[Canonshooter]

Shifter Mod

I gave the 4EAT shifter "the boot" using an OEM 5MT console trim with boot (PN 92121SA500) and a custom shift knob by WC Lathe Werks. The shifter is now shorter - which I like - and I am quite pleased with how this mod worked out.

 

[Arthrogrian19]

That looks really nice Jim! I've been thinking about a custom knob for my 4EAT, but I want something a little taller. Kinda like this:

Do you know if you're maxing out your injectors? Any plans on upgrading your turbo inlet? I just got an APS inlet kit, and it's VERY nice; comes with a ton of hardware as well as the MAF tube.

Edit: Oh yeah! Any plans to swap out the chrome tail lights? I had the '3-05 style tails on my NBP and they looked GREAT!

 

[Canonshooter]

That looks really nice Jim! Do you know if you're maxing out your injectors? Any plans on upgrading your turbo inlet? I just got an APS inlet kit, and it's VERY nice; comes with a ton of hardware as well as the MAF tube.

Edit: Oh yeah! Any plans to swap out the chrome tail lights? I had the '3-05 style tails on my NBP and they looked GREAT!

Thanks Ian!

No, not quite maxed out on the injectors. From the start, I decided to let the injectors be the limiting factor of how much power to make. Since this is a daily driver, I need to keep the well being of the driveline in mind - sticking with the stock injectors seems a reasonable way to maintain a limit.

Black tails and headlights from the '08 Sports already in. I also did the LED strip parking light mod with the headlights.

I have sitting in my garage a new Sports bumper, side grilles and fender liners. The plan is to wait until the weather warms up a bit to have the bumper cover painted and then do the install. While the bumper is off I'm also installing a set of Hella Rallye 4000 compact driving lights behind the grille.

But before I do that, I have a new Perrin TMIC and Gimmick turbo inlet/after MAF hose to install. Since my rattle can paint job on the STi hoodscoop is less than perfect, I will have it sprayed with the new Sports bumper. I am also going to do the CAI conversion/snorkus mod on the stock air box at the same time. This will be the end of my power mods for now.

Lastly, I'm getting the Whileline QR rear strut tower brace and Cusco 23mm FSB with KB links. I hope to have all of that done by spring, at which point I'll get some new photos posted.

 

[yelnats_J]

What is that a flashlight?
And WC lathe Werks ripped off some of shift knob designs. No love for that guy.

 

[Novtec1]

im really diggin that shift boot mod... good idea

 

[tro8]

looking good...I am very jealous of your head lights. i was happy with the fit of the Subtle Splitter with my perrin tmic... i can wait to get down to EFI in the spring and find out what my foz is maken too...

 

[Canonshooter]

Update -

Today I installed a Whiteline rear strut tower brace (with quick release). Other than having to make some minor alterations to the trim on top of the strut towers, install was easy.

Though I still have my mushy Nokian winter tires on, the brace did what I was hoping it would do - reduce body flex when driving on rough roads. The car definitely feels tighter now and I'm sure it will help handling once I get my Advan S4s back on. This mod also made the need to upgrade my stock 20mm FSB even more obvious so I wil be taking care of that soon. I plan on installing a Cusco 23mm with KB links.

I also installed my Perrin TMIC today as well. That was pretty much a direct swap for the '06 STi USDM TMIC that it replaced. I swapped the hoses and eblows over and it bolted right up. The Subtle splitter fits nicely too, with no modification needed.

A quick spin revealed improved off-boost throttle response, expected with the lower pressure-drop intercooler. The new TMIC certainly didn't hurt performance when in boost either.

My next planned mod under the hood is to replace the stock turbo inlet and afterMAF hoses with the GMS product. I am also going to do the snorkus delete on the stock air box so I can pull air directly from the fender. Once that is done I'll be heading back to EFI Logics for a few pulls on the dyno and any tune tweaks that will maximize these mods.

And, I still have the Sports bumper conversion to do. I'm dropping off the bumper on Monday to be painted.

 

[Tuned200]

Nice work as usual Jim!

 

[Canonshooter]

I got my '08 Sports bumper painted at a local shop and it came out very nice. I purchased the bumper new from Manchester Subaru.

