GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

OK, so ive had MY51 Bug WRX for 3 1/2 years and a new job allowed me to take it of the road for an indefinite period of time to allow me to make some changes and generally freshen him up.

The plans are not crazy but to get it looking clean, updated / uprated and most importantly reliable.

At the moment what is on the car is as follows

Engine
RCM induction kit
Cobra sport cat back

Suspension
Front and rear Sti strut braces
Sti shocks with Eibach pro street lowered springs (-40mm)
Front Whiteline Drop links (to be fitted)

Brakes
Standard 4 pots fully refurbished by Godspeed
Godspeed discs and pads all round

Exterior

JDM Sti one piece grill
JDM Sti HID headlights
Ht Autos rear diffuser

so prior to taking it off the road it looked like this







So let the journey begin....

I hope that some of you will find this interesting, and that other can guide and help me thought this process.

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

So, With some of the panels looking a little tired and knowing that there was some hidden rust areas behind the front bumper i first set about tackling that

Off with the front end to expose the oh so typical rusty bumper support panel



And fully naked


On Good authority from Ian (The Trooper 1815) i bought some Bilt Hammer Hydrate 80 rust treatment and set about treating the panel





On top of that went 3 layers of Rust Not primer



Its currently awaiting a coat (or two) of black smooth hammerite.. the colour wont matter too much as it is all hidden

Thats today work out the way with. More tomorrow

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Some simple stuff makes the world of difference - zinc plating nuts and bolts, powder coating brackest etc - DBM does come up nice with simple and subtle updates

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Thanks Fella. I can get an abundance of St/St nuts bolts and washers from work. As for the powder coating ive seen some of the stuff that you have done on yours and got my juices flowing

By the looks i will end up having a full body respray in the new year as it needs it.

stealthbomber

iTrader: (3)

Looks good mate, I'll be keeping up with your progress. My bug could do with some similar treatment just don't have the time or skills to do it lol. ATB.

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Thank you for the kind words. Im delving into the unknown so undoubtedly there will be some real dumb questions asked by myself on this thread....You have been warned

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

We all started somewhere

ossett2k2

iTrader: (9)

Love a good project thread I'll be keeping an eye on this one to see how it turns out.
Bug is my 2nd favorite Impreza....after the Classic of corse

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Cheers. I had always hated the bugeye and did for about 6 months after buying it. Now i couldn't be parted from him.
Only maybe for a Type R

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

I drove an early classic and was hugely disappointed and never thought I'd ever buy a scoob until I drove a bug - they'd never appealed to me until then but I consider them a mature choice

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Jon Are you sure we are not my long lost brother.

I have read through your build thread a number of times and got a few tips from it.
Ive got a set of front and rear drop links, ARB's and ALK to fit soon. so that should eb a challenge in itself. !!!

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

ARBs and drop-links are a piece of cake, the ALK can be a bit of a challenge

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

ive got the front drop links already but i havent got the nuts/bolts/washers and i cant find anywhere what size they are?
Any Ideas?

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

iirc they're M8 x 60mm assuming you've got alloy wishbones

Good stainless ones are cheap enoughon ebay

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Ive got whichever wishbones are standard on a WRX Jon, sorry for the nativity, all i know is that they are the standard type.

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

They should be alloy which will be silver and unpainted, but I've heard of some bugs having steel ones which are black painted. Best to check as they have different drop links...

Alloy



Steel

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Cheers for the photos.

I think i have the alloy type from memory. I will be having a good check tomorrow though, oh yeah along with another update.
you are a good man to know.

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

When you do the ALK rotate the black bracket 180 degrees and you'll get even more caster but beware, the bolts can seize

big daz2

Good work Shaun she's going to look like new again

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Cheers buddy. I guess I'm cursed with the SWS rebuild bug !

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Another fairly busy morning and the removal of the back bumper, boot lid, autosol the cobra back box and removal of both the front wings.



First coat of smooth black applied to the support bar



And as I want to inject a little colour under the bonnet I thought what the hell and tried out a bold colour on the RCM induction MAF tube



And whilst apart the K&N was given a wash dry and re-oiling.



More too come tomorrow

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

Great to see someone putting some love into this Bug

Far to many are being broken these day.

All the best Shaun

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Thanks Kev, if I can get this to half the standard of yours then I will be a very happy man.

big daz2

Kevs is rubbish it's a rust bucket underneath it's just covered with under body seal lol

BLU

iTrader: (27)

Alloy - Saloon
Steel - Wagon

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

So between hurricane like wind and rain I managed to trial fit the induction hose and alternator cover.
What you all think of a little splash of colour under the hood?



Oh and I took of the strut brace and gave it the once over

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

....... And it's two half's


Stick at it Shaun and it will look good

S3LDM

This is coming along well Shaun, keep up the good work pal

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

Cheers Lee

We gots a way to go yet. Still undecided on a new wheel choice. and am always on the look out for a nurspec R.

Getting all of the engine tidying before the work starts on the suspension components

GIBZY

iTrader: (4)

For those of you who want to buy new nuts/bolts and washers for front newage droplinks... Dont ask whiteline in Aussie land. They will tell you this

Bolts x4
Top to Bottom – 75mm
Thickness – 9mm
Thread – 30mm

8 Washers
ID – 11.5mm
OD – 30mm
1.5mm Thick

4 Spacers
ID – 10mm
OD – 24mm
Thickness – 5mm

4 Smaller Washers
ID – 10mm
OD – 20mm
Thickness – 1.5mm
and 4 Nuts to suit the bolts.

Ive only gone and ordered M8 bolts.... Arrrr **** !!!!