Hatch Mods

[monsterenergy]

Well, finally did my first mod of 2012.

Installed a bonnet scoop grill

Think it's actually a Zunsport but it is a genuine Subaru accessory.

Saw some DIY versions on iwsti but I wanted it to match my other black eens and couldn't be ersed with fabricating and painting and all that.

Bit of a pain to install - WTF is a spiggot and how do they work?!? lol - I gave up and used a 4mm machine screw and bolt and used a Dremel to cut it doon.

Next up is a genuine Subaru front fog lamp kit, some carbon fibre door frames thingies (once I wash the car) and a Perrin front strut brace (on order). Will post up pics as I do the work.

[wrx kenny]

Very nice m8 .

Kenny

[BalliSTIc]

If you're getting front fogs, get grilles for 'em... they shatter like billy-oh!!!

[g1983]

I have the standard WRX grills. and fancy a full grill upgrade. seen the top and bottom for around. £160. hadn't thought about the scoop grill. looks awesome.

any advice on the purchase and fitting difficulty for a novice would be appreciated.

what's the fog light issue?

cheers in advance

Gordon

[monsterenergy]

I have the standard WRX grills. and fancy a full grill upgrade. seen the top and bottom for around. £160. hadn't thought about the scoop grill. looks awesome.

any advice on the purchase and fitting difficulty for a novice would be appreciated.

what's the fog light issue?

cheers in advance

Gordon

Fitting the lower grill is easy, on with some protective masking tape, bit of poking about with a long screw driver to latch it on, jobs a goodun.

Scoop one involved removing the scoop and drilling 3 wee holes.

My car came with the main grill installed so nae done it myself... I think it's a bumper off job - which sounds daunting, but looks nae bad if you check oot the instructions on iwsti website - the instructions are for an STi but guessing WRX is similar if not the same:

Bumper Removal Link

IWSTI is a great site for how to's for the hatches - probably to do with the americans having much more aftermarket products for the hatch. I just google 'iwsti how to ....' and usually it leads you straight to what you want to find.

If you are taking the bumper off - a good mod to do at the same time is a horn upgrade, get rid of the toy car horn that Subaru's come with and put in something beefier.

I was just gonna try and fit the fogs withoot taking off the bumer - cos heard ye can - but I reckon I will fit some Hellas or PIAA dual horns while I'm at it.

Edited April 19, 2012 by monsterenergy

[monsterenergy]

Ok - so while abidee was away havin a fling - I got on with my mods for 2012 so at least I didn't have a Scooby free weekend either

Fitted my carbon fibre stickies on my doors - difficult to get a good picture but happy with these, although they were pretty expensive and I wonder if the same effect could have been achieved with carbon vinyl. However, the finish on the genuine Subaru ones is very good. The black finish on the window frames was beginning to look a bit tired so this covers it well.

Also fitted the genuine front fogs. Well impressed with them and was a doddle to do. Never bothered taking bumper off and the whole job was done in under an hour. Was much easier than I thought to install.

- Ballistic... I see what you mean about how the lense could be vulnerable - can you recommend somewhere to buy mesh? Do B&Q do it? Thanks.

And I guess that's me almost oot of genuine Subaru accessories to add now, so far have added exhaust finishers, STi front lip spoiler, Carbon Stickies, scoop grill and the foggers. Only other I would consider is a scuff guard for the back bumper/boot.

I have the Perrin front tower brace to install in the next few days and am also finally gonna do a debadge of everything but the STi. Other things being considered - suspension upgrade, alloy wheel refurb/new wheels, some carbon wrapping of a couple of things.

Edited April 30, 2012 by monsterenergy

[The Don]

Ok - so while abidee was away havin a fling - I got on with my mods for 2012 so at least I didn't have a Scooby free weekend either

Fitted my carbon fibre stickies on my doors - difficult to get a good picture but happy with these, although they were pretty expensive and I wonder if the same effect could have been achieved with carbon vinyl. However, the finish on the genuine Subaru ones is very good. The black finish on the window frames was beginning to look a bit tired so this covers it well.

Also fitted the genuine front fogs. Well impressed with them and was a doddle to do. Never bothered taking bumper off and the whole job was done in under an hour. Was much easier than I thought to install.

