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Bustamoves Beatrush pitch stopper group buy got me thinking about how much engine/gearbox movement the Impreza suffers from, particularly in stop/start traffic. I have noticed how jerky it can be when coasting in 2nd/3rd gear when re-applying the throttle, unless you are very very gentle you can ended up bunny hopping down the road! I did some research on the these pitch mounts and there seems to be 2 options over the standard soft rubber version on the WRX and STis, either an uprated STi Group N version (I think these are standard on Spec Cs and the like) with hard rubber bushes or an even harder version with polyurethane bushes like the Beatrush versions.
A few google searches threw up the usual mix of reviews, but the general consensus was that the group N version was a happy medium in terms of NVH between the soft OEM and polyurethane bushed pitch stopper. A lot of people found that the harder versions were just to harsh and transmitted too much NVH for a daily driver.
So I decided to go for the Group N at £40 from ICP
Intercooler removed
OEM looks exactly the same (right), the only difference being the STi logo and virtually solid rubber on the Group N version. The OEM version had very soft rubber so not surprise allowed a lot of engine/gearbox movement.
Group N version installed
Took the opportunity to soak the intercooler in degreaser to give it a good clean and remove any traces of oil inside, including the Prodrive Y pipe.
First impressions after starting the car were 'same as OEM', maybe very slightly more engine noise but nothing much. After a quick drive around the block there was still some movement apparent in the engine/gearbox but the feel is improved a lot, what movement there is will be coming from the OEM engine/gearbox mounts which I imagine will be a big step-up in NVH transmitted to the cabin, so not going down this root.
The only adverse effect really is slightly more transmission wine on the overrun, but only on occasions when in lower gears.
I need to spend a little more time comparing before and after, will report back.
I've had it fitted for a week now, I use the wagon for commuting only ATM but it gets a good mix of roads to and from work, some stop/start traffic and on the way home I take the back roads along country lanes. It has reduced engine gearbox movement and also gives the impression that less power is being wasted to engine movement meaning more power for acceleration, so you get the feeling of instant and smoother acceleration, I suppose a bit like having a lightened flywheel. It hasn't removed jerkiness from town/stop-start driving completely as the OEM engine/gearbox mounts will be contributing to this. I can't say there are any downsides either apart from the engine sounding very slightly louder/harsher on hard acceleration but nothing that is intrusive or stands out, and once you've driven it for a few days it all sounds normal.
For a 10yr old car my wagon is in amazing condition, but there were a few pieces of trim that had started looking their age. I've already tackled the faded wing mirror bases, scuttle panel and front wipers and the difference is amazing even after a year the plastic dye still looks fresh. So that left just the rear wiper and side window trims and roof rails to refresh.
Removed the rear wiper, cleaned them up and dyed with HT plastic dye
Finished parts sealed with high temp wax
Did the aux belt cover at the same time
Tackled the faded side window trims with Meguiares scratch remover
Before, painted black trim with lots of surface contamination
After, polished by hand with micro fibre cloth
Door seals were also looking quite dry so used Gummi Pflege rubber conditioner to help revive them
I'm finding the wagon a real breath of fresh air compared to what I've had in the recent past (bar the E46 M3) even for 4/5 times as much (not into spending 50k+ on the never ever). I'm pretty sure my next car will be an Impreza but ATM there's nothing to replace the wagon with unless I find a hens tooth in the form of a bug STi wagon, and even then it would have to be in as good condition and as reliable as my wagon which slims it down even more...
You're welcome
Great car and I like the work you have done keeping things OEM as much as possible.
Hurst cars have a bug STi wagon for sale so if you decide to change car I am in the queue for buying your car
Cheers fpan, that's good to know! I saw that wagon (not in the flesh though) at Hursts when it first went up for sale but someone on here went to view it and said was a little disappointing, a little tatty and not the original front seats etc. I'm sure if it was a minter it would have sold by now.
