My V6 Type R STI V-Limited
 

Hi all, its taken me nearly two years but I have finally got around to starting a mini project thread for my V6 Type R STI V-limited. (I didn't put it in the projects section as this is going to be an on-going project for several years - I don't intend to sell this one!)

Right, I bought the car back in Sept (I think!) 2011 from our friend David at API after several months of looking at some right dogs (particular thanks to Alan Jeffries who helped with some info on a car I near bought and would have regretted!). David got in contact with me after seeing one of my posts and informed me he had a fresh import coming in that he was prepping before selling and did I want to see it. The long 10 mile journey nearly put me off but I went anyway ;) These are some of the pictures David sent before I got the keys...

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps8db951ed.jpg

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps59fbf2f8.jpg

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...psab7d6912.jpg

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps2bb6deaf.jpg

Not bad, but elements I wanted to change. We struck a deal and I was the first UK owner of a 35k mile type r v-limited, my dream car since I was a teenager! The car was standard apart from a 3" scoobysport exhaust/decat downpipe, 22b narrow body front bumper and 17" OZ Superleggeras.Brakes were all new with Goodrich hoses, engine had been inspected and ACL bearings dropped in, 5 speed DCCD gearbox was taken apart and rebuilt, all in-all it drives like a new car and came with API warranty.

This was my first 2 door Impreza, although I did have a UK turbo prior which looked like this...

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...8-03-10002.jpg

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...yp2/Scoob1.jpg

Having just got my first mortgage, money has been tight but I have set about doing some of the cheaper or DIY bits so that I have a solid base moving forward - as previously mentioned, I intend to keep this one for a looonnnngggg time.

First up, being an import I wanted to underseal the whole of the underneath,so each wheel came off one by one to allow me to access all areas with the underseal. Piece of mind and it allowed me to nose around at the overall condition. Whilst I was there I painted the calipers, the discs hubs black and touched up the STI struts in red too.

A cat 1 alarm was a must so this was quickly arranged and installed.

I also disposed of the silly Subaru sticker on the bonnet and gave the car a good polish and engine clean, and fitted a decent seat cover in matching style to my limited edition blue front seats. I added a rally inspired front lip to the 22b bumper as it just sat a tad too high without one.Nobody in the UK seems to make these, or want to, so I made one myself (as I had previously done on my UK turbo). To end the winter of 2011 works I treated myself to a set of blue light weight wheel nuts and a full set of blue mudflaps with STI in pink to match the front badge - real men can pull pink off! :hjtwofing

This is how it looked as it went into winter hibernation...

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps612971d0.jpg

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps4b146682.jpg

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...179FF-orig.jpg

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...psc10fb0fa.jpg

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...psf32b5837.jpg

2012 started very quietly on the car front as I stupidly decided to get engaged (1x UK turbo broken for parts = engagement ring!). :cry:

First off a trip to Mark at TDRacing (Thwaites Developments)in Warwick for a full oil change and check over. I have used Mark for years and can't speak highly enough of him. Over the years he has serviced, mapped and modified all my Subaru's (and other run-arounds), so this is where the type R will be pampered from now on.

Only minor changes in '12 were a K&N induction kit fitted and the interior centre dash was taken out to be refurbished. The dash is a light metallic blue (limited edition) but had faded badly over the years.I took it to a car paint shop, had the exact colour match made up and sprayed away. The result is pretty good but due to ongoing gauge install I have yet to get final pics of this. Also going in during this dash refresh are new matching black leather gear and handbrake gaitors with mid blue stitch to match the dash.

After a knowledgable scoobynetter pointed out it had a V5spoiler not a V6 :cuckoo: I quickly sourced a V6 top section, in the same colour, for a bargain price. Thanks to Stuart from Colchester for that one (can't remember the username).

The front lip was re-manufactured, this time a little deeper so as to completely cover the bottom of the bumper behind it and to give a more aggressive appearance to the front end.

This is how she looked come 2012 winter hibernation...

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...C8907-orig.jpg

Then up to the present day. Again, 2013 started with a trip to TDR for a service, whilst it was there a HRC 255 fuel pump was fitted for good measure, with future mods in mind.

The front grill mesh was removed and repainted satin black(from blue) to look more OEM. The headlight and sidelight bulbs were upgraded to super bright and white LED respectively as they were a horrible yellow before.

I had several engine bay parts such as steering reservoir,coolant tank and other bracketry powder coated satin black to look new and OEM.date I had a coolant leak so replaced the rad with a new larger capacityJapspeed rad with twin slim-line fan set-up, along with silicon rad hoses. Sofar so good, temps seem steady and low.

