08/09 Hatches, Stand up and show yourselves!!!
The car advertised is a JDM spec C not as stated a uk 2.5. I think Cross Roads have to use a "standard Subaru template" to advertise things on their website as they are a Subaru dealer. I have seen and been out in this car and i can confirm it is an absolute weapon! It's had massive engine upgrades including a new turbo, suspension and brakes to be honest can't remember everything. The CR465 on the side stands for CrossRoads 465bhp. If you wNt the full spec give them a call they are easy to talk and deal with have used them for years
I think they depreciate because not many people know much about the Alpinas. Being pricey new and a bit hit & miss 2nd hand means potentially big depreciation. The D3 does seem to be the most big selling Alpina there's ever been though...
Had the second service done on the car last week. I asked if they could check that it had the up dated ecu flash. It hadnt been done so they did it. Yesterday was the first time ive used it since. On the way home, it didnt feel like it was pulling any where near as strong as before . Am i just being paranoid ? Or has any body else felt a difference ? To be fair it was a very hot day, but still im sure it was faster. Dennis Commons in longframlington did the work and i was very pleased with there service.
Spent a day out in the 465 a few weeks ago, it is indeed a weapon. suspension is AST's and whiteline.
If you call the garage they'll happily reel it off to you.
Will try and get them to send it me tomorrow and put some more pictures up if anyone's interested.
If you call the garage they'll happily reel it off to you.
Will try and get them to send it me tomorrow and put some more pictures up if anyone's interested.
not handled the re-flash situation very well. May be worth ringing I.M direct and see what they say.
Vent pod arived today from monkeybone Racing

Front side is OEM mat grey (to match the AV panel)
BUT
The rear face is gloss piano black
(which will match my smoked dials nicely)
So I'm getting a nail file on the unfinished edges and will prob install it reversed... plus fix some acoustic speaker cloth over the vents, just to opaque them a bit without restricting airflow.
I was also thinking of a row of vertical knocklink leds up the centre

