the_cueball

Well after a few weeks of nightmares I am finally getting the car back today! The calipers on it were completely fecked, and after some quick help from the guys at AWD in Perth, I now have refurbished 4 pots. So these added with my new disks, pads and clips etc should mean that the car can actually stop now! Anyway, if it wasn't for this forum, I would have never found out about AWD, and my car would still be in a corner of a garage somewhere, so THANKS!!!!!!!!! CB

Cheers for all the info... 10% off would help me I think....my local dealer may become my best friend for bits and bobs.... As for the brakes, I guess my options are: AP Wilwood Prodrive upgrade and then the ones I am looking into: HiSpec Tarox soo many choices.... I'll also budget for new hoses, fluid etc... Thefastone, did you do anything with your rears brakes except bleed them when you got the upgrade? I was going to, at least, get new disks and pads at the same time..... CB

Well we have obviously got off on the wrong foot! I didn't want to sound negative, but I have wanted an impreza for over a decade now, and because I wanted one so much I have always kept away (kind of like the whole great gatsby thing)... When I finally got one - obviously not the best!! - it was a kind of let down. But nothing I can't fix...with some help/time/money/miracles!!!! I think most people like the AP kit, so I'll cheak that out. don't mind spending some money on them - I really really work my brakes, so they need to work hard!! anyway, thanks for the info, hope we have cleared the air now..... CB

I wasn't aware I was trying to make it a drama..... I am well aware of the price of brakes, but I asked if anyone had done a similar upgrade that worked, to possible save me from buying the wrong kit. just so that you are aware, the point of "wasting money" on my stop gap, is that: a) My current brakes are s**t and dangerous. I don't have the money for the upgrade kit right at this moment in time. So instead of driving around in a dangerous car, I thought I would get some standard items, I can't see how that is a waste of time. I was actually shocked at the price of the clips from Subaru, and cannot see how they cost that much (for example, the clips for my M5 only cost £20 from a main dealer), hence the reason for my post, nothing more. Thanks for your help thefastone, but in future, I would prefer you keep your sarcastic comments to yourself. I thought that was what forums like this were all about, people asking for help and exchanging ideas.....maybe I am wrong - maybe it is just the Subaru one that seems to be full of arrogant people who think they been there and bought the t-shirt. CB

I got some new disks and pads for my sick scoobie, and just to be on the safe side, I decided to get some parts from my local Subaru dealer: Pad retaining pins x4 Cross springs x2 Pad clips x2 Spacers x2 £75......Ouch!!!!! These cost more than the disks and pads! Because the pads and disks are so worn, I had to get the above as a stop gap until I get the big brake upgrade. I was going to get the HiSpec conversion, but I am now considering the Tarox 10 pot upgrade as well. Does anyone else know of any other kits that work well with the Imprezas? Cheers CB

Why would I want to do that???? I have waited ages to get a scoobie.....ok the one I have may not be the best, but in a couple of months - with some hard work and some £££, it will be running great!! If I can get it running half as well as my old Pulsar, then I will be a really happy person.... CB

I had another look at the DIY electrics in the car today, and noticed that the battery was discharged..... A quick replacement later (well not that quick, bolts sheering off, electrical wires to repair etc), and nothing changed...... so I think the starting issue may be the starter motor on the way out. On a plus note, I did notice that the car runs better, and there is a noticable difference in the pick up, so it is a bit faster and smoother now! On a bad note, it reminded me that the caliper is sticking on and the brakes are s***t....well the back end of the 66B did a good job of that as well. The oil leak seems to be getting worse as well......so clutch and rocker gasket then brakes ASAP me thinks!! CB

Hi and thanks for the help... My car already has a scooby sport exhaust from the cat back and a bailey dump valve....and I have a STI strut brace on route as we speak. I'm glad it sounds like the probs i'm having have been seen before/ people are used to them, I've waited ages to get a impreza turbo!!!!!!! Anyway, my plan of attack was going to be something like: 1) Service 2) Upgraded clutch (I always seem to destory these along with the brakes) 3) Brakes / Suspension - I was thinking HiSpec big brake conversion with some coilovers poss. Teins... 4) FMIC and oil cooler 5) Sell the house, the wife, everything else I own to pay for it all...... Never thought of the remapped ECU, should I get this done after everything else?????? I'll have to check that out.. Thanks for all the help!!!!!!! CB

Hi, I have just got round to getting my self a UK spec '99 turbo wagon.... not my ideal choice, but as it's my 6th form of transport (4 cars and 2 bikes), I didn't have much arguement with the mrs!!! Anyway, I must say that after waiting all these years for one, I am a little disapointed with it......hopefully it's just that my car requires some work.. Anyway, a few problems that I have, can anyone help with some ideas/help????? 1) It takes ages to get started - cranks for a good 5 or 6 seconds before the engine catches - I'm keeping my foot off the loud pedal. 2) I have managed to fade the brakes ever time I have had it out so far, I think the driver side caliper is sticking, but apart from that, has anyone got a good brake upgrade? 3) There is an oil leak somewhere, that only appears if I park nose first down a hill, I was told it is a common problem, and they thought it may be the rocker cover???? 4) It's really slow!!!!! I'm looking to boost the power up to the 300 ish mark.........Has anyone got a safe way to do so for the UK spec cars?? I am going to give the car a service, get the plugs, oil changed etc so hopefully this will help it out a little bit, but all help and advice is appreciated. Cheers CB