Thank you, it's a labour of love.

 

Love that steering wheel . And tempted to do the red stitching on the seats but I'm scared !

 

I did the same to the set of seats I had in before the brides and looks good , I even did the corberu on the headrest and that look good aswell so just go for it

 

I am about to go for a 2.35/2.5 build If I go for a 83mm Billet crack then should be 2.5.
I have learnt a lot from this thread.

 

Thanks Juggers, reading your other thread...

I understand the temptation to go for something special, but there is no end to it, if you want billet crank why not go billet block etc.

Purely IMHO the best solution will be what your engine builder knows to work and is comfortable building etc. Doesn't matter how much power you make , if there are niggling issues you wont enjoy it.

For that reason 2.3 seems the best option for you, as the 83mm crank is a bit of an unknown in terms of how it affects the engine characteristics.

You wont get to use 550hp on the road often, so it's most important how it drives the other 95% of the time.

Looking forward to reading about your progress, i think the turbo on mine is well matched to 2.3.

 

I think that's the most useful quote I've ever read on this forum. Very true as well.

 

Recently added the STI flexible lower tower bar to the party.

 

2015 Spec steering rack has arrived and ready to go on.

 

Any recent pics?

 

Not really, due to winter, will get some new ones up at some point.

 

I had in mind to take some time, wash it properly and do a complete photoshoot at some point, but that will have to wait.

In the mean time this is how the car is looking for now.

Most recent change being the 2011 wheels, which may or may not stay silver.

 

Recalls for brake pipe check and replacement relay done yesterday by Perkins at Rayne.

 

 

Good work

 

Looks good, understated too which I like.

 

lovely motor

 

Thanks for the comments.

I've still got the later steering rack to go on it, also tempted to make it look a little more hardcore, but still in a subtle way, open to suggestions.


Headlights need polishing up badly too.

 

think a larger splitter would help with the front end looking more aggressive ,, V-style one springs to mine

 

lovely build - i love an understated car

be interested to see how you get on with this, something i fancied doing on mine

 

Good shout, carbon one like those that japshop sell.

Are they easy to fit diy?

 

id be careful with a bigger splitter they don't always necessarily need it imo especially if you like the understated look - i found i needed to add the HT Auto rear spats on mine just to balance out the oe sti splitter. i even have the STI rubber underlip for the front splitter but decided against fitting it as it would be unbalanced looking front to back imo

if it was mine id be going with replacing the silver grill mesh with black to make it more aggressive on the front similar to CS400 looks cs400 front pic

and then a couple of my car and what i consider understated

 

Took steps today to try and address a well known GR rattle from the rear hatch.

Had the plastic trim out, shimmed the clips that rattle under there and put a bit of silent coat on the metal areas under the trim.
Don't know how effective it's been yet, but there should be improvements at least.
Test drive now confirmed success, can hear the engine more now so it's a win win.

Changed number plate illumination to LED while i was there and replaced the fog lamp bulb with proper red one.

Oh and fitted JTI shift light the other day, just stuck on top of Toucan for now.

 

Toucan play that game.

 

I know what you mean, there was a crazy cheap offer on the silver ones. Maybe i could plastidip them,

 

Car has been with Alan and co at Engine Tuner, collected today.

Cosworth belt kit fitted
Cast Impeller water pump fitted
10-60 Oil change
and
2015 STI Steering Rack fitted.

The rack swap is a much vaunted mod in the US and having had the rack sitting in the garage for 6 months I have finally had it fitted.

Early impressions are that it's a firmer feel, and despite lack of opportunity to test on the twisties it does feel more precise.
All good so far then and hopefully this is a mod which i will appreciate more and more.

 

Car going in for Airbag recall next week - hope they don't mess anything up or cause a bunch of rattles.

 

Watch out for the "Potential to damage windscreen" waver form that I read somewhere on here....

In my eyes a recall is a recall, the car should come back as was but with the unperfected part perfected, a car should not be returned with other issues or damage in any other way.

Have had mine done yet..

Robert.

 

Been meaning to install Toucan like this for a while, finally done. Much cleaner look.

 

Next considerations.

Android Headunit ?

Second Toucan ?

 

Second Toucan? That's just greedy! That looks much better, the Toucan fits the Hatch really well just there.