it sat.

Do you have a pic of where the stock oil cooler is on the 04s? Or at least a diagram so I can go find it? The only Subaru I know of with a stock oil cooler from the factory is the Spec C.

Cost. I'm getting the '08 shortblock because thats what EFI orders for its motor builds. They get the short blocks from the local dealership and just toss the forged pistons in. The heads are just the blank shells that Robs going to put the cams, valves, springs and retainers in. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to do a Version 7 swap on it, but only 5 months after buying the car and having to do a full build on it has me strapped for cash.

[turbo_turtle]

Oil cooler is what the oil filter screws into. Its directly above the oil filter. On the inside it's just like a radiator, so metal bits can hide everywhere in there. Tell Rob turbo_turtle told him to just change it, he'll understand, haha.

Here's what a new one looks like:
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/203/dscf2190w.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7508/dscf2191.jpg

~Dan

[StripesRX]

Ah, ok. Easy enough. Yay learning! Thanks!

My guess is that they're already way ahead of us, but when I go to drop off my DP and boost control solenoid, I'll tell 'em. Y'know, just to make sure :D

[turbo_turtle]

Take pics of the head building process if they let you! (It's really neat!)

~Dan

[StripesRX]

I don't think they've started on the heads yet, as there was a ton of stuff to be ordered for them, but Pete did send me some pics of the pistons going in:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/AmyD_04STi_4.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/AmyD_04STi_3.jpg

[StripesRX]

Just talked to Pete and it sounds like my heads are done and should be back from the machine shop today or tomorrow. I'm probably going to head over there early next week to say hi and see what been going on. Yay! :)

[StripesRX]

Pete send me pics of the new heads fresh from the machine shop!

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/AmyD_04STi_6.jpg
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/AmyD_04STi_5.jpg

So purdy!

[xxthat girlxx]

Definitely purdy!!

[StripesRX]

Sure is! I'm going to be visiting them on Wednesday to see how everything's coming along. Can't wait to see everything in person. Now all I need is for my downpipe and boost control solenoid to arrive and everything to be assembled. YAY! :D

[MoN]

Yayyy! U must be so excited, your gonna be hooked to the STi after all this suspense in waiting for it, huh?!

[StripesRX]

Oh you bet! Everyone has been telling me how hard the break in is going to be. I think its going to be a sinch, I'm not going to leave that car for ANYTHING. haha. I might just cry when I get it back, these past few months have been such crap I can't wait for things to start going right. :)

[SassySTi284]

that looks awesome, I can't wait to have them do my work too!!!

[StripesRX]

EFI does kick ass work! What are you having done? Anything nuts? :D

[SassySTi284]

The plan for my birthday is Perrin Stealth FMIC or APS DR525 FMIC, EFI Forged Pistons, Blouch 2.5XTR Polka Pickle Turbo and possibly TGV Deletes and fresh tune.

[StripesRX]

SWEET! Def go for the TGV deletes since the engine will already be apart and EFI stocks the JDM ones onsite. They're only 200 bucks and net you at least 20 hp. Yours shall be awesomeness :D

[SassySTi284]

20hp huh? THat's an added bonus. Pete was just saying that there will be better flow and one less sensor to worry about. How's yours coming along? It'll be ready for 48hrs right? You're registered i think you said?

[StripesRX]

Its coming along. Just waiting for the parts I ordered to arrive(Boost control solenoid and downpipe) and then I can bring them over. I'll most likely be picking the car up the first week in January. I'll be doing a butt load of driving to break it in. If not, the 48 hrs of tristate will break it in in style. :D

Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't Wait!

[SassySTi284]

Are you coming down for the first leg in New Jersey???

[StripesRX]

I won't be joining the caravan til friday afternoon because I have work thrusday night. But once I'm with it, I'm there til the end!

[SassySTi284]

got a power estimate for you new setup?

[StripesRX]

350.................ish :D

[SassySTi284]

it's gonna be night and day compared to your previous setup. You're gonna be as giddy as a school girl;)

[StripesRX]

You bet! I don't squeal like a 4 year old often. Usually I reserve it for huge snowstorms and days off. But when I hit the gas for the first time after the real tune, yeah, UBER squeal.

I drove the car completely stock with a (mostly) broken motor and loved it. Its going to be like driving a rocket now. :)

[SassySTi284]

Most Definitely!!

[StripesRX]

Christmas eve EFI Logics had a little Christmas get together. I gots pictures of my motor and had a great time hanging out with the guys and chowing on some great food.

Engine Piccys:

The engine is under wraps:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0005_01.jpg

Lots of parts, most of them mine. The turbo on the top shelf is mine :D
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0006_01.jpg

Baby is sleeping underneath a blanky
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0007_01.jpg

And one shot of the get together, FOOD!
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0008_01.jpg

They had to order some more valve shims for the engine before Rob can close it up and he's been busting his ass trying to clean up/replace all the rusted up tubes and lines. But it shouldn't be long now!

My Invidia downpipe arrived at EFI on the 23rd and my Prodrive boost control solenoid came to me on the 24th. All parts are in, is all good! :D

[topend]

This is a nice journal :) I was @ efi last Friday and didn't see your car there, go figure its covered up lol

[StripesRX]

Thanks!

They only put a blanket on in recently. At first it was hanging out in front of the shop, then they moved it to where it is. And Its been sitting there for a while without. Its not like I'm worried, whats dust to an STi anyway? :D

EFI is always a fun place, what did you get done?

[topend]

Sti > dust ha

Got some main. stuff done along w/ a tune. Also got to drive Duy's STI around in the mean time :D

[StripesRX]

So I went for an EFI visit today to drop off the last of the parts and to see how everything is coming. Almost there!!!

This is what I arrived to:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0018.jpg

Robs been busting his butt trying to clean off all the rusted and corroded crap. It shows!
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0020.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0022.jpg

Clean Timing belt covers and cam gears
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0025.jpg

Gears going on:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0026.jpg

Smexy GT SPEC headers:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0028.jpg

Timing belt is on!
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0030.jpg

Thats all for now!

[MoN]

When are you supposed to be getting it back?

[StripesRX]

Pete said it should be completely finished by the middle of January. Theres not too much else left to do aside from install the engine and hook everything up. Rob told me the he planned to put the intake manifold back on by the end of the day yesterday. Won't be long now!

Just have to break it in after that.

[SassySTi284]

In time for 48hrs? Looks sexy!! Can't wait to get my engine there too.

[Jonathan]

How did you choose the '08 long block vs some JDM motor?

Cost. I'm getting the '08 short block because thats what EFI orders for its motor builds. They get the short blocks from the local dealership and just toss the forged pistons in.
I dare say that while lower cost is certainly a factor, EFI orders their short blocks from the dealership as much for convenience and for being a readily available "off the shelf" commodity. Based on "cost" factors alone, I think you would be better off going for a used early 1990ies Legacy EJ22T motor. The issues with a used motor (if you were to go that route) are that you would want to do a complete tear down and have the block magnaflexed for cracks, etc... and that these are becoming increasingly rare, hard-to-find motors.

With a brand new factory short block, you pretty much know what you are getting and you don't have to waste time checking out the motor you are working with.

[turbo_turtle]

You mean magnafluxed? lol

~Dan

[StripesRX]

I dare say that while lower cost is certainly a factor, EFI orders their short blocks from the dealership as much for convenience and for being a readily available "off the shelf" commodity. Based on "cost" factors alone, I think you would be better off going for a used early 1990ies Legacy EJ22T motor. The issues with a used motor (if you were to go that route) are that you would want to do a complete tear down and have the block magnaflexed for cracks, etc... and that these are becoming increasingly rare, hard-to-find motors.

With a brand new factory short block, you pretty much know what you are getting and you don't have to waste time checking out the motor you are working with.

Please, excuse the following comment:

OMG! I would have never thought of that!!! /sarcasm :huh:

Just kiddin. Kinda.... My answer of "cost" was the quick and dirty response to the question of why I didn't go with a JDM motor. (Although a Version 7 swap would be rather sweet) But frankly, if cost was the only factor here, I wouldn't be doing this build in the first place.

My answer to why I didn't go with a used motor and why I decided to just spring for a new block/heads is quite longer than a simple answer.

1. Time. I bought this car in June. A week later the CEL come on and its been broken and in limp mode ever since. This makes 7 months now that I havn't been able to drive my car that I spent good money on. Right now, I want it fixed and done right. I can't just sit around looking for a good used motor. As you said, the EJ22T is extremely rare and the amount of time spent looking for one doesn't make it worth it.

2. Warrany. I'm learning from a huge mistake here because when I purchased the car, I walked out of the dealer without a warrany on my car. EFI and I were actually trying to find a used motor, but EFI couldn't warrany any used part they put in. And rightly so. The brand new motor and heads come with EFI's warranty.

3. Long Run Piece of Mind. If I go with a used motor, I'm assuming that the previous owner took care of it like a prince, which is usually not the norm. I plan on tracking and racing this car. While the EJ22T motor is a practially bulletproof motor with forged internals straight from the factory, its nearly 20 years old and will probably have something like 100k+ miles on it. While it is true that any motor taken care of properly will last (Any EJ engine will last for a good long time) I can't see that the added stress of tracking will be good for an older engine.

4. Cost. Yeah, why not? While it may be cheaper to buy a used engine and get it, I didn't want to risk buying one, having it tested and it being not up to snuff. A used car just blew up in my face, leaving a really bad state of mind toward used things right now. I Literally have to replace my entire engine bay. After pricing it out, new stock vs. new aftermarket would only end up being a few hundered dollars more, and if I ever want to go bigger, I will have the base to support it.

5. My car is an STi, I want an STi motor. The merits of the EJ22T are pretty high, but it belongs in a legacy. In my mind, the only engine that belongs in my STi is the EJ257. If I wanted the EJ22, I'd go find a 95 Leggy Twin Turbo. Cause in all reality, it would probably be a hell of a lot cheaper than what I'm doing. But I've wanted an STi since they came over to the states in 04. And I'm willing to do what it takes to build my dream STi.

There were many other factors that led me to choose to go with a brand new engine. The choice was not me walking in saying "make it all shiny!!!", in reality it was more "I've tried everything else, now I just want it to work."




...end rant.

[Jonathan]

Sorry.. I didnt mean to send you off on your rant.. I think we are basically in agreement as to the merits of the choices available to you. I think your motor will be awesome when it is done. I didn't mean to come off like I was bashing the choice of using a factory new 2008 short block as the basis for your motors build.

[erik*a]

FYI- Broken Motorsports can source a used motor/trans and offer a 1 month warranty on the part. All low miles and ensured to be what you pay for---

For future builds-
Ask RS22b for any other ?s- he is the owner and technician there.

[StripesRX]

@Jonathan - No hard feelings. I think I was a little cranky yesterday, thats all. 'scuse the rant. :) I guess that while I am excited about getting my car back with a brand new engine and it work and all, I am a little peeved that I have to spend all this money right after buying it. Evil used car dealership... ok, I'm done. :D

@erik*a - Good to know, but I hope not to do any more builds for quite some time! :) Although there is something addicting about it. Rally car next winter... yeeeeeesss.

