Hey, what's up guys? Well....I have contemplated putting the best of both worlds together for quite some time. Ever since I joined the Subaru community, I have loved the GC8 body style....but I wanted the power to back up the beautiful looks (i.e. 22B, GC8 STi, etc.). So, I am turning to you guys for pictures and your thoughts on the absolute cleanest complete STi swap ever completed. I am basically referring to everything, a car that has dotted the "i's" and crossed the "t's" (i.e. interior, drivetrain, brakes, suspension, etc.) Maybe this will give me the motivation to actually start the process and create what I have envisioned. Thanks in advance, ALL help is greatly appreciated! :banana:


BTW, I searched and found some good examples...which I was going to post here, but I would like to get unbiased opinions and posts directly from you guys. :alien:


Also, it doesn't HAVE to be a USDM swap...it could also be a JDM, EDM, etc. swap. The only reason I would prefer the USDM swap is because of the interior portion/airbags. But I would love a JDM drivetrain, exterior pieces, etc. :disco:

radzio....full US STi Swap

radzio....full US STi Swap

Definitely a nice green GC-8/STi swap done by Garage Tuning, but it is still lacking in completeness....although a really nice piece/work in progress. Thanks for the input. :D

lacking in completeness? how so?

the grey one in boston. mumbles. that one owns on any weak usdm sti swap.

JDM 207 with gt35r kit. that car is just sick

lacking in completeness? how so?

I just checked out his swap here: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=906682

and noticed a few things that he had either not received yet, or hadn't installed yet. I'm not saying it doesn't have the potential, it's just that it isn't complete at this point in time...which is the reason I said a very nice work in progress. :cool:

i.e.:

- USDM 6-speed transmission with dccd(I have all components, but not installed)
- Crawford S3L block(not put in yet), Greddy FMIC(shipping right now).
-Car will need 99-01 front bumper to fit fmic,
-I don't have dccd switch(actual switch thats inside the car),
-I should receive STi gas Tank shortly to replace 2.5 RS gas tank(car cut outs if I have less then 1/5th of the tank).

the grey one in boston. mumbles. that one owns on any weak usdm sti swap.

JDM 207 with gt35r kit. that car is just sick

I agree...that is definitely at the top of my list...although not 100% complete in my eyes (i.e. Brembos, etc.). I wonder who ended up buying it, and for how much? :confused: I would have loved to own that car! :eek: :banana:

Hey, what's up guys? Well....I have contemplated putting the best of both worlds together for quite some time. Ever since I joined the Subaru community, I have loved the GC8 body style....but I wanted the power to back up the beautiful looks (i.e. 22B, GC8 STi, etc.). So, I am turning to you guys for pictures and your thoughts on the absolute cleanest complete STi swap ever completed. I am basically referring to everything, a car that has dotted the "i's" and crossed the "t's" (i.e. interior, drivetrain, brakes, suspension, etc.) Maybe this will give me the motivation to actually start the process and create what I have envisioned. Thanks in advance, ALL help is greatly appreciated! :banana:


BTW, I searched and found some good examples...which I was going to post here, but I would like to get unbiased opinions and posts directly from you guys. :alien:

Check out this site. They do great work, I just got my wiring completed by them. Complete and uncomplete Sti conversions. Jdm or Usdm. A lot of pics.

www.eastcoastswappers.com

Thanks to Paul, Matt, and James for hookin it up with the wiring conversion.

the grey one in boston. mumbles. that one owns on any weak usdm sti swap.

