Salt Lake City, UT 2006 WRX Donor Break Down

[Ellimist]

I wanted to drive the donor for a year prior to parting out, so I went with a restored salvage title 2006 WRX Limited Wagon. I realized a drive-able/reliable donor was a rather "premium" route with regard to price, but it's been a good way to get to know the car prior to parting out. Several months into ownership it developed an issue with its fuel pressure regulator allowing ~90psi fuel pressure on a regular basis that caused an intermittent starting issue, but since diagnosing/fixing that issue it's been a very fun & reliable car. I'm rather new to car projects, so parting out the donor should be interesting!

Here are the dealer photos of the car - it really hasn't changed since:
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Given it was a fun car I was doubting whether I could actually take it apart, so I got a 2013 WRX sedan so I wouldn't be without a thrill while parting out the 2006 wagon.

[longislandwrx]

you shouldn't call your donor a ****. she's a respectable girl.

what a shame to chop up such a clean wagon, was it a theft recovery?

[Ellimist]

you shouldn't call your donor a ****. she's a respectable girl.
what a shame to chop up such a clean wagon, was it a theft recovery?
LOL, just couldn't resist the urge to use a provocative title. I've accepted that our relationship's going through a rough period since I've moved on to a "hot, new thing" (i.e., the 2013 WRX sedan) and am planning to dismantle her, so I've already dug myself a hole and calling her a **** just makes the hole slightly deeper. I can only hope she'll forgive me once she's transformed into a speedier, sexier roadster!....About her history, I didn't see any theft in the record but she had a bad re-ending and the entire left rear corner/door was replaced. Got her for $13,800 which is pretty pricey as donor's go, but I got a solid daily driver for a year and I'm hoping it's cleanliness will allow 1) easier re-sell of parts, 2) more parts that are usable (less parts to replace/source), and 2) easier break down.

[Ellimist]

After a month of courage building, I finally decided to start lopping parts off the donor! Got the battery, front bumper cover, headlights, front fenders, & side skirts removed. Took a bit to get going and figuring out how to remove the plastic fasteners without obliterating them, but after that it went pretty smooth. The right side was the "learning/slow" side and the left went real smooth.

Broke my first 14mm socket trying to break loose the bolts holding the bumper, otherwise the bumper would be removed by now.

Time Lapse:

http://youtu.be/U7-rttZdURY

[Ellimist]

3/29/15: Removed front bumper, wiper fluid tank, front hood, air intake, bottom of rear seat, spare tire, and floor foam in rear cabin. Am now charging battery so I can roll the windows down to prep for removing doors.

Time Lapse:

http://youtu.be/PzkYfsPBuVw

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Ben
Cut out the front of the car makes it easier to pull the engine.
Bob
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[Ellimist]

That looks too easy ;). It's probably a lost cause trying to find a buyer for the bare frame, but I'll keep that dream alive for a bit. Plenty to remove still, and gosh I gotta start trying to sell this stuff!

[STiPWRD]

That looks too easy ;). It's probably a lost cause trying to find a buyer for the bare frame, but I'll keep that dream alive for a bit. Plenty to remove still, and gosh I gotta start trying to sell this stuff!

Stick with it man, since your donor isn't wrecked there's always a chance someone will buy it. I got $500 for my 02 sedan shell after completely stripping it apart.

[Ellimist]

4/14/15: Removed wipers & wiper cowel, front seats, shifter/cup-holder/storage center trim, center console/climate-control/vents & stereo, glove box, and trim under dashboard.

Time Lapse:

http://youtu.be/cU-E3oLcyU4

More pictures added of break down:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxaB488EJ8MMflZNZUlnS2dZaVlJM2tUeE5 GbGFrT3NCSmRwNGNjRW10VFlXcXZNdUJJQ1k&usp=sharing

[Ellimist]

...yep, I did a pretty bad job keeping this thread updating. Anyhow, here's the full donor breakdown video (https://youtu.be/d85h111sJ5I), which has all 18 time lapse parts reduced down to a 10-min video. The playlist (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFVZD7a6KM2gpewIO7hO4zGpYtE1giApM) has each of the 18 parts for those interested. It's definitely been a learning experience.

[longislandwrx]

nice video.