Getting Ahead of Myself

I had moved to the Subaru from a 240sx still motivated by the stock KA24DE, and I was set to enjoy the car and keep it stock. That lasted about four months. In my opinion, the ultimate problem with keeping a stock STi is that the car offers you almost no incentive to do so. In factory form the car is, harsh, noisy, and flamboyant; the three largest reasons you would stay away from modifying something more mature. Past that, the car responds fantastically to a little work, while offering almost no downsides. Discovering this, it wasn't until I came around to needing a set of tires that things went crazy. In my tire shopping I had also stumbled across the fact that SSR was declaring bankruptcy, the result of which was the complete liquidation of most wheel stock, especially models that would be discontinued regardless of whether or not Tanabe would save the company. Thus I ended up with not only a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, but also a set of 17x8.5 +48 Gold SSR GT2s, which had fallen from their mid-high 300 dollar mark, to a ridiculous 81 dollars a wheel.

This set of the modbug for me, I was going to make the car faster with stage two, and past that I was building with an even larger turbo setup in my immediate future. I figured surely 450-550 was super doable and necessary for the car, after all it could do it, so certainly I should. Ordering up a Helix downpipe, and the loudly brabling HKS Carbon Ti, Injen CAI, and tuning equipment from Cobb, I had a great start that would allow for big power later. I also planned to build an inspiring and affordable suspension out of STi JDM Pink Springs, RCE Camber Plates, Cusco Front and Rear Tower Bars, Cusco Front and Rear Sway Bars and Cobb Endlinks. Keeping an eye on everything, the car received a set of Defi BF Boost, EGT, and Oil Pressure gauges in an ATI pod.

For the knowledge and ability I possessed, the car came out of this absurdly well. Obviously no decision was made arbitrarily, but I had a car that I was unable to drive past 40% of its potential stock. The car was much better than I, but I just couldn't accept that long enough to leave it alone and enjoy it. I had no need for the power I wanted, nor any means of comparison to justify it. The intake setup was great for building high end power but placed the filter horribly, low in the filthy fender lining. The suspension setup; however, was baller. The Cusco pieces were fantastic, and the JDM Pinks made for a much better match to the factory dampers. The car had a great stance, but was much lower and harsher than I had anticipated. Unfortunately the car would soon suffer from a common issue in the 04 model, with failed rear struts. The combination of issues I had forced a revamp of my setup, but I stand by this as one of the best solutions for handling on a budget.