Front side is OEM mat grey (to match the AV panel)
BUT
The rear face is gloss piano black
(which will match my smoked dials nicely)So I'm getting a nail file on the unfinished edges and will prob install it reversed... plus fix some acoustic speaker cloth over the vents, just to opaque them a bit without restricting airflow.
I was also thinking of a row of vertical knocklink leds up the centre
Last edited by scooby L; Jun 10, 2010 at 01:47 PM.
Re the 330S question above :
My main dealer said the car needed a service recall - when pressed said it was the ECU flash.
No sign of it being done, service manager said "
Ref your queries all the 330S STi s with the PPP kit have a safe version ECU"
and
"Please find attached a copy or the relevant section of the recall due on the STI
The purpose of this bulletin is to advise a new service campaign applicable to 08MY Impreza STi within a specified VIN range.
This does not apply to vehicles supplied as standard with a Prodrive performance pack (PPP) or those with a PPP fitted as an accessory upgrade
Hope this puts your mind at rest."
So my 330S wasn't done on this basis.
I had said
"I'm a bit worried now for the engine, especially as you said my ECU was OK but so were the ones in the link!
Can you confirm in writing please that, at the 5000 miles it was when it came in :
The ECU was checked as per the service recall bulletin,
That the ECU had the most recent code ( which is deemed safe by Subaru / IM / Prodrive ) and provide the version number on the ECU map code
Whether you flashed the ECU with new code and what that date / version would be.
The ECU information should be retained in the Laptop used to talk to the car / ECU via the OBD2 port.
I don't want to have the worry of a failed engine hanging over me every time I go on boost.... didn't buy the car to drive in I mode and cruise at 50 mph.
My main dealer said the car needed a service recall - when pressed said it was the ECU flash.
No sign of it being done, service manager said "
Ref your queries all the 330S STi s with the PPP kit have a safe version ECU"
and
"Please find attached a copy or the relevant section of the recall due on the STI
The purpose of this bulletin is to advise a new service campaign applicable to 08MY Impreza STi within a specified VIN range.
This does not apply to vehicles supplied as standard with a Prodrive performance pack (PPP) or those with a PPP fitted as an accessory upgrade
Hope this puts your mind at rest."
So my 330S wasn't done on this basis.
I had said
"I'm a bit worried now for the engine, especially as you said my ECU was OK but so were the ones in the link!
Can you confirm in writing please that, at the 5000 miles it was when it came in :
The ECU was checked as per the service recall bulletin,
That the ECU had the most recent code ( which is deemed safe by Subaru / IM / Prodrive ) and provide the version number on the ECU map code
Whether you flashed the ECU with new code and what that date / version would be.
The ECU information should be retained in the Laptop used to talk to the car / ECU via the OBD2 port.
I don't want to have the worry of a failed engine hanging over me every time I go on boost.... didn't buy the car to drive in I mode and cruise at 50 mph.
Last edited by vulnax999; Jun 10, 2010 at 06:11 PM.
I've tried to get a Subaru dealer, any Subaru dealer to admit to this problem, and tell me what has been done to cure the problem, without any success. Surprise surprise.
Today I called Subaru UK technical services and a guy explained the problem to me.
My interpretation of was he said the problem is / was:
Early ECUs cut off fuel very suddenly when the engines reach the rev-limiter, so effectively the engine is one moment running with full fuel then no fuel, so the engines suddenly run lean, eventually leading to pistol failure. If the engine is frequently pushed to the rev limiter.
The modified ECU / ECU map doesn't cut fuel quite as sharp at the rev-limiter, so the engine doesn't run lean so suddenly, although he did say constantly taking the engine to the rev-limiter could potentially still cause problems.
I'm sure the above explanation is much simplified from what actually happens.
Please consider I have not rebuild and engine since I had an RS2000 in the 1980's.
D
Today I called Subaru UK technical services and a guy explained the problem to me.
My interpretation of was he said the problem is / was:
Early ECUs cut off fuel very suddenly when the engines reach the rev-limiter, so effectively the engine is one moment running with full fuel then no fuel, so the engines suddenly run lean, eventually leading to pistol failure. If the engine is frequently pushed to the rev limiter.
The modified ECU / ECU map doesn't cut fuel quite as sharp at the rev-limiter, so the engine doesn't run lean so suddenly, although he did say constantly taking the engine to the rev-limiter could potentially still cause problems.
I'm sure the above explanation is much simplified from what actually happens.
Please consider I have not rebuild and engine since I had an RS2000 in the 1980's.
D
Re the 330S question above :
My main dealer said the car needed a service recall - when pressed said it was the ECU flash.
No sign of it being done, service manager said "
Ref your queries all the 330S STi s with the PPP kit have a safe version ECU"
and
"Please find attached a copy or the relevant section of the recall due on the STI
The purpose of this bulletin is to advise a new service campaign applicable to 08MY Impreza STi within a specified VIN range.
This does not apply to vehicles supplied as standard with a Prodrive performance pack (PPP) or those with a PPP fitted as an accessory upgrade
Hope this puts your mind at rest."
So my 330S wasn't done on this basis.
I had said
"I'm a bit worried now for the engine, especially as you said my ECU was OK but so were the ones in the link!
Can you confirm in writing please that, at the 5000 miles it was when it came in :
The ECU was checked as per the service recall bulletin,
That the ECU had the most recent code ( which is deemed safe by Subaru / IM / Prodrive ) and provide the version number on the ECU map code
Whether you flashed the ECU with new code and what that date / version would be.
The ECU information should be retained in the Laptop used to talk to the car / ECU via the OBD2 port.
I don't want to have the worry of a failed engine hanging over me every time I go on boost.... didn't buy the car to drive in I mode and cruise at 50 mph.
My main dealer said the car needed a service recall - when pressed said it was the ECU flash.
No sign of it being done, service manager said "
Ref your queries all the 330S STi s with the PPP kit have a safe version ECU"
and
"Please find attached a copy or the relevant section of the recall due on the STI
The purpose of this bulletin is to advise a new service campaign applicable to 08MY Impreza STi within a specified VIN range.
This does not apply to vehicles supplied as standard with a Prodrive performance pack (PPP) or those with a PPP fitted as an accessory upgrade
Hope this puts your mind at rest."
So my 330S wasn't done on this basis.
I had said
"I'm a bit worried now for the engine, especially as you said my ECU was OK but so were the ones in the link!
Can you confirm in writing please that, at the 5000 miles it was when it came in :
The ECU was checked as per the service recall bulletin,
That the ECU had the most recent code ( which is deemed safe by Subaru / IM / Prodrive ) and provide the version number on the ECU map code
Whether you flashed the ECU with new code and what that date / version would be.
The ECU information should be retained in the Laptop used to talk to the car / ECU via the OBD2 port.
I don't want to have the worry of a failed engine hanging over me every time I go on boost.... didn't buy the car to drive in I mode and cruise at 50 mph.
Nice rims ! a bit like the 11 spoke Speedlines - except an extra spoke ! 
As my engine build has begun, I've started a thread on
http://subaruhatch.forumotion.com/me...-last-t177.htm
if anyone is interested !
Also have a fabulous set of Sti (std) pistons a rods available for a modest sum !!
Rods OK for up to about 400BHP (pistons come free with rods !).

