Zero to Hero: Syn's LGT journal

...I've been meaning to do one of these threads for a while now and I guess I'm just getting around to it after having my car for 4-years now

 

...well I finally really got the modification ball rolling last year and the plan is to keep it going until reach my end goal, a quick sleeperish family hauler. I think it's still one of the milder LGTs here, but I'm doing my best to catch up

 

Stock: It's hard to believe I picked my Deep Indigo LGT from Lynne's Subaru in NJ a little over 4-years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

...we drove all the way up on a Saturday and brought it back the same day, fun times...well other than the tolls. I started the mods pretty slowly with a 40% tint all around, smoked the rear turn signals, and yellow over lays for the foglights. Currently, it's mildly modified with some suspension parts and a Cobb Stage 1 flash. I have bit left on my to do list though.

 

Suspension:

 

• Swift Sport Springs
• RCE Blistein Dampers
• Whiteline 22mm Rear Swaybar
• Kartboy Endlinks
• STI Flexible Strut Brace

 

Wheels and Tires:

• Enkei GTC-01 5x100 19x8 +45 (Summer)
• Enkei M25 (Matte Black) 5x100 18x8 +45 (Winter)
• McGard Spline Drive Lugs (Black)
• Continental Extreme Contact DW 245/40-19 (Summer)
• Bridgestone Blizzak WS08 225/45-18 (Winter)

 

Brakes:

• 08+ STI Brembo Calipers
• KNS 4K Rotors
• Hawk HPS pads
• Goodridge Stainless Steel Brakelines

 

Engine:

• IAG Stage II EJ255 short block
• Cobb Accessport V3 (Mach V Pro-tune)
• AEM Drop In Air Filter
• Samco Inlet Hoses (Black)
• AVO Chargepipe
• GFB Mach 2 TMS Diverter Valve
• Grimmspeed TMIC Intercooler
• Grimmspeed 3-Port ECBS
• STI Exhaust Cams
• Injector Dynamics ID1050X Injectors
• Upgraded VF54 (6+6 46.30/60mm billet compressor wheel, port and polished including wastegate, and Cerakoted hotside)
• AEM Fuel Pump
• Nameless Performance 3" Downpipe
• Invidia 3" Cat-Back Exhaust
• Koyo Radiator

 

Drivetrain:

• ACT SB5-HDSS Clutch
• TranQuil TSK3
• Kartboy Cable Shift Arm
• Kartboy Cable Shift Lock
• Kartboy Transmission Bushings
• STI Group N Transmission Mount
• STI WRX Shortshifter
• Clutch Damper Delete

 

Exterior:

• 2013 Special Appearance Package Headlights
• VLEDS Micro Extreme H7 5000k (Low Beam)
• Philips HIR (High Beam)
• PIAA Ion Crystal (City Light)
• Hoen Chromium (Turn Signals)
• Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport (Yellow)
• Rally Armor UR Mudflaps (Black and Gray)
• Bayson R V-Limited Lip

 

Interior:

• DAMD Steering Wheel
• STI Leather and Aluminum Shift Knob

 

On My To-Do List:

• Cusco Suspension Braces
• Redline Goods Shift Boot

 

 

I think that's a doable list, even if it takes a little longer (between my family and other hobbies). A few pics of my LGT in it's current mod state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter mode

 

A pretty recent pic

Edited January 12 by Syndicate
Updates

Beastly! I wish mine was as nice, but maybe one day I'll get it there.

 

Beautiful ride man!

Very nice. Nice to see all the mods in a list. Keep it up

Great job. Good choice of "to do" list. That protune will really be wonderful - do you have a tuner in mind yet?

Great job. Good choice of "to do" list. That protune will really be wonderful - do you have a tuner in mind yet?

 

...not just yet, I'm thinking a local shop though. Either Mach V or IAG. I've heard good things about both shops, I find myself at Mach V more often though.

Edited June 4, 2016 by Syndicate

subbed.

...I've been away from this for a little bit, but the over the last 2-3 weeks the mod ball has started rolling again. Specifically it's time to start making some real power. So scheduled to be installed w/a protune in late September are:

 

 

• AEM Dryflow Air Filter
  
• GFB Mach II Diverter Valve
  
• AVO Charge Pipe
  
• Grimmspeed TMIC
  
• Grimmspeed 3-Port ECBS w/5th Gen LGT Adapter
  
• Invidia Q300 Cat-back
  
• Defi White Racer Boost Gauge and Cravenspeed Belmont mount
  

...in addition to things I already had like the Samco inlet hoses and everyone's favorite divorced downpipe. Speaking of which, I'll also be getting my stock VF54 wastegate ported w/a larger flapper added as well.