JDM 207 with gt35r kit. that car is just sick

I don't think mumbles ever had a gt35r. he was debating a 3071, but never went through with the rest of his power mods

Hey, what's up guys? Well....I have contemplated putting the best of both worlds together for quite some time. Ever since I joined the Subaru community, I have loved the GC8 body style....but I wanted the power to back up the beautiful looks (i.e. 22B, GC8 STi, etc.). So, I am turning to you guys for pictures and your thoughts on the absolute cleanest complete STi swap ever completed. I am basically referring to everything, a car that has dotted the "i's" and crossed the "t's" (i.e. interior, drivetrain, brakes, suspension, etc.) Maybe this will give me the motivation to actually start the process and create what I have envisioned. Thanks in advance, ALL help is greatly appreciated! :banana:


BTW, I searched and found some good examples...which I was going to post here, but I would like to get unbiased opinions and posts directly from you guys. :alien:


how complete are you talking? why as USDM swap? Look under the gc8 members gallery thread. there was a gc8 that was just posted that fits your bill nicely. I think the sn was brood

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13945515&postcount=4303

how complete are you talking? why as USDM swap? Look under the gc8 members gallery thread. there was a gc8 that was just posted that fits your bill nicely. I think the sn was brood

Yes indeed...that thing is amazing! I wonder if it is Steel Blue Mica? The reason I ask is because I almost painted my STi Steel Blue Mica, and would most definitely do a custom GC8 in that color as well... *drool* :p


Thank you guys for ALL of your input...the temptation is building quite rapidly. :lol: :disco:

based on what you are looking for i think even attempting a swap would leave you disappointed


that's just my opinion though

based on what you are looking for i think even attempting a swap would leave you disappointed


that's just my opinion though

Why is that? Please explain... :confused: :alien:

Because it is a shatload of freaking work. You do not understand all of the technical challenges that need to be overcome. I am trying to swap a usdm 2.2t into my impreza and even that will be somewhat of a challenge. To make this swap as clean and complete as you want it, be prepared to drop 20 g's on this car and spend countless hours on the internet and phone trying to source all of the parts you want. Oh and when the parts come and half of them are wrong, be mentally prepared, because it will happen.

Because it is a shatload of freaking work. You do not understand all of the technical challenges that need to be overcome. I am trying to swap a usdm 2.2t into my impreza and even that will be somewhat of a challenge. To make this swap as clean and complete as you want it, be prepared to drop 20 g's on this car and spend countless hours on the internet and phone trying to source all of the parts you want. Oh and when the parts come and half of them are wrong, be mentally prepared, because it will happen.

That is understandable, and I am willing to take on those challenges. I acknowledge the fact that it is a "project"...and that unto itself spells trouble. :lol:

Because it is a shatload of freaking work. You do not understand all of the technical challenges that need to be overcome. I am trying to swap a usdm 2.2t into my impreza and even that will be somewhat of a challenge. To make this swap as clean and complete as you want it, be prepared to drop 20 g's on this car and spend countless hours on the internet and phone trying to source all of the parts you want. Oh and when the parts come and half of them are wrong, be mentally prepared, because it will happen.
pretty much summed it up


also can you handle hacking up a dashboard? because you are going to have to butcher it a bit

I have always thought Nitro Don's car was amazing. VERY complete!

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=885817

I have always thought Nitro Don's car was amazing. VERY complete!

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=885817

Yup, I have contacted Nitro Don before...after the car had been sold. His car I think would have been ideal due to the fact that it was thoroughly completed and all measures taken for a clean swap. I will probably end up looking for one that meets my wants/needs as closely as possibly, and tinker with it from there to make it what I want. :p

also can you handle hacking up a dashboard? because you are going to have to butcher it a bit

Actually, I probably could...but LOTS of time would be spent either doing it myself or seeking out someone who could do a close-to flawless job. My goal is to build an RSTi that looks like it came from the factory that way...


The only issue is that I am a fairly nitpicky/critical/retentive guy which makes for a tough endeavor. :lol:

The only issue is that I am a fairly nitpicky/critical/retentive guy which makes for a tough endeavor. :lol:

like stated above...the worst part is waiting for all the CORRECT pieces to come in...thankfully our local dealer is understanding and takes the time to make sure we are getting what we want. I hear horror stories all the time of dealers that arent mod friendly whatsoever....that and find a reliable importer.... I can tell you who we use if you want to PM me...

