RSutton's 2011 SSM WRX Hatch Progress

Discussion in 'Member Journals & Project Build Stories' started by rsutton1223, May 11, 2011.

  1. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

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    Dyno/Exhaust Clip/Track Video

    392 WHP Subaru WRX on Dyno and Atlanta Motorsports Park - YouTube

    My original thread had stage 2 in the title that I couldn't change and had gotten pretty messy...so I thought I would start a clean one up to show the progress and keep from getting the same questions over and over again since the information was so hard to find in the thread...

    This was a long road. We found out earlier in 2011 that we are pregnant so I was looking to drop the '07 Avalanche I was driving. With 2 Boxers and a kid...it was going to be a PITA and I was itching for something fast again anyway. When I settled on the WRX (thanks to Subaru giving the 2011's the STi body/width treatment), I had a hell of a time finding one and they were no longer taking orders.

    Luckily, by pure chance, I stumbled upon almost exactly what I was looking for at a local dealer before they had a chance to list it on their website.

    I get asked a lot why I went with the WRX over the STI...well this is why...

    [​IMG]

    2011 WRX premium in Designo Magno Alanite Grey from Mercedes-AMG.

    Current Mods

    Power/Engine
    TSM RR1 Short Block
    • 99.75 CP Stock Compression Ratio Pistons
    • Manley Turbo Tuff Rods
    • ACL Main Rod and Thrust Bearings
    • ARP Case Bolts
    • Blueprinted Oil Galleys
    • 2012 STI Crank
    Check and Deck Heads
    STI 11m Oil Pump
    Killer B Oil Pickup Tube
    ACT HDSS Clutch
    Custom Dyno Tune by TopSpeed in Alpharetta, GA
    Blouch Dominator 1.5XT-R Turbo
    Aeromotive 340 Fuel Pump
    ID 1000 Injectors
    STI Intake Manifold
    Borla UEL Header
    Invidia Up Pipe
    Perrin Front Mount Intercooler
    Perrin Cold Air Intake
    Grimmspeed Phenolic Intake Manifold Spacers
    Grimmspeed EBCS
    Tial QR Recirculating BOV
    Cobb AccessPort
    SPT Catback Exhaust
    GReddy SP Elite Catback Exhaust
    Invidia Catted Down Pipe
    SPT Oil Cap
    Grimmspeed Black Turbo Shield

    Exterior
    35% Tint
    Bi-Xenon HID Retrofit (4300k) with removed orange marker
    Yakima Highroller 2 Bike Roof Rack
    Debadged Rear and Grill
    STI Front Lip Spoiler
    XXR 527 18x8.75 +35 Flat Black
    Work Emotion 11R 18x9.5 +38 Flat Black
    Hankook Ventus V12 255/35/18
    Michelin Pilot Super Sport 265/35/18
    Bayson R Carbon side skirts
    Black Hella Supertones
    Rally Armor Mud Flaps (black/silver logo)
    Shaved Front License Plate Mount

    Suspension/Misc
    GTWorx Bilstein/RCE Yellow Strut Spring Combo
    RCE Tarmac 2 Coilovers (400/400 spring rate)
    Brembo 4 pot front and 2 pot rear (painted silver w/black logos)
    Kartboy STS w/Kartboy F&R Bushings
    RaceComp Sway Bars F&R
    Kartboy Endlinks F&R
    Alignment: 0 Toe -2.5 Camber
    Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
    Whiteline Anti-Lift Kit
    Whiteline KBR Rear Braces