Finally and bringing us up to date a small mod to show off the exclusivity, a personalised (but not plod pleasing) signature on the front plate. Plate is reduced size but with legal font size.

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps1ebb80e3.jpg

This is how she sits today...

https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f...psf1589914.jpg

Future plans at the moment are quite reserved; a Mafless ECU(or ESL if it ever gets released for V5/6's) to see what I can get from the VF23 and some suspension mods. I'd like not to strain the 5 speed DCCD too much so a well set up 325-350bhp will be my foreseeable target. Prosport gauges are here awaiting install in a single DIN slot above my radio.

Bodywork is decent but i'd like to gradually get that looking almost new over time. And finally wheels, i'll keep looking for Revolution Milleniums in gold I think.


Thanks for looking. Paul

nice looking type r.

Nice looking car, some sound plans there and good luck getting it were you want it:thumb:

looks good.

Very nice :thumb:

Set of millenniums on eBay at the mo. I want a set too ;)

Stunning!!!

Very nice rare Type R V limited :thumb:

I like that alot mate. Don't worry about boxes there stronger than you think I got a early ty52 box on my type r running 400 well 401.8 lol it's fine for last 6 months at that 380 year before that. Yours is stronger than mine to.

Agreed - my ty 754 dccd box coped comfortably with 450bhp/ 380 Ft lb for over 18k miles and was only swapped out for a 6 speed dccd for future proofing.

looks superb, I'm not keen on the O.Z's but some Revolution Milleniums would look cracking! esp in gunmetal

Love it, and don't think I'm being negative but I'd also love to see some proper quality photos of the car as well, it's crying out for a decent camera to do it real justice :D

Thanks for the comments guys.

Agreed that some proper pics are required, iPhone 3 camera was terrible.

Interesting to hear what people have had out of their gearboxes, gives me some extra piece of mind when it comes to future mods ;-)

Nice looking V6 STI, good to see mint example are still alive.

Truly stunning car fella.

I own number 386 :luxhello:

Always nice to see another.

Paul.

Cool, any pics??

Just the one taken when I picked it up from Max...

https://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k...b248b5c7a4.jpg

Love these cars to bits and the fact they're pretty much last of the classic line makes them even more special :)

Looking good...

What are the LEDs you used for the front side lights, they look great!
Mike

LED's were just eBay specials, 501 white LED's.

Looking good 'theboywhippo'. :cool:

Paul

Looks a great car Paul, and I`d agree on the Rev`s in gold.. Why not paint your current alloys gold for now?

Cheers Cliff.

Yes refurbing is an option, although they are pretty mint as they stand as API had them refurbed before I bought it. I know gold can sometimes be a tricky one to get right colour wise.

I'm hoping someone maybe interested in a swap/px deal with mine at some stage but we'll see. :norty:

Love the type r too as well as a good story behind the owners purchase.

Mine is still work in progress and I am just finishing things off after owning the car for 6 months. Not even driven mine yet!!

This sits in the garage for 6 months over winter, it's amazing how good it feels to drive after 6 months only driving a mk3 golf tdi!

Small update, finally ordered the most important upgrade for the car, an Alcatek ECU!

It is going to be a little while before I can afford to get it mapped. The spec currently stands as follows:

- Standard V6 engine on 38k
- Full 3" decatted exhaust
- Standard VF29 turbo
- Plugs are NGK 7's
- HRC 255 fuel pump and standard 440 injectors
- K&N cone filter
- Standard STI top mount intercooler

Is it worth getting anything else done (cheapish) prior to mapping? I have a 3 port boost solenoid spare if that is worth using? Worth getting a FPR or not really necessary at this stage?
Will be mapped to Tesco 99/V power, hoping for tad over 300/300, is that realistic?

Pretty much the same setup as mine mate. The standard FPR is fine at that stage of tune.

Thanks mate. Has yours been mapped yet, if so what figures did you achieve?

Im running a vf28. The car was mapped at RCM by JGM. 297/301. I was hopping for 320/320 but the tmic was letting it down, was a hot day too. Full spec is in my garage mate.

Very nice with the rare 22b bumper...

P.s....its not a v limited ..... The "v" was dropped after version 4 cars.

http://www.type-ra.com/impreza-my00-...-r-v6-limited/

Some info for you, quite a good read.

Not sure where people get the wrc bit from.

It's on the plaque on the version 5 ra limited...not sure on the 6 limited type r ?