Blaze_Cunnings's 2004 STI

Discussion in 'Member Journals & Project Build Stories' started by blaze_cunnings, Sep 29, 2010.

  1. blaze_cunnings

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    Hello Everyone! I've been on here for a while, but I figure I start my new journal. If you don't know me, people call me Kai. I've been into import cars all my life ever since I got my license. Unfortunately, I am part of the Fast and Furious generation and that movie did peak my interest into the car scene. However with age comes wisdom, and I evolved from the ricer kid I once was, but I still have a lot to learn lol. My previous Subaru was a Impreza 2.5RS 2000. That car was what made me fall in love with Subaru and AWD. After researching more, I wanted something a little bit more roomy and powerful which is when I started researching the Subaru STI. My favorite year model has always been the 2004 - 2005 series.

    I figure I start on my new journal for my STI which I got about 3 months ago. It took a while to find the car I wanted especially when I had to sell my 240SX and Impreza RS, but I finally found a decent car that didn't need much work. Sorry for not getting pictures up sooner, but a lot had to be done and then I was gone, and then school so here she is.

    I got the car up in Dawson Georgia for really cheap. Mainly cosmetic damage (no real accidents) needed to be done with a heavy retune.

    First thing I did was get a few OEM parts including the OEM bumper and fog light covers along with removing the side strakes and getting the car to looking back to stock.

    I then took the car to TopSpeed and got a retune and generated 328 HP and 303 Torque. Matt and Doug worked on her for a good bit, getting the best numbers they could, and they were awesome to work with.

    I then dropped the car off while I left for Malaysia for a month and got it repainted on the front bumper etc, and removed a few dents.

    Mods so far:
    TurboXS Exhaust
    Exedy Stage 2 Clutch
    800cc Injectors
    Greddy Blow Over Valve Recirculated Kit
    Perrin Oil Catch Can
    Perrin Front Mount Intercooler
    SSR 17" Wheels
    Bigger Turbo
    Cusco Front Strut Bar
    12" Rockford Fosgate Sub
    Kenwood CD Player
    Tein Super Street Coilovers
    Tial External Wastegate
    Rally Amour Mudflaps
    STI Front Black Bezel

    I'm going to start working on the suspension a little better as well as changing the exhaust, and getting a COBB accessport once I graduate from college in December. Go JACKETS! lol

    More pics to come.

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    #1 blaze_cunnings, Sep 29, 2010
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2010
  2. undrgrndrdr15

    undrgrndrdr15 Active Member

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    very nice... what turbo are you running?
     
  3. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    awesome Kai!



    the bigger one. :p
     
  4. blaze_cunnings

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    Thanks, it's an off brand turbo, I couldn't even find the brand name on it since it was installed by the previous owner. Very fail of me
     
  5. superdoughboy4

    superdoughboy4 Active Member

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    Nice, Kai. Very clean and simple. It's too bad you weren't able to do all of that work yourself.
    But, oh well. Freaking beautiful regardless.
     
  6. MeFryRice

    MeFryRice Member

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    Nice and welcome. :)
     
  7. Mike@TTR

    Mike@TTR Active Member

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    Nice car man. The reverse scoop is interesting. I like the fact that it is body colored.
     
  8. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

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    Nice car. Are you sure it has a bigger turbo? Only reason I ask is those numbers are stock turbo numbers with less tq.
     
  9. Jake

    Jake Active Member

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    welcome!
     
  10. blaze_cunnings

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    Yea I'm sure, Doug looked at me and was asking what kind of turbo it was since it was bigger. I'm sure it could generate more numbers but thats the best he could do he said.
     
  11. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

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    Ah. Well bigger isn't always better if the housings aren't matched well. Wonder what you have on it.

    But nice car man.......some TSX retrofitted lights from Alex would really set that car off :)
     
  12. blaze_cunnings

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    Sorry been kinda busy lately, but wanted to give an update of my car with some new pics. Just to show you what I went through I'm showing you the before pictures of the car from previous owner and what I went through to get it clean and back to OEM almost.

    Before:

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    Steady Progress:

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    After:

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  13. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    Looks pretty darn good, but why the WRX side skirts (if you're trying to go back to OEM)? Did you sell the front and rear strakes off the side skirts? Also, it looks like the headlights are hazing awfully -- have you tried cleaning them up?
     
  14. blaze_cunnings

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    I didn't like the side strakes, plus they were falling apart. So until I can find a pair of STI ones I have to use the WRX side skirts. And yea my headlights are hazing pretty bad, any recommendations on how to clean them?
     
  15. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

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    3M headlight restore kit works WONDERS. Then Laminx clear them.

    Look close and you can see the hazing
    [​IMG]

    After 3M
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  16. superdoughboy4

    superdoughboy4 Active Member

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    Nevermind. I looked it up. Sanding?
     
    #16 superdoughboy4, Nov 2, 2010
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2010
  17. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

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    It's a sanding kit. Comes with everything and is super easy to do. Find it at Autozone for like $20.
     
  18. nsvwrx

    nsvwrx Active Member

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    You can take the easy way out and get plasti-x Works great!
     
  19. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

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    Yes you can use Plaxti-x but it don't work well on severe damage and with Plasti-x it will come back in a few months quickly.
     
  20. blaze_cunnings

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    With sanding though, would there be potential damage if not done right? That's what I'm afraid of.
     
  21. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

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    No damage. Let the kit do the job and don't apply a lot of force. Really simple.
     
  22. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    If you dont want to do the kit, you can do a couple different levels of compounds + a porter cable. There are a million ways to do it, but only a handful that work well.
     
  23. RSConvert

    RSConvert ɹǝuɹnʇpɐǝɥ uʞnɟɐɥnɯ ɐ sʇı
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    Or you can use the sand and clearcoat paint method...
     
  24. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

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    That works but I wouldn't advise it on account of rock chips and peeling clear.
     
  25. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
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    I'd rather see a full rockblocker wrap. Some sort of vinyl protection will help substantially.
     
  26. blaze_cunnings

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    new mud flaps and bezel

    Hey everyone...I thought I treat myself to something nice so I bought some Rally Armor mudflaps and the STI bezel. The mud flaps were easy to install, but required removing the rear wheels, and the directions weren't that clear. I also bought a Malfrotta camera mount for my car (pics coming soon). and working on getting that haze off my headlights :sx:

    Enjoy!

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  27. superdoughboy4

    superdoughboy4 Active Member

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    Awesome, blaze. The mudflaps look really good. I was actually considering getting some also.
    What was weird about the install?
     
  28. blaze_cunnings

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    Nothing was really weird...I just had to remove the rear wheels because you have to take the tabs out and use the screws they give you to put them in. But yeah the directions aren't that clear, I think they have a better manual with pictures online lol.
     
  29. blaze_cunnings

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    mini photoshoot

    Did a photoshoot with my friend yesterday after trading my wingless trunk for winged one.

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    #29 blaze_cunnings, Feb 28, 2011
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2011
  30. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    lookin' good!
     
  31. Raziel1

    Raziel1 Member

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    niceeeeeeeeeeee

    Can't wait to see the scoop on it
     

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