Here's some more updates!
Major Service Timing belt, water pump, thermostat and coolant replaced using all OEM parts. No real complications besides the strange water-pump part number and design.
Note: OEM Gen 5 6MT water pump is a bit of a hassle to source in Australia. Zero stock nationwide, had to source from overseas.
Design is slightly different to the normal EJ20/25 water pump. This one has a 90-degree bend to accommodate the factory low-mount turbo.
Also, the turbo J-pipe has to be removed to replace the water pump and thermostat.
2015+ WRX Shifter UpgradeSwapped out the stock shifter with a 2019 WRX shifter assembly. Seems like Subaru has slightly refined the cable shifter with the WRX platform, as this one feels more direct and smoother. Definitely helps with the roughness and notchiness after installing a short-shifter.
Installation is very simple – the shifter assembly is essentially held in by four bolts in the centre console and four nuts underneath the vehicle. Once the stock shifter is removed the WRX one will fit right in and is a direct swap. The only tricky bit is managing the limited space with the tailshaft still on the car. However, it’s still very easy and took me about an hour from start to finish.
The only downside is that the shifter now sits slightly off-centre (to the left) as it’s designed for the WRX centre console. Didn’t find this to be an issue though.
MSR Engineering Retune - 206.4KW 595NMDecided to book a retune with Michael from MSR Engineering after noticing some boost-cut/stuttering during high-RPMs. I initially thought it may have been a vacuum leak somewhere, however the issue was relating to boost-creep.
Car is now retuned with peak power, 206.4KW/595NM ATW. Michael and his team @ MSR Engineering doing a fantastic job as per usual.
STI BrembosLittle sneak peak at what’s coming next
STI Brembo’s off VA WRX STI. DBA T3 rotors, Goodridge SS lines, Intima SR pads and Motul RBF 600 fluid. Calipers will be sand-blasted and resprayed a different colour.