Sub-£400 Scoob Upgrade Ideas

[psyweb]

Hey All,

Sitting around the table at the last Cambridge meet (thanks Kev, it was ace), we were chatting about some of the mods people had made and how many thousands of pounds they'd spent. All a little depressing for me as I have other financial commitments at the moment, but love my Scoob just as much a the next man.

So I started asking about "cheap" upgrades, yes there where the "why don't you get go faster strips" jokes, but seriously, what small, cheap little mods can you make to your Scoob to add a personal touch and maybe a slight performance/handling improvement without breaking the bank?

Having only owned my 53 WRX SL blobeye seen here (http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=131870) for a few months, I started small.

• Scoob dust caps from ebay £~10 (not stolen yet!)
  
• Scoob tax disc holder from ebay ~£10
  
• Looking to take the rear spoiler off (and fill in holes) ~£50(?)
  
• Looking at ProDrive Gravel stage silver grill from the front ~ £200 fitted(?)
  

I dunno, all the above maybe small-fry to some, but a little and often approach, I think, is a good way to go. Like most, I don't have thousands to spend on my Scoob, so where do you start? Here I guess.

Anyone else, have any options for us "poor" Scoob owners?

[frank c]

I'd start from the bottom up and spend your hard earned getting it handling and braking better.. Then you'll be able to use the power you have to better effect and keep the BIG bills down..

I'd look into 1 or 2 Whiteline handling upgrades and then get a decent set of pads, braided hoses etc..... ?

[sti_steve]

Sort the handling and brakes out to get the most out of the power available

[psyweb]

Thanks guys, all good stuff. Any more detailed info inc costs would be good.

I'm also keen to find out what things other have done on similar budgets.

[ace555]

Are you going to a race track? If your on a budget, i'd guess no. So why spend a shed load on stuff for it?

The WRX is a fantastic handling car out the box, and ample on road. Likewise the brakes, for road use they are more than enough! Yes they could be improved and lowering springs won't break the bank.

The guys above are right in saying start at the bottom and work up. But personally, on a budget, i'd leave power, suspension and brakes as Subaru intended and look at releasing the burble and cosmetics.

That said if you need to replace brake pads etc soon that would be the time to upgrade. I just brought EBC yellowstuffs for mine as my standard pads were shot.

I see in your thread with the piccys about a Prodrive back box. This is what i have fitted on mine, and i've just brought a afterburner centre section from scoobyworld (£100ish), i also have the second cat removed and all together it sounds awesome but doesn't make me look anti-social

A dumpvalve is a good mod if you like the whole wwwwaaahhhh TTTIIISSSSHHHHH thing ...I do and i'm running a Forge motorsport vta i got from ebay for £70.

Other than that stuff, you could just go for cosmetic things. Mudflaps for instance. Maybe get your wheels sprayed black cheaper than new wheels And maybe mesh grills etc

[RATechnology]

It all depends really on what your looking for? I mean in terms as others have suggested. Do you want the car to look better? Handle and stop or a bit of everything?

Few small suggestions are Prodrive Battery clamp & Oil cap (Approx £30 each) Prodrive floor mats £75 (set of 4)

Whiteline antilift kit around £160, Drop links £80 for a pair, Rear Roll bar £130.

Eibach springs (25mm drop) £200.

STI intercooler Approx £250

All these can be found on Ebay or through various suppliers!

It all depends on what the overall use of the car and what you want...

[psyweb]

Are you going to a race track? If your on a budget, i'd guess no. So why spend a shed load on stuff for it?

...

I see in your thread with the piccys about a Prodrive back box.

...

A dumpvalve is a good mod if you like the whole wwwwaaahhhh TTTIIISSSSHHHHH thing ...I do and i'm running a Forge motorsport vta i got from ebay for £70.

Other than that stuff, you could just go for cosmetic things. Mudflaps for instance. Maybe get your wheels sprayed black cheaper than new wheels And maybe mesh grills etc

Thanks for the reply. I don't intend to do track days, but it will be something I look at in the future.

I believe that the bax back on my WRX is just an STi, but an exhaust upgrade could be the way to go. Someone (Charlie I believe) at the last meet said a new exhaust system and a remap is the best bang-per-buck at £700 - a little bit too much, but if this upgrade is modular, maybe it's something that could be spread over several months(?)

I'm also looking at little bits and bobs such as new floor maps, battery holders etc....

