Craig.h

Hi all,

Thought I would start a 'project' thread for my wagon.

I have had for about 8 months and bought as an in between car. I have always resorted to subarus for my daily after buying an old 2000 legacy outback for 50p one winter, apart from a few hundred quid to get it mot'd and taxed it was totally free motoring. I literally couldn't break it and hence ever since I have bought Subaru I was going to move this along for a van but I can't seem to bring myself to do it!

So this is her



I bought if from a fella who used it to travel around Europe (it was his job apparently) so was over 100k but full service history. Mechanically it seems to be perfect but bodywork wise the paint isnt the best.

I have done nothing at all in the last 8 months apart from drive it, putting on 8 thousand miles bringing it upto 113k. It still drives faultlessly but with its mot due I thought it best to give her some tlc and change a few things.

Started with a thorough service. Fuel, air (k&n) and oil filters. Gearbox and diff flush and spark plug change (first time on a boxer engine.....). I opted for millers oils as I use them in my track car and never had issues.



For the gearbox and diff I used this, it's from b&q and advertised as a spray bottle for weed killer is I remember rightly. Secure a hose on the end and it makes life very easy for changing the fluids



Next up I sorted out the headlights, they were very badly clouded (yellow) and had marks from stickers for driving in Europe). I used the meguirs kit and sealed it after words to try make it last.




Next up was the paintwork. It's not in great condition as stated and will need a lot of work but I started with a clay bar. It was filthy!



This is what happens when you do nothing but jetwash it for 8 months!
I hope to give it thorough detail over the next few months to try make it look a bit more presentable.

I'm now waiting on the postman bringing me some tyres for these



I also have a 22mm adjustable rear arb, classic alloy arms, Godspeed disc and pads, brake master cylinder stopper, braided brake lines and a set of coilovers on the way along with a couple of subtle stylin tweaks.

Will keep this updated with how I get on!

Cheers

Cambs_Stuart

iTrader: (3)

Nice wagon and good job on the the headlights.
I've also got a black wagon so I'll be watching with interest!

Craig.h

Cheers, the headlights are really easy to do. Nice simple job that makes a fair difference.

So I got a lot of parts and managed to spare a day to get some stuff fitted.

I went for a 22mm adjustable rear arb with the white line heavy duty mounts as the original mounts looked a but worse for wear.




Also got the coilovers and wheels on. I went for hsd coilovers. Jury is still out on them as I need the aligment set but bouncy is the best way to describe them so far!
The wheels are rota gra's with uniroyal rainsport 3's in 17x7.5 et48.

It's sitting low just now so when I get a minute I will raise it up a bit. Does look pretty good though






Also got the zun sport grills fitted. They tidy up the front end perfectly!

Cullenmin

iTrader: (1)

Looks good min, splitter on the front and de-tango the headlights will look even better.

I'm just along the road, will keep an eye out for the car

Rich

Cambs_Stuart

iTrader: (3)

That does look good. If it stops raining I'll have to give mine a decent wash and polish!

ScottyPPP

Looking good, interested to see the Classic arms fitted, thinking of getting some for mine.

Cambs_Stuart

iTrader: (3)

Also interested to hear how you get on with the HSD coilovers as I nearly went for those on my wagon.

RS_Matt

Craig, did you use the spray bottle to also draw the gearbox oil out?

Craig.h

Thanks for all the comments

Cullenmin- I take it your from Cullen? Splitter is on its way, de tango'ing the front lights will happen but not anytime soon as I'm away to move into the new house so it will be getting used as its meant too rather than pampered This is why I went for a wagon



I managed to get the aligment done yesterday so she is driving brilliantly. Turn in is much much better and the rear ARB has killed most of the understeer. The HSD coilovers are good, but 100% it has lost a lot of its compliance on bumpier roads. I messed around with the damper settings but still couldn't stop them being bouncy. A standard car with the rear ARB would probably get away on a bumpy road, but when it smoothes out the coilovers are much better. For 500 quid I'm happy with them.

The classic arms will hopefully be getting fitted when I'm away at work, so I will let you know how it goes.

RS_matt - no I just drained it using the drain plug. You can't use them to suck anything up, just push out whatever you have in the bottle. I left the gearbox draining for about half an hour and jacked it up/down to try get all the old fluid out which seemed to work.

Thanks all!

ScottyPPP

If you can let me know what parts you needed to fit the arms that would be great also. I believe you need to make up a spacer where the arm mounts to the front subframe?

Craig.h

Yea from what I have read that's correct. I haven't found a proper thread for actually fitting them just that they need a spacer as the newage mount is wider than the classic. I think if I can get away with a simple washer then it will be a lot easier than fitting newage alloy arms.

I won't be fitting them myself but will get the mechanic to photograph the process

Ste333

iTrader: (3)

The HSD's definitely shouldn't be bouncy mate. When I used to work at HSD we'd hear that all the time, but in 9/10 cases it was where the springs had been preloaded too much. The springs just need to be held captive when the damper is at full droop. If you wound any preload on - that will be the cause of your bounciness. I'm guessing you've got DualTechs? I've got them on my 04 STI saloon, and mine definitely isn't bouncy. Might be worth a look?

Craig.h

Cheers for that mate, something I will look at. They are the dusltech's. I didn't check the preload, and it didn't cross my mind that that would be the issue but seems an obvious one now you mention it

Don't get me wrong they aren't bad, for the money I'm not sure you could get better brand new.

Ste333

iTrader: (3)

Take a look bud, sometimes they come a bit preloaded from the manufacturer Yeah I agree, they're not amazing by any stretch, but in that price range they offer everything most people need. And the ride isnt too bad.

Craig.h

Been a while since I updated this....

100% reliability still and coming upto 120k. Service will be getting done in the next month (5k since last service).

I changed out the hsd coilovers for a set bc's and find them much better. A lot more compliant and found them easier to dial in!


I have a full set of sti brembos to go on very soon and a set of sti wheels as well (the Rota's will be going).

Will update again when the wheels and brakes are done but for just now here's some random photos

thanks

*cant get pictures to work? Usual img. Code on Photobucket isn't working? *

Matty81

What did you use on the lights mate ? Looks good