Good luck, I love these "GC8" projects...lots of beautiful ones out there....

Craig

like stated above...the worst part is waiting for all the CORRECT pieces to come in...thankfully our local dealer is understanding and takes the time to make sure we are getting what we want. I hear horror stories all the time of dealers that arent mod friendly whatsoever....that and find a reliable importer.... I can tell you who we use if you want to PM me...

Good luck, I love these "GC8" projects...lots of beautiful ones out there....

Craig

Good deal. PM'd...Thanks! :D

mumbles sold his car to a friend of mine.
it has a VF22 in it, its a full V7 drivetrain swap.

radizo's car is complete with a JDM trans r180 and project MU calipers on the front and 2 pot brembos on the rear. last i heard it was undergoing a turbo swap.
he is going to run the stock block for a while with the turbo kit, and the STI gas tank has been installed.
he eliminated the DCCD by using a Cusco Tarmac center diff.
i have driven it and its fast!

This is one of the top ones!

We did Revels car in alanta and sold the silver car to jeremy in VA. But thsi is one of the best! complete swaps, I has all the cool stuff the JDM car had! Including awsome Ohlins , Take a look!

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1012913

oo. not mumbles, that other crazy 500 whp guy. soon2bgreat. thats the car i was talking about. that thing is nuts

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13945515&postcount=4303
+1
this thing flew past me friday at the track day friday

I don't personally believe there's such a thing as a *complete* swap. Once you turn down that road, I can't imagine there ever being a point that one would kick back and say, "that's it, there's nothing more to do here."

That said, a guy who lives near me here in VA ended up buying the car Nitro Don put together. If your definition of a complete conversion is "every functional part of one car has been put into another car exactly the way it was before," then I'm not aware of anything that comes closer. Everything from an '04 STI has been squeezed into a GC8, including the entire dash. I actually bought the FMIC kit that was on it because the owner decided to put a stock STI top mount back in.

-Rob

I don't personally believe there's such a thing as a *complete* swap. Once you turn down that road, I can't imagine there ever being a point that one would kick back and say, "that's it, there's nothing more to do here."

That said, a guy who lives near me here in VA ended up buying the car Nitro Don put together. If your definition of a complete conversion is "every functional part of one car has been put into another car exactly the way it was before," then I'm not aware of anything that comes closer. Everything from an '04 STI has been squeezed into a GC8, including the entire dash. I actually bought the FMIC kit that was on it because the owner decided to put a stock STI top mount back in.

-Rob

That is exactly what I am talking about. I wanted to buy Nitro Don's car...but was a tad bit too late. :( A hell of a deal indeed. If your friend ever considers selling, let him know that I would buy that car in a heartbeat. ;) :banana:

This is one of the top ones!

We did Revels car in alanta and sold the silver car to jeremy in VA. But thsi is one of the best! complete swaps, I has all the cool stuff the JDM car had! Including awsome Ohlins , Take a look!

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1012913

Agreed, VERY JDM....I like. :devil:



Although, I would be interested in a 98-2001 RS body style with STi drivetrain, etc. :alien:

oo. not mumbles, that other crazy 500 whp guy. soon2bgreat. thats the car i was talking about. that thing is nuts

ur probably thinking of Louis' 2nd swap. the one with the gt35. his first one was nice as well and one of the first that got done.

soon2bgreat, mumbles, and YazahX all have/had excellenty swaps. once Hyper has all his issues worked out, his will be awesome as well. v9 C ;)

Back from the dead.....let's see some more! :banana:

Kevin from garage tuning has a nice car :)

I would have to say that my swap is the most complete Jdm swap arround.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d135/vwjsk/JDM%20STI/Picture004.jpg

Kevin from garage tuning has a nice car :)

Funny you should mention Kevin. I talked to him today...been friends for quite some time. :lol: :D

I would have to say that my swap is the most complete Jdm swap arround.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d135/vwjsk/JDM%20STI/Picture004.jpg

Very clean indeed...