I looked at a BOV, but I'm not sure it fits with the "lower profile" look/feel I'm going for. If I could hear one, my mind may be change - but £100 is within my budget so I could be easily persuaded!!

I'm keen to stress that this thread isn't and shouldn't be just about me. I'm sure there are other SIDC users/members who are in the same position and are looking for similar advice.

Thanks so far guys, keep it coming!!

[m@tt untimate STImulation]

get real you will soon understand that you will spend spend spend on your scooby they are even more fun when you get involved with them i wouldd definitly head in the direction of alloy drop links and roll bars, and some 4pot callipers if you havent got them there is a group buy on scoobynet for antiroll bars from cdf racing should be ready in a fue months im on the list!

[Squizz]

Intercooler splitter? Cost us £25 a few years ago and you can definitely feel the difference. It fits inside the scoop and splits the air between the front and back halves of the TMIC. Previously only the back half used to get any of the airflow.

Although if you've got some aluminium, tin snips and half a brain you could do it for a couple of quid!

Edited May 7, 2009 by Squizz

[ace555]

Thanks for the reply. I don't intend to do track days, but it will be something I look at in the future.

I believe that the bax back on my WRX is just an STi, but an exhaust upgrade could be the way to go. Someone (Charlie I believe) at the last meet said a new exhaust system and a remap is the best bang-per-buck at £700 - a little bit too much, but if this upgrade is modular, maybe it's something that could be spread over several months(?)

Don't think there would be much point remapping with nothing more than an exhaust mate. Would be a waste of money because you'll only need to remap again when you fit other parts. Before a remap you'll need exhaust doing, inc downpipe, a new panel filter and a uprated fuel pump. Then you'd get much more ponies for the one remap

[stealth69]

ANYTHING that alters the flow of air in and gasses out should have a remap!

To get some nice sound change the back box

Get a nice HT Auto's front splitter - £98 delivered or summit like that

STI Side Skirts - £100+ (if your aren't already painted)

HT Autos rear diffuser - £189

Followed by

Second hand set of alloys - £350 - 600 depending on what you buy

[Mother Theresa]

Best value for money thing I have done on my car is alloy drop links at £60ish. Next is thicker 22mm rear anti-roll bar at £115. Next probably the anti-lift kit - about £150 I think. Theses 3 will transform the way your car handles and won't need replacing - ever. The next thing I would suggest is some professional track tuition which might cost you £75 for 30mins but it is a mod you can take with you to any vehicle and will transform the way you drive quickly. Much more fun than an intercooler too.

[ace555]

ANYTHING that alters the flow of air in and gasses out should have a remap!

That sounds as though your suggesting a remap is required for every single item that gets changed. If any one did that they would spend £650 because they swapped a panel filter! £500 because next month they changed the exhaust back box! Another £500 on each part, and so on and so on.

Doing smaller cheaper mods such as a cat-back exhaust won't need a remap. At least not until the down-pipe has been swapped. And at that point a few other parts could be collected up ready for the one remap to bring it all together.

I would suggest is some professional track tuition which might cost you £75 for 30mins but it is a mod you can take with you to any vehicle and will transform the way you drive quickly. Much more fun than an intercooler too.

Thats probably the best advice there mate

I had a professional lesson, on road though, and i was pushed to use my cars abililty safely and it was brilliant. I still use all i was taught

[psyweb]

Hey guys. Thanks for all this. I knew that there were cheap mods/upgrades that could be done to these things!!

So, to bring this together, thus far, we have:

• Scoob dust caps from ebay - Parts ~£10
  
• Scoob tax disc holder from ebay - Parts ~£10
  
• Rear spoiler removal (and fill in holes) - Parts ~£50(?)
  
• ProDrive Gravel stage silver front grill - Parts ~£120(?)
  
• Afterburner centre section from scoobyworld - Parts ~£100
  
• Prodrive Battery clamp - Parts £30
  
• Prodrive Oil cap - Parts £30
  
• Prodrive floor mats (set of 4) - Parts £75
  
• Whiteline antilift kit around - Parts £150 - £160
  
• Drop links - Parts £60 - £80 for a pair
  
• Rear Roll bar - Parts £120 - £130
  
• Eibach springs (25mm drop) - Parts £200
  
• STI intercooler - Parts ~£250
  
• Intercooler splitter - Parts £25
  
• HT Auto's front splitter - Parts ~£98
  
• STI Side Skirts (if your aren't already painted) - Parts £100+
  
• HT Autos rear diffuser - Parts £198
  
• Second hand set of alloys - Parts £350 - £600
  
• Professional track tuition - Parts £150 p/h
  

That's a pretty good list of things people. And with the vast majority being less than a couple of hundred quid, most of us could do a few of these a year. Ok, a couple more things to throw into the pot:

1. Do the bits above cover classic and newage or just one?
   
2. There are limits to the labour costs - self install (free) all the way up to Subaru Dealer install. So.... my question is this: Given you can get the hourly rate from your local dealer/garage, how long do the above take to install/fit?
   

