vinnycogs Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 First post on the forum, been lurking for about a month and now decided to post. So I have a 1998 Legacy L 2.2 engine completely stock. Haven't had a problem yet on it. Bought it at 110k miles in november for $1000 in really good condition. First owner was in a small front end wreck but it only hurt costmetics, There are a few issues but I am having with the front bumper and hood that will be fixed in 2 weeks with a good friend who owns an auto body shop here in southwest MI. I have 119k on it now. I really like the car, but I am looking to improve perforance. The only things I have done have been new spark plugs, full synthetic oil changes, and then I just did seafoam in the fuel tank and I have read through Zeus's thread about upgrades (which is awesome) but I really am an amateur with cars and am just looking for some good advice as to what should be done first/if I should have a mechanic do them or if I can do them. I'm a college student who is trying to do things on the cheap, but I do have a little to spend. I would like to try to do the best things I can do for the car for under 500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemingway Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Start here and do as many as you need: http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3506949&postcount=3 Always a good idea to take the time and money to ensure that all the routine maintenance items are covered. Good luck, congrats on your car, and welcome to the forum. Don't hesitate to ask questions here ... lots of helpful a dn knowledgeable folks here. Also, make sure that the timing belt and head gasket are fixed or in good shape before you even think about upgrades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 OK good to know. is checking the timing belt and head gasket something that can be done visually/easily? That's a good list, I've done a majority of the stuff on there, but I should get the MSD coilpack I've seen a lot of people talk about that. Is the crank pulley worth replacing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludgeroo Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Headgaskets are not able to visually be seen. The only way to know is if its bad, honestly. The timing covers can pop off and you can check, but its hard to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 If you get a lightened crank pulley it's best not to get an under drive. Some have run one just fine while others have issues. From what I have read a lightened crank pulley is not a bad mod in and of itself, but not going to give you a whole lot of gains alone. You might be better off spending that $120 or whatever on other things. If you don't know when the timing belt was last replaced replace it. If it breaks your heads will be trashed and then you will need to rebuild them. When you replace it make sure you replace the water pump, pulleys and idles, and the tensioner. Also, while the timing belt is off replace the cam and crank seals, and reseal the oil pump while checking the screws for looseness. After basic maintenance items such as new plugs and wires, air filter, fuel filter, PVC valve, throttle body cleaning, etc., I recommend the grounding mod and some good coaxials and/or new HU (head unit). Good sound always makes the car more fun. One of the best mods I have done was to install a Whitline 22m adjustable rear sway bar, makes a huge difference in handling especially on a wagon like mine. Ralliteks are good too from what I hear. After that I'd say get some JDM projector headlights. They light up the road like no other which is one of the safest mods that you can do IMO. Start withe the basics and go from there. $500 will get eaten up quick unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 11, 2013 Author Share Posted April 11, 2013 how much was it to put in the sway bar? I see online it's going for about 215 for the bar itself. is that something that a newbie can do? Or should I have a professional do it. Is replacing the exhaust worth it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooln30 Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 Headgaskets aren't a problem on the 2.2's. Only if the engine isn't overheated that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zues Marine Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 you can install the bar yourself, its easy for even beginners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 ^+1. A wrench and a socket is all you need. 12mm I think. Takes about ten minutes or so. Just do it with the suspension somewhat loaded, meaning just jack the car up a bit bit with the tires still on the ground. Fun and easy and you'll notice the difference immediately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 ok good to know. I'm going to order a whiteline 22mm for the back. I'll do my brakes and rotors early next week then the sway bar after that, then I think the MSD coil pack then either vibrant exhaust or the speedyracer header. Which do you guys think would be better first? Exhaust or header? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooln30 Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 Dude buying sway bars at the stage your at is pointless. Put the money towards struts and springs, they will improve the overall handling far better then just a sway bar. If you check on here you'll see that the OEM 04 STI struts and springs fit our cars and you'll just need to use the strut mounts. Or even get some upgraded struts and springs for a 02-07 Wrx like KYB AGX which are adjustable and a nice set of lowering springs like Eibach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 14, 2013 Author Share Posted April 14, 2013 ok, the guy I bought it from had just put new shocks and springs on it, but I'm sure they aren't the upgraded ones. If these are new I would prefer not to replace them, but if you say it won't help that much what do you think would make sense to replace first? Coilpack? Grounding kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zues Marine Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 grounding kit is less than $20, so i say just do that anyways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 14, 2013 Author Share Posted April 14, 2013 yeah I've been having some weird issues with starting ever since I put my bigger stereo in it so I think that would solve that problem. It's weird though, it won't start, then I turn it over a few times and wait 5 minutes, come back and it starts. Is there any tests that have been done to show how much the MSD coilpack actually does? I've seen people say it helps but I havent been able to find any tests or anything also just replaced front brakes and rotors yesterday, first time doing brakes in my life so that was pretty cool, they work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share Posted April 17, 2013 thought I would add some pictures. there's definitely some problems, the hood is shown where it pops up a little, and then the front left of the engine bay where the previous owner had a wreck. Definitely still worth it for $1000 though. Added 20% rear and 35% front tint. Mostly stock other than tune up stuff, just ordered a grounding kit in the mail. edit: what do you guys think would look good for rims? I don't like the look they have right now. I have the 14" rims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I'm a fan or 16" wrx rims if you can pick some up for a decent price. They look great and of you decide to upgrade later you can keep them for winter driving. I still say a rear sway bar is an easy and fun upgrade! JDM projectors are pretty sweet too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share Posted April 17, 2013 thanks monkey! I think I'm going to order a sway bar in the next week or two. I just ordered a grounding kit online that I'm excited to put in. Got a new fuel filter, PCV valve, and brakes/rotors for the front. I'm eyeing some JDM projectors on eBay along with some fog lights. we'll see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 You'll love the grounding kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share Posted April 17, 2013 Yeah I'm excited to get that in the mail! How much would a muffler shop charge to put on a new vibrant exhaust? the 1046 model looks nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludgeroo Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 It seems vibrant sound very nice on these cars.. I couldn't see it being more that 150 to fab up an axle back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zues Marine Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 the 1046 is the best sounding exhaust, ever, in everyones opinion says me, anyways a shop charged me $230ish to go with a mandrel bent cat-back and 18" resonator, go with 2.25" i already had the muffler too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sludgeroo Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I want someone to fab me up equal length headers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share Posted April 17, 2013 Okay, so just the exhaust wouldn't make sense? What does the resonator do? I've seen the vibrant ones online and they aren't too expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnycogs Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 this exhaust (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vibrant-1046-StreetPower-Oval-Muffler-2-5in-Inlet-T304-Stainless-Steel-Polished-/310589676778?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4850965cea&vxp=mtr) and this resonator? (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vibrant-1790-Bottle-Style-Resonator-2-25-inlet-outlet-x-12-long-/310434988295?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48475e0107&vxp=mtr) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zues Marine Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I want someone to fab me up equal length headers... must be single port, eh? vinny, i bought an 18" resonator, they cut back on a lot of the raspiness/hollowness sound and enunciate the rumble but yes, those are the ones, may want to look around tho.... see if you can snag that muffler any cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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