My 04 WRX STi slow build thread

[anirban0]

Originally Posted by Dash_Martino

Hey man thanks! Yeah I used a jug of distilled water just to be on the safe side. I'm sure the short amount of time you have garden hose water in your heater core wouldn't cause any big problems but I was being extra cautious. Good luck with your build!

just to clarify, you literally just poured it down into the core right? like through a funnel and the inlet hose? I was thinking you somehow were able to pressurize the water into it. I guess if you keep pouring enough water into the inlet hose it will start coming out the outlet? thanks again and yah what a clean build! did you actually replace all the coolant/oil/pcv/fuel/vacuum hoses? or did everything just look that good on your car?

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[Dash_Martino]

Originally Posted by anirban0

just to clarify, you literally just poured it down into the core right? like through a funnel and the inlet hose?

- Yes. The pressure of the water seemed to just push it through the core. Your old coolant should push out followed by eventually clean water. If that doesn't work I think you can borrow a flush hose nozzle from autozone's loan a tool program.

Originally Posted by anirban0

did you actually replace all the coolant/oil/pcv/fuel/vacuum hoses? or did everything just look that good on your car?

- I replaced a descent chunk of it. When I bought the air oil separator most of the PCV hoses got replaced anyway. A descent chunk of the coolant hoses got replaced, some of which I bought from subaru because they had odd bends in them, and some I just bought coolant hose from autozone. Fuel hoses under the intake manifold got replaced, the fuel hoses from the fire wall to the top of the intake manifold were good so I didn't replace them. I may need to get some evap hoses in the back end of the car as some days I smell some fuel vapors.
It's best to take your time and replace what you can while you have access to it. Auto part stores sell all different size hoses and you can buy what you need and just replace as you go through different steps.

[wheresJerZ]

Man those little details are beautiful. Can’t wait till I manage to pick up my own Subaru to work on.

[Dash_Martino]

A little update. Car is doing well, 500 mi completed since first fire-up. A few minor hiccups, now that it's cold, some of the clamps I originally tightened loosened on my coolant hoses creating small leaks. Had to tighten them up.
https://i.imgur.com/q18Lb52.jpg

Also, I've been following my tuner's recommended oil change intervals. Change at first startup, then 100 mi, then 250, 500, and then 1000. At the 100 and 250 mi marks, I had maybe 0.25 to 0.5 qt low. Just changed the oil again today at 500 mi.
Not a single drop burned or lost. 4.5 qts in, 4.5 qts out.
What a good feeling!
https://i.imgur.com/v8TK9Qt.jpg

[anirban0]

So glad to hear that! my engine bay will look exactly like yours except for the brand new alternator which I was wondering why did you get a new alternator? My rallyspec block is back so I am about to put my heads back on cant wait to get to where you are. I have questions about your driving style for your break-in, seems like your break in was perfect due to no oil loss.

[JDMJNKY]

Love the resto maintenance sir, keep up the great work.

[Dash_Martino]

Originally Posted by anirban0

So glad to hear that! my engine bay will look exactly like yours except for the brand new alternator which I was wondering why did you get a new alternator? My rallyspec block is back so I am about to put my heads back on cant wait to get to where you are. I have questions about your driving style for your break-in, seems like your break in was perfect due to no oil loss.

I got a new alternator just because the car was running on the original alternator and figured for around $130 bucks it wasn't a bad idea to replace. I'm pretty sure this is the one I picked up:
https://www.maniacelectricmotors.com/11058.html

As for my break in, I kept it under about 4.5K RPMs. I never went wide open throttle but I'd do a little accelerating here and there, careful not to go overboard on the boost. Everything I read said that engine braking is a good way to seal the rings, and so far that seems to be true. Lots of hills in my area so I can easily do that. It seems if you make the motor work hard without going overboard you get a good break in,

[Dash_Martino]

Originally Posted by anirban0

So glad to hear that! my engine bay will look exactly like yours except for the brand new alternator which I was wondering why did you get a new alternator? My rallyspec block is back so I am about to put my heads back on cant wait to get to where you are. I have questions about your driving style for your break-in, seems like your break in was perfect due to no oil loss.

I got a new alternator just because the car was running on the original alternator and figured for around $130 bucks it wasn't a bad idea to replace. I'm pretty sure this is the one I picked up:
https://www.maniacelectricmotors.com/11058.html

As for my break in, I kept it under about 4.5K RPMs. I never went wide open throttle but I'd do a little accelerating here and there, careful not to go overboard on the boost. Everything I read said that engine braking is a good way to seal the rings, and so far that seems to be true. Lots of hills in my area so I can easily do that. It seems if you make the motor work hard without going overboard you get a good break in.

[Wfosti35]

Awesome write up! I still have my 04 sti, took delivery in August of 03. She currently has around 47k on the clock but has been sitting since 13 when I got my raptor. I only put 1 1/2 winters on her in upstate ny, always got a $500 pos and prayed it would last the winter. I’m thinking of pulling her out this spring after doing a water pump/pulleys and radiator. It also needs a clutch. Thank you for taking time to do an excellent write up!! It will definitely help a bunch of us here!!!

[Dash_Martino]

Originally Posted by anirban0

So glad to hear that! my engine bay will look exactly like yours except for the brand new alternator which I was wondering why did you get a new alternator? My rallyspec block is back so I am about to put my heads back on cant wait to get to where you are. I have questions about your driving style for your break-in, seems like your break in was perfect due to no oil loss.

Everything else was getting replaced so I figured why not an alternator too. Picked it up from maniac motors:
https://www.maniacelectricmotors.com/11058.html

As for the break in, I used a lot of engine braking up and down hills. A few spirited accelerations but no WOT or over 4.5K or heavy boost. It seems like if you make your engine work hard without punishing it you get good results! So avoid babying it, but avoid killing it.