New GT owner

Hey everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. I've been lurking these forums for a couple years and have owned a 93 legacy wagon for the past 3. I would come on here to pretty much just look at people's GT wagons and drool ha.

As of a few weeks ago though I was able to find my dream car, a 2005 OBP legacy Gt limited wagon with 130,000 on it that was actually a manual! After only being able to find automatics for such a long time I almost gave in but I'm glad I held out. I've done a few of the easy mods from the cheap/free mods thread; disabled the DRLs, seatbelt chime and plasti-dipped the badges on the rear hatch black. This week I'm taking it in the Horizontal Motorsports to have them do a pre-purchase/tune inspection. If everything checks out I'm hoping to put in catless pipes and eventually get a stage 1 tune.

This site is awesome and I've been able to find all the info and answers I've needed just by searching the forum. It feels great to finally be part of the GT club and getting deuces from my fellow subie bros (I sure as heck wasn't getting them in my 93 leggy haha). I go to school in Tigard and do a lot of my driving in that area so I hope to see some of you guys out on the road!

You just need a catless UP. Best option is from an 07+ STI.

Catless DP isn't any better for performance, and, many have reported issues with catles DPs.

Welcome!

Originally Posted by MrTris

You just need a catless UP. Best option is from an 07+ STI.

Catless DP isn't any better for performance, and, many have reported issues with catles DPs.

Welcome!

Ok good to know, thanks!

Welcome to my twin wagon with twice as many miles! Once you get that catless UP and either High Flow or Catless DP and a good stage 2 tune you will have a blast with it. Don't forget the BMB TMIC bulletproof kit as well.

Originally Posted by magnusonsubie

Welcome to my twin wagon with twice as many miles! Once you get that catless UP and either High Flow or Catless DP and a good stage 2 tune you will have a blast with it. Don't forget the BMB TMIC bulletproof kit as well.

Want to trade? Just kidding, I'm in already too in love with mine. I only wish it had less miles!

I took it into Horizontal Motorsports today and they said the car looks great and has been well taken care of. Definitely a big relief. I asked about putting in a catless uppipe and the guy was sure that none of the LGT's have catted ups in them. I told him that I had read otherwise and he said he would check but seemed pretty convinced that mine didn't have a catted uppipe. What he recommended was a catless down pipe and tune and said it would give me a 50-70hp increase that was near STI levels.

Either way I'm really excited to start modding this thing. I have some extra cash from selling my 93 legacy and want to put all of into my new one.

Originally Posted by Alligaeta

I asked about putting in a catless uppipe and the guy was sure that none of the LGT's have catted ups in them. I told him that I had read otherwise and he said he would check but seemed pretty convinced that mine didn't have a catted uppipe. What he recommended was a catless down pipe and tune and said it would give me a 50-70hp increase that was near STI levels.

Based on that conversation alone, I think you need to find a new shop. While HMS is reputable and a good shop, whoever you were talking to there has no respect for LGTs, clearly, he's an STi-only kinda bro.

Goto Surgeline instead. They know WTF they're doing.

. . Or, drive up to Spanaway, I'd love to see you at PIA!

Just snag an STi up pipe on NASIOC for $50 and put it in. No need to get a name brand one that's uber expensive. Once you go stage 2 you will have a ton of fun. Then you'll want even more. It's never ending.

Originally Posted by MrTris

Based on that conversation alone, I think you need to find a new shop. While HMS is reputable and a good shop, whoever you were talking to there has no respect for LGTs, clearly, he's an STi-only kinda bro.

Goto Surgeline instead. They know WTF they're doing.

. . Or, drive up to Spanaway, I'd love to see you at PIA!

That's what I was afraid of. I wanted to give HMS a shot but I will definitely be going to Surgeline for any work from here on out. And I'd love to if it wasn't so far! Thanks again for your input.

Originally Posted by magnusonsubie

Just snag an STi up pipe on NASIOC for $50 and put it in. No need to get a name brand one that's uber expensive. Once you go stage 2 you will have a ton of fun. Then you'll want even more. It's never ending.

Thanks, I'll defintely look into that. I'm all about saving some cash. And I can only imagine, I'm already starting to realize how addictive this is going to get ha.

I'm also running an OEM STi UP -- got it for $75 (don't pay more than that). You really only need a stock-ish UP, any of those large UPs like, 1.75" and 2" will really decrease your spool unless they're tapered. That, and they're usually about $200 -- why spend that much? It's not twice the UP!

Check Craigslist for an STI pipe too. I found one advertised for $30, but when I met the seller, he said it was a typo. He meant $20. OK, so I had to go to Marysville, but whatever.

Originally Posted by DavidInSeattle

Check Craigslist for an STI pipe too. I found one advertised for $30, but when I met the seller, he said it was a typo. He meant $20. OK, so I had to go to Marysville, but whatever.

I would drive that far North too, for a $20 catless UP.

A friend here in Bend just parted out an STI as donor for an 818. I don't know if he will be using the oem pipe or if he'll get a custom one, I'll ask him for you.

Originally Posted by Sgt.Gator

A friend here in Bend just parted out an STI as donor for an 818. I don't know if he will be using the oem pipe or if he'll get a custom one, I'll ask him for you.

That would be amazing! Surgeline quoted me $500 to install a catless up pipe...

Also, when I went into HMS they told me I needed the lower front ball joints replaced for which they would charge $200. I took it into my local mechanic, a really honest guy who left the subaru dealership here in town to open his own shop because the dealership was so dishonest, and he said the ball joints were perfectly fine. Unfortunately he doesn't do mods or any after market work.

Originally Posted by Alligaeta

Also, when I went into HMS they told me I needed the lower front ball joints replaced for which they would charge $200. I took it into my local mechanic, a really honest guy who left the subaru dealership here in town to open his own shop because the dealership was so dishonest, and he said the ball joints were perfectly fine. Unfortunately he doesn't do mods or any after market work.

Steve @ HMS did the same thing. He worked at Wentworth Subaru for a long time and decided to open his own shop. I don't think he would be advising that your ball joints be replaced without good reason.