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WRX USA's 09 OBXT Build Thread


WRX USA

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I purchased a 2002 WRX in October of 2001, something I had been planning to do since Subaru announced a WRX finally coming to the US. At that time I chose 'WRX USA' as my user name and I have no affiliation with the Subaru parts place in SoCal (although I am sure he hates that I have the gmail account and the California license plate). After modding my bugeye for almost 12 years, I wanted a daily driver that didn't attract as much attention and allowed me to go camping, hiking and on more road trips more comfortably. My intention was to take it easy on mods on my OBXT and go crazy on my WRX.

image.thumb.png.09e776821a29a182cd433d535d15f915.png

I still have the bugeye as of March 2024.

 

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I purchased my 2009 satin white pearl Outback XT back in July 2013. I had been looking for 4-5 months trying to find a one owner five speed that was well maintained. I was willing to drive 600+ miles to Portland or somewhere else in the northwest where I could actually find one of these from time to time. Searching on CL one came up 50 miles away and within minutes of it being listed I had it held until the following day when I could come for a test drive. I bought it that next day and picked it up three days later, after they replaced the windshield. It had 77K miles on it and it was a one owner car and that owner lived about 15 miles from me and they traded it in on a newer Outback. Even though I had planned not to do major mods, I already had an AP V2, a Prova Si knob and a STi Genome strut tower brace. I should have known at that point that I was going to completely fail on "taking it easy" on the mods.

 

Here I am picking it up.

image.thumb.png.46e095e71a1214a81717039041d7ee3e.png

 

How it looks now:

yJxfCka_d.jpg?maxwidth=2560&shape=thumb&fidelity=high

 

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Power

IAG Stage 2 Tuff (#2476)

- new OEM block

- new OEM nitride coated crank

- Cosworth 1431 pistons

- IAG Spec H beam rods

- ACL “H” STD HX main bearings

- ACL “H” STD rod bearings

- Manley piston rings

ARP Head Stud Kit

Blouch DOM1.5xtr 2.4” inlet and 8cm hotside

Cobb SF intake and box

Cobb Flex Fuel Kit with Fuel Pressure Monitoring kit

Company 23 Anti-Surge EBCS

AEM 340lph fuel pump relayed to 12v source

-4 Fuel Return line

Fluidampr crank pulley

Fuelab Mini fuel pressure regulator 25-90psi

Grimmspeed TMIC w/ black thermal dispersant coating

Grimmspeed STi style hose for TMIC

GSC Beehive Valve Springs w/ Titanium Retainer Valvetrain Kit

GSC Power-Division Stainless Steel Exhaust Valves, 32mm

GSC Power-Division Stainless Steel Intake Valves, 36mm

IAG TGV Deletes (black)

IAG fuel rails anodized black

IAG fuel lines with STi FPR

IAG AOS in black

IAG air pump delete

ID1000's

IP&T V1 Filtered Oil Feed Kit

Killer B Motorsport High Flow Water Pump Housing (WPH)

Killer B Motorsport High Performance Oil Pan (EJ25Pan)

Killer B Motorsport Ultimate Oil Pickup (070-110)

Killer B Motorsport Oil Baffle Windage Tray (EJWT)

Killer B Holy Header with EWG V-Band Uppipe, Swaintech Coated

Koyo aluminum radiator

Perrin 2.4" black silicone turbo inlet

Prova Air Intake Guide

Samco ancillary, radiator and oil cooler lines

STi 11mm Oil pump

Subaru OEM water pump

Tial MV-S 38mm EWG in Black rerouted into downpipe

Tomei Poncams

Tomei Timing Belt Guide

TurboSmart BPV

 

Transmission/Driveline

SpecB 6MT (swapped at 114,850 miles with 63,500 miles on driveline swap)

SpecB Driveshaft

SpecB R180 Rear Diff

SpecB Front/Rear Axles

SpecB Aluminum R180 Rear Diff Mount

SpecB Clutch Slave Cylinder

SpecB Shift Linkage

Cobb Double Adjustable Short Throw Shifter

GroupN Transmission Mount

Cobb Front and Rear Shifter bushings

TiC transmission crossmember bushings (1001-01-0025)

 

Suspension

JDM Outback Bilstein Tuned Suspension (BTS-5056J)

SpecB top hats (20320AG01A)
SpecB dust cap (20326AG000)
JDM rear shock perch (20370AG010)
JDM rear rubber upper (20375AE011)

STi flexible front tower brace (ST2050221010)

STi flexible lower arm bar (ST2051221010)

STi front support kit (ST20106ZR000)

 

 

STi S402 flexible rear arm bar and matching floor board (ST2050321020/ST9506521010)