As my engine build has begun, I've started a thread on
http://subaruhatch.forumotion.com/me...-last-t177.htm
if anyone is interested !
Also have a fabulous set of Sti (std) pistons a rods available for a modest sum !!
Rods OK for up to about 400BHP (pistons come free with rods !).
you mean these sorry excuses for engine parts hahaha

Just started my own self build, Pride myself on doing all the work myself so make it more of a proper project car on my part

Just started my own self build, Pride myself on doing all the work myself so make it more of a proper project car on my part
What spec are you going for ?
Gave up DIY when I got the first scoob - thought it safer to leave it to those with experience/training
My engineering degree is well past its sell by date !
Used to do Mini engine & g boxes back in 60's, Lotus and VW in the 70's, but Scoobies too complex for me to do reliably at these BHP's!!
Replying on the GR8 forum - too much to reply on both !!!! lol
Gave up DIY when I got the first scoob - thought it safer to leave it to those with experience/training
My engineering degree is well past its sell by date !Used to do Mini engine & g boxes back in 60's, Lotus and VW in the 70's, but Scoobies too complex for me to do reliably at these BHP's!!

Replying on the GR8 forum - too much to reply on both !!!! lol
Last edited by StanS; Jun 13, 2010 at 05:06 PM.
Excellent - I'd DIY it if I was lucky enough to have your training. As it is it would be instant suicide on the engine if I tried 
Bet you can't wait to get back from holiday to get started

Bet you can't wait to get back from holiday to get started
Block Cleaned Up & Bores Honed out

Crankshaft all Polished & Cleaned up

Block Ready To receive New Bearings

Manley H-Beams Fitted to the Crankshaft

Close up of the Conrods

ACL Race Bearings fitted to the Block

Crankshaft Fitted To the Block.





Bores with the Manleys just sticking through

ARP Uprated Headstuds Fitted
Subaru State 14hrs taking it from the car stripping it rebuilding it and installing it back in again. now where the hell they get that stupid time from i dunno.
2 hrs to get it out the car at a push
I spent 3 hrs stripping it and cleaning everything up I.E gasket surfaces and all the crap inside the block.
then Ive spent roughly 3-4 hrs just to build it all up to that stage, Ive had to grind the inside of the block casing out a touch to allow the conrods to pass freely as they were catching quite badly.
just the pistons to drop in now when I remember to bring the tool home to clamp the rings in.
then swap my heads over and refit it to my car and hope for the best. 1000 mile run in to do so must resist full power runs haha
2 hrs to get it out the car at a push
I spent 3 hrs stripping it and cleaning everything up I.E gasket surfaces and all the crap inside the block.
then Ive spent roughly 3-4 hrs just to build it all up to that stage, Ive had to grind the inside of the block casing out a touch to allow the conrods to pass freely as they were catching quite badly.
just the pistons to drop in now when I remember to bring the tool home to clamp the rings in.
then swap my heads over and refit it to my car and hope for the best. 1000 mile run in to do so must resist full power runs haha
Nice to see your getting on with it Rob.
Are the pictures after you relieved the block for the conrod bolts, if so there not to bad, iv'e taken more out than that to clear.

Are the pictures after you relieved the block for the conrod bolts, if so there not to bad, iv'e taken more out than that to clear.








