A mod that only 2.5i folks will care about...

So I have really enjoyed doing a really slow build on my 2.5i, chosing instead to spend my time driving it and putting my money into building my E30 track car.

 

All that I have done so far has been intended to improve something that I thought was lacking in the 2.5i- not to try to make it something that it is not.

 

I tinted the windows, added a Pioneer HU with USB input, upgraded my speakers and added a small powered underseat sub, installed OEM fogs with yellow bulbs, upgraded to DDM 5000K 55W HIDs, installed LGT struts with Tein H-tech front springs (stock LGT rears) and the RSB from an LGT. I did buy a set of dedicated track wheels and tires, but have otherwise kept the car pretty much stock. Everything I did has had a direct benefit for the way that I use the car.

 

The one thing that has ALWAYS bugged me about the 2.5i is the cheesy vinyl steering wheel. I could not justify the 2.5i Limited, and I had some issues with my trade value that prevented me from buying the GT that I really wanted, but in the end, adding a leather steering wheel from a Limited or LGT was high on the list of desired mods.

 

About 2 weeks ago, I finally received a used leather wheel (complete with audio controls), but was too busy to actually get it installed. Also, I was pretty nervous about tearing apart the wheell to do the install, but it was way less difflcult than I had thought it would be.

 

It took about 45 miutes to do, but yesterday I finally got it installed. I do need to pull it and rotate the wheel by one tooth (it is slightly off-center when tracking straight), but I am amazed at how much nicer the car feels with a leather steering wheel versus the crappy plastic/vinyl one that the 2.5i comes with from the factory.

 

If Subaru realized how much nicer the "feel" of the interior is with the leather wheel, I think that they might have gone leather throughout the lineup. I know that it may be a marketing strategy to move people up into a Limited, but I would have paid $200-300 more for the "Special Edition" package that I bought if it had included the leather wheel along side of the sunroof and power driver's seat.

 

I hope to do a writeup on the install, but it was pretty intuitive, and it really followed the exact same removal and install process as is recommended in the >07 audio control install threads in the DIY section. As for the audio controls, I removed and sold them to offset the cost of the wheel. With the Pioneer HU, the integration process for the audio controls would not have been worth the time/materials cost(s).

 

Stock wheel:

 

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/SteeringWheel009.jpg

 

Side-by-side:

 

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/SteeringWheel015.jpg

 

Cruise controls and blank panel switched over:

 

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/SteeringWheel017.jpg

 

Leather wheel, installed:

 

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/SteeringWheel018.jpg

 

I also got around to installing my Kartboy STS yesterday. Pic of that (installed) with my Momo RaceAir Leather:

 

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/phenryiv1/Legacy/SteeringWheel019.jpg

I like!

Looks good! Id like to get mine wrapped in suede!

Looks good! Id like to get mine wrapped in suede!

As pimp as suede would feel on a daily basis, I have been told by a couple of interior guys that a suede steering wheel is not the best for durability.

 

I am sure that there are some grades of suede that would hold up, but when I was researching materials for my track car, 2 different interior guys recommended leather over suede for re-covering the steering wheel in my E30.

Nice mod how did you negotiate the airbag"?? I want to add audio controls to my wheel and it pretty cheap to order the control module that attached to the left part of the wheel.

The plastic wheel and knob were gone the first week I bought the 2.5i.

Nice mod how did you negotiate the airbag"?? I want to add audio controls to my wheel and it pretty cheap to order the control module that attached to the left part of the wheel.

 

i might assume it would be same as attaching an aftermarket wheel?

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1881734

 

maybe, not sure though

 

edit: OP, looks good! i like your shift knob

Nice mod how did you negotiate the airbag"?? I want to add audio controls to my wheel and it pretty cheap to order the control module that attached to the left part of the wheel.

I followed the instructions for the >07 wheel removal.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/install-steering-wheel-radio-controls-26232.html

 

The first 5 or 6 posts.

 

I followed it and found it to be accurate for the 08s as well.

 

I took pics of my process and will post them in the next day or so.

The plastic wheel and knob were gone the first week I bought the 2.5i.

I swapped the shift knob the day I got it (that Momo knob has a LOOOOONG history for me, as my wife bought it for me a long time ago, when we weren't married and had no money to spend on extras like that).

 

Did you buy a leather wheel new or used?

To me the steering wheel and shift knob were extremely out of place in the Legacy.

 

My wheel came from a basically brand new WRX, but for some reason it was either slightly off to the left or to the right on the steering column so I had to play with the tie rods a bit to get the car to go straight again.

I dont get why Subaru gives you such a sucky interior for your N/A models.

It probably costs the same to produce a console for a GT as a 2.5i, and by just producing 1 they might even save some money..

 

In Norway they kinda turned the whole thing upside down. We get good interior in our N/A 2.0's, but can't even order a GT from the dealership...

To me the steering wheel and shift knob were extremely out of place in the Legacy.

 

My wheel came from a basically brand new WRX, but for some reason it was either slightly off to the left or to the right on the steering column so I had to play with the tie rods a bit to get the car to go straight again.

 

 

Thats what I have read. The leather wheel can be difficult to get aligned straight there has to be some way to common mark the splines to ensure you have a straight wheel I would hope.

 

If I get my hands on a leather wheel i will def follow suit to match my LGT shift knob

The only thing that I would add would be audio controls in the wheel

just a thing to note, the audio controls only work on 6-cd changer models. It is stated in the forum somewhere, because i wanted to purchase them. The SE models only have single disk players so its a no go for us.

just a thing to note, the audio controls only work on 6-cd changer models. It is stated in the forum somewhere, because i wanted to purchase them. The SE models only have single disk players so its a no go for us.

 

 

Yeah I remember seeing that and I bought a 6 CD stock head unit at a auto salvage Expo in Richmond Va about 3 months ago I havent swapped bc I was hoping a SAT radio module and wheel controlls would com up for sale used

Hmm... I wonder if I could do this swap with the wife's Impreza....

I noticed you said you put LGT struts in..... I hope you didn't buy new struts or springs, 2.5i and LGT suspension are the same!

Nice! After seeing this, I cant wait to install my LGT MOMO wheel...

 

and +1 on burnout8488's comment!

+1 on this mod my momo steering wheel is way better than the stock plastic crap.

Agreed on the leather wheel - but my 2.5i came with it stock, is that a Canada only thing? Or for 2009 models?

you have the touring package correct toneranger? not sure exactly whats extra in it, but looks like the wheel is.

I noticed you said you put LGT struts in..... I hope you didn't buy new struts or springs, 2.5i and LGT suspension are the same!

 

Seeing as how we are commenting on it Im sure its too late :lol:

 

I bet those LGT springs are the shit!!!!

The only thing that I would add would be audio controls in the wheel

As mentioned above, they don't work with the single-CD radio, and though PAC makes an adapter that will make them work with my Pioneer HU, it did not seem worth the cost and trouble.

I noticed you said you put LGT struts in..... I hope you didn't buy new struts or springs, 2.5i and LGT suspension are the same!

Springs are the same but struts have different P/Ns. Mixed reports on front springs being different. Rears are definately identical.

 

I have GT struts (bought cheap/used, with all mounts and tophats). Went with Tein H-tech springs in front to level the stance. GT RSB "upgrade" as well.

Yeah I remember seeing that and I bought a 6 CD stock head unit at a auto salvage Expo in Richmond Va about 3 months ago I havent swapped bc I was hoping a SAT radio module and wheel controlls would com up for sale used

 

 

 

The radio controls would be for a LGT UNIT !!!!!!!