 

Whiteline 22mm front sway bar with lateral locks (BSF30Z)

Whiteline front end links (KLC32)

Whiteline 20mm rear sway bar with lateral locks (BSR39Z)

Whiteline rear end links (KLC144)

AVO HD rear sway bar mounts braces (S1104M1HT001T)

SpecB front aluminum control arms (polished and clear powdercoated)

Whiteline lower inner front bushing (W0508)
Whiteline lower inner rear bushing (anti-lift/caster correction) (KCA334)
Whiteline front roll center/bump steer - correction kit (KCA313)

SpecB rear upper aluminum lateral links (polished and clear powdercoated)

Whiteline upper inner bushing (W63396)
Whiteline upper outer bushing (camber correction) (KCA399)

SpecB Rear Aluminum Trailing Arms (polished and clear powdercoated)

Whiteline lower front bushing (W63398)
Whiteline lower rear outer bushing (W63394)

Cusco HD sway bar end link brackets (684316A, powdercoated gunmetal)

Whiteline adjustable rear lower front and rear lateral links (KTA124)

Whiteline rear control arm - lock bolt kit (toe correction) (KCA307)

Whiteline front steering - rack & pinion mount bushing (KSR207)

Cusco steering rack brace (692026ALHD, powdercoated gunmetal)

Perrin Steering Dampener Lockdown (PSP-SUS-565)

SpecB Steering Rack

 

Wheels/Lugs/Tires

Summers-

Enkei Raijin wheels, 18x8" gunmetal

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 235/45ZR/18

Winters-

Subaru 2004 STi BBS wheels, 17x7.5" (powdercoated gunmetal)

Continental ExtemeContact DWS06 tires, 225/55ZR/17 (installed 11/7/15)

Spares-

Subaru JDM V7 STi wheels, 17x7.5" +53 (powdercoated gunmetal)

STi/McGuard black locking lug nuts (ST28170ST020)

STi/McGuard security lock nut set (ST28170ST060)

 

Brakes

04 STi Brembos (rebuilt and powdercoated white with gunmetal logos)

DBA T2 front rotors (DBA4654S-10)

DBA T3 rear "adapter" rotors (DBA4655S-10)

Technafit rear stainless steel lines (SUB-1125CL)

Stoptech front stainless steel lines

KNS Brakes rear Legacy Brembo swap stainless lines (bSWAP-100 Clear)

KNS Brakes v1.1 rear Brembo adapter brackets (KNS-005)

Porterfield R4S front brake pads (AP1001-R4S)

Porterfield R4S rear brake pads (AP961-R4S)

Motul M550 brake fluid

Grimmspeed master cylinder brace (091029)

 

Interior/Convenience

JDM STi/Recaro passenger’s seat with side impact airbag (mounted in USDM drivers position and modified with OEM seat heating element)

JDM STi/Recaro driver’s seat with side impact airbag (mounted in USDM passengers position and retrofitted with USDM OEM Occupany Detection system and modified with OEM seat heating element)

EDM facelift center console swap

STi parking brake lever

WC Lathewerks Titanium reverse lockout, shift boot retainer, and parking brake button

WRX dead pedal

WRX drive-by-wire accelerator pedal

WRX clutch and brake pedal

Prova yellow wide view rear view mirror (90130IT0020)

Prova Si-Drive selector knob, black (90000IP0100)

DAMD steering wheel, round, black leather with black stitching (SS358S-2)

Prova shift knob (94000MS0011)

Subaru JDM dual center console

Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX

Infinity Reference 6500CX 6.5”+ front door speakers

Alpine tweeter panel (KTX-F01LE)

Infinity Reference 6032CF 6.5" rear door speakers (with adapters from phenryiv1)

Subaru JDM Tuned by STi doorcards with Alcantara

Subaru JDM double DIN/dual climate control panels (H6217AG911)

Subaru JDM Hazard Switch (83037AG001)

Subaru JDM Clean Box

Subaru JDM rear bumper luggage cover (E1017AG000)

Subaru JDM STi door sills (ST5802021000)

Subaru JDM Alcantara covered center armrest

Subaru JDM rear all-weather cargo mat (J5017AG360)

Subaru JDM SpecB reclining rear seat with cup holders in armrest (perf’d black Alcantara/leather)

Subaru JDM rear trim pieces (with slots for reclining seat)

Subaru JDM rear seat belt guides (for reclining seats)

Subaru JDM reclining rear seat brackets

Subaru JDM black D pillars and rear gate window surround

Subaru JDM rear cargo cover/tonneau (for reclining rear seats)

