TheDoctor's GC8
 

So this is my new blue GC8. At the moment it's doing its time as our 'good car'. We've also got a little Honda Integra.

While it's doing it's time as our daily it'll be keeping the roof racks, as we use them for carting around our bicycles, and won't be getting a huge amount of loving in the modifcation department. Also we're saving to buy our first house so there's not a lot of money to go towards the WRX account.

Once it has done it's time as our daily and we've replaced the Honda with something nice for Hanna (new style Mini Cooper or MX5) and got something like a Forester to ferry the bikes then I'd like to turn it into a dedicated track car (dreams are free).

Once I do start modding it I was thinking of slightly more speed but mostly better handling. Not going to go over the top in the power department. Stick to a new exhaust system, improved intake and an upgraded top-mount (hopefully a process west job). Get it all tuned and leave it at that.

That way I can keep using it as my road car and take on the track every now and again. Handling wise, I want to achieve the same thing better handling but not going extreme. Hopefully some coil overs, sway bars, strut braces etc, plus lighter wheels, better tyres and upgraded brakes. That way it is still a nice daily and in the future, if it does become a dedicated track car I've got a pretty good base to start from.

In the looks department, get rid of roof racks, get rid of ariel and if possible replace with BMW type one in the rear centre of the roof, spotty covers; white wheels, STI oversize spoiler, new grill (want something with no Subaru badge), delete boot lock; front lip, bolt on wheel arches, re-spray in the same dark blue or complete new paint job in black (again dreams are free), replace orange indicators and orange inserts.

Same photo as in my intro thread:
[img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TOjd0cYhPRY/Th2iKkUmqEI/AAAAAAAAABA/KMogyViOVKY/002.jpg[/img]
(sorry haven't taken any others yet)

Oh yeah Mods so far:

Removed block off plate under driver side bonnet vent.
De-badged boot.

(I know, bugger all really but you've got to start somewhere)

[QUOTE=TheDoctor;593574]Oh yeah Mods so far:

Removed block off plate under driver side bonnet vent.
De-badged boot.

(I know bugger all really but you've got to start somewhere)[/QUOTE]

Make sure you save that bit...

After a while of having it off, I realised it was better left on, as it helps keep the engine bay clean.

Thinking of debadging the boot myself, what did you use to heat it?

Also, reading more into your future plans, not much point upgrading the intercooler if you stick with the stock TD04 turbo.

VF34 seems to be a popular choice for maintaining response etc
What did you have in mind for tuning?

[QUOTE=Jezza;593575]Thinking of debadging the boot myself, what did you use to heat it?[/QUOTE]

If you're not confident around cars its best you use something that emits as little heat as possible, whilst keeping the device at a safe distance, and never concentrating the heat in one area for a long time 'using swirling motions'.

Best bet would be to use some Prepsol 'Wax and Grease Remover', to loosen the glue and either some piano wire or a plastic scraper 'remembering to keep the the scraper as close to the badge as possible'.

Then proceed to use Prepsol to loosen the two way tape and remove the excess with either a plastic scraper or your finger nail or even a cloth.

If you have chosen to go down the heating route once you have the badges off wait for the panel to cool down before removing the excess glue, as the paint will be warm and more susceptible to being damaged.

Once you have the excess off you'll need to buff the portion where you removed the badges to make the paint level consistent.

Prey the following hasn't happened in the past
- The Badges have been put back on with sikaflex; or
- The Badges have been put back on with superglue.

although if your a doctor im sure you can afford a track car

[QUOTE=Jezza;593575]
Thinking of debadging the boot myself, what did you use to heat it?[/QUOTE]

I just used about half a pack of dental floss to get mine off, no heating up. Used wax/grease remover after that to get the glue off, turned out fine. Just got to be ready to use a lot of it, as it likes to snap and shred.

[QUOTE=TheDoctor;593573]
new grill (want something with no Subaru badge)
[/QUOTE]

Might have a little trouble with that, unless you're prepared to settle for an e-bay spec one like this:

[IMG]http://members.shaw.ca/c-mod/items/impreza97grill2.jpg[/IMG]

Would be keen to buy your old one if you do! :D

Hey Jezza, I've still got the block off plate. Still got all the letters from the Subaru badge too.

Yeah, turbo upgrade would be on the cards too if I was to start doing the above.

As far as the tune goes I don't have anything specific in mind yet.