[Mac]

Soo...First post and look what I found...

http://image.automotive.com/f/projectbuild/9527173+pheader/130_0406_tial44_lead_z.jpg


BTW...How was your drive yesterday? :devil:

[StripesRX]

Alright... ^^^^ That, for those who are wondering, is a Tial 50mm BOV that I was considering putting in my car 1. because I love purple, 2. I heart the sound it makes(sounds like the car is laughing) and 3. because of the new setup, both Steve(Mac) and I were wondering if the stock BPV would be best for my setup while I was driving his STi around, making the Tial "laugh".

So I e-mailed Chris over at EFI about it and he said that there's no need for it at this point. YAY! A few hundred bucks that I can spend diligently on something else.


But on another note, I have Blizzak snow tires mounted on my BBS rims right now(Came that way when I bought it, at least whoever owned before either knew to choose good snow tires or just guessed well) anywho, come spring I'm planning on getting new rims and mounting good summer tires on it(Also planning on Auto-Xing and maybe a track event or two). Thing is, I can't pick what rims/color I want! So, my idea:

Get the Enkei RPF1s:

http://www.good-win-racing.com/miata/images/items/Enkei%20Racing%20RPF1.jpg

Buy them in Shiny Black And have two of the spoke pairs powder coated in purple. Kinda like the design on the rims on ken blocks DC gymkhana car:

http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ken-block-2009-subaru-wrx-sti-done-560.jpg

Or maybe do the same idea on the RP03s:

http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/enkei_racing/swap/enkei_rp03_s_ci3_l.jpg

Do it on the spoke that has the RP03 logo and have that done over the purple so it stands out?

Am I crazy or would it look cool? Not like I have my heart set on the rims/color choice, just throwing out ideas. I have 4 months to decide. Also, I plan on replacing and "pink" STi stickers/badges with purple sometime in the future. If that makes a difference. :)

Cheers!

[erik*a]

I think it sounds cool- and I may know the guy to do the powder coating. I met this awesome guy who runs sweep at the NY rally events that has a powder coating business! I would guess he will take the time to do what you want...

Also the shop may be able to get you those wheels cheaper- I don't know who they get discounts with- but I know Team Dynamics and a few others. So have us price check for you!

Yay so when do you get "her" back?

[MoN]

Try photochopping it and see what it loooks like?

[Mac]

RPF-1 18x8" 5x100 +35 offset Oh BABY!! Awesome! 17 lbs (as light as the stock BBS) mine were powdercoated by liquidpowdercoats in PA. Cheap and great job. I'm thinking this color....LAZER CRANBERRY

Oh Yea...245/40x18 Z1 Star Spec tires...hehe

http://www.liquidpowdercoats.com/colors/Metallics/Lazer-Kranberry-P-4198.jpg

[xxthat girlxx]

I like the spokes of the RP03s better and I like that lazer cranberry color b/c of the sparkles. :D

[StripesRX]

Alright, the lazer cranberry is cool and all, but I don't know if I want all one color. I kinda wanted to switch it up and be different.

I'll try to chop it, but my choices for photoediting programs is Paint right now, su I don't know if I could make a good copy.

[Mac]

Alright, the lazer cranberry is cool and all, but I don't know if I want all one color. I kinda wanted to switch it up and be different.

I'll try to chop it, but my choices for photoediting programs is Paint right now, su I don't know if I could make a good copy.


http://i45.tinypic.com/29pytll.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/2dca88z.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/2eevpkj.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/2i1h44l.jpg

[xxthat girlxx]

I like the all purple for that wheel. I think the RP03s will work better to paint just one spoke.

[StripesRX]

I like the all purple for that wheel. I think the RP03s will work better to paint just one spoke.

I agree. I think I'm leaning toward the RP03s and painting one spoke. Putting the RP03 lettering back on in silver/white. If I do white, I might go find a set of 08/09 STi calipers to match. :)

[StripesRX]

Ze motor, she is almost done:

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_7.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_8.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_9.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_10.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_11.JPG

:D

[MoN]

Yayy! I like the last pic of the wheels w/ the 3 spokes painted. looks cool. What color is the STi? Black is it?

[StripesRX]

Yayy! I like the last pic of the wheels w/ the 3 spokes painted. looks cool. What color is the STi? Black is it?

Its silver. A very though color to find neat rims for. Thats why I'm trying to be creative with it. That and normal bores me :lol:

[StripesRX]

I woke up yesterday afternoon with a voice mail from Pete at EFI:
I have good news and bad news,










Good news is your motor is done and running, bad news is you have to pay your bill. :lol:

Wee! The STi lives again! Chris is going to put it up on their dyno and tweak/start the breaking in process today. Can't wait til Thursday, cause thats when I get paid so I can go pick the car up. W00T!

[xxthat girlxx]

Yaaaay!

[Mac]

I woke up yesterday afternoon with a voice mail from Pete at EFI:
I have good news and bad news,










Good news is your motor is done and running, bad news is you have to pay your bill. :lol:

Wee! The STi lives again! Chris is going to put it up on their dyno and tweak/start the breaking in process today. Can't wait til Thursday, cause thats when I get paid so I can go pick the car up. W00T!

That means that you should have your car good to go for the weekend expedition. :devil:

[StripesRX]

IT LIVES! Hows 'bout some pictures of some motorage? Yes? OK!

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_13.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_14.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_1.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_2.JPG

Pete says it sounds (and I quote) "niiiiiiiiiiice." :) Guess I'll have to find out when I pick it up on Thursday, and just in time for the 48hrs! YAY!

[xxthat girlxx]

Can't wait to see it Amy! I'm very excited for you!

[MoN]

Yeeeee exciting! Engine looks so nice and clean!

[BadgrlSTi]

Good story! Sounds like a super fun setup... I have the GT spec header on my STi and love it. It takes away the boxer rumble cause of the equal length but I think it's a throatier growl, which i love! G/L with your new STi! Sounds like you guys have a lot more reputable shops up there...I wish we had that down here in Central Fl. :p

Cassie

[StripesRX]

Can't wait to see it Amy! I'm very excited for you!

Thanks! It should be amazing!

Yeeeee exciting! Engine looks so nice and clean!

You bet! I think theres enough armor-all on that thing to put any lambo to shame. :D

Good story! Sounds like a super fun setup... I have the GT spec header on my STi and love it. It takes away the boxer rumble cause of the equal length but I think it's a throatier growl, which i love! G/L with your new STi! Sounds like you guys have a lot more reputable shops up there...I wish we had that down here in Central Fl. :p

Cassie

Thank you, its going to be a ton of fun!

Chris (the owner of EFI) was trying to talk me into the equal length GT Specs, but I'm a sucker for the boxer rumble. I went with the unequals, even though it'll be a slight drop in torque I want the rumble.

The northeast is kinda a Subaru haven. Make the road trip! :lol:

[BadgrlSTi]

Thanks! It should be amazing!



You bet! I think theres enough armor-all on that thing to put any lambo to shame. :D



Thank you, its going to be a ton of fun!

Chris (the owner of EFI) was trying to talk me into the equal length GT Specs, but I'm a sucker for the boxer rumble. I went with the unequals, even though it'll be a slight drop in torque I want the rumble.

The northeast is kinda a Subaru haven. Make the road trip! :lol:

oohhh icicicic....i must've misread your post....boxer rumble is sexy so i don't blame you. I'm dyin to come up there, specially in the winter (:love: snow antics :love:) so don't tempt me! :p

[MoN]

LoLz @ putting the Lambos to shame

Good story! Sounds like a super fun setup... I have the GT spec header on my STi and love it. It takes away the boxer rumble cause of the equal length but I think it's a throatier growl, which i love! G/L with your new STi! Sounds like you guys have a lot more reputable shops up there...I wish we had that down here in Central Fl. :p

Cassie


Ya I also love the sound of the equal length. Still DEF sounds like a subie, just meaner! This guy RSBlood in our area has them and sounds freaking sick!

[Jonathan]

Ya I also love the sound of the equal length. Still DEF sounds like a subie, just meaner! This guy RSBlood in our area has them and sounds freaking sick! Matt's the guy whos always doing those backfire stunts. I dunno, I guess if given a choice, I would opt for the unequal length boxer rumble, but to each their own.

[xxthat girlxx]

Matt's car is ridiculous.

[MoN]

Matt's car is ridiculous.

lol why?! I like the flames out the back he has going on lmao, but I lm also a fan of the "lets scare the hec outta everyone on the road so they get outta my way" vehicles... haha ;)

[xxthat girlxx]

Just saying it's super loud and crazy, that's all.

[StripesRX]

Alrighty! I have disappeared since my last post, so its time for an update!

Well I've been busy the last week because I decided to break in the motor in style: Participating in the 48 hours of Tri-State! Its a Subaru only road trip thats been going on for the last 9 years. Every year the 48 hours tries to raise money for the American Cancer Society and be a great time for all who participate. Lets break down how last weekend went, since I havn't given an update in a bit.

Day 1 - Friday - Home/Errands/EFI to Burlington, VT

Friday was the tough day. Got out of work at 7am, went home and packed for the 48, went over to Amber's house so she could follow me over to my Dad's to drop off my old car, piled into her Impreza, stopped at the bank then to RadioShack to pick up a CB for the trip, high tailed it over to EFI to pick up the STi, rip back over to Amber's house and pack/wire up the STi for the trip, pile into the STi and head for the NYS Thruway and start trying to catch up to the 48 pack and ended up driving up to Burlington, VT at the direction of my garmin. Went to the bar with Sarah and Co. and had dinner, then went back to the room Passing out soon insued. Ended up with 270 miles on the new engine.

Day 2 - Saturday - Burlington to Lake George

The drivers meeting was at 730, so we all got up bright and early, stopped a nearby Dunkin Doughnuts for breakfast and then we were off to VERMONT SPORTS CAR! There was much awesome rally goodness and we all get free Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra rally posters to boot.

Once we drooled a bit, the subies split up into 3 groups to make the journey to Lake Placid for lunch. We spent the majority of the day driving through back roads and BSing on the CB. Keeping the RPMs under 3,000 was a PAIN! We stopped for leg stretches at a Stewarts somewhere in VT then ogt back underway. Made it to Lake Placid, and we took over for lunch, stopped at a GAP and then went to a very neat sandwich place for a quick bite then it was back in the saddle to make it to Lake george. We checked into Dunham's Bay resort and got settled and ready for the raffle dinner!

I didn't win any of the raffle prizes but got lots of free Subaru Swag. During the drive, the people behind me informed me that whenever I took a left turn under decent throttle a big cloud of smoke smelling like cooked oil would kick out of the back of my car. Nothing I could do about it but keeping an eye on the oil. Finished the day with about 560 miles on the motor. The next morning had a project in store for me.

Day 3 - Sunday - Lake George to EFI

So with 560 on the clock, it was time for the first oil change! I got up early and since the drivers meeting wasn't until 11, I went into town and found an Autozone where I nabbed oil, oil filter and a drain pan. Snitched a few tools and a jack, changed out the oil and filter and was ready for the next leg. I noticed that there was a lot of fresh oil on the cross member underneath the engine, but I topped off the oil and since we were headed to EFI anyway I wasn't worried. Time for driving!

From lake George, we all split up into 3 groups again and proceeded through the backroads to a very large truck stop where we would all converge and take all the group photos. It was an invasion! We then moved to a cleared out parking area so we could take final pictures, then all set off for CT. We came accross some rain in transit, but luckily everyone had AWD :lol:

And a final little treat, I recorded Group 2 leaving the truck stop ahead of us. Enjoy the rumble!