Subaru OEM side and middle cargo nets

SpecB Shifter Trim

STi/Defi Performance Gauge Pack (Boost/Oil Pressure/Oil Temp)

Dynamat Xtreme and 1/2" Dynaliner on all 4 doors

Dynamat Xtreme in spare wheel well

All interior lights converted to LED

All black trunk floor (w/S402 specific floor board)

 

Exterior

Subaru JDM Outback D-F Bumper

Subaru JDM Outback bumper beam with lines for washer headlights

Subaru JDM Outback D-F Bumper Skirts (E2417AG090)

Subaru JDM S402 Grille (from #241)

ZeroSports Carbon Fiber Grille with badge

Subaru JDM Outback Grille

Subaru JDM S402 HID Washer Headlights (with LED turn and city lights)

Subaru JDM Outback D-F Foglights

Subaru JDM Outback Fenders

Subaru JDM Outback Flares

Subaru JDM Outback Fender Liners

Subaru USDM Aluminum hood

Subaru USDM Hood Scoop

Subaru JDM Outback rear bumper

Subaru USDM Legacy GT rear bumper beam

Liberal wagon spoiler

Liberal under panel

Subaru JDM waist spoiler (E7217AG010)

Subaru JDM power folding/heated side mirrors

Subaru JDM mirror garnishes (J1017AG070)

Subaru JDM S402 side aero panels

Subaru JDM rain visors (E3617AG010)

Valenti full LED taillights (SB1101-C5W-R)

TapTurn w/Strobepack module

Debadged rear hatch

Prova Yellow wide view side mirrors (90130IT0010)

Diode Dynamics LED fog lights (6000K)

Diode Dynamics LED reverse lights

Diode Dynamics LED switchback turn signals (amber/6000K)

K2 Twin Tube LED mirror turn signals

Primitive skid plate

 

Engine Bay/Dressup

Prova Carbon Intake Duct (50130TR0000)

Prova Air Intake Guide (81130FD0190)

SuperStik oil dipstick

Syms Brake Master Cylinder Cover

Grimmspeed ceramic-coated turbo heatshield (092002)

Subaru JDM accessory engine bay covers (46112AG000)

Prova oil cap (94000MS0110)

Subtle Solutions alternator cover

GroupN Motor Mounts

 

Exhaust

Maddad Catted Downpipe

Nameless Performance mid-pipe

JDM Prodrive wagon-specific mufflers

 

 

 

image.thumb.png.da78154209ec7ab17e49e91334f70b75.png

 

 

Wheel/Brake/Suspension:

image.thumb.png.28bea9849bc1f2b16f927a659ef7ed0e.png 

 

Front Suspension:

image.thumb.png.d3543cdad59d652c4f8b08f60b0c0798.png 

 

Rear Suspension:

image.thumb.png.ed9b37e18baf213eaeb3b256907e6703.png

 

image.thumb.png.e6d681b4f2b29ab8b7f6b9a09628b9ee.png

 

STi S402 Flexible Rear Arm Bar (and all black trunk floor)

image.thumb.png.3154a49f55a7859a0f99b6a0cdc07547.png

 

Engine Bay:

image.thumb.png.d24a37a5f21df92d570b619b1a950a62.png

 

JDM Valenti Tails and Rear Garnish

image.thumb.png.112ee361a6ac0ffb7ce388d515c480c5.png

 

Prova Mirrors and K2 Twin Tube LEDs

image.thumb.png.621d0aa887a5cb33799de12a6247fab2.png

 

image.thumb.png.88c8f0b0d846351d4e0a05d6459a6a97.png

 

Interior:

image.thumb.png.fb832271ed11e991f8fa4ca116034b45.png

 

This is just my first attempt at getting this started and there will be many edits to this original post and updates and more pics along the way.

Edited by WRX USA
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Nice! How does the grimmspeed cooler fit with the LGT hood scoop ducting?

 

It fits but there is a gap at the front edge, because of the drivetrain being lower within the body than an LGT.

 

This is the best place for info on GS TMIC (http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/grimmspeed-08-wrx-lgt-top-mount-intercooler-interesti-212367.html). Especially the last few pages, after people have received them.

Edited by WRX USA
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Very nice. A few questions, if you don't mind.

 

Are you still running 225/55/17 tires?

 

Also, are you considering blacking out your headlights or going black around the grill instead of the white surround?

 

Did you do all the dynamat at once? I'm wondering if you felt the doors or the spare tire well made more of a difference? I was considering doing the four footwells and the spare tire well and thought I'd ask you how much of a difference you thought the doors would make.

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Kelvrick said:
Very nice. A few questions, if you don't mind.

Thanks!

 

Quote
Are you still running 225/55/17 tires?