- Ballistic... I see what you mean about how the lense could be vulnerable - can you recommend somewhere to buy mesh? Do B&Q do it? Thanks.

And I guess that's me almost oot of genuine Subaru accessories to add now, so far have added exhaust finishers, STi front lip spoiler, Carbon Stickies, scoop grill and the foggers. Only other I would consider is a scuff guard for the back bumper/boot.

I have the Perrin front tower brace to install in the next few days and am also finally gonna do a debadge of everything but the STi. Other things being considered - suspension upgrade, alloy wheel refurb/new wheels, some carbon wrapping of a couple of things.

Nice,

Sounds as if you've been looking at my thread on Scoobynet

You can't quite see it, but there is a clear scuff guard fitted to the bumper top

The My11 foglights are £90+ each to replace so having lost one I covered them in some Lamin-X Optic blue headlight protector....

http://www.lamin-x.co.uk/

All you need now is the auto folding/heated JDM mirrors........ :lol:

[The Don]

I have the standard WRX grills. and fancy a full grill upgrade. seen the top and bottom for around. £160. hadn't thought about the scoop grill. looks awesome.

any advice on the purchase and fitting difficulty for a novice would be appreciated.

what's the fog light issue?

cheers in advance

Gordon

Not sure if the Vid is included in previous writeup but watching these will help........ a one man job.

[monsterenergy]

Don, apologies but gonna bombard ye with a few questions cause I like the look of yer car... even with that silly sticky oot bum on it where the hatch should be lol.

Have ye got a link for yer Scoobynet thread? Not seen it but am insterested.

Where'd ye get the carbon cover for the pulleys in the middle of the engine, or is it wrapped?

What's the wee tank with the STi and Pro-R logos - is that standard on the 2011?

How did ye get the engine bay so clean?

I've read ye can jet wash the engine bay but am nervous about that.

Ta

[The Don]

Don, apologies but gonna bombard ye with a few questions cause I like the look of yer car... even with that silly sticky oot bum on it where the hatch should be lol.

Have ye got a link for yer Scoobynet thread? Not seen it but am insterested.

Where'd ye get the carbon cover for the pulleys in the middle of the engine, or is it wrapped?

What's - is that standard on the 2011?

How did ye get the engine bay so clean?

I've read ye can jet wash the engine bay but am nervous about that.

Ta

Three threads, some bits the same but some different, depending upon what was asked etc.

http://bbs.scoobynet.com/members-gallery-5/896843-my-old-2011-wrx-sti-saloon.html

http://www.surreyscoobies.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39789

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/time-change-83859/

Carbon Pulley cover (not wrapped) came from Scoobyparts

http://www.scoobyparts.com/acatalog/copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_CARBON_FIBRE_PULLEY_COVER.html

The "the wee tank with the STi and Pro-R logos" is a Summit Racing Cool Rad panel re-sprayed satin black

http://www.just-subaru.com/my08-summit-cool-radiator-panel-80995-0.html

The good thing about it is that the covers the whole of the front panel.

An earlier photo............

Keeping the engine bay clean has been one of my "obsessions" and have done so with all my Subaru's.

Jet washing I have found not to be a problem and have never "covered" any of the electrics whilst doing so, although keeping the spray away and warming the engine first helps.

I use this for cleaning........

followed by this..........

Have followed these instructions since 1997 without a problem.......

My previous FXT when new.........

After 8 years and 120,000 plus miles......

and another Forester I was involved with......

Before....

After.......

Hope that helps..

[monsterenergy]

All I can say aboot those engine bays is WOW!

Will definitely be giving mine a clean.

Thanks for the links - i think - you may just have opened me up to a whole load more of modding expense though! lol

Definitely given me some ideas!

[The Don]

:D

[BalliSTIc]

Before....

After.......

Hope that helps..

OMFG!!!!! :o

[monsterenergy]

So, got my Perrin front strut brace installed today. Took a bit of jiggling to get it in there and under the firewall, but I reckon it looks nae bad if I do say so myself.

And I should have a few other bits and bobs delivered in a few days from the guys at Pro-R.