YouTube - Group 2 Leaving

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwj6JJKS6kg

We all ended up at EFI Logics. After zipping though the rain it was nice to walk around again. And I also had let EFI know about my little oil leak issue, so as soon as I pulled in Pete and Rob put my car up on the lift and inspected and found... oil! It wasn't pouring out but it was enough to make Rob want to take everything apart then and there to find the issue. Looking at it from the bottom it was decided it might have been a cam seal that got nicked with the cams. I was told to bring it back on Tuesday so they could really rip into it.

Everyone still left went over to a local catering place for the final dinner and Amber and I got to hang with the Jersey crew.

Finished out the day with around 800 miles under the belt.

Monday - Errands

I was wiped after driving the whole weekend, it was lazy day. Slept in and had lunch and picked up goodies courtesy of Steve. My very own IWSTI window stickers and a brand new Turbo XS Top mount (Pictures of both later) that I'll be trading for once I order a longer throttle body connector hose. Washed the car too, but as soon as I got home it was dirty again.

Did a little driving, ended the day around 960.

Tuesday - EFI Day

Zipped over to EFI mid morning and while I was driving I hit the thousand mile mark on the way over That was easy!

So, pull it into the bay and Rob takes a look-see and discovers its not the cam seal but the oil sender right at the top of the engine directly next to the alternator. Easy fix, right?

Removed the broken part, put in a new one, tighten everything up and start it... and the new one breaks.

Removed the broken part, put in a new one, tighten everything up and start it... and the OTHER new one breaks.

Well now we have a puzzler because 3 crap pieces all at once is rather fishy so Rob, Pete and crew went in search of an oil pressure gauge that could read as high as we needed it to. I went to lunch and when I came back Rob's sitting there shaking his head.

What are the chances of 3 part failures all in a row?

That's right, the fourth times the charm. Started it up, no leak, no nothing. Odd, but I think Rob should go play the lottery. Changed the oil and filter for the thousand mile point and off I went. So I'm going to bring it by Monday of Tuesday of next week for one final check.

And thats not the most exciting part. If I get the throttle body coupler and my Cobb AP(Which had to be sent back to Cobb because of issues mating up to the ECU) I WILL BE TUNED JAN 29TH AT NOON!

Mark your calendars, this is gonna be fun.

[MoN]

Awsome way to run through the break in, in 4 days!! haha! Took us about 3 weeks! Glad to hear your STi is doing good after the oil leak issue! And im so hatin on the free subie stuff!!! lolz... So whats next for it?

[xxthat girlxx]

Glad things are going well.

[StripesRX]

Awsome way to run through the break in, in 4 days!! haha! Took us about 3 weeks! Glad to hear your STi is doing good after the oil leak issue! And im so hatin on the free subie stuff!!! lolz... So whats next for it?

Right now I'm waiting for my throttle body to intercooler coupler to come in so I can use the BSS Top mount I'm trading for. Then the tune on friday.

Once that is done its SS Brake lines, HP+ Pads and upgraded brake fluid to prep it for track use. Also going to be getting a set of new rims and tires for summer use.

After that... Suspension :devil:

Glad things are going well.

Thanks! One problem at a time. Almost time to really see what my baby can do. :D

[MoN]

Cool. What type of tracking are you planning on doing? Drag?

[StripesRX]

I might drag it a little, but I really want to start tracking and autocrossing my car to learn to be a better driver. Pretty much I want to do everything :lol:



And I went yesterday to EFI for one final checkup before the tune and my car got a clean bill of health! EFI also called Cobb and had them put a rush on my Accessport. My intercooler coupler is listed as out for delivery, so I should be getting it today. Once I do I'll be putting in the new intercooler and I should be all set for the tune.

4 more days! :D

[boricuajr]

nice! congrats on getting it back on the road.
must feel excellent. especially since it was never 100%
and since you have not drove it in a while.
I want to do a compression test to my car. just to be sure.
I burn Oil tooo fast!

[StripesRX]

nice! congrats on getting it back on the road.
must feel excellent. especially since it was never 100%
and since you have not drove it in a while.
I want to do a compression test to my car. just to be sure.
I burn Oil tooo fast!

It feels pretty good right now, but it'll feel tons better once I get an actual tune. And I thought it was fast stock(and broken)

Compression test is pretty easy to do yourself. Most Autozones actually let you borrow a gauge for they day for a deposit. Its easier if you raise up the motor a bit first since the spark plugs are a pain to get to. But you can do it without too. How many miles do you have on it? And if you drive... spirited... you'll cook the oil faster. :devil:



Tomorrows the tune day!

I put in the BSS top mounted intercooler the other day. Its so huge! It barely fits and I want to try to refit it since its kinda jacked over right now. If I can't do it, the magicans over at EFI can tackle it. :p

[boricuajr]

thanks for the heads up. ill have to take a trip to autozone so I can (GET INTO THE ZONE) lol. good luck with your tune. let us know how it goes!
I have about 20k miles on the new longblock its a stage 2 cobb shortblock, and 07sti heads.. my no no is that im still using the old turbo from the old block((blew due to oil startvation)I was tuned at xx after a 60k service and two days later spun a rod bearing)

[StripesRX]

Got a call from Pete saying Cobb overnighted the AP this afternoon, all set for tomorrow!

A few pics as promised:

The old:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0170.jpg

The new:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0171.jpg

Trying to get it to fit:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0172.jpg

Darn thing is in:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0173.jpg



And TK's first snow!
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0174.jpg

[StripesRX]

6 Hours til the tune, 30 minutes til I get out of work. Time is crawling.

[xxthat girlxx]

EEEEEEK! I couldn't work an overnight. :lol:

[StripesRX]

First, let me say a huge thank you to all the guys over at EFI Logics. Every one of them busted butt to take this car from the train wreck it was a few months ago to the purring beast this thing is today.

Well done guys, you rock.


/mushy stuff


TUNE DAY!!! So I arrived at EFI around 12 today, car got set up on the dyno and since the fitment of the huge BSS TMIC was causing problems with the fitment of the heater hoses the run directly in front of the intercooler, Jack did a quick swap in of the front mounted setup so the lines wouldn't just be hanging there.

Chris got in and it was time for that great moment when I got to hear just what my baby sounded like hitting boost. :devil: Chris worked his magic and the car put down 351awhp/353wtq. Not freaking bad!!! We maxed out the intake, which is probably a good thing. 350 is enough for me. Uncorrected it made 365 on the dyno.

http://efilogics.com/dyno/graph.php?gb=0&hp=1&torque=1&rpm=1&sl=1&sln=1&runid1=724&rgb1=000000255

The spool on this car is awesome and the RPMs go by pretty darn quick. The drive home was uh... fun.

Piccys? YES!

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0181.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0183.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0190.jpg


And for the vid, so you can hear it too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwJdLS3uvHI

[StripesRX]

Dyno graph, now with BOOST! :D

http://efilogics.com/dyno/graph.php?gb=0&hp=1&torque=1&boost=1&rpm=1&sl=1&sln=1&runid1=724&rgb1=000000255

[boricuajr]

that is awesome congrats!!!
nice numbers love how they are up around the same number

[topend]

EFI FTW

Must be a good drive :D

[StripesRX]

that is awesome congrats!!!
nice numbers love how they are up around the same number

Thank you! I'm lovin the numbers. Originally Chris prediced 330 for the car, but I was hoping for 350. Nice round number. :D Got my wish

EFI FTW

Must be a good drive :D

This thing is a right beastie! I love it. I've only really got on it in 4th/5th/6th and in those once it spools(which doesn't take long) its unreal! Here to there...FASTERRRR :devil:

[xxthat girlxx]

Sounds like a good day Amy!

[Jonathan]

Those are excellent numbers !

In order to figure these numbers at the wheels, I can't help thinking your motor must be putting out perhaps ~ 420 BHP at the crank ?

[StripesRX]

Sounds like a good day Amy!

It was amazing to get my baby back after so much. I have a dorky grin on wherever I go. :D

Those are excellent numbers !

In order to figure these numbers at the wheels, I can't help thinking your motor must be putting out perhaps ~ 420 BHP at the crank ?

You bet! Thanks!

Mustang Dynos are typically low reading, so if we follow the formula google found for me:

351*0.85 = 412.9...

So yeah, your spot on with the BHP ;)

[StripesRX]

I look into my crystal ball and see an update on Friday... one hint: its pretty hot :D

[Pitcherman]

Ok so maybe I missed it but did TK make 350whp on the stock snail?

[StripesRX]

350 on a DOM 3 with a 2.4inch inlet. The stock snail was toast months ago :)

[Pitcherman]

350 on a DOM 3 with a 2.4inch inlet. The stock snail was toast months ago :)
Ok I read that you went through a couple of stock turbos and some how missed what you put on after that.

Looks like a nice build, I'd like to take mine to EFI, but I doubt I'll be going halfway across the country for a tune.:cool:

[StripesRX]

Thank you! EFI is definitely a a grade A shop. All the guys there know their stuff but don't come off as the typical know it all mechanics. Its so nice.

Funny you say that... theres a guy from ND thats sending his car over for a full build/tune as we speak :D

[Pitcherman]

I'm assuming you just have the regular DOM 3.0 not the XT-R? Any reason behind going with the 2.4" inlet and not the 3"?

[StripesRX]

Yup regular DOM, I actually went with this turbo since the 18G I had put on the car blew and I needed a new one(along with a whole new motor) and EFI had this baby laying around the shop, the owner of it wasn't going to use it and they were willing to sell it to me for cheap.

[Pitcherman]

Cool, can't beat that. I wanna find someone with a 3" 4.0 XT-R just laying around that they don't need :lol:

[StripesRX]

Good lord. I think the only person who would have one of those lying around would be someone who blew it to bits... :lol: Quite the turbo that one!

[StripesRX]

Heat soak bad! Titanium GOOD!

Alright! Got a new goodie in today: A Titanium Turbo Heatshield from LiteSpeed Performance!

they come in either a satin finish or one of the edges blued out to show its titanium. Course I went for the blue. :D

Top:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0194.jpg

Top on the blue side:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0195.jpg

Ze bottom:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0196.jpg

This thing is beyond light(the box and the shield totaled less than 1 lb according to UPS) and looks freakin sweet too! I'll probably be installing it monday or tuesday when I have the spare time. :D

If you want one, theres a group buy going on on IWSTI right now:
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/vendor-group-buys/183893-litespeed-group-buy-titanium-turbo-heat-shield.html

Cause you need titanium in your life! :lol:

[Pitcherman]

Looks nice, looking forward to seeing pics of it on. I got a COBB shield for free, it's no titanium super shield, but I think I have enough titanium in me to make up for it.

[StripesRX]

So finally got over my slight laziness and installed my Litespeed Heat Shield. 5 minutes and a 12mm socket had it in. If it fits around my massive top mount and turbo I think it'll fit anywhere.

