My story so far...
14 February 2007, 01:48 PM
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My story so far...
In the Beginning...
Afternoon all, just thought I would let you know my story so far of owning an Impreza.
Took delivery of a MY03 WRX around 8 months ago with 38K on the clock, couldn’t afford an STI at the time (which I now regret), but hey, that’s life.
Current Spend: £11,000
The mods begin...
The car had a Powerflow (I hear you scream) exhaust on, and was running 245BHP.
My first mods were to swap the intercooler for an STI one, and remove the exhaust and upgrade to a full 3” decatted straight through system from Scooby Clinic, I had the ‘before’ and ‘after’ power runs which produced 245BHP before and 265BHP after without a remap as that's all I could afford. Not a bad increase and the mid-range pull was noticeably better.
Current Spend: £11,750
Car pulled so much better and I couldn’t remove the smile off my face with the sound it produced, still has the same noise today!
Handling
Next thing was to look into the handling, I went for the cheapest option first, Whiteline Rear Anti-Roll bar and anti-lift kit, had this fitted by Racing Line in Halifax, the difference was noticeable, not much from the anti-lift kit but you could definitely feel the roll bar working. The car went around corners so much more flatter and you could really notice the difference in the car, it felt to just stick to the road.
Current Spend: £12,150
Keeping it legal(ish)
Next step was to take a look into the appearance of the car, decided to add some legal window tints and also the rally style roof vent just for aesthetics, my private plate was also added.
Current Spend: £12,600
Ahh, no, those long left handers!!, the Rebuild...
Went to Bruntingthorpe proving ground for a bit of a run-out with my bosses 997, my Impreza only managed 3 laps before a horrible knocking noise from the engine, no warning lights or anything, but due to oil starvation I needed a new bottom end. Got the car transported up to the Scooby Clinic where I decided to go the whole hog and installed a Version 8 STI 2.0L bottom end with P1 heads, uprated internals, slapped on a VF34, STI Pinks, uprated fuel pump, decat up-pipe, EcuTEK remap, and a few rolling roads later I was running 334/310.
Current Spend: £18,800
The new era...
The car absolutely flies now, it’s the fastest car I have ever been in.
Was totally delighted with the engine, had a new Excedy single plate race clutch fitted too which I was the only thing I wasn’t happy with, too much judder if you got it wrong.
The noise from the engine had now improved too, purring nicely at low revs, and really giving a rumble once your right foot is planted! (Check out the video at the bottom)
God I need to stop!
Next step was to look into the brakes and suspension, I couldn’t afford a big brake upgrade, so at this point it's running on uprated 5 dot 5 fluid, Ferodo DS2500 pads all round and braided lines. Has made a big improvement and I’ll be upgrading these once finances come in... With regards to the handling and suspension, I’ve just put the Eibach lowering kit on which has improved roll, and as far as aesthetics go, the car is really starting to take shape.
Current Spend: £19,200 ish...
Gearbox, mmm, I knew it would happen...
I use my car as a daily driver, fast B-road driver and also do a few track days a year so compromises are inevitable, like the clutch for instance, it's an absolute nightmare in stop-start traffic, do a launch from 5,000rpm and it’s apparent where the money lies, the car takes off at such a rate!
My next mod is a new PPG gearbox, this is because driving home last night, I put the car into second, accelerating hard and I had a sudden bang, quiet loud and a loss of pull, bloody 5 speed box has lost second gear, it’s now booked in at API for the PPG box to be fitted.
Conclusion, I am mad!
Ahh, the fun of tuning cars, and we won’t even go into the fuel bill, I’m only getting around 180-190 miles per tank, but that's because the way I drive!
And I haven't touched on the detailing the car gets, Swissol all the way, the sound system is fantastic, around £4K on that, sat nav, phone kit, bloody hell am I stupid!!!
Here’s a few pics and a video of a launch I’ve done in my beloved Impreza.
Current Spend: £21,700 ish..
Cheers, MikeyB!
Plenty more pictures here: Public Home | MikeyB | Fotki.com
And the video of the gearbox killer: http://www.mikeyb.co.uk/scooby/Scooby_Launch.wmv
Afternoon all, just thought I would let you know my story so far of owning an Impreza.
Took delivery of a MY03 WRX around 8 months ago with 38K on the clock, couldn’t afford an STI at the time (which I now regret), but hey, that’s life.
Current Spend: £11,000
The mods begin...
The car had a Powerflow (I hear you scream) exhaust on, and was running 245BHP.
My first mods were to swap the intercooler for an STI one, and remove the exhaust and upgrade to a full 3” decatted straight through system from Scooby Clinic, I had the ‘before’ and ‘after’ power runs which produced 245BHP before and 265BHP after without a remap as that's all I could afford. Not a bad increase and the mid-range pull was noticeably better.
Current Spend: £11,750
Car pulled so much better and I couldn’t remove the smile off my face with the sound it produced, still has the same noise today!
