In October of 2006 I had had enough of my little domestic ****box. I drove a 2001 Dodge Neon ACR for 5 years. The car had probably $10K+ into it and was just on the cusp of being a track only car. My family was protesting driving around in this loud, unforgiving, uncomfortable newlywed-on-a-budget corner carver.
I had but two choices....Evolution MR or this little honey...




[IMG]http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/grambo911/STI/STI%202/SplitterLip3.jpg[/IMG



MODIFICATION LIST:

EXTERIOR:
* Rally Armor Mud Flaps
* Kubota Orange Powder Coated Hella Supertone Horns
* JDM Subaru Rain Guards
* Center Grill Mod (DIY)
* Kubota Orange Powder Coated Front Tow Hook
* 05' Tail Light Assemblies (Thanks derek_valentine!)
* Rain-X Wiper Inserts
* Tein Hood Dampeners
* JDM AQUA Hood Latch Protector
* JDM ChargeSpeed Carbon Fiber Roof Vane 1 of 3 in the U.S.
* JDM Chargespeed Carbon Fiber Brake Ducts (Painted CGM)
* JDM Omron Custom Curb Feeler (Japanese Industrial Standard…look it up ******…)
* Wingless Trunk
* JDM Tail Light Mod
* Greddy Gracer Front Lip (Painted CGM)
* APR Splitter (04-05)


INTERIOR:
* Custom Molded Defi Cup In Column
* Defi Triple Meter Hood (Painted CGM)
* Defi Boost Gauge
* Defi EGT Gauge
* Defi Oil Pressure Gauge
* Defi Oil Temperature Gauge
* Defi Controller
* Italvolanti Team Orange Edition Steering Wheel 1 of 100
* Works Bell Team Orange Edition Quick Release 1 of 100
* Symms Team Orange Edition Shift **** (Summer and Winter) 1 of 100
* Works Bell Short Hub
* JDM S204 Hazard Button
* Garagespec Angled Shift Extension (Powdercoated disco-sparkle WRB)
* STI Embroidered Floor Mats
* Craftsman Trunk Non-Skid (DIY)
* JDM Armrest Extension
* ZeroSports Shift Boot (DIY Custom Competition Orange Button)
* Zerosports Key Fob
* Cusco E-controller (DIY in Center Console)
* Autospeed Dead Pedal
* Sirius Starmate 4 Satellite Receiver
* Bride Racing Gloves (Full Custom Power Rangers Gauntlet Delete)
* My Shaldan Squash Air Freshener
* Custom Trunk Light Switch (for shows n’ stuff)
* Dash mounted "TEST" switch
* Gravel and dirt from Tahoe...

ENGINE:
* GST Motorsports Dyno Tune: 276 whp, 293 wtq
* COBB AccessPORT OTS Stage 2
* COBB Turbo Heat Shield
* GP Moto "Snorkus Delete"
* Forge Motorsports Upper Radiator Reservoir
* Forge Motorsports Power Steering Reservoir
* Forge Motorsports Silicone Radiator Hoses (Black)
* Forge Motorsports Silicone Ancillary Hoses (Black)
* Forge Motorsports Turbo Intercooler Hoses (Black)
* Zerosports Radiator Caps
* Prova Gold Oil Cap
* Project Kics Magnetic Oil Plug
* FilterMAG
* Redline Oil 5w30
* Subaru “Black” Oil Filters
* APR Carbon-Kevlar Radiator Gap Cover (1 of 100 according to RAPTR, 1 of 50 according to APR)
* Greddy EVO 2 Cat-Back Exhaust
* Kartboy Exhaust Hangers in STI Pink!
* Accurate Machine Works Catch Cans
* Custom Made Beatrush Relay Cover (DIY)
* ZeroSports Intake Pipe (Custom Ported, Polished, and Honed grambo-style)
* grambo's 4 Gauge Welding-Cable Grounding
* Gates Blue Racing Accessory Belt
* Titek Catted Down-Pipe
* Walbro Fuel Pump
* AMS Small Battery Kit
* CDOC Gold Foil Film Insulation (Apollo 13 Bling)
* Forge Motorsports UNOS Manual Boost Controller
* Tomei Expreme Equal Length Exhaust Manifold
* Tomei Expreme Up-pipe
* DEI Heat Wrap
* HKS Kansai Service Airbox
* HKS Reloaded Short Ram Intake
* Gates Blue Racing A/C Belt
* APS Turbo Inlet Hose
* Killer B Motorsport Ultimate Oil Pick Up
* P&L Motorsports AVCS Lines
* Power Enterprise Kevlar Timing Belt
* Cosworth Timing Belt Guide
* LIC Motorsports Adjustable Timing Belt Idler Pulleys
* NOS Intercooler Spray Bar Kit
* grambo’s Stainless Steel Engine Bay Dress-Up Hardware
* Samco Turbo/Intercooler Elbow (Red)
* Grimmspeed Double-Thick Gaskets (DP, UP, EM, Etc)
* Grimmspeed 160 deg Thermostat
* Gates Engine Gaskets
* ARP Head Studs
* Earl's AN Fittings (various)
* Cosworth Head Gaskets