Looking forward to the replies and I'm getting my credit card warmed up as I type

[lincsnick]

Not wishing to piss on your parade but if you are on a budget remember any change from standard, even cosmetic changes, may increase your insurance premium. I'd run any changes past your insurance company before doing them. If you don't tell them and stuff it you may not be covered and end up personally liable.

[psyweb]

Hey lincsnick; yeah I think we all know that you should inform your insurance company if/when you make mods to your motor, but thanks for the reminder.

PW

[stealth69]

That sounds as though your suggesting a remap is required for every single item that gets changed. If any one did that they would spend £650 because they swapped a panel filter! £500 because next month they changed the exhaust back box! Another £500 on each part, and so on and so on.

Doing smaller cheaper mods such as a cat-back exhaust won't need a remap. At least not until the down-pipe has been swapped. And at that point a few other parts could be collected up ready for the one remap to bring it all together.

No a remap for every little change is not what I am suggesting sorry I should have been more specific, changes that cause significant change from standard

Changing a back box is hardly going to change the airflow or gas flow is it when the most restrictive part of the gas flow out is the CAT!!! As I suggested, anything that alters the flow of air in or the Gas flow OUT should be mapped for, there are a millioon and one mods you can do that don't require remaps!

Removing CATS and putting on induction kits are two of the things that most certainly do and should not be done on a car without a map!

Edited May 9, 2009 by stealth69

[Mother Theresa]

Drop links and ARBs are easy to do, I can send instructions if you wish. ALK a bit more of a faff as you have to take off the undertray which is quite tricky without ramps. Dust caps and mats defo a dealer job - I know my limits.

[ace555]

No a remap for every little change is not what I am suggesting sorry I should have been more specific, changes that cause significant change from standard

Changing a back box is hardly going to change the airflow or gas flow is it when the most restrictive part of the gas flow out is the CAT!!! As I suggested, anything that alters the flow of air in or the Gas flow OUT should be mapped for, there are a millioon and one mods you can do that don't require remaps!

Removing CATS and putting on induction kits are two of the things that most certainly do and should not be done on a car without a map!

Thats cool, the OP said he was on a budget which was why i suggested just doing the cat-back exhaust for more burble. When you said about remaps i read that as remap for every little thing. Misunderstanding i think

[Erik Dub]

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[shibby!]

Buy awesome tyres!!!

So much faster after you get a really good set on. Doesnt matter what car you got, better tyres just changes it!

Toyos are super grippy, so are Eagles, can get them both quite reasonably priced.

[Barty]

i have owned my hawkeye for nearly 2 months.... it took me all of a week to start spending

i started with black side repeaters £10 off ebay

Scooby world rally mud flaps £60

TSL Motorsport Group N 4" back box £200

TSL Motorsport Group N center section (on Way) £100

TSL Motorsport Group N - Green Panel filter £50

I did however buy a nice set of 10 spoke gold STI rims and a new set of Kumho KU31 tyres and they DONT fit I was told by 3 people 2 of which are supposed to be specialists that my car was pcd 114, when its actually 100.. these are for sale BTW

more to come but my Mk1 Escort takes all my cash im affraid

[psyweb]

Thanks Barty, that's good stuff. Your scooob is looking sweet BTW.

Over how long did you make these upgrades? Weeks, months or all in one go?

[ace555]

i have owned my hawkeye for nearly 2 months.... it took me all of a week to start spending

I did however buy a nice set of 10 spoke gold STI rims and a new set of Kumho KU31 tyres and they DONT fit I was told by 3 people 2 of which are supposed to be specialists that my car was pcd 114, when its actually 100.. these are for sale BTW

From 2005 (second gen Blob-eye) on the PCD is 114. Strange if your scoob is 100. I wonder if its only the STi that got the change???

[Barty]

Thanks Barty, that's good stuff. Your scooob is looking sweet BTW.

Over how long did you make these upgrades? Weeks, months or all in one go?

DONT TELL THE WIFE... 3 weeks lol