C_WRX

Yip, I'd go along with cusco kids suggestion of autogylm or autosmart tar & glue remover. Autosmart is a little tougher to come by (shame you're not more local to me as I have 1ltr of it!) but the autoglym can be found fairly easily e.g. Halfords and is also handy for the annoying tar spot removal at spring polish time .

And some nice pics they are...cars lookin good !

Liking both ideas of the receipt and the pics stages. But would it bother you buying a car knowing this had been done ? Two sides - "is something being covered up?" or the actual one "this guy really did take care of his car!!"

Already got the workman skill covered for the respray, he also reckoned the sides/wings would be needing done to get the best finish.

I'm capable myself and have most of the required equipment but there are some too far down that detailing out just won't work on - wet sanding always makes me nervous anyways !!! I used chips away once before and it ended up looking like a dot-to-dot puzzle - fair enough a few years ago on an awkward paint colour but was enough for me to just think this time about going for the respray perfection finish.

I am toying with the idea of having my front bumper and bonnet (due to so many unsightly stone chips) and rear bumper (couple of scuffs that bug me but others might not notice so while in bodyshop) resprayed. Question is would it be the kind of thing that would put you off buying a car ? They'd be thinking "did it have a bump"? Is there anything you'd suggest I could do in advance of the respray to help me prove that it wasn't due to an accident ?

Brother inlaw was saying that someone threw what seems like battery acid all over his car last night - full respray going to be needed !!! Don;'t get people that vandalise other peopes cars !!!

Nice one Gordon, never saw you for long enough (or that they were likely clean) when the old ones were on but those look good on ! Now, don't be told again - detango !! You've got me thinking about getting a front splitter, I do think it finishes the front off nicely, it just concerns me that speed bumps and multi-storey ramps will catch it !!?

Are the STi 550cc pink injectors the same for all newage models, or do they change at some point depending on year/model : e.g. 2001-2005 then change.....or even changing 2001-2003 / 2003-2005 /2006- ? Basically can ones from an STi Bug be used in and WRX Blob ? Is the general rule about decent 2nd hand ones really that the lower the mileage and frequency of original cars service the better ? Same question on the intercooler from STi ? - just asking !

Hard work is paying off, looks good !

Think the 2001-2005 WRX STi cat's are in downpipe and 2nd cat pipe. I think the ppp gives you a sports cat dp and removes the 2nd cat?? Think general rule is if you get a cat removed get it remapped, and if you're getting it remapped you might as well get rid of them all or have the sportscat dp at most. Although I ran about for 2 years with my 2nd cat removed in my WRX and it was okay for me ! Best get it up on the ramp and see what's under there, you never know the 2nd cat may have already been done ! I may have a 2nd cat pipe coming up for sale soon, Scoobyworld Afterburner one...still tbc though.

Similar to what I'd be looking at doing if I get to the next stage, good to see those figures !

I have just fitted the ScoobyWorld Ninja Downpipe with Fast flow Cat to my 2004 WRX, but just starting to type this I have a sneaky suspicion they might not do it for your cars year( !!)....can but ask them though?? I went sports cat option as can't be bothered with the MOT emissions hassle. Seems fine to me so far. They claim it has only a very slightly lower flow rate to that of a de-cat downpipe - but of course is a lot more money ! I was always told to look for a sports cat with 100 cell rather than the more restrictive 200 cell - bit of info to pass on. If you are going to get a remap then from my experience I'd say change it plus the rest of the exhaust, you'll get more out of your car with the downpipe changed.

What you get done to what model of Impreza ? Were you given rough figures ?

Getting forgetful in your old age John ? (thing is you may be younger than me!! ) Also, you know Gus, new month, new vehicle an all !!

Will look good on Gus. Loads of wheel protection on there in this weather to keep them looking their best !

Am I the only one that just for a split second wondered "he's not is he!?" !! You're quite individual in your choices John but they're a step too far me thinks !!! The rims have their place, it's just not out in public ! Good find though, had a wee laugh at the fact they even exist.

Once you've had the turbo fitted/mapped could you post back up your feelings on it and which you prefer the 16G or the VF35...just that maybe one day I'll be asking the same questions (hopefully!) and would be good to know just in case such a turbo comes up for sale. Cheers.

Was just thinking same as Colzo there prior to reading his reply about AG covering over. No big issue just an FYI (some may see it as a plus ). Used to use Wertstatt Acrylic on my black Scoob, in some ways prefer it to the blackfire I now use, and it always brought up the colour brilliantly - plus the gold speckle popped in sun light oh so nicely. Very easily topped up too. At this time of year even washing it is a chore so good on you giving it the polish treatment.

Nice write up geo, especially for folks with the new model also thinking the handling could do with improvement. If we don't hear from you for a while we know the corner won - sure it'll be better now !

Looks nice. What product(s) you using, now that that you've done the hard work polishing just ocassion top ups can have it looking that good/protected for months to come ?

Suit the car, lookin good.

Fook sake, totally gutted for you fella. You got out okay so at least there were no human casualties - just a very nice car ! Chin up, you'll get back in to it, and who knows, maybe even something better with your gained experience and knowledge.

Finally got round to it Cal, and yes you were right, so much better ! Spoke to Andy and he agrees that STi pinks, STi TMIC and a VF34/5 would be the next stage. With baby Lucy arriving spending stops on the car for a while. marky.t.s - that was roughly what I did but took the advice of decatting the uppipe at the same time for not just slightly more power but safety too, where cat can break up and only has the turbo to go in to !! wulsey - more or less what I'd be going for next, I'm sure it'll feel brilliant. Mystery Machine - there is a comparison graph, which I can't seem to scan & load on !

This week the car was fitted with a few new items and then today I got the pleasure of meeting AndyF for him to work his magic on the car . From fairly standard Blobeye WRX all the improvements added up to to an estimated 279-280bhp and 300-304 torque result. Okay so by a lot of peoples standards on here this is not much but for me it is a big thing ! That's about as much want to get out of the standard TD04 turbo so if get chance for more in future it'd need to be a few STi items !! Positive - it just feels so much better, the torque pull difference is night and day, just keeps going. Regrets - should have done this sooner ! Negative point - I ALREADY WANT MORE !!!!! Good time to thank a few people for help and advice. Gus The Bus and Cal for always replying to my annoying emails with good sound advice. Two Dunc's at Hypertech for excellent work and a good hour of car chat. Last but not least Andy Forrest who on top of being a with the old tuning malarky is also a nice bloke! Not sure if I was treated as a special Port Seaton visitor having the local wildlife c&@p all over the car - ah well, needs a wash anyway !!!!