Thanks Mark @TDR
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From: Cambs
Thanks Mark @TDR
Just want to say thanks to Mark Thwaites @TDR for the awesome car he's built for me over the last few months.
I've had a 2007 black hawkeye STi PPP for four years. I did some early work to improve the handling (coilovers, strut braces, etc.) and lighten the drive train (clutch, lightened flywheel, carbon prop) but then it all stalled. Anyway things all started again a few months ago and I took it to TDR for a forged rebuild. My basic idea was low/mid 400s BHP, minimise lag, and emphasis on road rather than track, and reliable. I've liked the idea of the Grimmspeed TMIC for some time so that was part of the spec from the start. SC46 seemed an obvious choice and the rest just seemed to follow.
I have to say that Mark has done a brilliant job of translating my somewhat vague spec into reality. I now have 415BHP (or perhaps a little more as Mark says he tweaked it further after the dyno run during road testing). No sense of lag, full power from 3300rpm, not overly loud but sounds great, and I have to agree with Mark's assessment that it is relentless.
I've had a 2007 black hawkeye STi PPP for four years. I did some early work to improve the handling (coilovers, strut braces, etc.) and lighten the drive train (clutch, lightened flywheel, carbon prop) but then it all stalled. Anyway things all started again a few months ago and I took it to TDR for a forged rebuild. My basic idea was low/mid 400s BHP, minimise lag, and emphasis on road rather than track, and reliable. I've liked the idea of the Grimmspeed TMIC for some time so that was part of the spec from the start. SC46 seemed an obvious choice and the rest just seemed to follow.
I have to say that Mark has done a brilliant job of translating my somewhat vague spec into reality. I now have 415BHP (or perhaps a little more as Mark says he tweaked it further after the dyno run during road testing). No sense of lag, full power from 3300rpm, not overly loud but sounds great, and I have to agree with Mark's assessment that it is relentless.
Last edited by Parply; Dec 11, 2016 at 04:39 PM. Reason: rotate picture
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 213
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From: Cross Green, Leeds.
Nice work there mate, you've gone the route I want to go with keeping the top mount, I've thought about grimspeed or process west for mine, what's the full spec of your engine build if you don't mind me asking and how much was the build, i'm seriously considering going to TDR for my build early next year after reading the positive reviews on here, pm me if you'd rather.
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Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Cambs
The big list is below. I'll PM the price as, although I think it was great value and certainly affordable for me, there is someone who will never agree
Thinking about TDR more. I got to spend time in reception waiting my turn and for last minute bits to get done. Inevitably you talk to the other customers and overhear conversations. What struck me is how positive and relaxed people were. Many had clearly known Mark for a long time and had a positive relationship with TDR. Also very reassuring was overhearing advice being given that was clearly well informed and well intentioned rather than simply pitching for business.
Thinking about TDR more. I got to spend time in reception waiting my turn and for last minute bits to get done. Inevitably you talk to the other customers and overhear conversations. What struck me is how positive and relaxed people were. Many had clearly known Mark for a long time and had a positive relationship with TDR. Also very reassuring was overhearing advice being given that was clearly well informed and well intentioned rather than simply pitching for business.
- Forged engine rebuild
- ACL Race Main Bearing Set
- ACL Race Big End Bearing Set
- Modified Genuine Subaru Oil Pump
- Mahle Piston & Ring Set
- Manley Connecting Rod Set
- Genuine Full Cambelt Kit
- Genuine Engine Gasket Set
- RCM “Stopper” Head Gaskets
- 11mm High Tensile Head Stud Kit
- 725cc fuel Injectors
- RCM 340 lph fuel pump
- K&N filter kit and spun trumpet
- SC46 Turbo
- GT spec manifold
- Cobra 3" high flow sports cat exhaust
- Grimmspeed TMIC, splitter, and undertray
- Oil catch can
- Aluminium undertray (still needs fitting)
- Grooved disk brakes
- EBC Yellow disk pads
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Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Cambs
The Grimmspeed web site only states support for 02 WRX and 04 STi onwards so seems like you are out of luck. Not sure about price given the £/$ changes recently but I would guess £500-£1k depending on black/silver and what additional parts you might get e.g. splitter and undertray ...
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 213
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From: Cross Green, Leeds.
The big list is below. I'll PM the price as, although I think it was great value and certainly affordable for me, there is someone who will never agree
Thinking about TDR more. I got to spend time in reception waiting my turn and for last minute bits to get done. Inevitably you talk to the other customers and overhear conversations. What struck me is how positive and relaxed people were. Many had clearly known Mark for a long time and had a positive relationship with TDR. Also very reassuring was overhearing advice being given that was clearly well informed and well intentioned rather than simply pitching for business.
