flat4phil

Hi Guys, I know there are a few around, even up here, but who are trusted and known? I appreciate the best ones are permanently in use by dealers, but somebody on here must have a preferred PDR contact? Thanks in advance people. Phil.

At the risk of being flamed... if price is the major factor, then the D2's are maybe a good purchase, albeit not as popular as BC Racing stuff is at present. But after speaking to vendors who compete, it funny how Tein creep back into the equation, and hold their own. I'd suggest looking at Tein, even just a Basic kit. If money is no object, then get a Monoflex kit. Most coilies will give you a compliant ride, none too soft - a lot will depend on the ride height adjustment, and your tyres. I live in teutcher-ville and the roads are made up of mud, dead animals and road stone first laid after the war - my Teins perform admirably.

Did you ever sort this out? I used to buy cold air feed kits from Exhausts UK, or Cobra Sport before they turned superstars on scoobynet. I have a spare polished stainless steel 'bell mouth' you could try? My plan was to either fit the 'rolled' edge bell mouth in place of the driving light. If that didn't work out, I would purchase cheap set of ABS fog light covers, or those with mesh inserts, and mount the bell mouth into that.

Even has the rear lower diffuser - nice touch.

In Japan the Impreza had many limited edition runs, from the factory, so this may well be more than just a run of the mill WRX like you have had say in the UK or Europe. Is the bonnet aluminium too? Huge weight saving if it is - so enjoy. Problem is once the car gets into the UK and parts need replacing, some folk may have swapped bits with UK cars and all sorts, who knows? Look for the ID plates near the roller bearing mounts in the engine bay, and see if any 'edition' info is printed on either plate?

What seals did you change? Turbo oil seals? White smoke normally indicates water related.

How about trying one of the many powder coat peeps, as they use acid dipping to ensure metal is totally degreased and squeaky clean before that can coat it?

Referring to models as versions is more of a motoring press thing and not official Subaru designation. Model year plus any specific special edition type or variant are the only offical classifications. Go by parts suppliers and technical bulletins, or as we all do - with classic, bug eye, blob eye, hawk eye, Popeye.... er whatever.

Good luck Al, you did a fine job and I don't envy anyone rising the challenge in this fair region. I never have fully understood why the area is such a mixed bag of highs and lows?

Thats why many have found leaving the factory air box in situ and just adding a free flow filter/ maybe removing the 'resonator' bit of the standard feed provides as much volume of air as necessary, even when upping the bhp. Nice to get the intake air as cold as possible, but let's face it, you can only do this at speed and the front grill feed has got to be one of the shortest routes. I know some folk swap the air box for a short ram pipe and cone filter, then leave the factory air intake in place, but cut out holes in the side to direct air at a 90 degree angle to the filter. You could try this with the standard air box in all honesty - cheap mod. I had to go and source an alternative 'box' or shroud for my air intake, as the previous owner ditched the whole air box in favour of an exposed K&N 57i jobbie - great for sucking in hot engine bay dust and debris.

It's the most common air intake mod, but normally you duct from the front bumper (replace a driving light) and gain a cold air feed to the air box, etc. Great whilst it's not raining. C-West and other after market kit guys made modified front grilles to help retain the stock air intake but open up the grill area/ pathway to the air intake. SS inductions in Oz, do the Growler, wide mouth air intake - sounds a neat idea - flippin cost put me off. http://www.ssinductions.com.au/subaruwrx.htm

Try either http://www.importcarparts.co.uk/ or www.camskill.co.uk or push the boat out and buy a set of superb BC Racing coilovers for around 700 - 750 with pillow ball front top mounts.

What about Carl Davey?

Any changes made to the exhaust system per chance? Until you can plug it into a diagnostic code reader it will be any number of things, most related to emissions.

How about this chap, very well equipped with UV oven etc.: Colin from Glentyan Alloys. Based just outside Paisley I can refurb alloy wheels in any colour in either powder or wet paint. Can also repair Buckles and Weld cracks as well as a service providing Diamond Cutting and Wheel Polishing. 01505 331313 07748 169473Glentyan Alloys Unit 4 Napier Street Linwood