One of my peeves with the front bumper is that there is no license plate bracket available from the factory. As you know, the dealer just holds the plate up to the bumper and proceeds to run through screws right through it. There was no way I was going to do this with the new bumper!

After some research, I decided to do it this way. I purchased a plastic license plate mounting bracket from Amazon. This mounting bracket is the same dimensions as the license plate. I also purchased a smoked polycarbonate plate cover while I was at it too.

To complete the mounting plate installation, I picked up some rubber spacers from Autozone (actually, wiper motor bushings) and some nylon nuts, bolts and washers from Home Depot. This way, everything is corrosion proof - an important consideration here in New Hampshire.

Photo 1 below shows mounting bracket mounted to bumper cover:

Photo 2 below shows how the rubber spacers are used as stand offs between the bumper and plate bracket:

Photo 3 below shows the inside of the bumper with the nylon bolts and washers visable. The existing holes in the bumper are used:

Photo 4 below is a close up of the installed license plate bracket:

I plan on installing the new bumper late March/early April after they're done nuking the roads up here with salt and sand. I will no doubt get the clear protective film applied to the new bumper soon after its installed.

 

[Tuned200]

Again, nice work Jim! Your foz is really starting to come together.

 

[Canonshooter]

Again, nice work Jim! Your foz is really starting to come together.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to getting the bumper (and Hella Rallye Compact 4000 DR lights) on, and getting the summer wheels/tires back on too. I will be doing a photo shoot of the car at that point since many of the photos in this thread are getting dated.

My Whiteline 22mm FSB showed up and I painted it today. That and the KB links may go on tomorrow.

Also sitting in my garage is a GMS turbo inlet and afterMAF hose. Maybe in a few weeks if I can catch a reasonably warm weekend I'll do that fun job.

 

[Canonshooter]

Installed the Whiteline 22mm FSB and KB links today. Install was straight forward as expected with no unforeseen problems.

Between the heavier bar, polyurethane bushings and Kartboy links, the improvement is immediately noticeable. Turn-in is sharper and the front end feels tighter. It will be another month before I take the winter tires off, but I would say that the 22mm FSB is a good match for the 20mm STi RSB.

Overall, the current suspension and bracing mods feel just right for every day street use.

 

[Canonshooter]

Installed the Sports front bumper and Hella Rallye Compact 4000 DRs this weekend. Since the weather was nice I put my summer wheels back on too. Did a detail job and took these shots - I very much like the new look!

 

[stan_t]

That looks gorgeous. :Banane35: to my car's beautiful and sophisticated East-coast twin.

Stan

 

[Canonshooter]

Thanks Stan!

 

[cnunez13]

lookin good!! the paint job was done really well

 

[westside1975dt]

Nice!

I'm a noob on here, and a recent FXT owner. I am also a 4EAT owner, and wanted to know if there has been any negative impact on the AT since you upped the HP/TQ. Also, any specs on the duty cycles of the stock injectors with the bigger turbo/IC? How much lower is the overall height than stock? It looks perfect; just enough lowering without it sitting right on top of the tires, IMHO.

Yours is the closest to how I want mine to end up; low-profile sleeper. My favorite FXT I've seen on here so far. Great work!

 

[Tuned200]

As always, looks stellar Jim!

 

[westside1975dt]

My favorite FXT on here so far.

How is the ride with the Swift springs? you kept the stock struts? any bounce? I am putting the same springs on next week (if they come in). Stock struts, possible D-spec upgrade depending on the ride.

Great write-up. love the stealth.

 

[Canonshooter]

My favorite FXT on here so far.

How is the ride with the Swift springs? you kept the stock struts? any bounce? I am putting the same springs on next week (if they come in). Stock struts, possible D-spec upgrade depending on the ride.

Great write-up. love the stealth.

Thanks for your kind words!

The Swifts work perfectly with the stock struts. I've been running them for about 60k miles and the struts are still fine. No bounce at all and the ride is very comparable to stock, but handling is much better.

As long as your stock struts are in good condition, I'd give 'em a try with the Swifts.