Handling
Next thing was to look into the handling, I went for the cheapest option first, Whiteline Rear Anti-Roll bar and anti-lift kit, had this fitted by Racing Line in Halifax, the difference was noticeable, not much from the anti-lift kit but you could definitely feel the roll bar working. The car went around corners so much more flatter and you could really notice the difference in the car, it felt to just stick to the road.
Current Spend: £12,150
Keeping it legal(ish)
Next step was to take a look into the appearance of the car, decided to add some legal window tints and also the rally style roof vent just for aesthetics, my private plate was also added.
Current Spend: £12,600
Ahh, no, those long left handers!!, the Rebuild...
Went to Bruntingthorpe proving ground for a bit of a run-out with my bosses 997, my Impreza only managed 3 laps before a horrible knocking noise from the engine, no warning lights or anything, but due to oil starvation I needed a new bottom end. Got the car transported up to the Scooby Clinic where I decided to go the whole hog and installed a Version 8 STI 2.0L bottom end with P1 heads, uprated internals, slapped on a VF34, STI Pinks, uprated fuel pump, decat up-pipe, EcuTEK remap, and a few rolling roads later I was running 334/310.
Current Spend: £18,800
The new era...
The car absolutely flies now, it’s the fastest car I have ever been in.
Was totally delighted with the engine, had a new Excedy single plate race clutch fitted too which I was the only thing I wasn’t happy with, too much judder if you got it wrong.
The noise from the engine had now improved too, purring nicely at low revs, and really giving a rumble once your right foot is planted! (Check out the video at the bottom)
God I need to stop!
Next step was to look into the brakes and suspension, I couldn’t afford a big brake upgrade, so at this point it's running on uprated 5 dot 5 fluid, Ferodo DS2500 pads all round and braided lines. Has made a big improvement and I’ll be upgrading these once finances come in... With regards to the handling and suspension, I’ve just put the Eibach lowering kit on which has improved roll, and as far as aesthetics go, the car is really starting to take shape.
Current Spend: £19,200 ish...
Gearbox, mmm, I knew it would happen...
I use my car as a daily driver, fast B-road driver and also do a few track days a year so compromises are inevitable, like the clutch for instance, it's an absolute nightmare in stop-start traffic, do a launch from 5,000rpm and it’s apparent where the money lies, the car takes off at such a rate!
My next mod is a new PPG gearbox, this is because driving home last night, I put the car into second, accelerating hard and I had a sudden bang, quiet loud and a loss of pull, bloody 5 speed box has lost second gear, it’s now booked in at API for the PPG box to be fitted.
Conclusion, I am mad!
Ahh, the fun of tuning cars, and we won’t even go into the fuel bill, I’m only getting around 180-190 miles per tank, but that's because the way I drive!
And I haven't touched on the detailing the car gets, Swissol all the way, the sound system is fantastic, around £4K on that, sat nav, phone kit, bloody hell am I stupid!!!
Here’s a few pics and a video of a launch I’ve done in my beloved Impreza.
Current Spend: £21,700 ish..
Cheers, MikeyB!
Plenty more pictures here: Public Home | MikeyB | Fotki.com
And the video of the gearbox killer: http://www.mikeyb.co.uk/scooby/Scooby_Launch.wmv
Last edited by [MikeyB]; 14 February 2007 at 02:04 PM.
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14 February 2007, 02:20 PM
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Honestly, SN is a pain in the ****, everytime I visit, It ends up costing me a small fortune!! Just stay away from the group buy section... 
14 February 2007, 03:07 PM
#6
Excellent write up there and a nice read, just what this forum needs and should be about, well done there! Ouch at the cost of your mods though lol
was worth it though
was worth it though
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14 February 2007, 05:33 PM
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Great read and great looking car. I like the way you start with 'Took delivery of a MY03 WRX around 8 months ago with 38K on the clock, couldn’t afford an STI at the time (which I now regret), but hey, that’s life.' and end up spending a lot more than what an STI would have cost.
14 February 2007, 05:37 PM
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Great read and great looking car. I like the way you start with 'Took delivery of a MY03 WRX around 8 months ago with 38K on the clock, couldn’t afford an STI at the time (which I now regret), but hey, that’s life.' and end up spending a lot more than what an STI would have cost.
14 February 2007, 06:17 PM
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Excellent article and superb photos as usual Mikey . Glad you are enjoying the Scooby. If you are planning to do another Tour of Britain in your new beast give me a shout and I`ll see you in the Lake District 
.
. Glad you are enjoying the Scooby. If you are planning to do another Tour of Britain in your new beast give me a shout and I`ll see you in the Lake District .
14 February 2007, 06:42 PM
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Excellent article mate... makes nice reading whilst eating. 
An Impreza is like a puppy dog... look into its eyes and you will never say 'No' again!!
Edit: 1 Vote for MileyB column on main page!!
An Impreza is like a puppy dog... look into its eyes and you will never say 'No' again!!
