Absolute truth. Ive dumped probably 3 to 4 times my vehicles worth in parts, maybe even more with the advent of a brand new motor last year, and now even a refresher for that block.
I can tell you, there will be blood, sweat and sometimes even tears, but the end result is something that will blow the minds of many and keep auto insurance costs to a bare minimum (compared to an actual STI). I cant tell you how many times ive made smug smirks turn to looks of shock when a granny wagon puts the hurt down on some EVO, Mustang, SRT's, or dare i even say, other WRX/STI's?
Feel free to read through my (lengthy) journal if you have time, it contains quite allot of essential swap information that i cant remember every single day off the top of my head. For starters, if you want an ACTUAL STI swap, your looking at quite a bit of work. There are 2 routes you can take.
1.) (I took this) Compile parts and do research into every little nook and cranny you will need to make it work. Subframes, fuel system, wiring harness merge, possible hub/axle upgrades to accomodate the 6spd, depending on year, custom exhaust setup, possible custom driveshaft setup depending on hub/axle/rear diff situation, a tune, ect ect... its VERY involved. Also, the driver pedals because the STI is drive by wire, not the factory cable driven one that the 01 SF has. This route was difficult in the sense that sometimes back pedaling occurred due to missed little things like fuel relays or proper grounding.
2.) (I WISH i did this) ... buy a whole wrecked STi that is in one piece and salvageable. With this route, you actually swap piece for piece, part for part, EVERYTHING over to the SF chassis. Rob (member here) did this with his SF5 forester. What this route means is there is less hassle of wiring or missed items because you literally gut everything from the donor STI to the transplant recipient, the SF. I mean, everything... the Dash, the heater core and HVAC system, the entire engine and dash wiring harness, most fuel system components, the subframe along with engine, trans, axles, diff, driveshaft, hubs, brakes, ect. This route costs more upfront but will cost you less in the long run of things because you have a car to take everything off of and put into your SF. What makes this route a little harder is finding a wrecked STI in time before it becomes a part-out monster on NASIOC or something. You need the whole thing, intact and untouched aside from the damaged goods. Your best bet is to find one that had been either rear ended or T-boned, as to see very little damage (and an OK occupant i hope) to the vital swap components. I would say steer clear of any front end totaled vehicles, your going to want all the other components such as the steering rack, the radiator, ect.
I hope this helps you see things in perspective now. Either way, its a challenge, but the end result is something completely unique, different and above all, high performing.