Thinking about TDR more. I got to spend time in reception waiting my turn and for last minute bits to get done. Inevitably you talk to the other customers and overhear conversations. What struck me is how positive and relaxed people were. Many had clearly known Mark for a long time and had a positive relationship with TDR. Also very reassuring was overhearing advice being given that was clearly well informed and well intentioned rather than simply pitching for business.
- Forged engine rebuild
- ACL Race Main Bearing Set
- ACL Race Big End Bearing Set
- Modified Genuine Subaru Oil Pump
- Mahle Piston & Ring Set
- Manley Connecting Rod Set
- Genuine Full Cambelt Kit
- Genuine Engine Gasket Set
- RCM “Stopper” Head Gaskets
- 11mm High Tensile Head Stud Kit
- 725cc fuel Injectors
- RCM 340 lph fuel pump
- K&N filter kit and spun trumpet
- SC46 Turbo
- GT spec manifold
- Cobra 3" high flow sports cat exhaust
- Grimmspeed TMIC, splitter, and undertray
- Oil catch can
- Aluminium undertray (still needs fitting)
- Grooved disk brakes
- EBC Yellow disk pads
Thanks for that, I've been trying to decide who to use for the rebuild for a while now by gauging other people experiences, good and bad and the impression I've got from the various rebuild places when talking on the phone or e-mailing them, like I say the more I hear about TDR the more I'm liking it. You've basically got the spec and performance that I'd be looking for although I'm toying with the idea of going sc42 for slightly better spool hopefully.
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From: Cambs
I also considered the SC42 originally. Mark recommended the SC46 for the power I was aiming at and I trusted him. I'm far from an expert so you might get better spool out of what you are aiming for and that might make a difference for you. All I can say is when I'm driving the car spool is not a word that enters my mind. Indeed the only thing I keep having to do it hold back because all that happens when you put your foot down is you get faster than you thought far quicker than you might expect !
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 381
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From: Scunthorpe
Bet the torque is nice on that. I have a 2.0 and chose the sc42 as I have no particular figure in mind but wanted to retain the tmic so we dont have to cut the bumper. From what I'm lead to believe, 380 is a realistic expectation on a blob sti with the other supporting mods I have and can add a meth map if required on the alcatek.
Yours looks stunning, enjoy!
Yours looks stunning, enjoy!
he sorted one for my classic wagon
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Scooby Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Cambs
Hi Mr Tuna. Given some of the similarities with mine and the results achieved by Mark I was extremely interested and pleased to hear about your build. I should have remembered the details and joined the dots when I replied on the Grimmspeed.
The big list is below. I'll PM the price as, although I think it was great value and certainly affordable for me, there is someone who will never agree
Thinking about TDR more. I got to spend time in reception waiting my turn and for last minute bits to get done. Inevitably you talk to the other customers and overhear conversations. What struck me is how positive and relaxed people were. Many had clearly known Mark for a long time and had a positive relationship with TDR. Also very reassuring was overhearing advice being given that was clearly well informed and well intentioned rather than simply pitching for business.
Thinking about TDR more. I got to spend time in reception waiting my turn and for last minute bits to get done. Inevitably you talk to the other customers and overhear conversations. What struck me is how positive and relaxed people were. Many had clearly known Mark for a long time and had a positive relationship with TDR. Also very reassuring was overhearing advice being given that was clearly well informed and well intentioned rather than simply pitching for business.
- Forged engine rebuild
- ACL Race Main Bearing Set
- ACL Race Big End Bearing Set
- Modified Genuine Subaru Oil Pump
- Mahle Piston & Ring Set
- Manley Connecting Rod Set
- Genuine Full Cambelt Kit
- Genuine Engine Gasket Set
- RCM “Stopper” Head Gaskets
- 11mm High Tensile Head Stud Kit
- 725cc fuel Injectors
- RCM 340 lph fuel pump
- K&N filter kit and spun trumpet
- SC46 Turbo
- GT spec manifold
- Cobra 3" high flow sports cat exhaust
- Grimmspeed TMIC, splitter, and undertray
- Oil catch can
- Aluminium undertray (still needs fitting)
- Grooved disk brakes
- EBC Yellow disk pads
I fully agree with your impression of Marks advice. There have been plenty of times when Mark could've sold me expensive bits that I wouldn't have necessarily needed and he's always tried to keep the costs down where possible when my cars been worked on. Top bloke
quality work at a fair price 
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 177
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From: LEICSTER
.....
That looks like it boosts well to me, really good for a rd car, I asked about the sc42 and sc46 and a few People said that the sc46 would suit the built 2.5 better........
what sort of boost are you running? Like Charles I to would like to keep the tmic as have you👍
Nice one fella
what sort of boost are you running? Like Charles I to would like to keep the tmic as have you👍
Nice one fella