    Interior
    GTSpec D Shaped Steering Wheel (Custom by JPM Coachworks)
    Sparco Milano Alcantara seats (Custom by JPM Coachworks)
    STI Center Console in Alcantara by JPM Coachworks
    SMY Gauge Hood (Custom by JPM Coachworks)
    Custom Alcantara Door Cards by JPM Coachworks
    Custom Door Arm Rests by JPM Coachworks
    Prosport Boost Premium Gauge (white needle/red numbers)
    Prosport Oil Pressure Premium Gauge (white needle/red numbers)
    Red Illumination Kit
    Pioneer AVIC-X930BT
    Pioneer XM Radio
    MOMO/Subaru Shift Knob
    WC Lathe Works Ti Shift Knob
    JPM Coachworks Short Throw Shift Boot (black leather/red stitching)
    JPM Coachworks E-Brake Boot
    LPG Aluminum Dome Tweeters
    ScanSpeak Discovery 4" Midrange Drivers
    Peerless SLS 6.5" Midbass Drivers
    Hertz 165XL 6.5" Components (Front Stage)
    Tang Band 3" Bamboo Drivers
    Custom Fiberglass A Pillars for Hertz Tweeters and 3" Midrange (Custom by JPM Coachworks)
    10" Dayton HO Sub in Audio Integrations Box
    JL W3 10" Sub in Audio Integrations Sub Box
    JBL MS-8 Audio Processor for Active Crossover Setup (LCD Panel Mounted in Center Console)
    Rockford Fosgate 3.sixty3 Audio Processor
    Hertz HDP 4 Amp
    Massive BX4 Amp
    JDM Radio Bezel
    1080 3M Carbon Vinyl Overlays
    Innovative Wideband Gauge
    Valentine 1 on Blendmount

    The night I picked it up.

    [​IMG]

    First thing I did was wash, clay bar and waxed the next morning to get the lot grime off the car. The silver really pops once it is clean.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Update

    Cobb AP Mounted

    [​IMG]

    Roof Rack On

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 rsutton1223, May 11, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2013
  2. liltoua

    liltoua Member

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    Sexy! Keep it up man, looking good!
     
  3. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    Hi Robb!

    I'm Hoppe's friend.
     
    #3 Matt, May 12, 2011
    Last edited: May 12, 2011
  4. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Sweet deal! That picture of the front bumper off is actually in his garage.
     
  5. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    Welcome :) What made you want to go Yakima versus Thule? I've been considering either one + the Whispbar setup for my roof.
     
  6. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    I actually prefer Thule racks, but the version they have for keeping the front tire on the system would overhang the front of the rank significantly. I wanted the seamless, flowy look of the fork racks (bike rack starts at the fairing instead of overhanging it) and this setup by Yakima was the only one that would.

    It also happened to clear the hatch open by about an 1/8" so that worked out perfectly as well. I had also seen a lot of Thule setups that had to run the bike backwards on hatches...didn't want to do that either.
     
  7. b reel

    b reel Active Member

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    did you rockguard the top of the car?
     
    #7 b reel, May 12, 2011
    Last edited: May 12, 2011
  8. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    I was thinking about putting 3M film up there to prevent grease, dirt, etc. from hitting the paint.
     
  9. b reel

    b reel Active Member

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    I'd be more concerned about the fairing rubbing through the paint. If toting MTB's I'd wrap the top and the wing just to be safe.
     
  10. blaster

    blaster my other ride is your mom
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    I thought that garage looked familiar. That's where Matt broke my headlights.

    Combined with the bikes, S2000, and former WRX AutoX, I thought there was some Hoppe at play here.
     
  11. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    oh yeah...I know that garage very well...I've spent plenty of time in that garage with either my old RS, his old race car, and our random bikes. :D
     
  12. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    it was only one small piece of headlight, which happens quite often. :|
     
  13. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    Yeah I've been eyeing the 460R Thule aero setup all week. But I think I'll buy a new Nikon instead. Thank you for answering my question. However, how often are you opening your hatch with a bicycle on top of the car? I'd imagine the bike would come off before much else happened?
     
  14. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    I actually leave the bike on the top until I am fully ready. Unload and go!
     
  15. RSConvert

    RSConvert ɹǝuɹnʇpɐǝɥ uʞnɟɐɥnɯ ɐ sʇı
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    Nice whip!!! Congrats and welcome to wrxatl.
     
