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Old 02-08-2013, 09:14 AM   #1
ShardAerithes
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Default STi wrecked - how to proceed from here

Well in my infinite wisdom, I was involved in a single car accident Tuesday.

I should not have been driving on these nearly bald michelin all season tires, however I wanted to get the last bit of miles out of them going back and forth to work.



Long story short, driving to work I was going too fast for conditions, I hit a ditch and rolled, hit a grove of trees, and I did not have collision coverage. My airbags did not deploy. I just started a new career and had to cancel my collision coverage in January to get through a couple months budget. Perfect timing.

The frame/body are destroyed, I think one door is salvageable.

The engine/trans seem to be fine. Intercooler and radiator are done. Interior is mostly fine, at least the front seats and dash seem to be OK. I imagine the electronics are OK.

Car has 75,000 miles on it, and 20,000 miles on the shortblock with forged CP pistons, turboxs exhaust, FP green, Tein Flex (which may or may not be OK), an AEM EMS, walbro fuel pump, injectors, Cobb Short throw, Exedy Twin disc clutch, and the Brembo's look OK.

Should I part this thing out? Buy a rolling chassis and swap over the good parts?

What would the wise man do at this point? Please don't lecture me, as I already know I am a fool. Thanks.
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Old 02-08-2013, 09:21 AM   #2
Jacobs11
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I vote for a swapped GC ^
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Old 02-08-2013, 09:23 AM   #3
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That would be a nice fun little beastie with 400WHP ...then I could drive something with good gas mileage to work and back.
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Old 02-08-2013, 09:24 AM   #4
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I'll spare you the lecture. If the chassis is FUBAR, then I'd either get a car to swap everything into or part out. This all depends on your budget and the amount of time you have to do the work yourself. Paying someone else to do all of it might be costly and at that rate, I'd just part out and get a new car. Sorry for your loss.
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Old 02-08-2013, 09:25 AM   #5
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That sucks. Part out, who know how much damage that impact did on those parts that might not be noticeable at a glance.
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Old 02-08-2013, 09:25 AM   #6
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First and foremost, you didn't get injured.
Secondly, I think this is first post where someone manned up and admitted the crash was their fault. I salute you for that.

Now, your options: If you can find a car with a blown engine or trans that someone just doesn't want to bother to fix at the right price, it may be worth swapping what you have left and can use over. Or, you can part out what you have. There is plenty of demand for your engine and trans. If you need transportation quickly, you may be better off parting out what you have and putting that money towards a simple DD to get you around.

The decision is yours, and really depends on budget, time constraints, and availability of a recipient vehicle.
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Old 02-08-2013, 09:29 AM   #7
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You don't tell us enough for us to help.

Do you have the facilities, tools, free time, spare money to part out the car and buy a replacement? If not, you will want to sell the car whole in order to get the money as quickly as possible. If so, then sure....you will likely get more by parting out every possible part. Just realize that you really, really want to try to sell every single part and when you've finished doing that, cut up what's left and bring the steel to the scrap yard for maybe another $25 in steel. With all that said, parting a car is a TON of work and you get far less than you expect and less than what people on the interwebs will tell you. Anyone telling you the thousands you will make.....you need to ask them what they've parted out and ask to see their spreadsheets of costs and income from a partout. I've done a dozen cars and the first few, I would have sworn that I made $3k. Then I kept a spreadsheet. The shipping companies made more than I did and my total was closer to $300 than $3000 (90's Hondas/Acuras).

I find that to sell every single part in a car takes roughly 3 years.
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Old 02-08-2013, 09:37 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack ffr1846 View Post
You don't tell us enough for us to help.

Do you have the facilities, tools, free time, spare money to part out the car and buy a replacement? If not, you will want to sell the car whole in order to get the money as quickly as possible. If so, then sure....you will likely get more by parting out every possible part. Just realize that you really, really want to try to sell every single part and when you've finished doing that, cut up what's left and bring the steel to the scrap yard for maybe another $25 in steel. With all that said, parting a car is a TON of work and you get far less than you expect and less than what people on the interwebs will tell you. Anyone telling you the thousands you will make.....you need to ask them what they've parted out and ask to see their spreadsheets of costs and income from a partout. I've done a dozen cars and the first few, I would have sworn that I made $3k. Then I kept a spreadsheet. The shipping companies made more than I did and my total was closer to $300 than $3000 (90's Hondas/Acuras).

I find that to sell every single part in a car takes roughly 3 years.

This is the truth. Especially now as the prices on the GD STi parts is dropping pretty steadily.

If I was in your situation, and I had the knowledge/time/space to swap it, I would buy a nice little GC/GM and swap everything over. But expect to sink a few thousandths dollars into it on top of the chassis because you'll be shocked what you find busted up on your STi from the roll over (knuckles, misc suspension, etc).

