First Upgrades to 3.0r Spec B Wagon?

[angusmcgrath]

G’day all. Picked up my MY06 6MT 3.0r Spec B wagon a couple of weeks ago.
Have only done some basic functional repairs since.

Wondering what people would recommend upgrading/modding first?
(Given that everything is running how it should already)

What have people found make the greatest impact in driving experience? - other than engine mods.
Tyres, brakes, suspension, shifter etc.

Will take some more pics pretty soon after a good clean up, but until then, here’s a quick shot -

[bigBADbenny]

Btssm or at least torque app for obdii digital coolant temp gauge with alarm.

Shockworks coilovers or the best dampers you can afford, eg Koni sport yellows or new KYB’s.

PS4 tyres.

A safe(er) tune.

A new stock radiator & hoses if they’re over 150k km.

Read this, very important for h6 owners.
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=36458

CorgiWerx STS adapter or Cobb Legacy 6mt short shifter.
CorgiWerx also do upgrade shifter bushes etc.

Otherwise, see the links in my signature for other useful FAQ’s

[sheppo9]

Besides the safer tune (helps to possibly prevent head gaskets leaking), I'd put a rear sway bar on any Subaru wagon first.

[bigBADbenny]

Not required with great dampers imho.

Most aftermarket bars are too heavy: get a custom bar just over stock torsion, 2 positions = 3way adjustable.

As per Leon Turbo Lag.

I’d go a custom front bar just weaker than stock, 2 position: I like compliance to maximise grip.

[angusmcgrath]

Btssm or at least torque app for obdii digital coolant temp gauge with alarm.

Shockworks coilovers or the best dampers you can afford, eg Koni sport yellows or new KYB’s.

PS4 tyres.

A safe(er) tune.

A new stock radiator & hoses if they’re over 150k km.

Read this, very important for h6 owners.
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=36458

CorgiWerx STS adapter or Cobb Legacy 6mt short shifter.
CorgiWerx also do upgrade shifter bushes etc.

Otherwise, see the links in my signature for other useful FAQ’s

Cheers Ben, i’ll keep all of those in mind, and try to chip away at them over time. - would probably say radiator and suspension upgrade/replacements would be priority given it has 270,xxx kms on it.

[bigBADbenny]

If they haven’t been done already, all stock relieved bushes can be replaced with solid aftermarket items.

That’s front control arms rear position (aka LCA), rear trailing arms forward position, front (silicone filled) & rear diff bushes, pitch stop and gearbox mounts.

The latter two I’ve upgraded to Group N and its not too noisy in conjunction with stock engine mounts, which I have a spare set of for when the time comes.

I have AVO caster offset LCA bushes (works best with pokey rims, stock might rub inner guards, KCA399 adjustable rear upper outer bushes to correct rear camber from slight lowering, and absolutely essential: AVO HD rear swaybar mounts, yes even for stock swaybars.

And a solid GD STi steering uni joint

[Turbo Lag]

Ben's nailed it here. His advice is great, basically go for reliability + Shockworks + PS4 and you'll be onto a winner.

The stock brake set up is decent enough for street. Invest in some decent pads (personally a fan of Intima SR) + some fresh brake fluid. If you want better feel, some braided lines are a nice to have but not necessary for performance.

You'll also probably want to do a double DIN headunit as it's so much better than the stock unit in terms of usability. Sound quality of the stock system is pretty decent otherwise.

[angusmcgrath]

Cheers guys, I’ll keep it all in mind once I start working on it a bit.

Side note: does anyone know a good place or website to get a decent aftermarket radiator for my 6mt model?

Can get a Koyo auto radiator from a place in Sunshine for $297 - oil cooler just wouldn’t be in use?

[bigBADbenny]

Sounds good.

Otherwise oem replacement from Bursons or Repco.

[angusmcgrath]

You'll also probably want to do a double DIN headunit as it's so much better than the stock unit in terms of usability. Sound quality of the stock system is pretty decent otherwise.

100%. Will be looking at getting a double din fascia soon and putting in the Kenwood head unit I installed in my Impreza.

On that topic, do some fascias come with the required mounting brackets and adapters for steering wheel controls?

Recommend anywhere in particular to grab a fascia kit?

[bigBADbenny]

Matthew Parslow aka hardwarebob in Melbourne, paul burns in Sydney.

[angusmcgrath]

Matthew Parslow aka hardwarebob in Melbourne, paul burns in Sydney.

Thanks mate, just sent Matthew a message.

[jdmsubielover]

G’day all. Picked up my MY06 6MT 3.0r Spec B wagon a couple of weeks ago.
Have only done some basic functional repairs since.

Wondering what people would recommend upgrading/modding first?
(Given that everything is running how it should already)

What have people found make the greatest impact in driving experience? - other than engine mods.
Tyres, brakes, suspension, shifter etc.

Will take some more pics pretty soon after a good clean up, but until then, here’s a quick shot -

Nice wagon mate!
If you are after feedback from the car and driving dynamics, Inspect and replace all rubber bushes either with oem rubber for comfort or with polyurethane for better feedback from the chassis.
Replacing shifter bushes is also a good upgrade for shifter feel.

[montyLalor]

Cheers guys, I’ll keep it all in mind once I start working on it a bit.

Side note: does anyone know a good place or website to get a decent aftermarket radiator for my 6mt model?

Can get a Koyo auto radiator from a place in Sunshine for $297 - oil cooler just wouldn’t be in use?

I'm about to receive a "custom" radiator from PWR at Yatala, on the Gold Coast. I've made sure their design will be a simple bolt-in OEM replacement, even using the OEM fans. Whilst $1315 is expensive, their fancy 42mm core is supposed to cool better than a stock 50mm core, and the racing pedigree/ expertise that is PWR ensures maximum reliability and superior heat management. Tell Steve that Luke sent you.