Me installing it, look of concentration! ... and yes the camera is sitting on my socket set
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0204.jpg

Finished product:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0206.jpg

Zoomed out:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0207.jpg



Also took my baby over to the car wash for a quick rinse off of all the dirt and salt from romping around in the snow Wednesday. Now TK will be presentable at EFI's dyno day their holding tomorrow. I'm not going to get it dynoed, but I'm gonna hang out and hear all the other sick cars scream

On the way home I stopped at one of the local mansions for a little photo op, since it was clean for once. I didn't get to position my car the way I'd like since there were other cars parked around. Still snapped a few.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0209.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0212.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0210.jpg

My back window is getting busy! haha:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0211.jpg

Productive day! Also got challenged by a 50-something dude with an 06 corvette at the car wash. I was putting on my EFI stickers and he pulls up next to my car, opens his door and shouts, "Hey! Wanna race?!"

[Jonathan]

My back window is getting busy! haha:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0211.jpg

Productive day! Also got challenged by a 50-something dude with an 06 corvette at the car wash. I was putting on my EFI stickers and he pulls up next to my car, opens his door and shouts, "Hey! Wanna race?!"
Did you manage not to laugh at him ?

I don't think he would be able to accept having his doors blown off by some "girl" driving a "rice mobile".

[Pitcherman]

Looks good. Did you happen to do any logging of IAT's before and after the install?

[StripesRX]

Did you manage not to laugh at him ?

I don't think he would be able to accept having his doors blown off by some "girl" driving a "rice mobile".

Nope. Couldn't respond because I was laughing so hard. From the look on his face, he was assuming rice mobile. Oy.

Looks good. Did you happen to do any logging of IAT's before and after the install?

Thanks. I meant to, but didn't sit down and log any. I want to do a log of intake temps and engine temps with/without just for kicks. I might do it if I get bored. It wasn't like it was a difficult install. :D

[erik*a]

Awesome girl!

[StripesRX]

In lack of updates, so snow pictures! :D

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0239.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0237.jpg

And some tomfoolery, but standing still

This one is my favorite:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0248.jpg

[JJ2006WRX]

I like the last picture....fav shot!

[StripesRX]

I took part of my tax return to the local ski shop and got my baby a winter hat! :lol:

Thule removable ski racks!

And she's a dirty girl, since she just came back from a weekend at the mountain.
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0267.jpg

The fairings a little bare, needs some stickers
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0266.jpg

Thule top to bottom
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0268.jpg

Long live winter! ...for a little while longer.

The rest of my return is going towards a brake upgrade and summer tires/rims so I'll be set to hit the track. Then I can start in on the suspension. :D

[xxthat girlxx]

Very nice. :)

[StripesRX]

Time to ressurect my sleepy journal!

TK has an EFI date next week to install some goodies to help things during the summer... and track season!

Performance ZR Front and Rear Pads
Goodridge SS Brake lines
ATE Superblue Brake fluid
Tranny and Rear Diff Fluid change and Performance fluids put in(whichever EFI uses )
And...

APS 70mm Cold Air Intake

Since we maxed out the dinky AEM intake thats in there now when Chris tuned it in January and that was the weak spot in the build. Not really a problem with normal daily use, but in the heat of summer and flogging it on a track day, it won't be at 100%. Besides, Chris wants to up the Redline a bit, since the power curve was still climbing at 6500 and the intake was preventing that from being safe. Power and safety, two birds with one tune!

And then the next weekend (April 16th and 17th) is my first track weekend at NJMP!

[xxthat girlxx]

Ohhhh... I'm jealous. Have fun at the track lady.

[StripesRX]

Got some goodies in, but a good update will have to wait until tomorrow. I have to get my butt to class/work.

But you can speculate:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0305.jpg

[xxthat girlxx]

^new shoes!

[StripesRX]

One more teaser, since I can:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0306.jpg

You guessed it! TK got a brand new set of Volk TE37s wrapped in Star Specs. (Thanks to t3h_Clap for tire/wheel selection) Unfortunately Tire Rack has all the Volk center caps on back order, so I'll be putting those on as soon as they arrive, I didn't want to go without the entire rim for my track days. Also threw in an oil change to Rotella and a new NAPA filter for the warmer weather. Alright, 'nuff of the talkin, picture time!

The set:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0307.jpg

Mmmmm Volk
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0308.jpg

Me getting artsy with my point and shoot:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0309.jpg

Difference between the old snows:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0310.jpg

Done!
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0312.jpg

All set for EFI day tomorrow!

[Jonathan]

Also threw in an oil change to Rotella and a new NAPA filter for the warmer weather.
I thought Rotella was Shell's brand of motor oil specially formulated for diesel engines ? Is it safe for a gasoline motor ? I would have thought that Mobil One or Royal Purple synthetic would be a better choice.

Those Volk wheels sure look nice. Can't wait to see them on the car. :)
EDIT: I didn't see the last photo with the new wheels mounted on the car.

[TI07STI]

I love it!! They look great!

[StripesRX]

I thought Rotella was Shell's brand of motor oil specially formulated for diesel engines ? Is it safe for a gasoline motor ? I would have thought that Mobil One or Royal Purple synthetic would be a better choice.

Those Volk wheels sure look nice. Can't wait to see them on the car. :)
EDIT: I didn't see the last photo with the new wheels mounted on the car.

You are right, Rotella is a diesel oil but according to this:

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/2-5-liter-litre-factory-motor/121130-shell-rotella-t-5w40.html

and others around me recommending it, it breaks down etc. slower than others. Just as long as you run catless(the reside of the oil destroys your cats) its a great choice! :D

I love it!! They look great!

Thank you! :)

[xxthat girlxx]

Def. wider wheels. They look good.

[legaceeme]

<3 me some volks.... lol lookin good!

[WhtRexGrl]

Those are MONEY!!!!! I have been looking at a set of Gram lights 57D's for my hubby from Rays - just havent pulled the trigger yet.

[bannerd]

Rotella is good oil, been running it for years with WIX filters.

[StripesRX]

This weekend I was racing(well "high performance driving") at NJMP Lightning with NASA this weekend and had a blast!

First, on thursday I went to get my retune with the APS 70mm Intake so the engine would actually be able to breathe. 366/366 was the street map and Chris was good enough to give me a lower boost map with less power that would keep me safe and prevent as much heat soak as possible running a top mount. The car runs so much smoother with the intake and I think I actually heard the car sigh when I stomped on it the first time.

New maps, Street in blue and Race in red:
http://efilogics.com/dyno/graph.php?gb=0&hp=1&torque=1&rpm=1&sl=1&sln=1&runid1=877&rgb1=000000255&runid2=878&rgb2=204000000

Tune vid:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4VPKAAxqhwU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4VPKAAxqhwU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Now to the track! Jack had already preteched the car, but I still had to go through and make sure everything was out of the car, etc. Registered and slapped my number on the car(#55 ) did the whole classroom thing and it was then time to venture onto the track. Instructors drove the car 3 laps first(and she really liked my car), then it was my turn! Had an awesome first day, but the motor was acting funny whenever I really stomped on it going into the straights. Contacted Chris at EFI and the next morning I have a Race map V2 waiting in my inbox. Loaded the map first thing in the morning and it ran like a BEAST. But don't just take my word for it, I have video evidence! (Thanks to Duy at EFI for letting me borrow his GoPro!)

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MOyBdeizT7A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MOyBdeizT7A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

And some more photos Steve took:

http://i43.tinypic.com/4ryo2r.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/20px309.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/j6txyf.jpg

Awesome weekend, but proved to me just how badly TK needs suspension mods.

[xxthat girlxx]

Awesome Amy. I want to get on a track SO bad. Was that video with you or the instructor driving? I think it's neat that you had a female instructor. Either way, gotta love all the point bys the car was getting! That must be so liberating as a female! (Yeah, sorry, I'm a dork)

[StripesRX]

Thanks Sarah!

That was my butt driving. I was rippin! My instructor was awesome, she's a porche girl and very aggressive. On the first day she took my comfort zone and ripped it to shreds. Day 2 she took the shreds and lit them on fire. Which was a good thing. :D Almost every corner she was yelling "GAS GAS GAS! Come on, this car can go faster!" Taught me to be very aggressive, and it made it a lot more fun!

You MUST MUST MUST come out to the track!

[Jonathan]

I loved the video. It reminds me of Patrick Olsen at VIR in his '97 Legacy GT coming up so hard on an Acura NSX in the twisty bits, that he gets a point by on the first available straight. Unfortunately Pat's non-turbo Phase I 2.5 litre just doesn't have the power to pass folks on the straight sections.

TK is just the opposite, but who ever was driving knew what they were doing. Very impressive.

[MoN]

Awsome! You go girly!! That is awsome coincidence that you got a female instructor! I'd be so nervouse w/ the instructor I'd prob be crawling around the track at a snails pace lmao! I would LOVE to go to one of these... but the car still has some sort of fuel to air ratio issue, so when I press on it hard, around 4k it starts "choking" (needs air or gas) lol. Very sad. How much was their class?

[StripesRX]

I loved the video. It reminds me of Patrick Olsen at VIR in his '97 Legacy GT coming up so hard on an Acura NSX in the twisty bits, that he gets a point by on the first available straight. Unfortunately Pat's non-turbo Phase I 2.5 litre just doesn't have the power to pass folks on the straight sections.

TK is just the opposite, but who ever was driving knew what they were doing. Very impressive.

That was me driving along. But its hard to make TK go quick through the turns since I'm still on a 130,000 mile old stock suspension. Can I has body roll? :o

There was an NSX in my run group. He was fun to play with. Except when his back end decided to step out when I was 10 feet off his back bumper going around turn 5 :eek:

Awsome! You go girly!! That is awsome coincidence that you got a female instructor! I'd be so nervouse w/ the instructor I'd prob be crawling around the track at a snails pace lmao! I would LOVE to go to one of these... but the car still has some sort of fuel to air ratio issue, so when I press on it hard, around 4k it starts "choking" (needs air or gas) lol. Very sad. How much was their class?

Thanks Mon! My instructor kicked butt, her name was Ashley. She was the best and I didn't have time to be nervous when shes egging me on to rip faster :D It was around 400 for the whole weekend and that included instructor for both days, six 25 minute track sessions(3 each day) and 6 classroom sessions(again, 3 each day) where we went over driving techniques and track etiquette.

A/F ratio sounds no bueno :( You may have to up your injector size or intake. Who did you get tuned by? maybe call them and see whats up? (Or go to EFI *wink wink* :D)

[MoN]

Thanks Mon! My instructor kicked butt, her name was Ashley. She was the best and I didn't have time to be nervous when shes egging me on to rip faster :D It was around 400 for the whole weekend and that included instructor for both days, six 25 minute track sessions(3 each day) and 6 classroom sessions(again, 3 each day) where we went over driving techniques and track etiquette.

A/F ratio sounds no bueno :( You may have to up your injector size or intake. Who did you get tuned by? maybe call them and see whats up? (Or go to EFI *wink wink* :D)

$400 doesnt sound bad at all! i gotta save up! I gotta find out how long they offer these courses, if we get the STi up to par by the end of the summer and they still offer them I'd love to go!

We have 850 cc's now, so i dunno..... EFI will be waayyy over our budget....lol

and we get tuned by a local tuner named Brendon, he's supposed to be very good, He ran a map a few weeks back and told Ed he has to find where the leak is, but he was unable to clarify if it indeed was fuel leak or air leak. If it was fuel I'd think we'd be smelling raw gas all the time, but only time I smell gas is when i turn it on, and it smells like rich gas not pure gas, which is pretty normal.... But ya we're going to have to take it to a pro to figure it out :(

Any wayyy back to you.... So when r u signing up for the official track racing now that ur a Pro :D?