Edit: 1 Vote for MileyB column on main page!!
Last edited by marmski; 14 February 2007 at 06:43 PM. Reason: The dog has had his bone.
14 February 2007, 10:57 PM
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CaptainJohn, the tour of the UK in our TT's was excellent, we did a 13 hour days driving once we hit the roads in Scotland, couldn't get us off them! Some fantastic photos and scenery, aswell as the excellent continuous B'Roads...
Ahh the fuel we burnt!
Ahh the fuel we burnt!
14 February 2007, 11:52 PM
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why are you bothered about an STI
you have a 330 bhp car that looks good for 20k now that is a bargin in my books
the std bug eye wrx cost more new
some drivers are loosing 20k on the fist few years of ownership so in my books you are doing well
god for bid i dare not add all the money I have spent on mine
you have a 330 bhp car that looks good for 20k now that is a bargin in my books
the std bug eye wrx cost more new
some drivers are loosing 20k on the fist few years of ownership so in my books you are doing well
god for bid i dare not add all the money I have spent on mine
Last edited by WRX_Rich; 14 February 2007 at 11:54 PM.
15 February 2007, 11:14 AM
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15 February 2007, 01:24 PM
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cookstar - the car is currently on the back of a low loader on its way down to API.
joey_turbo, I'll let you know in the very near future, once my car is back up and running, I'll be off down to the proving ground to have some more fun! I'll film it aswell...
wrx_rich - Good point mate, you've just made my day!
joey_turbo, I'll let you know in the very near future, once my car is back up and running, I'll be off down to the proving ground to have some more fun! I'll film it aswell...
wrx_rich - Good point mate, you've just made my day!
15 February 2007, 04:11 PM
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15 February 2007, 07:25 PM
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Not what I know of, mine went simply through oil starvation, even though I didn't get a warning light, I was tracking it at the time, and there were some long leaning corners which I think caused the problem.
Normal road use shouldn't ever be a problem.
I now check my oil once a week religiously with normal driving, and check before and after run outs or track days.
16 February 2007, 10:02 AM
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My car should now be at API for the gearbox problem, still umming and arring whether to pay £3K for the PPG, or £2K (ish) for the 6 speed..... 
17 February 2007, 06:28 PM
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Right then, I think (if finances permitted, which I'm bloody sure they will), I'm going for a PPG Straight Cut gearbox...
This is all thanks to Cookstar who will be paying the difference for the upgrade... Keep your eye out for the bill in the post mate!
Since my motor is in at API, it's now getting the following:
PPG Straightcut Gearbox + upgraded forks
New induction filter
Full Geomtry setup for track use (negative camber) including camber bolts
Baffled Sump
Oil change
And I might stretch to 4 x Toyo R888's as they are dreadfully cheap at only £120 (ish) per corner from API....
I better stay off the doubles tonight as I'll need the cash!!
This is all thanks to Cookstar who will be paying the difference for the upgrade...
Keep your eye out for the bill in the post mate! Since my motor is in at API, it's now getting the following:
PPG Straightcut Gearbox + upgraded forks
New induction filter
Full Geomtry setup for track use (negative camber) including camber bolts
Baffled Sump
Oil change
And I might stretch to 4 x Toyo R888's as they are dreadfully cheap at only £120 (ish) per corner from API....
I better stay off the doubles tonight as I'll need the cash!!
17 February 2007, 06:58 PM
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Right then, I think (if finances permitted, which I'm bloody sure they will), I'm going for a PPG Straight Cut gearbox...
This is all thanks to Cookstar who will be paying the difference for the upgrade... Keep your eye out for the bill in the post mate!
Since my motor is in at API, it's now getting the following:
PPG Straightcut Gearbox + upgraded forks
New induction filter
Full Geomtry setup for track use (negative camber) including camber bolts
Baffled Sump
Oil change
And I might stretch to 4 x Toyo R888's as they are dreadfully cheap at only £120 (ish) per corner from API....
I better stay off the doubles tonight as I'll need the cash!!
This is all thanks to Cookstar who will be paying the difference for the upgrade...
Keep your eye out for the bill in the post mate! Since my motor is in at API, it's now getting the following:
PPG Straightcut Gearbox + upgraded forks
New induction filter
Full Geomtry setup for track use (negative camber) including camber bolts
Baffled Sump
Oil change
And I might stretch to 4 x Toyo R888's as they are dreadfully cheap at only £120 (ish) per corner from API....
I better stay off the doubles tonight as I'll need the cash!!
lol, you wont regret it mate. Still smiling when i drive mine.
How much was rhe baffled sump mate, and why you going for that, is it mainly for track cars?
Cookie
18 February 2007, 01:23 PM
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Yes mate, going for the baffled sump as I will be taking it around the track, it was when I was at Bruntingthorpe that I had the oil problem which cost me an engine rebuild because of the long corners going about 120mph for a long stretch at high revs...
Its costing around £150 + the vat.
18 February 2007, 02:29 PM
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