  16. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Quick update...

    Racecomp sways should be in to TopSpeed Thursday.
    Kartboy STS and bushings ordered.
    Went ahead and ordered the red light illumination kit from SubaruParts along with the OEM cargo tray.

    Next on the list...just not sure when...

    Cobb DP
    Stage 2 custom tune
    Pioneer AVIC-X930BT Headunit
    Some kind of suspension work to bring the ride height down an inch or so...
     
  17. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    Why RCE sways versus Whiteline?
     
  18. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    That was done based on a recommendation by both TopSpeed and Hoppe.
     
  19. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    My cell phone holder AP mod.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

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    Don't scare the dude to death Kenny!

    I still can't believe you got rid of the WRX.
     
  21. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    That is exactly the plan. Make it handle like a bat out of hell and have enough power to get the job done while still staying a daily driver. Stage 2 should do fine for a long time.
     
  22. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    Interesting. The RCE bars are considerably more than the Whiteline bars are they not?
     
  23. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Not by much. Maybe 10 bucks or so depending on where you shop.
     
  24. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Car was clean today and the clouds were pretty cool. Took it out for some photo work. More to come...

    [​IMG]
     
  25. jchon3

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    Let me know what suspension setup you go with! I hear the 2011s can't use 08-10 suspension parts because subaru made huge changes for 2011..

    Subscribed*!
     
  26. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    It is because they changed the width/setup to the STI. From what I understand, you can use the 08+ STI parts.
     
  27. nicad

    nicad Yes I am a troll

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    just need some Apple in there and it would be a total hoppe fanboi extravanganza
     
  28. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    ha! yeah there is plenty of that too.

    There are 2 MacBook Pros, 2 iPhone 4's and each of the versions of the iPad in my house. I get him beat in that area...
     
  29. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    I thought just the front control arms changed?
     
  30. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Continuing my quest to become a complete photo whore...

    [​IMG]
     
  31. nygiant

    nygiant Member

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    nice car man...are u on 3gwrx?
     
  32. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Just signed up...
     
  33. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    What lens was used in that last shot?
     
  34. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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  35. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    Did you Photoshop out any of the vignetting or what? I'm not familiar with that lens.
     
  36. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Yeah I did photoshop a little bit in to continue the focus to the center of the image. I am basically standing right on top of the car...it is SUPER wide.

    The lens.

    [​IMG]

    another shot with it.

    [​IMG]
     
  37. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    @ 8mm, I'd agree, yes it is a bit wide :) Is any sharpening added to the photo above or is that straight off the camera?
     
  38. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    A little bit of sharpening but not much. When it comes to shots of cars, people, etc...I always do a little bit of sharpening prior to compression.
     
  39. jchon3

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    Shoulda got the hatch :/
     
  40. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Kartboy is in. Bushings will have to wait as I don't like being under the center of the car on ramps.

    [​IMG]
     
  41. blaster

    blaster my other ride is your mom
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    You're in desperate need of some JPM bling.
     
  42. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    Black with red stitching to match the rest of the car.
     
  43. jchon3

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    I was under the car for half an hour trying to figure out the downpipe-midpipe connection.
    The fear numbs after 5 minutes :rofl:
     
  44. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    I second this :)
     
  45. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    Ugh, now Im going to have to buy that lens btw.
     
  46. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    35/1.8!
     
  47. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    8mm fisheye is so appealing right now though :)
     
  48. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    The guys at Allpro installed my front and rear shifter bushings this morning. The shifting feel and feedback is much better.

    [​IMG]
     
  49. Matto357

    Matto357 Crazyazn likes Naps
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    Haha. That was a quick post. I'll send you the pics I got of it as well
     
  50. rsutton1223

    rsutton1223 Obsessed
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    RaceComp Engineering adjustable front and rear sway bars installed. Set to the softer setting on both F&R for now.

    Front (forgot to take a picture before I put everything back together)

    [​IMG]

    Rear

    [​IMG]
     

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