[StripesRX]

$400 doesnt sound bad at all! i gotta save up! I gotta find out how long they offer these courses, if we get the STi up to par by the end of the summer and they still offer them I'd love to go!

We have 850 cc's now, so i dunno..... EFI will be waayyy over our budget....lol

and we get tuned by a local tuner named Brendon, he's supposed to be very good, He ran a map a few weeks back and told Ed he has to find where the leak is, but he was unable to clarify if it indeed was fuel leak or air leak. If it was fuel I'd think we'd be smelling raw gas all the time, but only time I smell gas is when i turn it on, and it smells like rich gas not pure gas, which is pretty normal.... But ya we're going to have to take it to a pro to figure it out :(

Any wayyy back to you.... So when r u signing up for the official track racing now that ur a Pro :D?

Theres tons of events, I ran with NASA:

nasaproracing.com

I'm going to try to afford one more weekend this summer and then go to the Watkin's Glen and NJMP Thunderbolt weekends in October.

And no pro racing for me yet! Need more practice!!! :D

[StripesRX]

Another quick track clip again. This was from the last session of the weekend, I was getting a lot better and I know next time I'll be much faster. Really sad the GoPro ran out of batteries about 7 minutes into the run, since you miss me playing with the NSX that was in my run group. And no motor sounds off the camera came out well, I think I set the mic to record the volume a little loud, so all the audio came out was winds More Prodigy goodness tho:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wtq9pYHsoZI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wtq9pYHsoZI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[xxthat girlxx]

Wow, she sounds like a great instructor to have. Once I get wrex fixed and ready to rip I'll have to save up for a track weekend.

Also Mon, it may be $400 for the weekend, but don't forget about fuel, brake pads, tires, lodging, food and the like. An average track weekend can run upwards of $1,000.

[StripesRX]

Wow, she sounds like a great instructor to have. Once I get wrex fixed and ready to rip I'll have to save up for a track weekend.

Also Mon, it may be $400 for the weekend, but don't forget about fuel, brake pads, tires, lodging, food and the like. An average track weekend can run upwards of $1,000.

Yes yes! You won't regret it!

And any of the tires/brakes etc that you would add to your car are worthwhile upgrades as well. I ran Performance Friction ZR1 Pads(Cheaper than Hawk pads and don't squeak on road condions, and perform better I think), Goodridge SS Brake Lines and ATE Superblue Fluid. All of those are relatively inexpensive as track grade stuff goes and the brakes felt phenominal! I was slamming into turn 1 off the straight at 120+ and they were solid. And the Star Specs I was running I got off Tire Rack for ~$140/tire, and they gripped like good track tires should. But thats just my experience with this stuff.

More subiegirls at the track! :D

[MoN]

Wow, she sounds like a great instructor to have. Once I get wrex fixed and ready to rip I'll have to save up for a track weekend.

Also Mon, it may be $400 for the weekend, but don't forget about fuel, brake pads, tires, lodging, food and the like. An average track weekend can run upwards of $1,000.

:eek:!! We are running all season tires now, so Im sure Id have to get other racing type tires.. what type i dunno? would I want something stickier or not? The pads I think we'd be alright, we have drilled rotors and Hawk HPS pads on it now, would that be sufficient? lol

[SassySTi284]

:eek:!! We are running all season tires now, so Im sure Id have to get other racing type tires.. what type i dunno? would I want something stickier or not? The pads I think we'd be alright, we have drilled rotors and Hawk HPS pads on it now, would that be sufficient? lol

Most definitely want something stickier for dry track conditions. Last season I ran my all seasons in the heavy downpour and they were awesome. Hawk pads are great. But I've heard otherwise on the drilled. Especially coming off of the straights at high speed, the rotors will heat up significantly and drilled rotors are prone to cracking at excessive heat. But then again, we're all learning so you should be fine. I'm goin the 30th of May down to NJMP. Amy or any other of the ladies coming down?

[MoN]

O lordy cracked rotors doesnt sound good at all!! And I would be so scared to run track in the rain! Ever since my accident in Oct, I DESPISE driving in rain, I feel like im slipping all the time! lol Ur a trooper! Well have fun and do the best you can to embarras some of those hot shit thinking guys out there! ;)

[xxthat girlxx]

I have Hawk pads and Goodrich SS lines already. Love them both.

Mon, even if you just got a designated summer tire and not just a track slick you'd have way more grip than all seasons. I'm all over the road since I changed over to my summers. My car grips to all the bumps/dips in the road so much more.

[jessickascarling]

i've thought about wanting to do a track day myself... but i also don't want to risk ruining my car. if it wasn't my DD i'd be all over it! but i don't have a lot of money/skill to put into the necessary items that go along with it.

[SassySTi284]

Jess my STi is my DD too. The road course is HPDE which is High Performance Drivers Education. It's not all out racing where it's kill or be killed. There is an instructor with you the WHOLE time teaching where to brake, accelerate, take an apex, track out and point bys. If someone faster is coming up on you, you hang to left and point them over your right side and they will pass you cleanly. Dedicated summer tires are ideal, slicks are not needed at our early level.

Doing the the road course at high speed in the rain was a real eye opener and I now have more confidence in my car and my driving abilities.

We SHOULD get a Subiegirls track day goin where most of us can meet up for at least one of the days. You don't have to do the whole weekend. You can choose to do one day. There's also called a Hyperdrive. It's $50 for a 25 minute session on track with an instructor. A normal full day includes 4 sessions w/ instructor and classroom time.

https://www.nasaproracing.com/event/1105

[StripesRX]

I have Hawk pads and Goodrich SS lines already. Love them both.

Mon, even if you just got a designated summer tire and not just a track slick you'd have way more grip than all seasons. I'm all over the road since I changed over to my summers. My car grips to all the bumps/dips in the road so much more.

+1 Summer tires are great for double duty!

i've thought about wanting to do a track day myself... but i also don't want to risk ruining my car. if it wasn't my DD i'd be all over it! but i don't have a lot of money/skill to put into the necessary items that go along with it.

My STi is my DD as well. You literally go as fast as you feel comfortable with. There was someone in my run group that had a older Neon just having fun with it. Unless you go out there and drive like a dipstick, theres really little chance that something will break.

We SHOULD get a Subiegirls track day goin where most of us can meet up for at least one of the days. You don't have to do the whole weekend. You can choose to do one day. There's also called a Hyperdrive. It's $50 for a 25 minute session on track with an instructor. A normal full day includes 4 sessions w/ instructor and classroom time.

https://www.nasaproracing.com/event/1105

I think a Subiegirls track day/meet would be awesome!

And I will most likely be running HPDE 1 at the May 29-30 weekend. Just have to check the financial situation at the beginning of May after I pay off my tuition. :D

[MoN]

We SHOULD get a Subiegirls track day goin where most of us can meet up for at least one of the days. You don't have to do the whole weekend. You can choose to do one day. There's also called a Hyperdrive. It's $50 for a 25 minute session on track with an instructor. A normal full day includes 4 sessions w/ instructor and classroom time.

https://www.nasaproracing.com/event/1105

Yes please!!

[StripesRX]

Just got my car detailed by my boyfriend. Pictures, yes?

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27542.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27572.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27652.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27702.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27722.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27802.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27792.jpg

Enjoy!

[StripesRX]

A few more pics from the shoot :)

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27592.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27762.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27872.jpg

A little HDR fun:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/IMG_27754.jpg

[xxthat girlxx]

Looks good! No SubieGirls stickers? :(

[StripesRX]

Working on it Sarah! Been considering buying those spiffy windshield banners. It'll go nicely with my sponsor vinyls that with *hopefully* be ready and installed next week. :D

Ordered some more goodies today too. And once I finish my semester at school... race day!

[StripesRX]

So the last track day I did have a blast, but I realized rather quickly that going around the corners as fast as I was the standard 3-points lead to me visiting my instructor on the hard rights and vice versa on the lefts. (My poor instructor had to hang on to the door handle for dear life to stay in her seat ) My solution to the problem?

Schroth Quick-Fits! Because I can easily remove them if I'm nice enough to bring a 3rd or 4th person along in the car and DOT approved! YAY!

Right out of the box:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0327.jpg

All installed and ready to go!
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0328.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0329.jpg

Now I can stay in my seat! :D

[Brumble]

i've always loved those wheels. yay for 04 STi's, looks good

[gizzmo]

very nice ride! Can't wait to see the suspension upgrades. That's my favorite part :devil:

[StripesRX]

i've always loved those wheels. yay for 04 STi's, looks good

Thanks! They totally changed the look of the car. Much more aggressive now.

04s are the best year, hands down!!! :D

very nice ride! Can't wait to see the suspension upgrades. That's my favorite part :devil:

I can't wait to do the suspension either! My wallet however, doesn't. Cause I plan on going all out!

TiC SST Coilovers
Vorshlag Front and Rear Camber plates
RCE Front and Rear 24mm Swaybars
Kartboy Endlinks
TiC Super Shifter Set
Whiteline ALK
TiC Unabombers Sexy Rearend Set
Oswald Performance Rear Brace
Fender Braces - Don't know which brand as of yet
Group N Engine/Tranny Mounts
Steering Rack Bushings
Throw in some more misc TiC Bushings

Yeah, probably won't be for a while! :p

[gizzmo]

:love: You have my attention and I know it'll be a while, been trying to get the TIC coilovers for the 05 STi I autocrossed last year since mid season last year :lol:

[StripesRX]

Thanks a lot. Right now I'm focusing on track days and AutoX, because if I can haul on the stock suspension, I'll fly with that setup.

[gizzmo]

Thanks a lot. Right now I'm focusing on track days and AutoX, because if I can haul on the stock suspension, I'll fly with that setup.

I wish I could get people to undrestand that around here. I was running top 5 in Street Mod in the Indy region with a catless downpipe, STi catback, K&N drop in, and a 20mm Sedan rear swaybar(IBwagonguy). I was beating a lot of my friends who just threw whatever the hot mod on Nasioc was that week. Seat Time is the best Mod you can ever have. I'm autocrossing a friends Acura Integra this weekend just to learn something different. Keep it up, it's comforting when I see people taking the right approach to racing!

[Brumble]

Thanks! They totally changed the look of the car. Much more aggressive now.

04s are the best year, hands down!!! :D


quoted for truth

[xxthat girlxx]

I like that harness concept. :)

[StripesRX]

Thanks Sarah, totally an awesome idea for harnesses since 4 clicks and I can use my back seat and 4 clicks again and I have the harnesses in.

BTW, my Subiegirls window banners came in today and I'm going to be doing a tire rotation/oil change/car wash tomorrow and I'll be slapping them on then.

REPRESENT! :D

[07SubieQT]

Fo Sho :cool: Lookin good Amy!! Cant wait to see some pics of the new vinyl!!

[xxthat girlxx]

Thanks Sarah, totally an awesome idea for harnesses since 4 clicks and I can use my back seat and 4 clicks again and I have the harnesses in.

BTW, my Subiegirls window banners came in today and I'm going to be doing a tire rotation/oil change/car wash tomorrow and I'll be slapping them on then.

