Moby Dick

It's come to the point I think I should start chronicling my new automotive journey.

 

So let me introduce you to the great white whale:

 

How it sits now.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0002_zpsjbfearn7.jpg

 

Plans for this weekend:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0084_zpsi7l2gf1o.jpg

 

So far I'm enjoying the Subaru world. As big as the car is, even with the shot suspension, it handles pretty well. After this weekend, and some time in the shop it should handle much better.

 

Other parts sitting in my living room are: JDM spats (from a wagon I guess but not a problem to fit from what I understand). They need some serious clean up, I have some paint and stripper shipping to me to take care of that.

 

JDM power folding mirrors, funny I hate wiring ... a lot, but I'm kind of excited about these.

 

Custom leather accents from Redline Goods - these will also being going in this weekend.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0085_zpsrw1an2s6.jpg

 

A new drivers seat - it's dirty AF but in way better condition than the one that is currently in the car ... and hopefully has a working heating element.

 

2007 STi roof spoiler, I know a lot of people don't like it but I did some test fitting and I think it looks pretty good.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0015_zpsmilnf35c.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0016_zpsbtty0shu.jpg

 

Currently completed projects: mild interior conversion and JDM double DIN install.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0059_zpsn5vn15bj.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/d23e4dff-89db-4b62-95c6-e9ee1a75294b_zpscxkrozrz.jpg

 

Yeah it's a bit messy (also on the to do list). I like the black panels as a little subtle accent of the center.

 

A few custom touches I added.

 

Armrest:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0057_zpsqragkeqx.jpg

 

Ashtray:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/cf4e68b1-d89a-4059-8d6f-064e792bacef_zpsjydj9rf5.jpg

 

Overall I'm very pleased with how this turned out. After 7 hours of kids and back and forth between the house and the car for tools, and filing and hacking. It's in, it works, and I like it.

Hey I like that roof spoiler. I'm interested to see the final install.

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Hey I like that roof spoiler. I'm interested to see the final install.

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

I'm scurred to drill into my car. But I found a solid walkthrough ... it just happens to be in a different language ... but with the power of google translate I got the gist of it.

 

There will be plenty of pictures once I get clear plan in my head and get it done.

Also ... holy shit expensive suspension comes with instructions:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0074_zpsfr4ggin3.jpg

I'm scurred to drill into my car. But I found a solid walkthrough ... it just happens to be in a different language ... but with the power of google translate I got the gist of it.

 

There will be plenty of pictures once I get clear plan in my head and get it done.

 

Why not use 3m mounting tape. Stuff never comes off without alot of force.

I have seen very few legacys pull off the STi window vane, good luck.

Why not use 3m mounting tape. Stuff never comes off without alot of force.

 

Peace of mind.

Fun times this weekend. Got the ohlins installed.

 

Some pics of the night before:

 

Awww they sent me stickers:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0088_zpshiyyhgox.jpg

 

The packaging is really top notch. These are the springs from Ohlins, this box also had the upper mounts and perches for the shocks.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0089_zpsqs7k22ug.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0090_zpsdvx2rn06.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0091_zps7d5iubbn.jpg

 

But I'm using these:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0095_zpstvhrbxoq.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0096_zpspbvfwjog.jpg

 

 

Dust boots, and shocks in this box, very nicely packaged as well.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0097_zpswyyeoztd.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0098_zpsfeboh7cr.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0100_zps3coxa3i6.jpg

 

Getting ready for assembly.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0101_zps4zyvn4ru.jpg

 

Boots had to be trimmed. In retrospect, I think they may call for a little too much to be taken off.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0102_zpsxluqydnp.jpg

 

Preloaded and assembled according to Ohlins reccomendations:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0105_zps1popkkr7.jpg

 

Fronts are inverted:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0107_zpsqem3afqg.jpg

 

All ready to go:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0109_zpsaztxubpx.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0112_zpsjynxjtus.jpg

Now to do work:

 

As it sat when I was getting ready:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0113_zps5dzlkoas.jpg

 

Old and busted:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0115_zpsmxnqyugi.jpg

 

New hotness:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0116_zpsby3kuwls.jpg

 

And a side by side comparison:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0117_zpspcvsoogf.jpg

 

It has brackets for all of the lines ... honestly never seen that before ... no zip ties needed:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0118_zpsgfvklggn.jpg

 

So pretty:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0119_zpsxbdgdid5.jpg

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0120_zps1fykp44m.jpg

 

I swear they raised the car though, maybe because my fronts were just barely this side of blown:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0121_zpsz3svze76.jpg

