Karl Shultz wrote:
Aaron, did you end up cancelling the order, or did the regional tech guy change your mind?
No regional tech call yet, but I've spoken to Steven Rankins, the dealer multiple times and the big call was with Christopher Carris.
So, here is how it went:
Rankins: Offered to help me break it in on his dyno, while measuring AFR the entire time. If anything really lean popped up, I could send the entire datalog to Subaru of America to discuss with their tech team. He said if I run a compression test about every 10k and monitor my oil level, that I probably won't have any issues.
Folger Subaru: They sponsor the entire autocross series for CCR SCCA region, and they have offered to give me a 7 year 100k gold bumper to bumper warranty for free if I take the car. They also said that they will support me (warranty wise) with whatever happens to the car. Rankins used to work there and said they are really good with this type of stuff.
Christopher Carris: He and I spoke yesterday for over an hour. Basically, while his situation sucked, if he had the choice between a 2004-2007 STI and a 2008+, knowing what he knows, he still would choose the '08+.
He said prior to the first engine issue, his car was significantly faster than his '04. He datalogged .1-.2 higher g-loads over his '04 and others '05-'07 STI's. On his '04, he was able to run 275's all around. He said at the limit, the '08+ was easier to drive and quicker to 60 ft.
Once he broke his first engine (ringland failure on #4 piston), they put in a new shortblock and the car wasn't quite the same. It missed a lot and never was up to full song. He didn't have any dealer support for they had no idea he was autocrossing it. Everytime he took it in, he removed his shocks, FSB, downturn exhaust.
Engine #2 let go due to a crank bearing issue (which was corrected in late '08 with adding a nitride coating to the crank). This time they gave him a longblock, but he questioned the competency of the techs at his local dealer. It ran like piss too.
Engine #3 let go at the ProSolo Finale in '08. This time, the cam position sensor failed, causing the #2 and #4 pistons to crack. He was pretty pissed at this point and went to the dealer to talk lemon law. They bought the car back from him so he lost ZERO on the car (he lost his ass on the development parts though).
So, he had 3 different failures, yet has a lot of friends with '08+ cars that autocross them and have had zero issues. It's kind of a crap shoot, but he said if I have a dealer that will support me, that he would roll the dice.
He also believes that the SE will be even faster, with the stiffer front and rear suspension and slightly less weight. While his car had a curb weight of 3395#, it was delivered at 3336#, and in race trim was at 3221#. He thinks an SE could be sub 3200#.
So, the plan is this:
Nilesh Patel FSB: 34mm SOLID
(Chris used a 32mm and felt it could use more).
Enkei PF01 wheels 18x8.5 at 18#. I'll need to mill off .65 to be maximum offset legal. I'll try the 315's on it, but think they will rub on the front... the rear they definitely would work on. Likely go with Hoosier 295's all around, for the 305 Kumho would be evil to mount.
Turn down exhaust after the mid pipe. Chris tried his right after the cat, just after the header, but it was way too loud. He moved it to after the mid pipe which quieted it up some and still lost like 40# of exhaust.
AST 4200's for shocks. The guy Chris sold his $5800 shocks to is selling them now for slightly less than $2k. I think no one will want these, so I can get them for probably $1750 or less. I quoted new ones from AST and they want $4600. Eff that. I would rather find 8610 inserts and make my own.
Lastly, hope the engine holds together. If I get lucky, the car could be really good ProSolo car and might even be a decent Tour car. If I am unlucky, it's probably a good thing that my wife and mother are attorneys
I should have the car in mid-May, which would give me time to prep it for DC.
Yes, I am this retarded
- AB
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