REPRESENT! :D

I wish Sparco offered these. I have some bolt in I think 2 pts that I picked up used for $100. They are sitting in a bag in my storage room... :rolleyes:

And can't wait to see the vinyl!

[StripesRX]

Sigh. Its been pouring out all day, and it seems to have gotten worse...

Installation will have to wait until the weather improves.

[StripesRX]

Perrin Master Cylinder Brace intalled:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0406.jpg




Tomorrow should bring a very kick ass update. Jus' saying. :D

[xxthat girlxx]

Tomorrow should bring a very kick ass update. Jus' saying. :D

I am excited.

[StripesRX]

I am excited.

Thanks Sarah. Should be an interesting day! :D

[MoN]

How the brakes feeling now?!

[xxthat girlxx]

Well...?!?

[StripesRX]

Sorry I disappeared, I had a busy day yesterday! And I am now officially EFI Logics Sponsored!!!!! Apparently I impressed a few of the shop guys, and so the owner Chris decided to offer me a sponsorship.

Heres Pics!

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_17.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_18.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_19.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_20.JPG

http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_22.JPG

And the #55s are placed on a magnet, so I can easily remove them whenever I'm on the street:
http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_26.JPG

Ken Block pose!
http://efilogics.com/customer/4%20-%20Subaru%20Customers/AmyD_04STi/AmyD_04STi_24.JPG

[07SubieQT]

Very nice!! :)

[StripesRX]

Thank you! Its definitely getting some stares. I really can't speed now! :lol:

[Jonathan]

Congratulations !!!

Maybe you could use the old "Stripes" car as a daily driver and save TK for track days and the like ?

[StripesRX]

Thank you, but.... not a chance! :) TK was bought and built with one goal: daily drive-ability. And TK will remain as my DD for as long as its feasible, possible and able. For some reason, I get annoyed at the people that have 'normal' cars and leave their beautiful machines sitting in the garage. Neglected. Until the one day a month during the summer months only when they go out and run around for a few hours, just to go back to sitting. I don't want that for a car I own.



Besides, Stripes is in use as my dad's daily. ;)

[StripesRX]

Took some rolling shots today to show off ze new vinyls. And if you look at my back window, you'll see something new ;)

http://i45.tinypic.com/1079nrk.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/11s2q81.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/23ize40.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/359kei8.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/noebl2.jpg

And apparently I'm getting a few stares! :lol:

http://i47.tinypic.com/s26xb6.jpg

Close up:

http://i47.tinypic.com/v8k9s5.jpg

[xxthat girlxx]

Wahooooo!!

[StripesRX]

Hahaha, Thanks Sarah. I had meant to put another banner on the front, but it made it a little too busy... so I gave it to Amber. :lol:

[xxthat girlxx]

Hahaha, Thanks Sarah. I had meant to put another banner on the front, but it made it a little too busy... so I gave it to Amber. :lol:

Fair enough. Tell Amber to get her butt on here already!

And post pictures with her new banner. :D

[StripesRX]

Little photoshoot on sunday. Out on Sandy Hook, NJ theres an old retired army base. My boyfriend took all the pics. Enjoy!

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1304.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1305.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1316.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1317.jpg

Cameo from our visitor from ND:
http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1324.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1325.jpg

[erik*a]

She's looking great! Ha!

[StripesRX]

WBM a blast! With almost 1000 subies in attendance it was a great turnout.

So before I set out, I was thinking about whether to wash/uberclean my car and bring my dyno chart ETC. but decided against it since I was just going to be parking my car there. Fast forward to Sunday and as I'm pulling in, A few of the EFI guys come out and tell me that they have an open spot at their booth and I should park my car over there...

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0444.jpg

I FEEL SO UNPREPARED!!! (The wrong turn on the way to the meet resulting in about a mile of off-roading didn't help the car's cleanliness, so thats why the engine bay was closed )

Anywho, Pic dump:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0421.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0423.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0424.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0426.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0432.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0435.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0437.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0438.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0433.jpg

[MsLovely]

http://www.802crew.com/showthread.php?1711-Wicked-Big-Meet-(June-13th)/page5
I hope you can see that cause your car is in that video.

[erik*a]

Awesome- wish I got to go and see you!

[StripesRX]

Thanks! I see it! YAY I'm slightly more famous than I was 5 minutes ago! :lol:

[StripesRX]

Had Economy Signs do my AutoX classing letters on the same magnet material. No painters tape for TK!

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0451.jpg

All of my engine mods place me squarely into Street Modified. Stock Suspension is going to be messy, but my car was built for fun, not X. Luckily theres a "Rookie" class available for people in their first year of AutoX, so we added in the R on a separate magnet. Yay!

[xxthat girlxx]

^sometimes there is a womens class too. I find that the competition is always fun in those.

[StripesRX]

So I'm home from my first AutoX and I had a blast! In hindsight I probably should have ran in the "first timer" class but I decided that Rookie was where I belonged and the car placed me in the Rookie Non-Stock category. Against the fully prepped SM cars. Go underdog?

I wanted to accomplish two goals today: Not to kill an epic amount of cones and to get better every run. Both were accomplished. I only killed one cone!!! And I started the day with a dismal 68.7 and worked my way down to a 59.5 my last run. A 9 second improvement is good enough for me and I wanted to crack 60 seconds. YAY!

I can't wait for the next one!

And since someone already took my number, I was stuck with painters tape.

Steve was there and took some epic photos:

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1328.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1329.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1332.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1333.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1334.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1335.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1336.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1338.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/sslotnick/STi/pictures/picture-1339.jpg

And heres a video from one of my runs:

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_kcQukHuqpU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_kcQukHuqpU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[MsLovely]

Wow watching the video almost made my car sick.

[StripesRX]

Wow watching the video almost made my car sick.

:confused: Confused...

Your car = sick or You = Car sick?

:)

[MsLovely]

Oh wow what a typo. But I guess my car would be sick, cause it certainly couldn't handle that! Made my head spin. Hahaha. It was awesome, but after watching that I could never do that! I would be so sick. So props to you for doing it!

[StripesRX]

Thanks! But honestly, I had enough adrenaline in my system that I didn't notice the motion of the car. All I was concentrating on was "Go faster.... AND DON'T HIT THAT CONE!!!"

And after looking at the results, I should have done the "first timer" class. If I hadn't over-estimated my skill level I'd be taking home first place. I was 2 seconds faster than the fastest FT. Oy.

[MsLovely]

Well lessoned learned. Glad you had fun!

[erik*a]

Great job! So hard to look ahead in a sea of cones!

[Hex Kitten]

Nice!

Someday I want to try that out. I did some ice trials over the winter (okay, only had a chance to go once) and it was an absolute blast! I was floating on a natural high for a good day or two after flying around some cones out on a frozen lake :banana:

[StripesRX]

Great job! So hard to look ahead in a sea of cones!

I walked the course like 5 times and they took all the rookies around on a guided tour. But all the gentleman doing the guide did was tell us what was there. I was happy it wasn't overly complicated, by brain would have exploded! :lol:

Nice!

Someday I want to try that out. I did some ice trials over the winter (okay, only had a chance to go once) and it was an absolute blast! I was floating on a natural high for a good day or two after flying around some cones out on a frozen lake :banana:

Thank you! Its total fun and you get a great tan too! (I only successfully got an awesome farmers tan, thanks to t-shirt!)

I've seen a few ice racing pics/videos. It looks like FUN! :D I'm looking into doing that come winter, since the lakes to the north of me run a racing circuit on ice.

[Hex Kitten]

I've seen a few ice racing pics/videos. It looks like FUN! :D I'm looking into doing that come winter, since the lakes to the north of me run a racing circuit on ice.

:devil:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2qb6az5.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/dn26pi.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs140.snc3/18772_1196758010865_1585942191_30461420_104356_n.j pg
[/threadjack] :p

I get all hyper when I look through my photos from that day again. *spazz* My friends want to kick my ass every time I say I can't wait for snow again just so I can go play in it with the Toaster.

[StripesRX]

Damn, Girl! :D When you find out a date of when they're doing that again, I'll so drive out and we can hit the ice!

:devil::devil::devil:

[StripesRX]

Couple more AutoX snaps from a friend:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4719634082_2899c131f8_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4718987435_c15f9d7d1a_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4718988421_7818d2af25_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4719638102_a0c6bfc2d9_b.jpg


I'm going to be going to another AutoX this Sunday. Expect more photos and video! Especially since I got my new GoPro HD in. :D

[bannerd]

Couple more AutoX snaps from a friend:


I'm going to be going to another AutoX this Sunday. Expect more photos and video! Especially since I got my new GoPro HD in. :D

Nice, how do you like that camera?

[StripesRX]

I've only used the normal GoPro before and I've enjoyed that. I havn't gotten to fiddle around with the new one much yet, since after the first test session I dropped the camera and it fell lens first into concrete, scratching the lens on the cover. Luckily GoPro sells replacement lenses. This weekend should prove a fun test! :D

[WhtRexGrl]

Your the bomb girl!! :cheers:

[07SubieQT]

Ooh!! My BF's GoPro is on order!! :D Sorry bout the lense!! Looks like fun tho!!! :)

[MoN]

Amyy! hi lady! Glad to see you're putting your subie to good work, and having fun! Keep it up!

[StripesRX]

Your the bomb girl!! :cheers:

Thankies! When are you gonna kill cones with me? :D:D:D

Ooh!! My BF's GoPro is on order!! :D Sorry bout the lense!! Looks like fun tho!!! :)

It was no big deal, GoPro sells the replacement kit for 20 bucks and it comes with two lenses and all the hardware to replace it. I just felt like a proper klutz :lol:

Enjoy the new camera!

Amyy! hi lady! Glad to see you're putting your subie to good work, and having fun! Keep it up!

Hiiiiii Mon! :) TK always gets a workout. There may be some RallyXes in the future, as well as a few more track days before winter. Can't wait!!! :devil:

[WhtRexGrl]

Thankies! When are you gonna kill cones with me? :D:D:D



It was no big deal, GoPro sells the replacement kit for 20 bucks and it comes with two lenses and all the hardware to replace it. I just felt like a proper klutz :lol:

Enjoy the new camera!



Hiiiiii Mon! :) TK always gets a workout. There may be some RallyXes in the future, as well as a few more track days before winter. Can't wait!!! :devil:
I would love to!!! I'd need better brakes first and a diff set of summers

[07SubieQT]

Yeah I was reading online that they sell a kit to replace the whole housing if it gets all scratched up!! Its meant for taking some EXTREME video!! Glad to see ur using it to its potential!! :devil:

Good luck on ur Track Days!! :D

[StripesRX]

Well, maybe I'm not as bad at this as I thought :D First in class!

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/1stplacecup.jpg

There were two cars in Rookie Non-Stock(no free ride to victory!), and both of us were classed as SM cars. The Mazda RX-8 that I was up against had the suspension and I had the power. It was a twisty, quick little course and once he started putting in a few times, it got interesting.

My fastest RAW time: 39.703
FTD: 34.971
Rank in RAW times: 47 out of 70(I'm average! YAY!)

And now, some video for your entertainment! Sadly The GoPro ran out of juice due to me forgetting to turn it off between the first few runs, live and learn. I caught my first 4 runs(out of 8), enjoy!

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sN3Er4pxaJs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sN3Er4pxaJs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[WhtRexGrl]

woot!!!

[StripesRX]

Thanks Christine! :D

I kinda felt bad for the guy I beat because they post the run times though out the day and I kinda think he knew he wasn't winning. He left before the award ceremony and right before he got in his car, he looked at my car then at me with such a crestfallen face I felt bad.... for a minute.

Speaking of the award ceremony, I don't think they expected a girl to win anything but ladies class because the guy announcing said: "...and the winner of Rookie Non-Stock, with a time of 39.7, in HIS Subaru WRX STi..." and then I chimed in with a very loud "HER!". :lol: Everyone giggled and one of the ladies in the back shouted "You tell em girl!"

Oh, boys... they never see it coming... :D

[xxthat girlxx]

W00T! You go Amy! That's a good story. And yes - you tell 'em!!!

[StripesRX]

Thanks Sarah! :D I was glad everyone laughed... I felt a little awkward correcting him :lol:

[StripesRX]

Sigh... I am sitting here without my car.

It's sitting over at EFI Logics. In the past few days the car has been progressively running worse and worse, so I finally got a chance to drive it there today. It only took a few minutes to figure out that one or more of the injectors had failed. Apparently the company that makes them had a bad batch of them last winter. The good thing is a) all replacements and labor is covered by them and b) the failure didn't result in the motor seizing as it has for a few. Its better to be lucky than smart! :)

Hopefully nothing was damaged except my bank account shelling out a few extra bucks for the gas that got poured into my cylinders.

[djmatao]

^^Ouch, well glad it seems nothing else was damaged! Hopefully you get it all sorted out quickly and have your car back on the street soon!

[StripesRX]

Car is back too 100%!

After a new set of injectors, spark plugs and two oil changes it's back to being a happy car!

[StripesRX]

...sigh... post happy phone... :)

[xxthat girlxx]

^2 oil changes?

[WhtRexGrl]

Glad to hear it Amy!!

[Jonathan]

^2 oil changes?
Bad injectors can mean the fuel/air mixture isn't being vaporized properly.. thus excessive amounts of raw gasoline wind up being dumped in to the combustion chamber and washing "down" (really across) the cylinder walls, and often times fuel eventually winds up sloshing around in the crankcase.

Raw gasoline can really break down and wash away oil from surfaces that need lubrication. Thus Amy's comment about engines seizing up as a result of bad fuel injectors.

My *guess* is the second oil change was just extra insurance... Making sure that any excess fuel not soaked up and drained out in the first oil change, gets taken care of in the second one. Given how much time and money Amy has invested in this motor, it was probably a very good idea. Heck.. it might not be a bad idea to have a third oil change done sometime in the next five to eight hundred miles as well.

[StripesRX]

Sorry Sarah, missed your post. :o

Raw gasoline can really break down and wash away oil from surfaces that need lubrication. Thus Amy's comment about engines seizing up as a result of bad fuel injectors.

My *guess* is the second oil change was just extra insurance... Making sure that any excess fuel not soaked up and drained out in the first oil change, gets taken care of in the second one. Given how much time and money Amy has invested in this motor, it was probably a very good idea. Heck.. it might not be a bad idea to have a third oil change done sometime in the next five to eight hundred miles as well.

Actually the motors were failing due to hydrolocking(or in this case gaso-locking :eek:) since the injectors were failing in such a way that they were just dumping fuel into the cylinder.

But the rest was spot on :p Oil changes NEVER hurt! :D

[xxthat girlxx]

^ah. thanks.

[StripesRX]

Last weekend(8/21) the Tri-state crews came together in Atlantic City for the Top of the Trop meet!

I joined up with the north Jersey crew at the CheeseQuake rest area on the Garden State Parkway at 12 for the cruise down to AC and brought my GoPro along for the ride. Got some great video along the way and aside from shore traffic the cruise was a blast! We met up with the Philly crew at the Atlantic City rest area and continued the cruise all the way to the top.

Heres the video:

4xfbv15rnzg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xfbv15rnzg)

There were about 30-40 cars at the meet so it was a great sucess. Had a great time hanging out with a bunch of familar faces and some new ones as well. Here are some photos I took:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0454.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0457.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0458.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0460.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0461.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0469.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0470.jpg

[StripesRX]

And now for photos of my car taken by others. I'm giving credit to thier NASIOC usernames, so if you like anything that you see, let em know!

13bjunkie:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/DSC_7542_a_4-3.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/DSC_7541_a_4-3.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/DSC_7535_a_4-3.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/DSC_7544_a_4-3.jpg

VBelisle:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/OOOVICT0ROOO/DSC_0021-1.jpg

awdbrian:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/awdbrian2.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/awdbrian4.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/awdbrian1.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/awdbrian3.jpg

quick4dr:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gdqxhmtV3_4/THC0klfRyAI/AAAAAAAAAls/vS6G_jNLVuQ/s720/IMG_0106.JPG

[djmatao]

WOW! Very Clean pictures!!!!!!

[WhtRexGrl]

Excellent as always Amy!

[MoN]

Cool :cool:

[StripesRX]

Alright, another autocross under the belt...

It started out a great day. Sun was shining, car was happy and there were lots of Subarus in the pits. The course was rather simple with a few sweepers interrupted by small slaloms thrown in. Started out my runs by feeling out the course and then dialing it in. Started with a 38 second run and by midday I had shaved it to 35.005... so cracking 34 was my personal goal, since the cars in my class included a DM MR2 and an XP WRX.

And then the day took a turn for the worse as somehow my GoPro desuctioned itself from my fender(I think it was due to the climbing temp in the air and metal and the cool suction cup) in the grid line and the person behind me ran it right over(it was recording at the time, so I saw who did it once I got home). Luckily it was only the mount that got squished and the camera itself was intact. Alright, no biggie. Then I reported for my work assignment. And things got worse. 20 minutes in, one of the event organisers/club head honchos decided that there were way too many cones being missed/messed up and decided that I was the cause for it(or something, I'm not sure since I was the one operating the radio at my corner and my partner was chasing cones at the time) and came out, sent my partner to another station and proceeded to yell at me for 5 minutes, starting with "Do you know how to pick up cones?!" and continued to be unpleasant for the remainder of my shift.

I was not amused at his behavior, nor being treated like an idiot. I may be new at this, but I was not the only human out on course. There were a lot of rookies and casual drivers there and cones and calls were being missed and messed up most of the day. Its my opinion that if it was truly being a problem to the organizers, they could have handled it much more professionally than yelling at me and a few others. I tried to brush it off but talking down to me is a pet peeve and I was thoroughly miffed, my nice driver calm was gone and I was considering going home. Looking back, leaving would have probably been much nicer to the cones. But I didn't want to give up on the chance to get more seat time and kept on going... but needless to say in the frame of mind I was in it didn't end well for the cones.

So I left the event with a bad taste in my mouth and probably won't be returning. I was going back and forth about posting something about what happened, as the previous events were a blast. Maybe someone had a bad day, but what happened, happened.




OKAY! Enough with the drama, lets get to happy car tomfoolery! :)

The pits:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0452.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0455.jpg

As 55 was taken, I just added another 5!

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0453.jpg

And the course, with one of the very spunky Minis running around it:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0454-1.jpg

Luckily I got some video of the day, and now you can watch me make silly faces as I drive!

gSc0P87vWuk

Results:

FTD: 31.099
My Best Time: 35.005
Raw Time Rank: 48 out of 79

[MoN]

Im sorry about your series of unfortunate events this day :( ... Thank goodness it was just the mount and not the camera that was crushed!Hopefully the camera mount isnt toooo expensive to replace.

And don't let some asshole get the best of you, maybe that dude was having a bad day himself and decided to take it out on the first victim he could find. If I was there I would have cursed him out for you Amy, I got your back! lol Are you permanently supposed to be volunteering to run these ax events? I say stop volunteering, just run the courses, kill'em and shut em up!! lol! Good luck Amy!

[StripesRX]

Thanks Mon! :)

The suction cup mount is only 30 bucks, so its no sweat to replace. REALLY glad it wasn't the camera. And everyone who goes to the autocross has to have a 1 hour work shift either picking up cones or flagging or minding the gate etc... I think it was just a bad combination of someone having a stick up their butt and me being the first person they found. :(

Even if I do want to go back, I can only go to 1 out of the 4 remaining events because of other automotive plans :D

[MoN]

Even if I do want to go back, I can only go to 1 out of the 4 remaining events because of other automotive plans :D

Now what are you planning? Is there even anything possibly left you could do to this beast??! hahaha

[xxthat girlxx]

Sorry about the mount but thank goodness it's only that and not the camera. How did none of the stations see something fly off your car?!? Clearly if that's the case no one was doing their job that day correctly.

Sorry about the jerkface in charge. Better luck next time!

[StripesRX]

Sorry about the mount but thank goodness it's only that and not the camera. How did none of the stations see something fly off your car?!? Clearly if that's the case no one was doing their job that day correctly.

Sorry about the jerkface in charge. Better luck next time!

Thanks Sarah, but it actually fell off in the grid line waiting to get on the course. It just popped off and even though the person behind me ran it over with their front drivers side wheel and sent it flying, it took one of the very nice rookies to run over and ask if it was mine. :(

Now what are you planning? Is there even anything possibly left you could do to this beast??! hahaha

Of course there's things left to do! I has stock suspension! :D But new suspension(and a little secret custom EFI project for a little more power) is in the works for spring.

Right now I have signed up for a track weekend at Watkin's Glen Oct 2-3 and NJMP Thunderbolt Oct 30-31. Yay track days! Might squeeze 1 more AutoX and toss in a RallyX before years end. :)

[WhtRexGrl]

Don't let the turds get you down Amy...just keep doing your thing!! And I can't wait to see the new stance this Spring!

[StripesRX]

The man can't keep me down!!! :cool:

Speaking of new things, in the next few weeks(ie before winter) I want to get me completely curb rashed and dead stock BBS rims that house my Blizzaks patched and powdercoated to match my vinyls. I ordered a few test colors from the factory. Whatcha think?

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/PowdercoatSamples.jpg

[WhtRexGrl]

It looks like the bottom one is closest...great idea!

[StripesRX]

My pride has recovered enough to share the footage with everyone:

(fast forward to 1:45 for the interesting bit)
_9cRaDbF-Lo

So since I had to order more GoPro goodies, I also decided to order another camera. So now I'll have twice the cameras to get cool shots from. And why not have a rear facing camera to see if I hit all those apexes? I had this idea a while ago(orignally just to be able to take the plates off for track/AutoX), and finally got to put it together:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0456.jpg

just used one of the plastic license plate blanks sold on one of the decal sites I got some toolbox stickers from and used one of GoPro's 3M sticky mounts. With the bolts tightened all the way in, that thing ain't coming off! I only have one blank plate to mount on since I was originally just planning on putting a lame sticker on it and leaving the front plate off for track days/AutoX. I'm also unsure on how the front location would work with the wind, as the plastic isn't the sturdiest. We'll see this weekend!

WATKIN"S GLEN!!!

[StripesRX]

Sigh, packing up all my track stuff in the monsoon weather we're having. Patiently waiting for the UPS delivery of my second GoPro + Goodies. Then its last minute supply run and hittin' the road...

Please just no more rain.