Ordered a Pro-R/Tamioka Racing Air Oil Separator - decided to get this instead of an oil catch can because I reckon this is technically better than an oil catch can - thanks to Ballistic for pointing oot this option!

Also ordered a Stainless Steel Pro-R Cooling Panel - currently reduced to £60!

So after a slow start 2012 is now picking up speed - I know folk will say I'm doing things in a weird way, but I'm having fun and just getting on with installing wee bits and bobs that take my fancy.

Edited May 1, 2012 by monsterenergy

[BalliSTIc]

Nae worries chief... will be interested to hear how you get on with it.

Are Pro-R doing cool panels for the hatch too? I could only see newage ones...

[monsterenergy]

Nae worries chief... will be interested to hear how you get on with it.

Are Pro-R doing cool panels for the hatch too? I could only see newage ones...

Clicky Linky...

Stainless Steel Pro-R Cooling Panel

Developed for Subaru Imprezas from 2008-2011MY, this Pro-R cool panel guide has been designed to locate between the bonnet slam panel and the radiator assembly.

It ensures cool in-coming air is directed through the radiator assembly where it is needed most, helping to lower engine temperatures.

Each Cool Panel guide is manufactured from high quality, laser cut, brushed stainless steel and is finished off with the Pro-R logo seal of quality.

Not only does the Cool Panel guide maximise cooling efficiency, but it also enhances the under bonnet appearance of your Impreza.

Edited May 1, 2012 by monsterenergy

[g1983]

How easy/ what's involved in fitting these.

Also do yous have any opinion of after market oil filler and radiator caps. fancied a touch of colour :-)

[The Don]

Ordered a Pro-R/Tamioka Racing Air Oil Separator - decided to get this instead of an oil catch can because I reckon this is technically better than an oil catch can - thanks to Ballistic for pointing out this option!

You've been busy

Yes, seems to work very well. I enhanced mine by adding some stainless steel mesh around it's central core, so that any oil mist has additional surface area to separate out onto.

[billyboy]

Nice,

Sounds as if you've been looking at my thread on Scoobynet

You can't quite see it, but there is a clear scuff guard fitted to the bumper top

The My11 foglights are £90+ each to replace so having lost one I covered them in some Lamin-X Optic blue headlight protector....

http://www.lamin-x.co.uk/

All you need now is the auto folding/heated JDM mirrors........ :lol:

Very nice car mate.

[monsterenergy]

Today's wee mod while I wait for my Pro-R parts which should arrive tomorrow (Pro-R seem mega efficient at shipping which is good!)

Added some mesh for front fogs...

I'm actually nae sure how well this mesh will do in a fecht wi a steen, so may also add some of that laminate stuff too.

Tomorrow is engine bay degrease and jet wash to get ready to install my Pro-R goodies.

I also bought a Zero Sports 1.3 bar cap - had thought about a Forge alloy header tank but didn't want to shell oot that much.

Also just ordered some discounted chipex to repair a mark on my bonnet and a scratch on the side.

Edited May 2, 2012 by monsterenergy

[monsterenergy]

Did my engine bay degrease and wash then shortly after that my Pro-R goodies arrived - got the heat shield installed and my zero sports cap.

Thanks to Pro-R for the speedy service!

Had a look at the AOS install but the instruction pictures are a wee bit different from my engine bay layoot and it's gonna take some time... and I'm meant to be meetin mates at the pub shortly lol.

Edited May 3, 2012 by monsterenergy

[g1983]

Is the zero cap a straight swap. the ones i see are for classic or newage up to 2007. same as oil cap

[g1983]

Im also interested in the pro r or summit cool rad cover

[monsterenergy]

Aye, zero cap straight swap fir header tank cap. Cool rad cover real easy to fit too, 4 plugs and 2 bolts to redo. I'm talkin STi but nae sure WRX is same. Got mine fae Pro-R website so they are defi fir right year, pretty sure ye could call them for any clarifications. Should add, it's the "Pro-R Racing" website, nae the normal "Pro-R" website. :-)

[g1983]

Yeah i seen there was price difference. I liked the SUMMIT cool rad cover only as it was black. should you notice a difference in anything with it installed

Gordon