Could you please give us some more details, pictures, etc? I would love to hear more about it. Thanks! :)

Sti 5 everything! If you do a search for my threads you will find more pics

i tried to use all the JDM nuts and bolts i could. getting a front clip is the way to go. i luckily got a complete vehicle harness with my V4 clip. so reusing everything was the intent. i didn't go JDM as far as interior(mine was excellent anyway) etc. i wanted a sleeper so that was out of the question. i wanted comoplete swap, but without the price. i knew that wasn't gonna happen on a budget so i settled a little here and there.

--keith

i tried to use all the JDM nuts and bolts i could. getting a front clip is the way to go. i luckily got a complete vehicle harness with my V4 clip. so reusing everything was the intent. i didn't go JDM as far as interior(mine was excellent anyway) etc. i wanted a sleeper so that was out of the question. i wanted comoplete swap, but without the price. i knew that wasn't gonna happen on a budget so i settled a little here and there.

--keith

Post pictures...I would love to see. Thanks. :cool:

Why do you feel you need to stick with a complete stock drivetrain package, such as usdm sti?

If it were me, and I wanted the “best of the best” I would build the whole thing hybrid. Pick your tranny, load it with PPG’s, go strait to built/forged block, built heads, wrx ecu + wiring (if you want emissions), or standalone/JDM, pick your turbo, pick your intake setup, etc…etc..

No sense wasting money on a stock drivetrain, only to turn around and build the snot out of it, especially since it’s a swap. This is one problem I constantly battle with. Spent all this time performing a stock drivetrain swap, only to turn around and modify the hell out it…

im building my own "envisioned swap" right now. Im basically done with all the mechanicals, just have to send the car for paint and then do the interior on it while its at paint and i will be done. minus the wheels.

g/l with yours.

_billy

im building my own "envisioned swap" right now. Im basically done with all the mechanicals, just have to send the car for paint and then do the interior on it while its at paint and i will be done. minus the wheels.

g/l with yours.

_billy

Post up pictures, details, etc. when you get a chance. Sounds VERY interesting. :D

Mine's complete... but its no STi swap :p

Mine's complete... but its no STi swap :p

Bring it on. We don't discriminate. ;) Love to see all conversions. :banana:

http://dave.oc7.org/images/2006.06.15.mt.airy/images/DSC_5401.jpg
Pic courtesy of AcquaCow... who is now the owner of Nitro Don's RSTi...

My car:
JDM WRX EJ205, 9:1 Compression, AVCS, JDM WRX 4.44 transmission with 4.44 rear differential.

Lots of JDM bits here and there...

Pic courtesy of AcquaCow... who is now the owner of Nitro Don's RSTi...

My car:
JDM WRX EJ205, 9:1 Compression, AVCS, JDM WRX 4.44 transmission with 4.44 rear differential.

Lots of JDM bits here and there...

Wow...beautiful car man. Very well done. I thought about buying Nitro Don's car...unfortunately AcquaCow beat me to it. :( LOL :lol:

dammit keith, that looks mighty mighty.

Mumbles old car for sure

Mumbles old car for sure

pretty sure Hoxypad has it now, we should try to get some recent pics!

I have a decently complete gc8 sti swap, but not USDM. Mostly the drivetrain and engine though

Not exactly a swap but kind of...

Since this picture I changed the decklid to usdm wingless, does that count? :) Otherwise it is 100% JDM.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/95sti/car%20pics/DSC00213.jpg

Thanks to Pacific Import Auto for finding the donor and doing the swap.

full 2004 USDM STi swap into a 98 RS unicorn.

http://keshav.com/gc/engine.jpg

even the exhaust, which fits perfectly.
http://keshav.com/gc/rearangle.jpg

might not please those of you who like the loud, modded cars, but I can guarantee that this thing is fast now. It will also last a loooong time. Appearance upgrades to come and probably a 22b fender kit in the future.