...pics of what's arrived relatively recently and what's been here for a bit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...pics of what's arrived relatively recently and what's been here for a bit

 

good God! you've hit the motherlode

...I also sent these out for a rebuild and powder coating about a week ago. I'll be making a little road trip to pick them up this week.

 

 

...more on the new color a little later, but with the rest of the car being more subdued my wife thought a little bit of color wouldn't be a bad idea and I'm not silly enough to ignore advice like that. Also, these pads came w/the calipers, I haven't been able to figure what they are though, only what they aren't. If anyone has any idea I'd appreciate it, I'm thinking either these are stock Subaru pads or some sort of Hawk pad. I'm thinking about reusing them since there is a lot of material left, not too sure though since I don't know what these are.

 

Edited September 3, 2017 by Syndicate

...a quick pic of the winter shoes, realized I never really posted one.

 

 

...so I received this pic from the powder coater today.

 

...stage 2 numbers w/a pro-tune.

 

...it seems that I'm still a parts hoarder, hopefully I can get DAMD steering wheel, short shifter, and etc knocked out before summer is over.

 

 

 

...so about two weekends ago my clutch went out on me on my way back from a Cars & Cigars meet. Now, I understand that the clock started on the OEM clutch after getting the Stage 2 pro-tune, but I was expecting a little notice before it actually went out. Long story short the clutch and everything associated it w/it went out pretty spectacularly. I had it towed to my local tuner and it was carnage on the inside. Knowing that the car was going to be down for a while my better half gave the go ahead to empty out my parts closet of shame. So in addition to a new ACT clutch, TSK3 kit, and new OEM flywheel; I also had my STI WRX short shifter, Kartboy shifter arm, bearing, shifter lock, trans bushings, STI Group N trans mount, DAMD steering wheel, and a Brembo brake upgrade. So at the end of it all I'm now pretty much 99%-98% w/my car leaving only a few odds and ends left to do.

 

...so here's my ride as sits today. Getting used to the new clutch has me looking like I don't know how to drive stick or something and shifting now seems incredibly quick/short...a lot shorter than I expected but it's cool. My car was pretty fun drive before, but now it's even better.

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by Syndicate

Congrats! I don't see clutch damper delete on that list....had you done it some time ago.

Niiiiiice! I didnt think I'd like the flourescent yellows on our cars, but I do!

 

Congrats on the gains, good numbers too!

You're making me think I need to start gathering parts for when my clutch goes. I can't believe I've made it to 55k miles on the original.

 

By the way, see my PM?

Congrats! I don't see clutch damper delete on that list....had you done it some time ago.

 

...it's on my to do list along w/an oil catch can.

...it's on my to do list along w/an oil catch can.

Do the damper delete soon seeing as you have a brand new clutch. I remember when acumenhokie was talking to one of the engineers at Southbend about clutch dampers the guy mentioned that the damper would most certainly contribute to accelerated disc wear. Edited September 21, 2018 by GTEASER

 

...so a little over a month ago my Legacy GT suffered a rod bearing failure. To say that sucked would be an understatement, initially thought that I would be selling the car. However, after exploring my options (and underwhelming offers) I've decided to hold on to it and move forward w/a rebuild. I won't be going crazy so the plan is to overbuild it, keep power about the same then hand it over to my oldest son.

 

...on deck for the rebuild are the usual EJ stuff, some small quality of life mods, and maybe some external updates.

 

• IAG Stage 2 short block
  
• OEM oil pump, cooler and etc
  
• STI exhaust cams
  
• IAG Air Oil Separator
  
• Whiteline 24mm FSB
  
• Whiteline Front Roll Center/Bump Steer
  
• Perrin Steering Damper
  
• Ported, polished, and cerakoted VF54 (I needed new seals anyway)
  
• STI Sideskirts
  
• 2013 Front end refresh (possibly)
  

IAG built my son's Stage II motor which he was VERY happy with.

Hope you get the same results.

Sorry to hear about the rod bearing. If my GT had an engine failure like that right now, I would pretty much do the same.

It was tough hearing about what happened to your GT. Glad to hear you are gonna keep her and fix her up though

In for the progress updates!