 

On to the rears

 

Side note WTF subaru ... what did you change mid model that I get bolts torqued to 118 ft-lbs but post 2007 it's only 46 ... I hate you so much:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/ec5b9a11-bd78-4b18-b92d-0d1bd71e4241_zpsultvnfkb.jpg

 

This stuff is my best friend ... mostly because it wasn't for whoever had this car last.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0123_zpssdrkxtcx.jpg

 

#%(&* you and your 118 ft-lbs ... dear lord that was in an awkward spot for getting it loose and torquing it down ... got it done though:

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0124_zpshzshqtmx.jpg

 

Rear ride height ... didn't get a before picture, because I was in the zone a bit.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0125_zpsu23movu4.jpg

 

Say hello to my little friends ... not having folding rear seats made getting to those mounts a bit of a stretch.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0126_zpsqcqas0a6.jpg

 

Especially the rear ones. Pretty straight forward installation though.

 

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee38/AutoXCivic/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0127_zpsrsiyeb5s.jpg

 

 

No impressions of them just yet. My power steering is giving me grief so no spirited driving until after I get it back from the shop. It's going in on Monday for some general maintenance and refreshing. I did drive the car around the block and it feels pretty solid, but was making a weird noise (separate thread on that). We'll see what's going on with it next week.

Really interested in where this build goes

Plan is for it to be the ultimate touring car, which will be perfectly comfortable at my local autocross events. I have some plans for cosmetic upgrades to make it a little unique, since the last stock looking car I had went missing.

 

Depending on how it feels after the rest of the suspension overhaul, it may or may not get sway bars.

 

Performance wise I'll be shooting for about 300 awhp, and will eventually be swapping in a six speed.

Nice to see your project get going. Looks like you chose the right suspension!

Why use the Eibach springs and not the Ohlins?

Why use the Eibach springs and not the Ohlins?

 

I wanted stiffer rates than Ohlins offered off the shelf.

 

On that note I can't say enough good things about the customer service and responsiveness of the people at Performance Shock in Sonoma. It was amazing to work with them and they were always quick to respond to my inquiries. Would definitely reccommend them.

Looking good

Sweet choice of coilover! sub'd

**** that suspension is amazing.

I went the cheap route on a few things with my civic when I was building it ... those turned out to be things that got replaced with good parts later. Not falling into the same trap with this build.

 

Got a plan and going to try to stick to it. Not going to forgo quality to get something done quickly.

 

I'll post a comprehensive review of the suspension when I get the car back. Although there will be a few other variables since I have a complete overhaul/refresh of a lot of the other suspension components being done. Pretty much everything except the sway bars is going to be minty fresh.

I'm very curious about those coilovers. I spoke to the Ohlins guys last year at SEMA about getting a set and I'm still no completely sold, as they're about a grand more than Racecomps.

Car should be back in my hands may Monday. Shop found some other things while doing the work I took it in for, so it's taking a bit longer.

... some other things

 

Anything interesting? We must know all teh maintenances!

Anything interesting? We must know all teh maintenances!

 

Well the original "all the things" was:

 

Full engine reseal

Timing belt/water pump

New oil pickup (moroso I believe)

Super Pro ALK

Witeline rear arm kit - and tie rod/bump steer correction kit

Corner balance

Figure out what I fucked up with the shocks on install ... and correct the ride height

Fix leaky power steering

Grimspeed up pipe

Turbo inspection

ARP headstuds (because why not)

Various other bushings to tighten things up, since it was all apart anyway

 

Things that got found:

Clutch was toast (comp stock replacement inbound)

Scratch on Cam Cap and Cam - small bit of material also present in oil (being micropolished and entire oiling system being cleaned and new oil pump (ACL?) installed) - may be in the market for some new (complete) heads soon as a "just in case" measure.

 

Shouldn't have to do any maintenance for a good long time after this.

What company did you order the ohlins thru and what did you pay? I love my rce tarmacs but ohlins are the bees knees.

I paid ~$2800 for everything shipped to my door. It was slightly more because of the Eibachs. The ohlins kit does come with springs so if you were happy with the off the shelf rates (about 400lb for all four corners) you could spend slightly less.

 

I ordered them through Performance Shock, Inc. out of Sonoma, California. They were great to deal with and very informative and responsive. Ohlins USA doesn't stock the Road and Track kit so it had to be ordered from Sweden.

Awesome and thanks for the reply. I have dealt with them before. They fixed one of my ohlins fps that was damaged via ups.

 

I am emailing them now. Thank you again.