Yes, I am still running the 225/55/17 Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires that the car came with but these will be replaced with higher performance tires soon.

 

Quote
Also, are you considering blacking out your headlights or going black around the grill instead of the white surround?

I'm not sure how obvious it was from my previous pics but I have wrapped the surround of the grille in matching vinyl, the "wings" in the middle are gloss black, and the Subaru badge is satin white on gloss black. I have no plans to change the grille but I do have another set of headlights that I plan on doing an HID retrofit on and clearing the corners. I am not decided on how much (if at all) I want to black them out.

 

Quote
Did you do all the dynamat at once? I'm wondering if you felt the doors or the spare tire well made more of a difference? I was considering doing the four footwells and the spare tire well and thought I'd ask you how much of a difference you thought the doors would make.

 

Yes, I did do all of it at the same time. The doors makes the door speakers sound much better and it seems like there is less road noise. I am not 100% convinced that Dynamat that I did in the trunk did anything.

D1E83D6A-696C-4886-B54B-11E211A9A89B.jpeg

CB93D68A-1AE0-46B9-8479-DDBA4A171234.jpeg

Edited by WRX USA
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Thanks for the response. I did notice the changes you already did and was referring to the surround that you vinyled white.

 

Just in case you haven't seen, Heffernan has a similar grill, but with the surround in black.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5140992&postcount=1052

 

I'm jealous of your suspension and brembos.

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Thanks for the response. I did notice the changes you already did and was referring to the surround that you vinyled white.

 

Just in case you haven't seen, Heffernan has a similar grill, but with the surround in black.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5140992&postcount=1052

 

I'm jealous of your suspension and brembos.

 

I'm not sure if I have seen Heffernan's grille before and that is what my original plan was. I like the white on the surround but I might change things up when I retrofit the headlights. I really wish Subaru didn't give the US a completely different grille than Japan, for the facelift, because that would make my life much easier.

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i think this is the first time me seeing your car! NICEE. One day Ill see ya in person.

 

Do the control arms make much diff for everyday driving? So nice looking and theres so much that can be done to spruce up the OB suspension! Its really the only thing i dont like about the car.

Edited by kaitanium
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i think this is the first time me seeing your car! NICEE. One day Ill see ya in person.

 

Do the control arms make much diff for everyday driving? So nice looking and theres so much that can be done to spruce up the OB suspension! Its really the only thing i dont like about the car.

 

It's hard to quantify how much of an improvement the aluminum arms made because I replaced all of the bushings at the same time, but even if they don't they sure do look good!

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Ridiculous mod list - beautiful car! Do you use the ride height, or are there plans to go low?

 

I use the ride height on road trips and camping, and that is why I opted for the JDM Outback Bilstein's so I could have the heigth and the best possible ride.

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  • 6 months later...

It has been a while since I have updated this thread.

 

I am now almost at 107K miles.

 

I did the 105K service and installed the Gates Racing Timing Belt, Tomei Timing Belt Guide and Killer B Water Pump Housing at the same time.

 

Since then I have installed the Perrin Steering Dampener Lockdown (http://perrinperformance.com/i-22342620-steering-dampener-lockdown.html) and Group-N transmission mount.

 

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/JoshEAllen/9FCAE791-FCC6-41C2-909F-62AEF9C84697.jpg

Edited by WRX USA
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  • 2 months later...
  • 2 months later...

I have been amassing parts for some time now. I am planning both a power upgrade and an aesthetic change. I'll provide more details this week when I get a large shipment but I am pretty sure no one has done this in the US.

 

In the mean time, I got these mirror finishers/garnishes yesterday (J1017AG070)

 

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/JoshEAllen/C6FBB97D-0AA8-4494-A7D0-6F243FCB418F.jpg

Edited by WRX USA
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Since then I have installed the Perrin Steering Dampener Lockdown (http://perrinperformance.com/i-22342620-steering-dampener-lockdown.html) and Group-N transmission mount.

 

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/JoshEAllen/9FCAE791-FCC6-41C2-909F-62AEF9C84697.jpg

 

Any noticeable improvement with the Perrin lockdown installed? I was looking to do the same mod but wasn't sure if it was worth the price.

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I have been amassing parts for some time now. I am planning both a power upgrade and an aesthetic change. I'll provide more details this week when I get a large shipment but I am pretty sure no one has done this in the US.

 

In the mean time, I got these mirror finishers/garnishes yesterday (J1017AG070)

 

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/JoshEAllen/C6FBB97D-0AA8-4494-A7D0-6F243FCB418F.jpg

 

How much did you pay, if you don't mind? I have a garnet red pair that I don't intend to use.

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