Another New Guy - Qld

[redbucket]

That's probably one of the other main reasons I'm holding off for now.... the tyres on the stock wheels have 75% tread left.... and if I went for new wheels, I would definitely be leaning to 19". Me being a tight arse, I don't want to have wheels with bulk tread left laying around the garage for the next x amount of years

[redbucket]

So couple of little changes to the GT. On Saturday I picked up the new sports mesh grille from Horizontal Boxer (thanks bloke!), and threw it in pretty much straight away. I did lose one screw into the abyss of the engine bay however, so need to chase a replacement sooner or later. Even though I'm sure you all know what the grille looks like, I've thrown up a quick and nasty pic anyway. I think the front end looks a hell of a lot better now - just need an STI lip to finish it off.

To add to that, I couldn't resist Matt's visit to Brisbane over the weekend, so had the wagon tuned. I must say, the improvement from stock was startling. The auto shifts are so much better now, the torque from down low and through the mid range is like night and day to before and S# mode is rather addictive. Just the smoothness and drivability gains are worth every cent and more, not to mention the power and economy improvements (haven't really been able to test this just yet). I head back to work in a couple of days, so a few weeks with the wife behind the wheel in Intelligent mode will give pretty reasonable feedback for the economy side of things.

[kiahatsiu]

Saw this thing turning right from Creek Rd in to Old Cleveland Rd at 11:35 yesterday. Looked good. I was just thinking how much they had grown on me, then I saw the plates.

[dubbwah]

Hey Adam , welcome and congrats on the purchase, you mentioned the Ipod set up for the misses.
Not sure if you have done this?
You can also pair your iphone with the multimedia and play your itunes using the steering wheel controls

[redbucket]

Saw this thing turning right from Creek Rd in to Old Cleveland Rd at 11:35 yesterday. Looked good. I was just thinking how much they had grown on me, then I saw the plates.

That would have been the wife.... after spending a large sum of my cash at the shops

Dubbwah: Yeah at the moment I've just got a USB charger and aux cable running it from the centre console box... Can't be fucked installing a cable under the dash etc. I don't have an ipod/iphone with music, so couldn't really care to be honest, as long as the other half is happy, so am I.

[redbucket]

Got this thing serviced last week and the mechanic mentioned the front brakes need to be done. So I got some DBA T3 rotors and QFM HPX pads from GSL/Brakes Direct, and they go on tomorrow. This thing is never going to be modified to be quick, so really can't justify to going down the brembo route, as much as I'd love to justify them to myself! Either way, should be a half decent improvement over the OEM gear.

[bigBADbenny]

Looking good!!!

[redbucket]

So in the last month or 2 I've gotten the front brakes done, as mentioned above, DBA T3 rotors and QFM pads. They are great, and definitely a noticeable improvement over the OEM gear. Have also had some STI pink springs installed resulting in a nice little improvement in handling and minor drop in height. Pretty much exactly what I wanted, so very happy at the moment. I am now thinking about a rear sway bar to tighten things up out back. Also, I'm considering changing out the stock rear mufflers for something different, mostly for looks (I can't believe I just said that). Although a little extra noise wouldn't be the worst thing. I have a local quote to get a y pipe and replacement mufflers with quad tips fabricated and fitted for $600... Or there's also the possibility of grabbing some second hand x-force mufflers and tips.... decisions decisions....

[SYM]

Sounds like great progress Adam

If you do go with the rear swaybar, you should look at getting some HD mounts to reinforce the existing OEM mounts (and reduce risk of them snapping due to thicker swaybar).

AVO world sells GenV specific HD mounts (note gen4 mounts do not fit)

I just bought my pair via Henry (rrussh) - will be putting them on soon at the same time as my rear brake upgrade


Re exhausts, for a while I was looking at something quieter than my HKS premiums, I saw these on dazzz's forester (I was getting some flak from my wiser half that the HKS premium were too loud - until Matt fixed up the exhaust noise a bit)

They are the Prova by Fujitsubo black stainless mufflers - the black finish looks good, and sound like they are quiter and less boomy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5utcsETtuE

Also check out Gav (Omega5) build thread
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=25898

he has upgraded his stock muffs to 'Apexi HYBRID MEGAPHONE Evolution'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqKSslc7DXE

[redbucket]

Great info, thanks Simon.

[redbucket]

Racked up another 400km or so today in the wagon. Went on a drive with a couple of mates today (FIFO work is good for something!). Ipswich - Beaudesert, Canungra, down to Murwillimbah and back up through Currumbin Valley/Tallebudgera. Was a long drive, but a great day. Definitely need some sway bars/mounts and some other bits and pieces for the suspension. The wagon still went quite well and kept me smiling the whole time.

[redbucket]

Ran this out at Willowbank tonight for shits and giggles. Gets off the line really well but with stock exhaust, it struggles in the top end. Best run of the night was 13.94 @ 98mph with a 60ft of 1.93.

[redbucket]

Got new wheels fitted today. BBS Reps, in 19x8.5 +35. No problems at all with fitting, well not at my height anyway (stock + STi Springs). No scrubbing, even with a full load in the rear and a twisty/bumpy road. Just need to source some centre caps now (have some coming from ebay, but not 100% they'll do the job).

[redbucket]

Not sure that anyone reads this thread (might have it in the wrong spot I suppose?), but got a custom dump/front pipe made up and installed today. Just mated up to my stock rear section and mufflers. Will be interesting to see the results once it's all tuned up, but this is a much cheaper option than a HKS or other off the shelf item (although, not as pretty obviously).

Details here:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=744391812269570&id=116487288393362

[redbucket]

So it's been a big week or so for this thing. New wheels/tyres, dump/front pipe from AM Auto, and yesterday I fitted up the FRP front lip. I think rice-wise, I'm just about done. Maybe some tail lights and a rear spoiler to finish it off.