Thanks to Pacific Import Auto for finding the donor and doing the swap.

full 2004 USDM STi swap into a 98 RS unicorn.

might not please those of you who like the loud, modded cars, but I can guarantee that this thing is fast now. It will also last a loooong time. Appearance upgrades to come and probably a 22b fender kit in the future.

VERY clean...if you ever want to sell, let me know. ;) :banana:

Keshav, nice looking car. Very fun looking.

Thanks to Pacific Import Auto for finding the donor and doing the swap.

full 2004 USDM STi swap into a 98 RS unicorn.

http://keshav.com/gc/engine.jpg

even the exhaust, which fits perfectly.
http://keshav.com/gc/rearangle.jpg

might not please those of you who like the loud, modded cars, but I can guarantee that this thing is fast now. It will also last a loooong time. Appearance upgrades to come and probably a 22b fender kit in the future.

Pac import rules! Great Guys!

nice car man! great color too. would like to see more pics for sure!

--keith

Thanks guys. :) She's been my pride and joy for 7 years now. Finally in the position to spend a little money on her. PIA went beyond my expectations. They even programmed the neetronics DCCD controller for me and fixed some little things that I had been too lazy to address.

here's another shot

http://keshav.com/gc/dside.jpg

Thanks guys. :) She's been my pride and joy for 7 years now. Finally in the position to spend a little money on her. PIA went beyond my expectations. They even programmed the neetronics DCCD controller for me and fixed some little things that I had been too lazy to address.

I'll take it! :banana:







......Oh wait. Was it even for sale? (a man can dream right?) ;) :lol:

Bring it on. We don't discriminate. ;) Love to see all conversions. :banana:

How about the Impreza’s older brother:

http://66.49.172.173/subaru/pics/overall/images/DSC02326.jpg

http://66.49.172.173/subaru/pics/muffler/muffler1.jpg

http://66.49.172.173/subaru/pics/overall/images/DSC02330a.jpg

330whp / 12.6 @109.5mph...

Keshav, that looks great. The STi strut bar and all, looks wonderful. :)

I'd personally do an STi EJ257 (USDM), StopTech brakes, Prodrive WR suspension, Group N bushings, Ver.6 exterior pieces, JDM WRX/STi GC aluminum hood, JDM pink "WRX" and STi badges, Osram H4 headlight bulbs, Hella 90mm driving lights (to go with my new P1 fog covers :) ), Prodrive P1 front lip. I'd keep my OE coupe wing (my car's a sedan).

Grey/black leather Recaro/Cobra sport seats, new steering wheel (STI v6, or maybe USDM 3-spoke), STi V6 gauge cluster, OE turbo gauge, new OE carpet, black/red stripe WeatherTech floormats. TWE equal-length coated headers, high-flow cat, 2.5" Prodrive catback.

Hmm. Yeah that'd do it. :)

=S2=

here are some of my MY98 05 usdm swap pix:


http://eastcoastswappers.com/hosted%20pics/Steven/

still 2weeks away.....i can wait

here are some of my MY98 05 usdm swap pix:


http://eastcoastswappers.com/hosted%20pics/Steven/

still 2weeks away.....i can wait

Sweet! Another USDM STi unicorn

I wondered what my car would look like with that bumper and yellow fogs. I'm not sure if I'll go with that or the WRC replica.

You're gonna crap yourself when you see how fast it is. :banana:

Awesome Keshav, I was about to ask about the transmission but you answered.

I too am a Pacific Import Auto customer.

My next step is having them install some JDM power/heated Legacy mirrors. And talking to them about that ECUTEK flash. :devil:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/kraziken/20060211_01.jpg

How about the Impreza’s older brother:

330whp / 12.6 @109.5mph...