I love everything about my wagon and really can't see me getting a saloon in it's place either (although I was very tempted by the S203 that ICP have!). Will be keeping it as long as possible as my attention will soon be diverted to our new family home and I tend to have the same attention to detail (and evolving plans...) with houses that I do with my cars so I'm going to be a little distracted over the next year or so!
I thought they were OEM and just came with the car? Didn't realise they were so rare? Mine had them in when I bought it
Mine came with rubber mats in! Most OEM mats that were fitted from new will only be fit for the bin now and if they are still available from dealers they'll be extortionate.
Mine still seem to be going strong - got them when I brought the car from dealership as part of the deal - but then again the car is a little bit of a garage queen these days (hence why up for sale.. )
Didnt realise they were so hard to get hold of now a days.
Mine came with rubber mats in! Most OEM mats that were fitted from new will only be fit for the bin now and if they are still available from dealers they'll be extortionate.
Mine had the WRX mats, a set of OEM rubber mats and the OEM Boot liner.
Decided to try a different set of front pads to compare with the Godspeed Kevlars. Managed to get a good deal on a set of Mintex M1155s so thought I would give them a try.
Removed the pads and used fresh copper grease on the pad pins and anti squeal grease on the back of the pads/shims
Gave the calipers a clean at the same time. Powder coat finish standing up well.
Can't say there's a massive difference in stopping power but they definitely have little more bite which doesn't tale off the harder you press the pedal. Must say though that when I was bedding them in I suffered brake fade quite quickly after about 5 to 6 consecutive 60mph to 10mph brake apps so must have boiled the fluid. Wouldn't like to try this set-up on a track! The Mintex pads don't seem to throw out as much dust as well.
I had those kevlar pads...they were horrible really dusty and didn't wear that well. But at the end of the day they came as part of a godspeed package so they didn't cost a lot.
I had those kevlar pads...they were horrible really dusty and didn't wear that well. But at the end of the day they came as part of a godspeed package so they didn't cost a lot.
Mine were terrible also. Left pad deposits all of the discs too.
I nearly always fit a front splitter to my cars so I don't know why it's taken me over a year to get around to fitting one to the wagon. I decided to go for KAS35RSTI's WRX version of the Spec-c lip in PU plastic. Managed to get the price down from the £90+£25del quoted which was more expensive than HT Autos version even with their 10% discount.
I've always found when fitting lip spoilers it saves alot of messing around to just whip the bumper off, it's also easier to get the perfect fit. The front bumper also needed to be re-aligned as it had dropped slightly making a large gap where the bonnet meets the bumper so killing 2 birds with one stone with this job.
Bumper off, always good to see no sign of damage/repairs to the bumper beam when removing parts like this as you can never be 100% sure of a cars history. Although the front bumper has been resprayed at some point which explains why there aren't many stone chips in it.
original chassis tag still in place
Spoiler fixing holes don't line-up with those on the bumper so needs to be lined-up, clamped and drilled.
I'm using M6 stainless nuts & bolts
And used plenty of fixings to make sure the splitter fitted snug to the underside of the bumper
next job was to look at why the bumper was sitting low. All the brackets where intact and solid and there is no height adjustment so I decided to use some thick rubber washers under each fixing point to help raise the bumper a little. Also found that the rubber strip under the leading edge of the bonnet wasn't helping either as this doesn't allow the bumper to close tight-up against the bumper, it actually pushes the bumper down, so decided to remove the strip.
I love your car. You are literally building my vision for my car! The only thing i want that you havent gone for, is the front bumper winglets, and some flaps.
Cheers Si, I think millenniums can look a little under sized even in 18s, maybe its the colour. I would deff. go for 18s if you can afford them. Yep I did consider winglets but decided to keep it minimalist!
Last edited by modrich; 18 August 2015 at 02:27 PM.
A dozen will do, place them where there is a plastic rivet /fixing nest to each headlight and along the bumper beam. Try removing the sealing strip and see if that makes a difference first.
13 July 2015, 02:43 PM
Pitch stopper installed
) 
really dusty and didn't wear that well. But at the end of the day they came as part of a godspeed package so they didn't cost a lot.
