chhrisd's Trash Wagon (05 LGT 5MT)

Hi all, been a member of these forums since I drove a 2010 WRX. That car was sold last fall, and I now own this 2005 Legacy GT Wagon.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Gyi4mK9.jpg

 

Was browsing the parts section of my local craigslist one day and came across this Legacy. Owners stated it needed a new turbo, brakes, struts, and axles. It was listed as having a 30k mile EJ257 longblock (153k on the car). The car was owned by a female med student, and was in pretty awful shape. She was trying to sell it as parts because of the condition

 

My original plan was to fix and resell the car. For $2,700, I was sure I could even part the car out and make money. One thing led to another, and I ditched my WRX and kept the Legacy.

 

I regret not taking pictures of car in the condition I drove it home, but it was something like this:

 

• Clunking passenger side axle
  
• Allegedly blown turbo, leaking oil onto the uppipe wrap
  
• Running lean
  
• Huge guardrail gash on the driver's side of the car
  
• Missing passenger side skirt
  
• Missing wing
  
• Missing rear mud flaps
  
• Blown struts
  
• Borderline nonexistent brakes
  
• Bondo'd and cracked front bumper, with lots of missing paint
  
• Broken oil pressure gauge
  
• Tuned my some random local guy named Jeff
  

Modifications at time of purchase:

 

• VF48 turbo
  
• EJ257 longblock (I was told by the shop that rebuilt the car the heads were rebuilt stock heads, and the shortblock was from a 30,000 mile STI)
  
• Racerx FMIC (version 1?)
  
• Perrin mid & y pipe, with Magnaflow mufflers
  
• Invidia catless downpipe
  
• AEM AFR gauge
  
• Oil pressure gauge
  
• A piller gauge pod
  
• K&N intake
  
• Walbro 255 fuel pump
  
• Shaved door moldings (ruined by the guardrail mark on driver's side)
  
• Front Rallyarmor mudflaps
  
• Catless uppipe
  
• Viper alarm system
  

I started by replacing the axle and putting all new pads and rotors on the car. Next, I investigated the turbo. It was not blown. Someone had used steel washers instead of copper washers for the turbo oil feed line banjo bolts, and they were leaking. Replaced these washers with the proper ones, ripped the oil-soaked heat wrap off the uppipe. No more oil leak! The turbo fortunately had no shaft play either.

 

The lean issue was caused by a dime-sized hole in the front mount piping. It was rubbing on a timing cover bolt. I had a local shop weld this up for the time being. A passenger side intercooler pipe was also cracked from pressing on the tow hook.

 

I never figured out the oil pressure gauge problem. I replaced the A pillar gauge pod with my own custom cubby replacement. It is made with some sort of plastic (a friend at VT sports car gave it to me, not entirely sure what it is called or what they use it for) and wrapped in black vinyl wrap.

 

Fortunately, I have a family member who does exceptional body work. He remedied the damage with a new side skirt, new wing, new front bumper, and a scoopless 2.5i hood.

 

Red is removed, orange is pending, green is added since I've owned the car:

 

Engine & Exhaust (300WHP/330WTQ on VD):

 

• EJ257 Longblock
  
• VF48
  
• K&N Intake
  
• Racerx FMIC
  
• FMS FMIC
  
• Deleted TGV's
  
• -6an fuel supply and return lines (to OEM hard lines)
  
• Tomei ELH & uppipe
  
• Catless STI uppipe
  
• Torqued Performance E-tune
  
• Walbro 255
  
• Invidia catless DP
  
• Perrin mid & y into Magnaflow mufflers
  
• Custom 3 inch, one piece single exit catback
  
• Grimmspeed 3 port EBCS
  
• Crawford V2 AOS
  
• ID1000 Top Feed Injectors
  
• Rotated sti manifold
  
• Parallel fuel lines
  
  

Suspension & Brakes:

 

• Replacement KYB struts
  
• Stoptech Street Performance pads
  

Driveline:

 

• South Bend Stage 2 Daily clutch
  
• WRX flywheel
  
  
• Torque Solutions crossmember bushings
  
• Group N transmission mount
  
• Prothane front and rear shift bushings
  

Wheels & Tires:

 

• Tenzo Concept 9 17x7 +42
  
• Michelin PSS 225/45/R17
  

Exterior:

 

• Shaved door moldings
  
• 2.5i hood
  
  
• DIY mesh grille
  
• RallyArmor mudflaps (had the fronts, added the rears )
  
• Tint (%?)
  
• Primitive Racing Skid Plate
  

Interior:

 

• AEM AFR gauge
  
• AEM boost gauge
  
  
• Black leather front seats
  
• Custom cubby gauge pod
  

 

 

I am not sure on the direction I will take the car at this point. I'd like to do small things like relocate the battery and work on removing the alarm system. Worried that the alarm system is capable of immobilizing the car so I have not touched it. It is quite the spider web of wires under the dash, and I have no remote for it.

 

 

 

The new exhaust and tune pretty much conclude the list of rough edges I had to smooth out. I'll most likely maintain it in the current form and work on some of that student loan debt . I will update with more pictures soon!

Here is the custom exhaust and my gauge pod. A bit dirty from mud season

 

http://i.imgur.com/2lBOznm.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/h9FHFGl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/keV1ah3.jpg

Seems like you have a good handle on things here. If the motor and turbo hold out you got a lot of car for $2,700. How long have you had it now?

Seems like you know what you are doing. Looking forward to see what else you do with this. Great pick up for $2700!

Seems like you have a good handle on things here. If the motor and turbo hold out you got a lot of car for $2,700. How long have you had it now?

 

August of 2015 if I remember correctly. It does burn a bit of oil which the AOS helps with. Other than that, haven't had any real issues other than the infamous cold weather fuel leak under the manifold.