I am VERY jealous...a very nice example of a clean Legacy conversion. Good work, and thanks for posting! :banana:

Awesome Keshav, I was about to ask about the transmission but you answered.

I too am a Pacific Import Auto customer.

My next step is having them install some JDM power/heated Legacy mirrors. And talking to them about that ECUTEK flash. :devil:

:eek: So when do I pick it up? And how much? :lol: :devil:

another fine-looking swap there, Kraziken. gold wheels with the silver lip. very classy.

woot major reppage for Pac Import Auto and swaps in the northwest in general in here, i'm lovin it! As soon as i save up a few more grand, (not very hard when you dont have to pay for living expenses) I'll be doing a swap hopefully getting my car this weekend

Awesome Keshav, I was about to ask about the transmission but you answered.

I too am a Pacific Import Auto customer.

My next step is having them install some JDM power/heated Legacy mirrors. And talking to them about that ECUTEK flash. :devil:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/kraziken/20060211_01.jpg

I love your Legacy...its exactly how I would have done one!!

I love your Legacy...its exactly how I would have done one!!

Thanks!

If you live in the NW, PIA is the place to go for any Subaru maintenance, or swaps.

Some custom stuff they did for me.

Cutting a hole in my dash and fitting a DEFI hood and installing my gauges, including putting the white face matching overlays.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/kraziken/DSCN0074.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/kraziken/DSCN0063.jpg

They also installed a STI intercooler spray. However it is not a manual spray, but an arm button. Spray automatically activates at 8 psi boost if the button is armed. :devil:

I originally had a USDM 2.0 WRX motor and when I changed my mind on motor selection, they allowed me to trade in my EJ20 on the STI motor. I'm very happy to promote them. Their attention to detail is second to none.

They also installed a STI intercooler spray. However it is not a manual spray, but an arm button. Spray automatically activates at 8 psi boost if the button is armed. :devil:

I want to know more about THAT!!

I want to know more about THAT!!

It's true. Steve told me thats how he sets it up. I'd guess he just uses the same boost solenoid you would find in a water injection kit.

Seattle gives us free water cooling on our intercooler most days. ;)

I want to know more about THAT!!


It's actually a very simple setup. Uses a boost switch from www.coolingmist.com, a standard bosch relay, rear windshield washer pump and bottle from a Legacy Wagon 1995 or newer, and a modified fog light switch. I had an actual I/C spray switch from a GC impreza but it wouldn't fit in the BD/BG legacy's odd sized switch holes, so we had to make one... lol.

You hit the switch and it arms the system. When boost gets above 8 psi, the switch closes, and supplies the relay with a ground signal that turns on the relay (in turn turning on the washer pump, which is hooked to a nozzle mounted in the hood scoop)

Initial testing was very fun :) Since you can't see what's going on under the hood while you're driving, we hooked the I/C Spray pump outlet up to the windshield washer nozzles. What that did was allow us to see that the pump was running at exactly the correct boost pressure. So everytime we hit 8 psi, the pump turned on and sprayed the windshield with fluid :)

man i gotta stop reading this thread, i get WAY too jealous

Hrmm... interesting... who wants to create this kit so I can just buy it? :lol:

Initial testing was very fun :) Since you can't see what's going on under the hood while you're driving, we hooked the I/C Spray pump outlet up to the windshield washer nozzles. What that did was allow us to see that the pump was running at exactly the correct boost pressure. So everytime we hit 8 psi, the pump turned on and sprayed the windshield with fluid :)

You know, I was going to ask how you tested it? :lol: I was thinking of running my laptop with a wireless cam and stuffing it in the engine compartment so you could get a view of the sprayer activating. :lol:

man i gotta stop reading this thread, i get WAY too jealous

EXACTLY! Makes me think about pulling the trigger on a project car...with complete disregard for what that money should go to. Very evil thread....and to think that I started it. :mad: :lol: