Stebru84 South east PA 818s #248 build

[stebru84]

FOR SALE THREAD: WITH CONTACT INFO
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35195-818s-248-FOR-SALE-PA-Titled-Registered-and-Insured


Hello all, I'm starting this thread a little late, I spent more time in the garage than on the computer.
I Picked up my 818 on Oct 24th 2014. I started the tear down of my 2007 R-Titled Wrx about a month earlier and had it out of the way just in time.

The donor has ~62k on it. It was crashed hard in the front and rebuilt by a local Subaru chop shop outside Allentown then sold (more on this will come). I bought off cregs list shortly after placing my 818 order it and used it for nearly a year as an extra car, fixing little things and made sure I had a good drive train to start with.

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The drive train will go in stock and fairly un-touched, for now. I'll worry about finishing the build by spring so I can enjoy it. Next winter the engine and trans will get some power upgrades and a LSD.

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[stebru84]

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Some of the issues I encountered, bent lateral link, and nearly destroying the bushings trying to get that long bolt out.

The one armed bandit that rebuilt this car must have sold off the 4/2pot brakes and put random, mismatched front calipers on it. Thankfully I picked up a matching set on ebay for cheap. They should be enough for such a light weight car.

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Made the long drive from the philly area and back in one day to pick up the chassis.

[stebru84]

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I had one bad wheel bearing so it gave me a good reason to buy a press and replace all 4 and add ARP wheel studs while I had it all apart.


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Front suspension and firewall aluminum installed.

[stebru84]

...

[stebru84]

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My good friend Justin at JSC Speed http://jscspeed.com/ hooking me up with some goodies. He helped me find the right pads (since I didn't really know what year my brakes ended up being. Ebay fronts I bought are from 2010, rears are 05) Whiteline lateral links to replace the bent ones. Stoptec drilled rotors and HP+ pads

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I ended up getting one defective Koni shock. It looks like it had a small dent in the top that was touched up with yellow paint. The dent seemed to flair out the top just enough that the collar would not slide down over. A quick call to F5 and they shipped a replacement out very quickly!


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The engine/trans are in. once I finish painting the brakes I can put wheels on and torque everything in the rear.



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I saw someone else using the electrolysis and Arm and Hammer washing soda to remove rust from parts. I must say, I am extremely pleased with how well it actually works. Brake calipers cleaned up like new with minimal effort.

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Brake calipers all cleaned up, I took a flap wheel to them and smoothed out the casting lines and sharp corners. G2 epoxy caliper paint, looking good.

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Wire harness sprawled out on the basement floor for some dieting

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I really started to miss the WRX (and the donuts I did in the snow last year) so I went out and found a nice clean 12 WRX with 24kmi

[Samiam1017]

where in philly are you located? im located in wilkesbarre area but I have a place in glenside where I stay when I work in philly or nj?

[stebru84]

Lansdale

where in philly are you located? im located in wilkesbarre area but I have a place in glenside where I stay when I work in philly or nj?

[stebru84]

~Dec 1st 2014

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Whats left of the shell. Sold the entire front clip. the rear bumper and tail lights are about all that's left to be sold, recouped about $3K selling off parts to teenagers. And the 180,000mi 2011 Jetta TDI workhorse is upset it has to sit outside.

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Donor car's wheels got some snow tires.

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Had to take a day to clean up and re-organize. The number of boxes is dwindling.



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Pedals and steering column are installed, I have to go in search of a 25/64th for the Rivnuts for the gas pedal mounting.


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Yes I made Vrooom Vrooom noises. The anticipation of go-cart mode!!!

[Samiam1017]

the company I work for there office and shop is in Doylestown. looks good, faster progress than me. maybe when im in town one night I can come take a look. I didn't like a bunch of stuff so im making to many unnecessary changes.

[billjr212]

The 25/64ths can be tough to find. I struck out a few times and used a 3/8 to keep things moving on those first few rivnuts before going and ordering a 25/64 on amazon.

Keep the photos coming. Looks good and I like the new daily driver. Probably would have gone with that white if I bought my car again (dgm 2011 wrx)

[Tamra]

Wow, great progress!

[K3LAG]

The 25/64ths can be tough to find. I struck out a few times and used a 3/8 to keep things moving on those first few rivnuts before going and ordering a 25/64 on amazon.


I found the 25/64 in Milwaukee Tools brand at Home Depot.

Larry

[stebru84]

I found the 25/64 in Milwaukee Tools brand at Home Depot.

Larrynone at my home depot or lowes. But the huge Pep boys had all the odd sizes.

[stebru84]

12/9/14 got a half day off of work, made more progress.

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Fuel pump and tank installed.

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Calipers and pads installed.

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some space saver spare wheels installed backwards so I can torque the rear suspension under load.

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2WD conversion and shifter brackets installed.

[Hindsight]

Looking good - you are moving very fast.

[Quiny]

I hope you remembered to pull out the tapered bearing race, it still looks like it is there in one of your pics.

[stebru84]

after a very frustrating February, I finally got a couple of warm days of work in on the electrical and she fired right up on the first try!!

first start video


http://youtu.be/aRivN83ym-0


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aRivN83ym-0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aRivN83ym-0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://youtu.be/aRivN83ym-0

[K3LAG]

It's a great feeling ain't it!? Congratulations.

Larry

[metalmaker12]

Awesome vid

[wleehendrick]

Awesome vid

Yup; you can't fake that excitement... congrats!

[Tamra]

Congrats!!!

(I think this is my favorite first start video!)

[Kurk818]

Awesome! Great milestone

[chedda]

Congrats man! That is too awesome!

[stebru84]

Thanks everyone, I was shocked when it started, I figured it would crank for some time before starting. And after a ton of "I don't think I need these wires" Clip, clip. The only CEL's are for the removed air pump components and fuel tank vents.

[stebru84]

Things are starting to come together now that its warming up a bit. The first drive wasn't far, I didn't have the wheels anywhere near aligned, I was just eager to get it off of the jacks and make it move under its own power.

More panels installed
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Temporary instrument cluster mount
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New motor mounts
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Added a bung for my wide band, and made a nice mount following others lead
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Wheels on and she rolls!
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[stebru84]

https://youtu.be/0Cq9LLzM_40
https://youtu.be/0Cq9LLzM_40

[stebru84]

First drive


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cq9LLzM_40&feature=youtu.be

[flynntuna]

Great work. I see your using the standard fuel tank and donor seats. How do you like the fit? It's been said by others that for people over 5'10" that a aftermarket seat or the "Boyd tank" or both should be used. I'd like to use the donor seats if at all possible.

[AZPete]

Congrats! Subaru seats, eh? I think you and I are the only guys who are using the donor seats and it looks like you cut down the base, right? Nice work.

[RM1SepEx]

Pete, I'm using stock WRX seats too... That is one VERY low 818! That appears to be less than 2 inches of ground clearance. Congrats on the rapid build, you are really moving along

[Tamra]

Congrats!!

[STiPWRD]

Great job! I like the custom cluster mount

[stebru84]

Great work. I see your using the standard fuel tank and donor seats. How do you like the fit? It's been said by others that for people over 5'10" that a aftermarket seat or the "Boyd tank" or both should be used. I'd like to use the donor seats if at all possible.

I'm 6'2" and my head is 2-3" above the roll bar, I put the stock seat in because I was trying to get ready for an auto-x. I ordered the FFR Kirkey seats, they will sit on the floor and give me just enough head room with a helmet to pass the broom stick...

[stebru84]

Congrats! Subaru seats, eh? I think you and I are the only guys who are using the donor seats and it looks like you cut down the base, right? Nice work.

I was hoping they would work for me but they won't (6'2"). I used the supplied brackets and didn't modify the seat at all, just bolted them on. I don't think you could get them much lower with modification, maybe an inch or two max.

[stebru84]

Pete, I'm using stock WRX seats too... That is one VERY low 818! That appears to be less than 2 inches of ground clearance. Congrats on the rapid build, you are really moving along

I got it running and just set it on the ground, I didn't adjust the suspension before the little stroll in the driveway. I was exceeded to have it move under its own power

[stebru84]

Great job! I like the custom cluster mount

I made a quick mount, running out of time getting ready for a Philly SCCA auto-x in a week

[stebru84]

Making more progress now that it is warm and the shake down auto-x went well. I had to fix a few minor issues.

Properly vented my fuel tank through a small charcoal canister after blowing the o-rings out of the sending unit because it got pressurized...
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Removed and cut down the front CV stubs, they make contact with the shock near full lock. (now that I have wheels/tires that allow full lock)
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I re-engineered the stock CAT so that I did not have to cut a hole in the body. I cut it all apart and changed the angles. I hope that having the emissions components will help me get it registered, then I'll make a proper exhaust.
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[stebru84]

ENKI RPF1 in Bronze. 17x8 et45 and 18x9.5 et38 with Dunlop Durezza ZII star 215/40/17 and 255/35/18
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I'm going to still need at least 5mm spacer for the rear. even though I got near the recommended wheel/tire size/offset it is still hitting the rear link. I have a set of 10mm spacers that seem to put the tire "hella flush" with the rear fenders. The fronts are perfect.
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And now the body mock up is going well.
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[wallace18]

Boy the red body looks great. Much better than the white, IMO.

[Hindsight]

Love those RPF1s!

[Lumpyguy]

you said you have +45 on the front and they fit good? flush to the fenders? no spacers?

[stebru84]

The first test fit, with the shock impressed to the bump stop I was able to turn the wheel full lock without touching the body or the frame. Camber set to about 1.5 deg.

[stebru84]

Saturday auto x at Mid State airport with the Central Pennsylvania Region SCCA

It took several runs last Sunday at a Philly event just to get the mold release off of the new tires. They are finally getting grippy and I can finally start to get a feel for what she can really do. Braking was an issue, the fronts just locked and at high RPM's it felt like the rear was still pushing me as I locked up and under-steered. I started making half turn adjustments to the willwood adjuster, turning down the fronts. I think after about 3-4 full turns the rears are defiantly helping now. Braking is strong and confidence inspiring now, and you can see the difference from saturday to sunday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pU-r00xps4

Sunday was much better. I kept adjusting my brake bias and the car kept getting better and better as I learned how it handles. Its amazing how much more confident it feels when all 4 brakes are contributing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwDGCOIk-JA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwDGCOIk-JA

I for some reason cannot get the youtube video to play in the forum. I got it to work once before but can't get it again... back to the garage where I belong.

[Tamra]

Nice! You were really driving the car in the 2nd video. Looking good!

We had to adjust the brake bias to the rear quite a bit too.

[stebru84]

Fitment photos, I have the spring perch adjusted all the way down and compressed the shock to the bump stop.

The front is 215/40/17 on 17x8 et 45 with no spacer. there is plenty of room inside and out. it looks like 235 would fit fine but the diameter is the issue. These do not rub at all

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For the rear I got 255/35/18 18x9.5 et38 But they rub the front upper control arm. These photos are with a 10MM spacer essentially making them ET28. I think 31-32 would be ideal offset. There is a minimal amount of rub only on the driver side fender, but i need to shift the body a little and get a proper alignment. I will have my spacers shaved to 7MM and it will be perfect without much room for anything wider.

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[stebru84]

3 FFR cars at Mid-state airport for the Central PA region SCCA suto-x 6/6-6/7

See Post #43 for the vids of this auto-x

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6/14 6/15 Auto-x with NEPA SCCA at Pocono raceway

My best run from Sunday

https://youtu.be/8zAMUmA_MB0
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Blooper reel, Learning about the pendulum effect/lift off over-steer of the rear engine.
https://youtu.be/AY8sogWfGkQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY8sogWfGkQ&feature=youtu.be

And this is what will happen if you nail a cone at 60MPH without any support inside of the front bumpers... vid in the blooper reel of the damage and a nice view of the front suspension (once the cone is out of the way)

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A nice view of the engine and rear suspension.

https://youtu.be/r2HBQwxLgYQ

[stebru84]

I have the brake bias adjuster maxed out and I still feel like I need some more rear bite so I istalled the H6 rear brake upgrade, Rear caliper brackets, rotors, and pads from a 2003 Legacy H6 bolt right on and have about 1" larger diameter.

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Drilled out the spot welds to remove the dust shields and everything bolted right up.

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[Tamra]

Great videos! That autox track looks fun. Out of curiosity, are you running the stiffer springs in the back? Any sway bar? You seem to have a lot more oversteer issues than we do. We do have the race shocks though, and the 500lb springs on the front.

I actually had a photo of your car sent to me via facebook a few weeks ago, from someone I know down in Penn that saw it. We are definitely close enough - we should meet up at an event sometime! Do you ever go to NNJR? It's 1 hour 40 min from you. We are only 3 hours apart (Landsdale, PA to Shelton, CT). Your track looks like so much fun, we might just have to make the drive and meet you there sometime and we can race our 818's :).

[brian b 36]

i used the 06 legacy gt rear brakes they are vented and bigger the the 03s the brakes feel real good but only have been street driving mine

[stebru84]

So far I have assembled everything according to the manual, yellow shocks, and using the donors sway bar. I have not had a profeaonal alignment, zero toe f/r -1 camber front and -.5 rear.

suspension setup suggestions will be greatly appreciated. there is a bit of understeer at the limit but at lower speeds if I turn in too quickly the rear will break loose.

I've never been to nnjr, its a bit further than I typically go. Pocono was awesome, 2 days, capped entry made for a lot of runs on the 70-80sec courses. CPR at mid state airport will probably be my next event. large open runway and lots of runs.

I really need to focus on finishing up the body work, I've done 50miles worth of autox and it has not given me any mechanical issues other than the shifter being really crappy. but I think I have to stiff of a clutch that i think dosent fully disengage making it hard to shift


Great videos! That autox track looks fun. Out of curiosity, are you running the stiffer springs in the back? Any sway bar? You seem to have a lot more oversteer issues than we do. We do have the race shocks though, and the 500lb springs on the front.

I actually had a photo of your car sent to me via facebook a few weeks ago, from someone I know down in Penn that saw it. We are definitely close enough - we should meet up at an event sometime! Do you ever go to NNJR? It's 1 hour 40 min from you. We are only 3 hours apart (Landsdale, PA to Shelton, CT). Your track looks like so much fun, we might just have to make the drive and meet you there sometime and we can race our 818's :).

[Tamra]

The biggest issue I see in your current set up is your alignment. Typically, on a RWD car like the 818, you would want to run more rear camber than front camber. We currently have -2 front and -3 rear. Also, if the rear still likes to come around, doing a little toe in on the rear (1/16-1/8") can help stabilize the car.

Since you have the S springs, your car probably rolls a little bit. That means that even if your rear tires have a wide contact patch driving in a straight line, when you turn, the body roll will cause the contact patch to move to the outer edge of the tire, which will give you less contact patch and bad tire wear. You want to increase the camber until the point where when you turn, and the car rolls, it actually goes from an inner contact patch to using the entire tire (max grip).


The front of the 818 is a bit limited for camber unless you cut the upper arms. At -1 you might be maxed out without modifying them. To start, I would recommend increasing your rear camber to somewhere in the range of -2 to -2.5 if you are on street tires.

Note: I just noticed you are running the OEM rear lateral links. These might limit your camber adjustment (we have the FFR adjustable ones). You'll have to play with that upper bar to see what you can get.

[RogerB]

Nice video!! Congratulations!!