To remove the badges I used my girlfriend's hair dryer to heat the glue and fishing line to separate the badges. Getting the badges off was simple. Getting rid of the goo was tough.

Getting the WRX sticker off was harder than both. I'm going for a smooth no badges no stickers look.

@Rexpected: lol check my sig. Definitely not a Doctor. I'm on a government payroll (read: bugger all) so they're all pretty long term plans up there.

@Patch: That sort of grill would be good if I could find a decent one instead of an eBay special.

^^ Same as. Used the hairdryer and some fishing line.

The glue was a certified bitch to get off. Took a few hours, a bucket of hot water/sponge/chamois and a clay bar kit.

Yeah to get the glue off I used hot water with car wash stuff, big sponge and cutting compound to remove the shadowy marks.

i found this shit is the bomb for removing left over sticky bits after debadging

[IMG]http://www.selleys.com.au/assets/107/P_PolyglazeBug,Tar&GrimeRemover_large_large.jpg[/IMG]

The car looks great. Another idea is some clear corner lights and paint the lower inserts black.

THAT ^^ or very similar stuff called BUG-GER-OFF, seen it in Big W etc, good for windscreens and front end after country drives, and with warm water, it works a treat!

could you just hack the grill yourself? i always too wanted to do this

@ Strubaru: Thanks, I might get some off that polyglaze as there's still a bit of a mark there.

@Bob: Thanks mate, yeah new corner lights would be cool too.

@Red Dragon: I could cut out the grill myself but I don't trust how professional the finish would be if I did it myself.

^ got to have faith in yourself doctor

Just realised that I left off the existing mods that had been done by a previous owner:

Sony CD head deck. (Thinking I might turf it out for one of [url=http://www.sony.com.au/product/dsx-s100]these[/url]).
Clarion APA5240 Amp (no idea of power or whether it is good or not).
Hertz 10" Sub boxed (rubbish, doesn't work half the time, going to replace).

Had a good day today. Started my day with a nice coffee from Vastese. When I got home I got the tools out and performed a resonator-ectomy. I got two 90mm 45 degree spouting connectors and used those to plug the hole where the resonator was and act as a bit of an intake pipe (stole the idea from someone on the Impreza WRX Club forum).

I'm pleased with the result. As far as more power, better response, quicker turbo spool etc that people have reported I'm unsure but the sound is fantastic and is enough to make it a worthwhile mod in my eyes.

Also picked up a couple of little goodies for the car too. An Ultrex style side intake (to be installed at a later date) and an STI oil cap. Thanks to red_dragon 2002.

Have pics also but about to head out and meet some friends for dinner. Will post pics when I get back.

nice to meet you today scott. all the best for your car and hope to see you in the near future

Like I said I got some work done yesterday and took some photos:

First of all my tiny workspace in my tiny garage:

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rOEhPLxITps/Tkdr1bMYBtI/AAAAAAAAAF4/kSM18PaemAw/001.jpg[/img]

Removed Resonator:

[img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c8ZF6-IoGl0/TkdufZsld3I/AAAAAAAAAGs/J_YLTjQLLE8/013.jpg[/img]

PVC pipe into airbox:

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LTdj2piNXZo/TkdrvY1EXwI/AAAAAAAAAFw/JoGf9axznwk/003.jpg[/img]

PVC pipe inner-guard to airbox (use two 45 degree bends):

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aro9x3jCqdo/Tkdrwt6pqHI/AAAAAAAAAF0/X5dCPrw20PE/006.jpg[/img]

Inner-guard shot:

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ds3k3xUsIfE/TkdsCEzd5fI/AAAAAAAAAF8/F7gHpmpLm2A/007.jpg[/img]

For now I've covered up the hole from the resonator pipe with duct tape until I get the proper part from Subaru:

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aBD_7m0NeEY/TkdsIKtll3I/AAAAAAAAAGE/K1qmJxGaVEo/008.jpg[/img]

New bits I picked up from red_dragon2002:

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ul5mCOwB9eg/TkdsHyfCU4I/AAAAAAAAAGA/GPreDUqtHoM/009.jpg[/img]

STI oil cap:

[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QK7-u6xqOUA/TkdsW7GZfKI/AAAAAAAAAGI/rtBqRyIR62k/010.jpg[/img]

Dummy fitting the Ultrex style vent:

[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CWJWi8eb0g0/TkdsaKMAc7I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/KAx3yZPaOTo/011.jpg[/img]

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZhHXrCZTFn0/TkdsY6VqWYI/AAAAAAAAAGM/L0tNpn-YrqU/012.jpg[/img]

For now I'm going to leave the Ultrex vent off as it would only be a cosmetic upgrade. I'd like to do a cold air intake set up similar to this:

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3akAxIb5khw/TkdwhkEfh3I/AAAAAAAAAHA/4CW5S1kz0CI/a.jpg[/img]

That way I could attach a stainless steel splitter/vent (whatever you want to call it) directing air inside from the scoop into the cold air box.