If I was short on cash, like it seems you are, I would probably sell the car whole to the first kid with 5-7K in his pocket and buy a cheapy CRX or something until you get your legs under you.
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Old 02-08-2013, 09:43 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack ffr1846 View Post
I find that to sell every single part in a car takes roughly 3 years.
3 years plus how many hours of work actually removing all the parts, packaging them, shipping them, dealing with buyers (hours spent on the interwebz), ect. In the end even if you make $3000 (which you said isn't likely), how much of your time did it cost you, and what is your time worth?
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Old 02-08-2013, 10:59 AM   #10
ShardAerithes
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Right now I'm borrowing a 93 Civic DX to get to work.

If GD parts are dropping in value, it may not make sense to sell the stuff and buy another STi, but to get one with no engine/trans and drop my stuff into it. (or a GC)

I don't have a TON of time, but I do have Sundays and will have 2 days off a week in the next couple months.

I have most every tool necessary to do a swap, I would just have to source a hoist for the motor. I have the space to do it, however it would be in a yard unless I can find a garage. I've done transmission swaps in a yard before, so I think I can do it. I also stand a good chance of finding a friend with a garage to do it in.

My concern with a swap into a GC is the little differences, like wiring harnesses for the DCCD, AEM EMS, if the clutch type is the same (push vs pull?), axles, hubs, driveshaft?

How safe is GC vs. GD?

My other concern is insurance coverage. Insurance on a GC would be cheaper than a GD STi, but if I had full coverage and wrecked again (god forbid) I could get the STi replaced, but the GC would be a total loss except for what is salvageable (like right now!)

I know that some of the suspension brackets/mounts are broken or bent as my swaybar was hanging down and my front subframe connector is bent all to hell.

If I do a swap it seems like it'll be a long project, which I am OK with as I will probably drive a beater around to save on gas anyway. I wanted to park my STi and drive something cheaper, I just had started this new career and was waiting to get out of training before making any moves.

Right now I am liking the idea of a blown motor/trans STi (or WRX?) due to the ease of putting my components into it.

How easy are GC swaps in terms of parts/wiring compatibility? What about putting my hubs, brakes, good suspension components, interior, motor/trans, etc into a WRX rolling chassis? Would an STi rolling chassis be the best option?

My budget is not much. I can afford a cheap beater to kick around in while I make the best of this Subaru situation. I should be getting a decent wage here soon (sales @ Ford Lincoln Subaru), however, the woman in my life wants me to be a responsible man-folk and quit blowing too much cash on cars and gas as her RX-8 is getting old and she needs something different as well, and we want to be buying a house in a couple of years. So I can likely make due with a beater and take a small (150/mo) loan for a rolling chassis (will a bank finance that? or buy a cheaper rolling chassis outright) to put my components in, and then pay cash as it's available for necessary items like brackets mounts and bearings and other nickle-diming typical with doing a swap.

Last edited by ShardAerithes; 02-08-2013 at 11:12 AM.
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Old 02-08-2013, 11:38 AM   #11
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This thread is useless without pics.

Glad you're okay.
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Old 02-08-2013, 11:52 AM   #12
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we at least you dont have to buy the car back from your insurance. If you were so broke that you have to cancel Full Coverage insurance, you should sell the car as it sits for 5 grand and get a beater and save your money.

edit- glad you are ok.




PS- Do not cancel your health insurance.
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Old 02-08-2013, 11:56 AM   #13
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Sell the car as is, you'll get 6500-9500. Buy a decent DD until your financial's get better.
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Old 02-08-2013, 11:57 AM   #14
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On a GC, you swap EVERYTHING including the wiring and dash from the STi since you have those parts available. This means DCCD works. Everything works. The cars are very similar.

Swap the pedals and master cylinders. Clutch is then not a concern.

Swap everything. There are very few real issues as long as you have the full donor car.

If you wreck again, who cares? Buy the car back with a salvage title for $1000 and part it out. Or swap it into the next car. Cycle continues. You're no worse off than now.

Also, on the GD chassis, once all the parts are off, the STi, the WRX, the base Impreza, the sedan, the wagon are all virtually identical. Swapping around between then all is nothing. The GC/GM/GF body is also VERY similar. Stuff just bolts right up. Same with the forester platform since it is based on the impreza platform.
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Old 02-08-2013, 12:03 PM   #15
ShardAerithes
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Thanks for the kind words everyone.

kpluiten, it sounds like I would have a very nice sporty car after swapping everything.

I was also considering a GG wagon to swap my STi parts into, since I do a lot of outdoors stuff and have a 90lbs shepherd.

If I'm going to do all this I need to decide...do I want a daily driver wagon that kills me on gas but is fast... or a light speedy GC race car?

What do I look for in a GC/GM/GF for this kind of project?

Is a GC/GM more of a driver's car than a GD/GG? Will my Tein Flex work with the same spring rates? What about my aftermarket swaybars, are they too stiff?

Last edited by ShardAerithes; 02-08-2013 at 12:12 PM. Reason: Looked up model codes
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Old 02-08-2013, 12:26 PM   #16
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Old 02-08-2013, 02:36 PM   #17
Varady360
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part it out and save the cash to buy a new one.... or if you had good insurance you could just pay your deductiables and get a new one.... but your probably young and have that fonk....
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Old 02-08-2013, 03:10 PM   #18
madkayaker
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack ffr1846 View Post
You don't tell us enough for us to help.