[stebru84]

Thanks for the advice, After looking at the tire wear more rear camber will be defanatly be beneficial. I'll make adjustments and report back after the Cone Killer Classic http://scca-cpr.com/wp/?p=315


The biggest issue I see in your current set up is your alignment. Typically, on a RWD car like the 818, you would want to run more rear camber than front camber. We currently have -2 front and -3 rear. Also, if the rear still likes to come around, doing a little toe in on the rear (1/16-1/8") can help stabilize the car.

Since you have the S springs, your car probably rolls a little bit. That means that even if your rear tires have a wide contact patch driving in a straight line, when you turn, the body roll will cause the contact patch to move to the outer edge of the tire, which will give you less contact patch and bad tire wear. You want to increase the camber until the point where when you turn, and the car rolls, it actually goes from an inner contact patch to using the entire tire (max grip).


The front of the 818 is a bit limited for camber unless you cut the upper arms. At -1 you might be maxed out without modifying them. To start, I would recommend increasing your rear camber to somewhere in the range of -2 to -2.5 if you are on street tires.

Note: I just noticed you are running the OEM rear lateral links. These might limit your camber adjustment (we have the FFR adjustable ones). You'll have to play with that upper bar to see what you can get.

[stebru84]

Repaired the crack caused by a cone at 60mph...

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Installed front and rear engine cover hinges.

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These damn pins for the front turn signals caused me days of frustration, I was sent too many of the wrong ones, thankfully I was able to pull enough pins from the remainder of the wire harness

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[stebru84]

Front hood hinges made by Zero Decibel Motorsports, Very nice product. Some hood reinforcement will be needed.

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Measuring up some aluminum for a custom splitter, aka cone slicer!

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Windshield and wipers next.

[stebru84]

Fabricating a splitter from aluminum.
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Test fit, drilling holes,
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Finished product,
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I used some of the scrap to reinforce the hood, I drilled holes and used epoxy to bond them to the hood to make it less flimsy when open.
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[stebru84]

She looks like a car! Front end is attached, lights work, body panels fit, well. Ready for redemption at another Pocono auto-x hosted by NEPA SCCA

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[stebru84]

Where she belongs, at the track!! video to follow soon.

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[Mechie3]

First cone marks? Looking good!

[Tamra]

That looks great!

A few questions:
1) Is the splitter permanently attached or is it removeable?
2) Are you autocrossing in XP? The 818 was classed to E-Mod in the SCCA rulebook I thought
3) Are you worried about the imbalanced aero (no rear aero) causing oversteer issues? I guess you'll find out soon enough! Let us know how it goes

Good luck today!

[stebru84]

Auto-x at Pocono Pa NEPA Scca.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chwtszG7vyg&feature=youtu.be

[stebru84]

That looks great!

A few questions:
1) Is the splitter permanently attached or is it removeable?
2) Are you autocrossing in XP? The 818 was classed to E-Mod in the SCCA rulebook I thought
3) Are you worried about the imbalanced aero (no rear aero) causing oversteer issues? I guess you'll find out soon enough! Let us know how it goes

Good luck today!

Thanks,

1,throughout the entire build I have made nearly everything removable with riv-nuts, all of the body panels including the splitter.
2, I didn't really know (care) what class I was in. I was told by my local club, XP has a better pax. at this point I'm still getting blown away by a ffr cobra and a daytona coupe on hoosiers at some events.

3, so far I have found it under-steers quite a bit at speed, but then again, this is the first time out with the body on and alignment done with tape measures. and the brakes don't work good enough for me to want to go much faster until i figure how to get more power to the brakes. I have the bias all the way to the rear and they barely seem to help slow before the fronts lock up.

[stebru84]

First cone marks? Looking good!

Thanks,

not the first cone marks, watch the blooper reel in my signature, I had a bad one in the spring, and that's why I built the overkill splitter.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Looking good Stebru84.
Slap the interior in and get some plates on it.
Bob

[stebru84]

After hibernation I have started working on the 818 again with the addition of an air-water Intercoller AWIC. with the parts being being supplied by Craig at ZeroDecibel Motorsports.

