Upgrade/Wish List Log - 05 OBXT

[dlo13]

Alrighty...
So there are definately a list of upgrades I have in mind for my ride and I have started putting together a list of minor changes as well as some big upgrades.
I'm 24 years old and severely underpaid as an IT, so things wont get done as quickly as possible... but here we go...

Done already
-- 20% Tint all Around
-- Full Audio Build 2005 XT - Sound Quality Build
-- JDM Rear Sway Bar

To do in no specific order
-- Wheels: Thinking about these right now...
-- New Suspension - I have been doing some research and I will be going slightly lower than the legacy GT ( i purchased this car thinking i was moving to vermont, but i wont be leaving SoCal )
-- On the interior I plan to paint the radio and shifter trim. I am thinking either black or carbon fiber.
-- Paint the Calipers, leaning on a baby blue color or something like this... http://image.hondatuningmagazine.com...s_calipers.jpg
-- JDM Double Dim Swap
-- Sti Down pipe
-- Sti Upipe
-- I would like to figure out what exhaust will get me closest to the STI sound (why i fell in love with subarus)
-- Stage 1 Tune from Infamous
-- Front Sway bar

Next couple of days I will be Plastidipping my badges, hoodscoop, grill, and bottom portion of the front bumper...

I need to finish up the "pretty" part of my audio install and get those picks posted.

I will also be adding pics to a flickr album of the car so others can maybe get some ideas or share some thoughts on how I can plan this list out.

Please guys - give me some input on the exhaust, suspension and whatever else you think i might enjoy.

[1 Lucky Texan]

I love both the sound and look of my twin-tip Strommung muffler. deep, throaty - not buzzy. Not so loud as to p!ss off the neighbors, or attract cops. And twin-tip doesn't attract ricers at every light revving at me to race.

you can find sound files on line for lots of mufflers.

[dlo13]

i found 2011 STI up,down and catback w/6k miles on them for only 500...
Up and down have the heatshields.
I can get them powder coated by a family friend for prob 10 bucks each...

You guys think this would be a good way to go?
My understanding is that i would need a stage 1 after this mod?

[dlo13]

Painted the scoop - i like the way it looks, but i need to do it again, the car was still warm when i did it and it gave the plastidip an uneven balance of color and texture. I am going to take it off next time.

Also painted the lower portion of the bumper near the front plate, i had my family look at it and they thought it came like that factory, i like the way it looks.

[Seabass]

Not sure on the fitment of the sti parts. There have been a lot of major redesigns in the last couple years.

[dlo13]

found out a guy i work with is a pretty well known mechanic with the locals in vegas/henderson.

Spoke to him and he said go with the sti up pipe and get an aftermarket catted down pipe.

[dlo13]

Double post fail

[Sideways the Seven]

Subscribed.

[dlo13]

hah - so i did more research, talked to infamous and he basically said its not worth the money to upgrade the down, and intercooler on the car. At that point its stage 2 and with a downpipe and a tune im looking at a 15hp upgrade on a stock turbo from a stage 1.

Seems like i am going to end up just doing a upipe and a tune for now. looking at about 30hp upgrade.

we will see...

[Seabass]

Disagree. It may be around a 15-30 hp jump over stage 1, but it's a much bigger bump in torque and the torque comes on significantly earlier with a better downpipe. It's worth it.