What a great thread this is/was. I've got a deposit on a Spec C hatch and it's been really interesting seeing the strip down and clean process.
Cheers.

 

Thank you. You're going to have a good time!

 

Sun's up

 

@hedgecutter , nice pic

After all your fettiing, what would you recommend as worthwhile mods, maintenance on a freshly imported stock spec c? I'm looking to keep it in a mostly stock state.

Cheers.

 

Definitely removing everything you can and lash it with anti corrosion wax! If above 60k miles, replacing most bushings that you can. Shocks too. Weak ones for me have been rack bushes ( now black Powerflex) and rear front wishbone. Sti chassis enhancements are great if you want oem, but £££. Easily mapped to around 350bhp with a fuel pressure regulator, 3 port boost solenoid and panel filter.
Keep a trickle charge on the tiny battery. Fuel pump replacement is always a wise preventive move. Avoid anything Whiteline. The heat pump valves will probably gum up after a while. The exhaust may be too quiet for you. The list goes on.....
I look forward to seeing it!.......with a hint of jealousy

 

Thanks for this @hedgecutter , much appreciated!

 

Hey @hedgecutter , do you have any gauges installed? If so, which ones and what placement did you go for?

Cheers

 

One thing i've always wondered, what differences are their between the Spec C hatch and the 20th anniversary edition. I know the Spec C is more of a raw car and has less creature comforts than the 20th anniversary, performance and handling wise is their much between them ? Do you have any jobs planned for 2025 Hedge ?

 

I can't compare; I've never driven a 20th or seen one, and mine came modified from new as a dealer "330s option" . The only person I know whose owned both, at the same time, described the C as you've done, rawer and more eager.
Obviously the C didn't have the Sti parts bin thrown on it originally ( I've managed to do some of that) but it came with intercooler spray and vf53 turbo, and the weight reduction glass and lack of sound deadening. It also had specific spec C shocks and some harder bushing. Oh and a mechanical rear lsd.
After another bad experience with Enginetuner, and the lack of other decent specialists in the far south west, my hearts not really in it any more, so probably moving on this summer.

 

Sorry, I meant to reply with a photo but the car is off site here. It came with a boost gauge in a single Zero Sports cowl pod, and that was swapped for a double pod with oil temp and pressure. It promptly fell off because Enginetuner fitted it. The pointless boost gauge got jammed in the gearstick cubby.
edit they're 60mm defi.

 

No worries, and sorry to hear all is not well.

I've now got my black spec c. What happened at Engine builder? I will probably get mine checked out on Dyno at some point, but scooby clinic are nearer to me

As for gauges, I've gone for the P3 one that sits in a vent.

 

thats a shame. understandable how annoying it can be when you think you have a specialist to look after/maintain youre car but in reality theyre no better but cost more

the problem is our cars & all scoobs are becoming older with less and less about so the specialists all shift to the next new shiney thing (for obvious reasons) - usually BMW/Audi - then when you bring your scoob in the knowledge as such is no longer there/readily available if that makes sense

can nearly put you off the ownership of your car

 

Nearly finished this place after 9 years!!

 

Quite the transformation!

 

Thank you! It's been quite a journey, what with the price rises of Brexit and Covid, supply chain issues ( the insulating plaster that i used was Ukrainian), the 6 broken vertebrae, and the Lyme disease that caused the move in the first place. Time for retirement!

 

That looks immense Hedge, congratulations, that's some transformation. I really like that stone work in the house, it looks a nice peaceful and scenic location too.

 

Thank you!
A decent alignment at Falmouth Tyres has got the love back. I found that the alignment that the "specialist" did had left the front nearside wheel contacting the coilover cover sock, and it basically was all pissed; i don't believe they ever test drove it as the noise was terrible and they would have noticed. They also adjusted the rear height 2cm out from each other.
This is the first time the Ohlins have been properly set up and they're awesome.

 

Here's the current alignment. I may lessen the toe in but currently I'm enjoying it

 

Well done Hedge you sound more chipper than you have done of late .
it's amazing the difference it makes when a firm want to do a good job and it's reflecting 🤟

 

Thanks for sharing - useful reference. Where'd you/they get the specs from? Presumably they're Spec C specific?
I'll post a pic of my black version at some point!

 

Hatch Alignment is quite basic on standard spec; as much front camber as possible, any camber you can squeeze out of rear, which isn't adjustable. Match castor, and toe varying from neutral to small toe in front and rear according to preference. I have front adjustable camber on Ohlins so lots.

 

Clayed the paint for a couple of days away in Cornwall. Up the north coast to Trevose Head, and then hiking on Bodmin Moor to the county's highest point

 

Youre well n truly feeling the love for it again

coincidently that first pic looks the same place Rick Stein Fruits of the Sea tv program you see him standing at for sunset each time at the end credits?!

 

It may well be. Padstein is round the corner

 

I thought I'd update this thread, unfortunately with some bad news. The splitting roof seal, that I may have mentioned before, very common on hatches, has let salty water into the rear quarters over several years, and rotted out the panels there from the inside, like the classics rot in the strut tower.
I'm in the process of trying to find a quality restoration firm to try and save it.
In the meantime, trackdays and a trip to France for Alpine passes are planned, so it will be used to the max.

 

Hopefully, this will save others some hassle if buying or owning a hatch

 

Sorry to read this, but thanks for the warning; I didn't know about this issue. I hope you find someone to fix it up at a reasonable price.
Mine's currently in storage, waiting for better weather/no salt. The roads around here are filthy with farm/construction work and badly pot-holed too - all right for my SG5 Forester though.

 

I see you're in Cambridgeshire; all the vegetable growers down here are Cambs or Lincs, cauliflower picking currently, roads like mud grit tracks, but luckily no potholes. I lost a tyre, possibly two, in Hampshire last week.

 

Yes, fen country, although I'm not in deepest fenland. It's not great country for the Spec C.
I did take it to Snetterton last year though. It was quick, but I was slow. What tracks(s) you thinking of?
Is that crack on the rear corner/roof structural?

 

Our roads here are like tracks!
The crack forms on a seam, where the sealant that runs underneath the roof rails shrinks back. It's not structural but body flex may contribute to it