Removing the front clip to install the heat exchanger and pump
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Clocking the turbo to point the compressor outlet up to shorten the piping. Huge snap ring required a tool purchase :-)
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I did not like the angle the IC was going to be at using a straight coupler to the throttle body, I was concerned with engine cover clearance and it also was touching the bleeder on the clutch slave. I got a 45 reducing elbow and trimmed some to get the IC to sit flat, It clears everything.
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[stebru84]

Trimming the coupler for a nice fit
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I modified a forester XT BPV to fit on the greddy flange with a spacer and gasket
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I fount the perfect coolant hose at Advance auto. I only needed to cut it in the center and trim the ends for a nearly perfect route back to the stock dump location. (I did not feel like removing the intake manifold to try and connect it directly to the inlet tube)
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[Mechie3]

Nice! I like those ratcheting snap ring pliers. I did mine with a cheap set that kept popping off the ring.

[stebru84]

After one last Test and tune to verify my new AWIC and brakes were working flawlessly before I Install the splash gaurds.

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Installing the windshield
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I was not happy with the FFR option to add wipers. I was not about to butcher the hood to make room for the supplied cowl so I hacked up a spare subaru wiper assembly and made my own center wiper.
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[stebru84]

The single wiper parks on the passenger side, makes a nearly perfect 90 sweep. And I only had to make a small notch to the edge of the hood for clearance. I also added a washer bottle (PA regs)
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And the temporary windshield defroster...
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[stebru84]

The walk around

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Passed with flying colors!
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Recognized by the state of PA as a real car!
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Transferred the donor car's tag
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And the first legal cruise for some ice cream to celebrate!
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[flynntuna]

Congratulations! Great inspiration for us still plodding along.

[Hindsight]

Congrats on the first legal drive and getting to this point! Looks like we have the exact same wheel and tire combination - color and all. Of course, I am biased, but I think it looks great ;)

[UnhipPopano]

Right below "The Walk Around" I noticed some small rectangular objects on both sides at the back of the car. Are those reflectors or clearance lights?

[stebru84]

Right below "The Walk Around" I noticed some small rectangular objects on both sides at the back of the car. Are those reflectors or clearance lights?

stick on reflectors for inspection. the headlights have orange reflectors but nothing is visible from the side in the rear.

[Samiam1017]

did they register it as a street rod? my local advanced inspection station said i didn't need seat belts or wiper to pass that it would be a hot rod. and they weren't required, they inspect a not of t-buckets with no safety gear and it would fall in with them.

[svanlare]

Congrats on getting it legal!

[stebru84]

did they register it as a street rod? my local advanced inspection station said i didn't need seat belts or wiper to pass that it would be a hot rod. and they weren't required, they inspect a not of t-buckets with no safety gear and it would fall in with them.

Not street rod, Specialty constructed vehicle

[CU9DZ]

What wiper arm did you use? Doesn't look like either of the ones I got with my donor car. I am looking for the thinnest arm I can find ?
Dave

[stebru84]

What wiper arm did you use? Doesn't look like either of the ones I got with my donor car. I am looking for the thinnest arm I can find ?
Dave

It is the longer of the two that came with the wiper kit that I bought from factory five. But I did not use the wiper kit I cut down and modified the Subaru wiper motor assembly

[stebru84]

I have been wrestling with this decision for over a year but I have decided to take serious inquiries about letting her go. I need to make room for new projects.

For sale. #248 received kit October 2014. PA titled and registered June 2017.

I know I'll never get what I put into it but is someone else's time to enjoy it.

Located in Lansdale PA, 19446

[stebru84]

Sad day, our racecar got crashed this past weekend. I need to sell the 818 to fund a new build.
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My 818 Completed, registered, insured. for sale south east PA

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35195-818s-248-FOR-SALE-PA-Titled-Registered-and-Insured

[Rob T]

I hope everybody was OK.

[stebru84]

Every one walked away.

My 818 is for sale!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35195-818s-248-FOR-SALE-PA-Titled-Registered-and-Insured