What would you all recommend for modding L's and TS's?

I'm looking at a few options, but I'm wondering if there are mods that will potentially cause problems (like bumpstop or CEL lights going off).

I wanna hear your experiences! thanks :D

You are covering a lot of ground with this question.
There is an L thread in Members car gallery that has tons of info. Start there.
There are some changes between years and models, so if you can be more specific, maybe I can help.
The complete list of mods and what is possible would be a book.
What are you after:
handling?
power?
stopping?
looks?

Well, here was my plan (just to outline):
1998 or 1999 Subaru Impreza L or TS or Brighton.

-Change rear drum brakes to disc
-Add swaybars, anti-roll bars
-Add aftermarket suspension (perhaps Eibach springs?)
-RS hoodscoop
-Aftermarket rims
-Aftermarket clutch (need comments on this. I heard about clutch slippage on the Imprezas so that the drivetrain can be saved or something?)
-Higher grade spark plugs
-Change the front end to the GC8 front end.
-Higher-end Exhaust or Catback

And possibly:
-Turbo kit, or engine swap


I guess everything should be pretty okay... but I've heard about CEL lights going off and this and that (from other threads).

My intent is not to slam the car or anything like that. I just wanna have it perform well as an autoX and as a daily driver (As well as something that looks pretty good).

Originally posted by dugrant153
Well, here was my plan (just to outline):
1998 or 1999 Subaru Impreza L or TS or Brighton.

-Change rear drum brakes to disc
-Add swaybars, anti-roll bars
-Add aftermarket suspension (perhaps Eibach springs?)
-RS hoodscoop
-Aftermarket rims
-Aftermarket clutch (need comments on this. I heard about clutch slippage on the Imprezas so that the drivetrain can be saved or something?)
-Higher grade spark plugs
-Change the front end to the GC8 front end.
-Higher-end Exhaust or Catback

And possibly:
-Turbo kit, or engine swap


Is this in order of importance, or just a general listing?

rims/tires - I'd worry about the rims and tires first. This will affect every other aspect of the car (accelerating, braking, handling). Good tires make a big difference.

clutch - I wouldn't worry about changing the clutch unless it was damaged/slipping or you were making enough power to make it slip.

brakes - with the money spent on doing a rear disc conversion, you could upgrade to WRX or RS front brakes, or get better rotors and pads for the stock front brakes. The front brakes do most of the work, so I'd leave the rears alone until you beefed up the front.

suspension - I'd probably work on this before doing any power upgrade, but that's just me. Stiffer struts, more responsive springs and a larger rear swaybar would be a good start.

spark plugs - don't bother spending a lot of money on these. Get some NGK's and be done with it.

looks - the hoodscoop may look cool, and it can be made to be functional, but it'll most likely just create drag. Did you mean changing from an L front end to an RS front end? The headlights and the grille will be the same, just change the bumper.

power - more power is always better, just don't spend all your money on power goodies.

engine swap/turbo kit - it can be done, it has been done, but don't even worry about this right now.

modding L's is a waste of time. ;) shhhhhh...

with a MY98 or 99 you'll have the 2.2 in there, so you can make it pretty zippy...

depending on what intake setup you have, an aftermarket one might be a waste of money...if you have the old 'single airbox by the fender' MAF intake, just pull the silencer out of the fender, and put a hi-flow filter element in the airbox; the car will be much happier.

at that point, i'd just go for a lightweight flywheel and full exhaust for power mods.

upgrade the struts/springs/swaybar, nab a set of the subaru 4 pots if you can swing it (they price is pretty reasonable nowadays), then worry about converting to rear discs later...when i converted my car to rear discs, it was pretty much a cosmetic change only; the car stops just as fast, it just doesn't lean forward as much.

at this point, you should have a wicked auto-x car...then worry about the cosmetic stuff.

all depends on your budget. If you buy a brighton you will have more for mods but the interior pretty much sucks. The 1.8l is slow, but is cheap if you plan to swap to a wrx motor.
Here is what I have done,
18mm rear bar
whiteline sway bar endlinks front and rear
KYB AGX struts (koni inserts are a better option, but more $)
Eibach pro springs (tirerack has a deal on P1s if you want stiffer)
Toyo Proxes T1S on Legacy turbo 15" rims- will be running R compounds next year
RS 2pot front brakes (yes, do the fronts first, WRX brakes work with 16 inch wheels or larger)
Lightened crank pulley
performance alignment
RS shifter and wheelskin shift boot

You can get RS stuff for really cheap like struts, springs, shifter,steering wheel, exhaust. WRX wheels are a good deal, as is the 20mm sedan rear sway bar. WRX seats would be nice too.

If you are going turbo or swap I would wait on expensive exhausts mods until you know where you are going.

NGX copper plugs are the way to go.
Clutch is ok until you go turbo. If you swap just get the donor clutch with tranny or new clutch if you keep existing clutch. Bully makes a great clutch upgrade.

The only 2.2l header option is Borla. Sometimes you get a CEL but not always. Catbacks won't cause a CEL. Again, I say wait on this stuff until you decide on the future development path.

Edit: I've shortend my response.

Of the mods I've done to my car, the only one that has caused a problem is the cold air intake. Caused bogging when I was accelerating from a stand still. Other than that I like everything I've had done. I just wish I had money to do more.
I really want to try irridum spark plugs, right now I have the copper NGK's. Which I agree are nice.


- REAR SPOILER - stock L spoiler ($12 brand new off ebay so why not)
- KEYLESS ENTRY
- WRX 18 mm SWAYBAR
- PAINTED FANGUARDS
- COLD AIR INTAKE
- HEAT SHEILD
- PROJECTION DRIVING LIGHTS
- HELLA 500 DRIVING LIGHTS
- LIGHT BAR
- SPARCO MUDFLAPS (WHITE)
- ALUMINIUM DASH KIT
- 99 RS ALLOYS WITH SUMITOMO HTRZ-2
- SPARCO RACE PEDALS
- CUSCO HOOD SCOOP - bought but no on yet
- RS HOOD - not done yet
- UNDERBODY FRONT SKIDPLATE