[07SubieQT]

Good luck Amy!!! :D

[StripesRX]

Thank you! I'm up bright and early! :)

[StripesRX]

Back from one heck of an awesome weekend!

http://www.tracktimephotos.com/large/2010/20101003_WGI_D12_0375.jpg

First, I'd like to thank NASA for putting on such an awesome event. Both days experienced delays due to crashes/failures and the organizers did an awesome job of trying to keep everything together and everyone having fun. And speaking of fun, they also do one kick butt job of helping beginners(or even experienced drivers) out with instruction. Unlike some other associations, in the beginner group NASA gives you an instructor for the whole day(or weekend if you're staying) and has classroom instruction before each session. So instead of sending you out after just an evaluation, you have someone with you for the whole time helping you out and cheering you on.

http://www.tracktimephotos.com/large/2010/20101003_WGI_D12_0558.jpg

Second, massive props go to EFI Logics. Yeah, I do have their name on the side of my car, but honestly I beat the living hell out of my motor this weekend and all the motor did was pull harder and ask for more. I was staying between 5-7 thousand RPMs for pretty much the entire session(thanks to my cams, the car pulls until redline :devil:) and it felt strong the whole day. It was fun running down SRT8s and messing with an EVO X MR for a few laps.

http://www.tracktimephotos.com/large/2010/20101002_WGI_DE1_8992.jpg

What can I say? Watkins Glen is one heck of a track. 12 turns and 3 long straights(including one almost a 1/2 mile long) and I was itching to get at it. I was running green group again, and was overjoyed to be working with Ashley again. She and I were paired up last April at NJMP, so I was psyched to race with her again(Watkins is also one of her all time favorite tracks, so I as getting the VIP tour of the lines - if you will).

This is her 914, which will rip your face off in the corners:
http://www.tracktimephotos.com/large/2010/20101002_WGI_DE4_8258.jpg

The weather held out both days. It had been threatening rain but the sun shone through and it stayed cool throughout the weekend, which made my top mounted car happy and rather feisty too. I did load my track map onto the car, lowering my boost to 17lbs and reigning in the HP to 345 awhp. But a few less horses didn't lessen the fun a bit!

http://www.tracktimephotos.com/large/2010/20101002_WGI_DE1_8992.jpg

Spent the first day feeling out the track, ironing out my lines and deciding on shift points. I felt a lot more comfortable behind the wheel and the track seemed to favor the quick and nimble cars as all of the big heavy American muscle became dots in the rear view. :)

Enter my OH @%#&! moment:

5LbSrr1ohos

Yup, coming out of the SSSes and onto the straight, everything is fine! As I approach the 3000GT, notice the checkered flag is out, signaling the end of the session. Yay for a good session! As we approach the braking zone, big cloud of smoke and neither Me nor my instructor could see anything. I locked up my brakes and the ABS went wild. We knew we had to get away from the 3000GT as we didn't know of they were stopped, spun, on fire etc... so she told me to go right and I agreed. Luckily the cars behind us went far enough around to avoid me popping out of the smoke. Everyone was fine and aside from the 3000GT no cars were harmed. It turns out that they put a rod through their oil pan. IN FRONT OF ME. Interesting accident avoidance practice. Don't want to do that again. Ever.

So I came back for another day. :) Today we worked on gaining a bit more speed and fixing my tendency to turn in a little early. We were also running the Green and White groups(next step up) together so I got to play with more experienced drivers. Yet still only gave one point by, and managed to win quite a few myself. We had four sessions that day, and each felt better than the last. I was blasting the straights(even reaching redline in 5th on the back straight = ~140mph) and hitting my apexes quite nicely.

http://www.tracktimephotos.com/large/2010/20101003_WGI_D12_0272.jpg

In the last session, the senior instructor came out with us in his Cayman S. He got staged directly in front of me and before we set off, walked back to my car and asked playfully "You're not gonna pass me and make feel bad, are you?" I just shrugged, but my instructor was quick to answer "Oh yeah!" So we set out for the last time. I was determined to keep up with that little Porsche, and clawed my way though turns trying to hit every one right to stay right behind. Even after getting delayed by a few slower cars I still suck with him and, finally, two laps til the end I got the point by from him. It was an awesome session and definitely a great way to end an amazing weekend.

Oh, and you must be wanting some footage of the sessions, right? Well having some computer difficulties with the GoPro files, but heres a quick lap and a half from the first session on the second day and no music this time, as the audio came out:

JAq-Tpe-Yac

And finally, big thanks goes to my boyfriend Steven who wished he could have been racing but was a good enough sport to come up and help me out.

[xxthat girlxx]

Awesome Amy! I'm so jealous of your instructor. I want to track at places just to have her!

[StripesRX]

Thanks Sarah! Ashley is awesome! If you come out to a NASA track day next year, you can most likely request her. She'll take your comfort zone to the limit and its a blast! :D

[xxthat girlxx]

Maybe I'll save up for an event next year. :)

[StripesRX]

You won't regret it! And if you do, may I make the suggestion of getting some better brake pads and fluid and upgrading to SS brake lines? It will definitely make your entire experience so much smoother, since I know many of the people in my group had to go home early or buy pads on the spot just to keep running. And its a little piece of mind when your blasting down a straight to know that your brakes will be there for you when its time to slow down. :)



And starting to go through my video clips. Heres one from the last session on the first day of me chasing down a few Mustangs(I know the while one is a Shelby) and a Porsche :D

aoCEyyZlsqI

[Colt45-N-2ZigZag]

That is so cool you do that. I would love to do one of those one day

[xxthat girlxx]

All good suggestions, but I'm already running Hawk HPS pads, stainless steel lines and I'm pretty sure Supre Blue brake fluid. ;)

But I'll be in need of a pad change well before I get on the track anywho! So they'd be pretty new heading out there. So I'd prob just have a set for backup.

[StripesRX]

Haha Sarah, you are a step ahead of me! Thought I'd throw it out there, since a friend of mine came out in his mostly stock 08 WRX, after 2 sessions he scored and warped his rotors. Better to be safe than sorry! :D

<3 ATE Super Blue :)

[xxthat girlxx]

:)

And gross on the rotors! Not sure if you've looked into doing this, but I had my fronts cryo treated. ;)

[Big-E]

Ok, now I'm going to have to hit-up Watkin's Glen in 2011!

Great videos Amy! You really had a great time and excellent weather for some good track time.

I've come to the conclusion that the guy in the Camaro saw your camera drop off and he simply ran it over for spite. Could he have been the guy out on the tarmac yelling at you about the cones? This is my opinion and no one else's.

BTW, with respect to the GoPro camera and accessories, are you going to GoPro themselves or a vendor?

[StripesRX]

:)

And gross on the rotors! Not sure if you've looked into doing this, but I had my fronts cryo treated. ;)

My stock brembo rotors are hanging in there. When it comes time to replace them I might just go with DBAs or something. Depending on how much disposable cash I have at the time.

Ok, now I'm going to have to hit-up Watkin's Glen in 2011!

Great videos Amy! You really had a great time and excellent weather for some good track time.

I've come to the conclusion that the guy in the Camaro saw your camera drop off and he simply ran it over for spite. Could he have been the guy out on the tarmac yelling at you about the cones? This is my opinion and no one else's.

BTW, with respect to the GoPro camera and accessories, are you going to GoPro themselves or a vendor?

Thank You! And you MUST go, and try for two days because one just isn't enough to learn this huge and extremely fun track.

I was doing every no rain dance I could muster, and it may have worked because it was beautiful the whole weekend. And I definately have more footage to put together. I filled both of my 16GB cards halfway through Sunday and I really haven't sat down and edited.

I'm going directly through GoPro, as they were nice enough to send me a massive stack of free stickers with my order when I asked :D

[Woody '04]

Looks like a lot of fun! :)

[Big-E]

I have DBA 4000 slotted rotors up front and like them very much.

Although expensive, consider the DBA 5000 two-piece slotted rotors: http://www.rallysportdirect.com/shop/dba-subaru-impreza-sti-5000-series-front-rotors-slotted-p-2498.html

These will drop some of the rotating mass and thus drop the unsprung weight from the front wheels, which is good since the Subie is front-heavy to begin with.

[StripesRX]

Sigh, I'm never going to have ANY money... ever.... oh well :)

I'm going to have to see just how much shush cash I have come spring, EFI might have some extra hooking up to do.

[Big-E]

Sigh, I'm never going to have ANY money... ever.... oh well :)

I'm going to have to see just how much shush cash I have come spring, EFI might have some extra hooking up to do.

But, you're having fun aren't you?! :D

Also, some TiC titanium front wheel/hub and brake-pad shims: http://turninconcepts.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_9_11_259_34_197&products_id=1059

[StripesRX]

Maybe Eric... MAYBE! I have to get some suspension done before I look to the brakes. I honestly like the feel of the brakes as they sit now, so its going to be a while before I change them up.

Also TK got some goodies put on today, since she did so well at Watkins :)

I actually have been wanting to get both of these for a while and just found the excuse to order them last week. So, some mud flaps and a fire extinguisher for the car:

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0456-2.jpg

I got the Brey Krause mount because I liked where it sat, with easy access to both driver and passenger and the fact that I don't run a harness bar. Its really a sturdy piece and it fits perfect! I may snag another mount and bolt it in the trunk at some point, but now I have at least one should things go wrong.

All mounted up:
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0457-3.jpg

And mud flaps, always wanted them :D

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0459-1.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/StripesRX/100_0460-2.jpg

[Big-E]

Excellent!

My sister, whom I love dearly, has been "suggesting" that I keep a small fire extinguisher in the car. To date, I have never seen such a mounting piece as yours. Everyone I have seen requires some kind of drilling, whether into the floor or drive-shaft tunnel or center-console, etc. to mount (barring having a roll-bar/roll-cage). I like this one because a) no drilling and b) it is literally right at your feet. So, I will now have to put this on my "to buy" list.

I just ordered the same UR mudflaps, but the ones with the pink logos in support of breast cancer. I have to wait until mid to late November for them. I bought my "Classics" before the UR were even developed and/or out for sale. So here was an "excuse" for me to "upgrade".

As for suspension, TiC sent me a prototype pair of MSI trailing links to install and test out. So, since you are in the market for suspension pieces, I will be posting at Nabisco and I will keep you up-to-date on my findings. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2049683&page=3

Since you are happy with the brakes, I will still say to consider the titanium shims. They act as heat isolators between the rotors and hubs (bearings) as well as the pads and calipers (seals and brake fluid).

Have a great weekend! Go feed your baby some nice cool dense Autumn air!!!

P.S. I'm looking at their website and the mount is for 2002-2004 WRX, probably because I have the full left-to-right slider release bar whereas you have the small handle on one side and they don't sell directly. So, what vendor did you go through for the extinguisher bar? I see that Stable Energies in Northern New Jersey is a vendor. So, I'll go see what they have.

[StripesRX]

I'll be keeping my eye out for suspension goodies :cool:

And I got my mount/extinguisher through OG Racing. And they too list the bracket as for the 02 WRX. Not to worry, it DOES fit perfectly. It took me 5 minutes and a 14 socket wrench and it went in. And the neat thing is the extinguisher doesn't interfere with the seat moving back and forth at all. It can slide all the way up. :D

It was on my "to buy" list for a bit, Murphy's Law and everything ;)