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Old 02-09-2014, 07:14 PM   #1
blurred
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 47143
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Toronto
Default blurred's 2006 STI, gtx2867r/vband, street car

I figure it was time to get a build thread started now that I'm getting fairly deep into it and this year will bring a whole new feel to my car.


2006-2012 - bought, bored, reminded
I bought my 2006 STI back in January 2007, it was used with 35k already on the odo! (it was a summer 2005 build date) so I enjoyed the depreciation the previous owner took and had myself one of my dream cars. I didn't plan on doing any modifications other than a cat-back, or muffler change so that I could hear it (far too quiet stock) and I just enjoyed it for the first few months.

That didn’t last too long and that summer I added a few pieces.

MadDad V2 Catted, divorced WG downpipe (new - ex-TSC Vendor)
MadDad 3" Whisper catback exhaust (new - ex-TSC Vendor)
Tactrix cable/Open-source (used - TSC buy/sell)
Innovate LC-1 Wideband/VEI wideband gauge (new - Ultimate Racing)
VEI Dual Oil Pressure/Oil Temp gauge (new - VEI Systems)
STRI DSD SLM2 Boost gauge (new - TougeTuning)
Autometer Bezel gauge pod (used - TSC buy/sell)
Install (service - Dynamotorsports)


I had these installed and then proceeded to tune it myself using RomRaider and my Tactrix. I downloaded a Stg2 basemap and just built from that. I think I did a fairly decent job as the car is smooth, pulls nicely and has stayed together until now, with 210k on the ODO. I know I have power left on the table, but I really haven't cared too much about every last HP, just that what it has, is fun.
...so that lasted a month or so....



GrimmSpeed Ported stock exhaust manifold (used - TSC buy/sell)
GrimmSpeed Cross-Pipe (used - TSC buy/sell)
GrimmSpeed up-pipe (new - GrimmSpeed)
Installation (service - Dynamotorsports)


GiroDisc 2pc front Rotors (new - Innovative Tuning)
Hawk HPS f/r brake pads (new - Can't remember)
Installation (service - myself)


I installed and touched up the tune and now I was pretty sure my mods were complete.


I saw a nice deal on a set of 2pc rotors and decided to jump on it as the unsprung weight reduction, serviceability and low cost compared to OEM were all things that I knew I would seek out in the future. I mated them to some Hawk HPS pads and left the rear rotors as they were perfectly fine (the fronts were as well, but 2pc bling...) The HPS basically sucked for me and although they were "ok" they didn’t have the aggressiveness of the OEM pads. I like to brake quickly using short distance and the HPS didn't offer the initial bite that I like. I got used to them and as I wasn’t tracking just dealt with it.


JDM Spec-C Type RA (black) seats (used - friend of Polaren)

These seats... well, these are beautiful seats, full stop.
They were already modded for height adjustment on both sides but I only installed the driver’s seat due to the lack of side airbag and I didn’t want to make that decision for my passengers. The seats are worth every penny as the comfort level is very high as well as the support.


I never should have sold them (you are welcome SledgeHammer!!!) but I started a plan to sell the STI and pick up a project car.


Although the STI was a dream car I don't think I ever fully bonded with it in terms of making it a long term project. I tend to get bored every few years with cars and just grab the next and move on. Those who know me listened to me babble on and on about how I was going to sell the STI, pick up an s2000 for a turbo project etc... I went on like this for at least a year or two, not really giving the STI any love, just driving and maintaining.
What I didn’t do in all of that time was actually put it up for sale. I think in the back of my mind I couldn’t... so, fall 2012 I decided to do a quick suspension refresh as my shocks were at the end of their life. The car was getting floaty, and I had some less aggressive tires on that replaced my previous Direzzas.


Racecomp Engineering Tarmac2 coilovers with higher 600/500 spring rates (used - TSC buy/sell)
Cusco Rear camber plates (new - Innovative Tuning)
Hankook RS-3 235/45/17 (new - GoForTires)
Alignment (service - ABM Auto Centre)


As I was searching for a used set of shocks to use/rebuild for rear clunk I saw a for sale post by Mike from Innovative selling a barely used set of Tarmac2's from RCE. They had higher spring rates and were one of the only coilovers that I had ever decided to use and had on a wish list. On impulse I bought them and drive down to have them installed. Unfortunately we realized that I was going to need some camber plates in the rear as they didn’t come with the proper parts to use with a stock tophat (you order them based on the tophats being used and Mike had used camber plates so I needed the same). So a few days later the plates came in and I headed back down to get everything installed.
I just want to point out that Mike actually opened up on a closed day to fit me in for the second visit even though it wasn’t actually his fault. Big thanks to him and his staff that came in on his day off.


That was a hectic day, install in Buffalo at 10am, finished up around 3ish, blast back up the HWY to Markham to have my RS-3s installed, then blast back across the city to ABM Auto Centre to have my alignment done.


At 9am my car was a little tired, but by 6pm WOW, I was reminded why I bought it and still wanted it. My plans to sell were completely thrown out the window after the off/on ramp from EB 401 to Allen Rd North... the grip was awesome and even though the speed was quite... big.., the car was so planted, I got the itch back, and the project was on.


Hawk HP+ pads f/r (new - Apex Automotive)
DBA 4000 rear rotors (new - TougeTuning)
Timing belt (new - Apex Automotive)
Installation (service - Apex Automotive)


Just time for some much needed service, Timing belt was overdue and rear rotors were starting to show their age (they had 180k on them and still were thick but, I knew the HP+ would kill them quickly). Now it was time to put a more aggressive pad on, I went back to pads I used in the past but wasn’t very happy with them on the STI. They felt inconsistent and were just too loud for the mediocre performance that I felt they gave. Initial bite was great, but sometimes they seemed to lose some grip once warm/hot and slowing from high speeds while driving "briskly". The RS-3s were phenomenal tires, I really like how well they grip, although the sidewalls felt a little soft, but the grip on the street... no complaints, especially as they are so reasonable in price.





On to 2013!
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