Do you have the facilities, tools, free time, spare money to part out the car and buy a replacement? If not, you will want to sell the car whole in order to get the money as quickly as possible. If so, then sure....you will likely get more by parting out every possible part. Just realize that you really, really want to try to sell every single part and when you've finished doing that, cut up what's left and bring the steel to the scrap yard for maybe another $25 in steel. With all that said, parting a car is a TON of work and you get far less than you expect and less than what people on the interwebs will tell you. Anyone telling you the thousands you will make.....you need to ask them what they've parted out and ask to see their spreadsheets of costs and income from a partout. I've done a dozen cars and the first few, I would have sworn that I made $3k. Then I kept a spreadsheet. The shipping companies made more than I did and my total was closer to $300 than $3000 (90's Hondas/Acuras).

I find that to sell every single part in a car takes roughly 3 years.
Listen to him!

I parted out a 04 sti quite a while back and I still have random parts all over my house and shop. I did make money (and I even put the trans and rear dif in my 02 wrx), but it was a lot of work. If you are working by yourself and have never done it before, it's going to take a long time if you're working only in the evenings and on weekends. The one I parted had very little body damage, so I was able to sell every panel off of the car except for the bumpers and shell (which is still sitting in my yard). If the engine, complete drivetrain, and interior are in good condition, you could probably expect to have around $9000 when you're done, but if it was that bad of a wreck, I'm betting a lot of the suspension and drivetrain parts will be damaged.

If you're selling everything on here, be prepared for the vultures. You'll spend hours answering messages from people wanting pics of parts that you've already posted, conditions of parts you already listed the condition of, parts that are clearly listed on you "sold" list, and all kinds of other crazy requests. I still get an occasional request for the hood scoop or wing, and it's been 2.5 years since I started the part out thread, and they were both sold the first week. After you waste a lot of time responding, they'll by the part from somebody else for $5 less. It is extremely stressful.
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Old 02-08-2013, 03:21 PM   #19
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I rolled a 02 wrx that I had built so I had the same problem. I bought a 94 impreza and am swapping it over.
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Old 02-08-2013, 03:35 PM   #20
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Heh, can't afford tires or insurance, suggestions are to spend money on an (overpriced) GC shell and >$1000 worth of labor (or time) to swap running gear in.

Time to take a step back from your life and evaluate. If you couldn't afford insurance or tires, you should've already sold your expensive vehicle to get into a better state.

Sell your overly expensive vehicle parts and buy something like a 93 civic until you're in better financial condition.
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Old 02-08-2013, 03:43 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Varady360 View Post
part it out and save the cash to buy a new one.... or if you had good insurance you could just pay your deductiables and get a new one.... but your probably young and have that fonk....
I hate the word "if". The situation is how it is. If he had full coverage and paid his deductiables this thread wouldn't exist. I fail to see why you felt the need to post.
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Old 02-08-2013, 03:50 PM   #22
ShardAerithes
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShadowIMg View Post
Heh, can't afford tires or insurance, suggestions are to spend money on an (overpriced) GC shell and >$1000 worth of labor (or time) to swap running gear in.

Time to take a step back from your life and evaluate. If you couldn't afford insurance or tires, you should've already sold your expensive vehicle to get into a better state.

Sell your overly expensive vehicle parts and buy something like a 93 civic until you're in better financial condition.
Thanks for the practical suggestion.

I was in a decent state with insurance and tires until I changed careers and entered minimum wage training. I'm now in the second month of a new (performance based pay) career where I should have no problem affording insurance or tires.

February is a slow month where I'll make little more than min wage, but March should be full on good pay... I won't really know what my finances are like until well into March.

I have this borrowed Civic to drive for the time being, do you really think I should invest money into another Civic when I could as easily put that money into a shell and labor?
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Old 02-08-2013, 03:50 PM   #23
woody06967
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShadowIMg View Post
Heh, can't afford tires or insurance, suggestions are to spend money on an (overpriced) GC shell and >$1000 worth of labor (or time) to swap running gear in.

Time to take a step back from your life and evaluate. If you couldn't afford insurance or tires, you should've already sold your expensive vehicle to get into a better state.

Sell your overly expensive vehicle parts and buy something like a 93 civic until you're in better financial condition.
I agree with this post. Drive a beater until you have the house purchase behind you and then re-evaluate. Personal finances change a lot (generally for the better) with your first house purchase. You may find you have extra cash for a toy, or are strapped in which case you'll be glad to have the cheap commuter anyway.
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Old 02-08-2013, 04:03 PM   #24
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Since u can't afford new tires or very basic collision insurance, sell it & get a moped.

Can't say i feel sorry for you, both mistakes are unimaginable from a common sense standpoint.
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Old 02-08-2013, 04:05 PM   #25
ShardAerithes
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NcKidd View Post
Since u can't afford new tires or very basic collision insurance, sell it & get a moped.

Can't say i feel sorry for you, both mistakes are unimaginable from a common sense standpoint.
I don't need you to feel sorry... I acknowledge that I am a foolish person for being in this situation.

Driving a civic for the moment, though, and investigating my options as far as building a nice vehicle out of the crash
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