Cheap WRX STI hatch - what could possibly go wrong?!

[drgoatboy]

thomasrs50 said:

When they first came out, I really couldn't get used to these (and every other subaru from this generation), but I've grown to really like them.

Good to see someone giving this car the much needed care.

Thank you! I always quite liked the shape. If you disregard what came before it's a reasonably handsome car.


Got to over 600 miles since the engine build so finally got it past 3500 revs today. Pulls well but not convinced I had full boost. Needs investigation...

[RB Will]

Has it been mapped for full boost? When I had mine built the mapper set it to only boost to about 1-1.2 bar while running in, then had to go back for a remap for the full 1.8bar tune.

[drgoatboy]

RB Will said:

Has it been mapped for full boost? When I had mine built the mapper set it to only boost to about 1-1.2 bar while running in, then had to go back for a remap for the full 1.8bar tune.

No idea. It's not quite making stock boost at the moment.

[RB Will]

Could be worth a call to the builder or mapper to see rather than spending the time and money hunting a non existent boost leak or duff sensor

[drgoatboy]

Took the car for a longer drive last week and popped up to Sywell aerodromes.
I had no idea there was a supercar event on the following day. Lots of interesting things in the car park.



(Mine was louder)

Also a loads of interesting things being set out for the next day



What it did mean is I am pretty sure I have 600+ miles on the engine since it was built!
yay




As a treat I gave it an oil change.



10-50w is heavier than OEM but recommend by the engine builder for the forged spec I have.

Oil coming out looked pretty clean and no scary metal lumps or anything! Phew!

[Cambs_Stuart]

That oil looks nice and clean. I think whoever built it has mapped it to restrict boost until the running in process is finshed. How far are you from the original mapper?

[drgoatboy]

Cambs_Stuart said:

That oil looks nice and clean. I think whoever built it has mapped it to restrict boost until the running in process is finshed. How far are you from the original mapper?

The engine was built without the car so I'm 95% sure it wasn't that.

[KarlMac]

My STI didn’t make full boost until over 4K so I’d make a few runs before you start pulling it apart looking for leaks.

Wider arches on the STI really set it apart from the narrow WRX hatches. Agree they’re definitely getting better with age.

[drgoatboy]

At last the rust has been fixed. Ended up costing a bit more than I hoped but I am happy it's sorted.

The guy who did it (company called Wisewagen) did a great job and gave the rest of the underneath a good look over clearing off any flaking waxoyl and didn't find any other horrors which I was relieved about.
He did find a failed bush on the front suspension but more on that in a later post.












Other side








(Spot the cavity wax dripping out the sills....)


Back of the inner arches







And in other news, I changed the headunit.
Wasn't high on my list but someone localish was selling second hand and it seemed like a bargain. Not so keen on the new facia, but too black.....

[Accelebrate]

That's a great-looking set of repairs, at least you can be happy that your money went into a job well done.

[drgoatboy]

Accelebrate said:

That's a great-looking set of repairs, at least you can be happy that your money went into a job well done.

Yep I think so. It took 19 hours so much more time than I had to give!

[Cambs_Stuart]

Looks like some good work from the bodyshop!
How is the boost?

[drgoatboy]

Cambs_Stuart said:

Looks like some good work from the bodyshop!
How is the boost?

Not sure! It started throwing a
P0024 code so I have changed the avcs control valve but not drive it since as the control arm isn't on the car.... Fingers crossed

[navmangt]

Now that you've had it for a month or two, whats your opinion on it and how it drives?

[pidsy]

Thought I saw you driving through Bushey last week.

Very similar to yours if not.

[lemmingjames]

Nexus Icon said:

I had one of those, in that colour, with those wheels, that grille and the front splitter but sans all the other tat. I hope it isn't my old one, as that was a lemon of gargantuan proportions. 2 engine rebuilds and it still overheated and tried to die again. Got rid 7 years ago, PXing on a new Megane Cup-S (which I hated for different reasons). Seems a long time ago now.

Check for a reasonable but slightly visible chipsaway repair on the top of the rear, offside arch. If one exists I'll pray for you.

Sorry for the hi-jack but did you ever figure out why it kept overheating?

[drgoatboy]

navmangt said:

Now that you've had it for a month or two, whats your opinion on it and how it drives?

Because the control arm bush was shot I am reserving judgement. The steering was a bit vague but I'm hoping it was the failed bush, I certainly was getting vibration when braking....

pidsy said:

Thought I saw you driving through Bushey last week.

Very similar to yours if not.

Not me (although very local) mines only had 3 wheels on it for the last 2 weeks...

Edited by drgoatboy on Monday 12th June 22:34

[Court_S]

Rust repair looks good; that cut out piece had certainly seen better days.

Do you still think it’s down on boost?

[drgoatboy]

Court_S said:

Rust repair looks good; that cut out piece had certainly seen better days.

Do you still think it’s down on boost?

Not sure, I changed a sensor but not driven properly yet...

[mmcd87]

Make sure its in the right mode with the centre controller. I’m sure it gives more boost in certain modes from what I remember.