Alex's Lightning Red 2008 STi

I sent a PM over the RSD to ask them if they've ever seen that. Kirill, the awesomeness that he is, forwarded my message over to RallyArmor. They're suggesting that I overtightened the flaps and that I clearly have driven for an extended period of time with the flaps overtightened. I'm not entirely sure I agree with that considering I drove 29 miles today since installing the flaps last night. At any rate, I will say that I am pleased, once again, with RSD's customer service and that I am also pleased with how quickly RallyArmor addressed my problem.

I will loosen the flaps before I leave our shop tonight and see what happens.

 

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$75 I thought? At any rate it's that or the $33 cusco one because I refuse to buy Perrin

 

Whoo, just ordered my VG Shark Fin antenna! Now the 2-3 week lead time begins. And FWIW, $81 (shipped) for a piece that's painted to match your car is a hell of a deal.

http://www.visualgarage.com/Product_Overview.html

 

oh yes.

 

Oh, I forgot to add that I placed my pre-order this morning with Chris @ WC Lathe Werks for his new burnt 2" titanium shift knob that he is bringing to market soon. I cannot wait! Interested in one? Shoot him an email and let him know Alex from JPM sent ya -- sales [at] lathewerks [dot] com. Never heard of him? Check out his site to see some of his amazing hand-crafted shift knobs, Lathewerks.com - WC Lathe Werks - Home of the customizable, hand-crafted shift knob!

 

It's cool. I am not impressed with the build quality of their products nor the quality of their customer support. My TMIC failing was the bigger straw that broke the camel's back so to speak. Maybe this has changed, but I know that I won't be trying them again. Just ask me at the AllPro meet this weekend if you want a longer version that is equally as boring as the above

Anyways, back to the journal!

 

Well, had a chance to actually polish and wax her over the weekend. I figured it was as good of a chance as any to debadge her derriere as well. Still waiting on the shark fin!

 

And some white wheels!








Wait, what?

 

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Will cover? We need to talk anyhow - I'd like to enter the car at the gt autoshow maybe complete with sound

 

Thanks dude!

 

Yep! :wiggle:

 

Well some goodies arrived this week. I am still awaiting the delivery of #4 on my list below. I'm excited for this one as I've been asking him to make these for the last two years. It's a 2" burnt 100% titanium knob and it should be a welcomed upgrade over my burnt factory STI Ti knob. I’ll finish up my review on the Prova once it is installed.

1. VG “SharkFin” Antenna
2. RallyArmor Mudflaps
3. Prova D-Shape 358mm Steering Wheel
4. WC Lathe Werks 2” Titan Sphere, Burnt

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The VG SharkFin
http://www.visualgarage.com

Pricing: $80ish including the part, shipping and custom painting.

Customer Service Impressions: Dang! They're doing something right. They not only kept me informed throughout the entire order, but the product shipped almost a full week earlier than expected. Awesome!

Initial Impressions: Shipped quickly from America's "hat" and for $81 it is a hell of a deal. You simply cannot find a shop to paint a piece this size for that price, let alone include the actual product in this price.

Installation Impressions: I haven't had a chance to install this and I dont anticipate being able to do so anytime soon -- maybe at the install day? I will need to do some light polishing on the piece as there are some rough edges on the back curve. All in all, hard to complain a this price.

Antenna Reception: I've heard it's awful and it very well could be. I won't know till I install it. Ultimately, I could care less. Atlanta radio is not even remotely tolerable by any stretch of the imagination.



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RallyArmor V2 UR Mudflaps (Black with Red RA Logo)
http://www.rallyarmor.com

Pricing: $160. I ordered mine from RallySportDirect and included a link in the product name.

Customer Service Impressions: The guys over at RSD really know how to treat a customer. The customer "experience" is great. They're website is extremely easy to use, giving you all the information you need on one page, ranging from stock levels to photos to pricing. Yeah, I'll admit it; I'm a geek and am always interested in the wide variety of e-commerce software out there. RSD built theirs in house and designed the interface around the customer. Love it!

Initial Impressions: They arrived well packaged with a "MADE IN USA" sticker clearly present on the packaging. I'm a sucker for that and this was one of the major influences in making this purchase. My first thought was woah, these things are shiny. C_wagginz called them a distraction when he was driving behind me. I called him jealous. Additionally, RA includes a handful of new hardware for the installation as well as four new press-break brackets. The price tag more than likely went to support the production of these brackets as the flaps themselves leave a bit to be desired. The edging is un-finished.

Installation Impressions: The installation is a bit of pain if you chose not to jack up the car and remove the wheels. Other than that, they really need to create some sort of torque-spec. My suggestion is to go hand-tight + 1/4 turn.

Other Thoughts: If you handed me a $160 for these I think I would just give it back to you. The value just is not there at this price point for these flaps. I'd like to see a de-bossed logo (not a silk screen or similar) and finished edges. I'd also like to see improved instructions. Yes, I watched the video, but I don't think it is asking too much to include some form of a torque-spec.

 

I dunno. When I saw those at allpro I thought they were pretty damn shiny as well. Nice, but shiny.

 

Nope. I've been a handful of times but my hands are full right now with IWSTI and NASIOC. I'm a long time IW and NASIOC member, but I only visit the later nowadays for business.

I installed the Prova wheel and it is going to take some getting used to. Initial impression? I like it but I dont. Here's a teaser (in case you missed my FB post)...At any rate, we're stoked to see what we can come up with it design wise. The wheel is going to be a great foundation for modification and design.

 

Thanks dude. Still rocking the N1?

 

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Why do we do anything? The overall diameter of the wheel is smaller and the shape is different. It retains stock airbag and wheel controls so it's good in my book.

 

$760 you mean? :rofl:

http://www.rallysportdirect.com/Prova-D-Shaped-Steering-Wheel-Subaru-WRX-STI-2008-2011

 

Is it expensive? Yes, relatively speaking for these cars. Comparable wheels exist for the M and higher end Porsche lines that are over $2000. I'm definitely not saying that $760 isn't a chunk of change. My economist friend would say something like this, "It's only worth what you'll pay for it". I believe that if you drove the car with one of these wheels installed it would be on your long list of things to purchase.

I don't have much time to write a review on it at the moment but I do have some qualms. Here's a copy of my PM that I sent over to RSD after I received the wheel:

 

Added some community decals. I want something more, I may try and work out a new logo that we can use to raise a few coin to send over to our friends in Japan.

 

TY mail lady This knob is the best one yet from Chris @ WC Lathe Werks!

2" of pure titanium goodness + my two signature lines.

 

We've all got to start somewhere! I remember the beginning

First Shift Boot & Lathewerks Knob


Original 2004 STI Dash

 

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Bulb condoms if memory serves.

 

I was thinking of purchasing atlantasti.com and starting a blog for the car and its activities. Thoughts?