Definitely a hot looking engine bay to aspire to also makes me wish I painted my cooler pipes when they were off.

Thanks mARC. I was mainly referring to the cold air box though.
That engine bay is probably a bit more extreme than mine will ever get.
It's just that that was the first picture I found with that sort of cold air box.

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PVcGsBkUWcE/TkeXj8YgAzI/AAAAAAAAAIo/K-j9IQjoMwM/aabb.jpg[/img]

I picked up a Whiteline Front Strut Brace from Strubaru this evening (thanks mate).
Got it home and whacked it straight on.

Before:
[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vEXxb42yrak/TlT7ix_lk3I/AAAAAAAAAJo/gXxOPl5iNOg/%25255B01%25255D%252520Before.jpg[/img]

After:
[img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yKwf1qy-RxE/TlT7hhwn0tI/AAAAAAAAAJk/TwvxjN9MOlQ/%25255B02%25255D%252520After.jpg[/img]

Picked up another bit for the car today.
A triple gauge pod for the dash.
Thank you to [-Sm0Ke-] was good to meet you.

[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D94uq0iR3g8/Tm8_9k5u4QI/AAAAAAAAAKE/okWWLO3vM1c/s1280/gaugepod.jpg[/img]

Just need some gauges to go in there now.

You've near enough done more to your car in 4 posts than I've done to mine in 4 years!
Keep it up Dr Scott.

Scotty, need to clean that engine bay, and get yourself a bling radiator shroud!

Thanks Alex.

Kym, yeah the engine bay is filthy but CBF cleaning it no one sees it and it don't make it go any faster.

On the other hand blingin' radiator shroud plus blingin' battery cover, cam shroud, and cold air box would equal win.

umm.. I can see pics of your engine bay right there... hence how I knew the shroud was needed... if you're gonna show it off, it's gotta be blinging! :P

lol fair enough.

Should've said no one sees it when I'm driving it then. :P

No such thing as a bling ej engine bay 99.999% of the time

I got a couple of sweet as photos of my car from Kelly, of KAM Images, taken on Sunday at the Colin McRae Memorial Cruise:

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5YzrhW8Cn70/TnnDxY9YCGI/AAAAAAAAALE/Md14kSJ4CNY/001%252520Small.jpg[/img]

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IQJ9PSZ2jo4/TnnDv2oQnII/AAAAAAAAALA/hufFJ7W-CEM/002%252520Small.jpg[/img]

The second one is my favourite.
Thanks again Kelly.

Today I painted my front bumper vents/brake vents/inlet vents/stupid little orange things/whatever you want to call them.

As usual I took loads of pics:

Before:
[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bE90fExGSjw/Tn7EYl5z5FI/AAAAAAAAALs/DhZdjLFyxHs/001.jpg[/img]

During:
[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pI9QUFSRHho/Tn7Edo_vClI/AAAAAAAAALw/-6xNZk1M27I/002.jpg[/img]

Dirty orange vents:
[img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OV41M9ByNCw/Tn7EkgWNYDI/AAAAAAAAAL0/aiuACNJfQZU/003.jpg[/img]

First Coat:
[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YblQowuDd04/Tn7ElOxcruI/AAAAAAAAAL4/BLCUMRR84pI/004.jpg[/img]

Top Coat:
[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t1NPuMtuwcU/Tn7ErewQCUI/AAAAAAAAAL8/qEdyVGg351g/005.jpg[/img]

After:
[img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gwroh-mSv2c/Tn7Er8BAxYI/AAAAAAAAAMA/RaUeRX92Yi0/006.jpg[/img]

[img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GVk2tWb7h3M/Tn7EtzJ0YWI/AAAAAAAAAME/t763T-Zkfps/007.jpg[/img]


I may or may not mesh over them in the future. I haven't decided yet.

A million times better mang, now you need to work on replacing those orange indicators ;)

Thanks mARC, yup clear indicators should be happening in the near future.

:thumbsup: Looks good Scott