DRIVELINE:
* Group N Engine Mounts
* Group N Transmission Mounts
* TiC Unabomber's Sexy Rearend
* TiC Transmission Crossmember Bushings (pink)
* TiC Rear Klicky Kit
* TiC 6MT Shifter Pivot Bushings
* COBB STS
* COBB Front Shifter Bushing
* Redline Rear Differential Fluid (75w90)
* Redline Transaxle Fluid (75w90)
* Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
* grambo's 4 Gauge Welding-Cable Grounding
* Earl's 3/4" NPT Blue Plug (In The Pumpkin!)
* Beatrush Forged Pitch Stop Mount (Holy NVH!!!!!!)
* Whiteline Subframe Lock Bolts
* TiC Rear Shifter Stay Bushing

SUSPENSION:
* Cusco-02E Coilovers with E-Controller 8kg/mm 65mmdia./200mmlength Front, 6kg/mm 65mm dia./ 250mm Rear
* Cusco Carbon Fiber Rear Strut Brace
* Cusco V-Brace
* Cusco H-Brace In Competition Orange
* Carbing Front Strut Brace with integrated MCB
* Carbing Rear Strut Bar (Custom-mated to the Cusco Strut Brace)
* Ingall's Camber Bolts
* ZeroSports 22mm Front Sway Bar
* ZeroSports 22mm Rear Sway Bar
* Perrin End Links
* Grade 8 Stainless Endlink Hardware
* Harley Davidson Chrome Endlink Spacers

BRAKES:
* Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines
* Motul RBF 600 Brake Fluid
* Speed Bleeders
* StopTech Street Pads
* Adam's Rotors - Cross Drilled, Slotted, Zinc-Coated, Painted Hubs
* Project Mu Brake Master Cylinder Cap

ICE:
* Ghetto Cobra Radar Detector
* LoJack Vehicle Recovery System
* Clarion Door Speakers (Front)

ROLLING STOCK:
* 17" x 9" Semi-Gloss Powder Coated Black Rota Torque / bridgestone Blizzack LM-25 (Winter)
* 18" x 9" Dupont Jollipop Red Metallic Advan RS +29 GTR Face / Continental Extreme DW 265/35/18 (Summer)
* Skunk 2 Forged Lug Nuts (silver)
* Project Kics R26 Lug Nuts
* ARP Extended Wheel Studs


SOON TO COME AND ON THE WORK BENCH:
* Beatrush ALK
* Beatrush Propeller Shaft Bushings
* Hunting for Recaro Pole Positions in Red
* Zerosports Ball Joint Extenders or HKS Kansai...not sure yet
* Cusco Rear Camber Plates
* WRX Side Skirts
* Paint….I need some paint


* Special thanks to my HP-hungry awesome-a*s wife, my bad-as* son, the NorCal Chat Thread Crew, RAPTR, Ed and John at GarageSpec, Angel at Forge Motorsports, Darius at AMS, GoodTimes, Turn In Concepts, jdmdave, SeventySti, esqdgg, jdblock, WANTED, derek_valentine, muskathomas101, JohnSRT4, dlouie87, jagstyle, karleric, ztotheh, scby rex for letting me swipe ideas, pharo, Ty at P&L Motorsports, Sean Gozzi’s powder-coating, Officer T.C. Smith of the CHP, Mike at GST Motorsports for the honest tune, Paul at graphikimpact.com, LIC Motorsports - Noah! Thanks for the answers brother!!! Chris at Killer B Motosport!!! and anyone else who responded to my enquiring PM's and posts....

 

Very nice, im not sure if the springs would be worth it. The stock suspension is pretty damn good. If your looking for a stiffer set-up you might want some adjustable shocks or coilovers. Not to tell you what to do but or anything cause its up to you. Either way, you have an amazing machine and i hope you enjoy it for me. Good lord knows i would love to upgrade to the STI...someday though...

 

Thank you for the nice reply. Yes, be assured that this is my dream car. I feel lucky just to have my name on the bill.lol
I made the spring decision solely based on searches at NASIOC and IWSTI, and also sheer numbers. The spring rates are higher on the JDM version as opposed to the USDM pinks. (Though, I need to check again if they are a progressive spring...cuz I loved my Eibach Sportlines...aka kidney krushers).
Coilovers are WAY outta' my budget right now too. I have a busy family and all the related costs so......you know. ;]

 

Just installed the Rally Armor mud flaps. Heading to Tahoe next week and prayin for snow. Bridgestone Blizzacks get installed tomarrow. (Crapola pics, my apologies..)

 

welcome and cograts

 

the mudflaps look sweet .

welcome!

 

^thx for kind words. :] They worked great in Tahoe this week. I'll post pics of my dirty, dirty STI...haha

 

mudflaps plus street tires FTW!

 

Blizzacks are on. Pics to come.

(The summer tires actually seem to fling more rocks and crap into the car, I may leave the flaps on year-round...lol)

 

My honey hooked me up big time for Christmas...COBB heat shield, HKS radiator caps and oil cap, STI IC airbox hose all installed. COBB sweatshirt, springs, SS, bushings, Goodridge lines/Motul, HKS TT are still on the bench. Debadged the car this weekend too. Dirty engine pic:

 

Looks good, love those mudflaps.

That H2 looks like he parked pretty close. :/ Typical I guess.

 

Updated for my pleasure! FINALLY installed the COBB SS Saturday night at sometime after midnight. I regreased everything with some high-grade monkey-sh** tractor grease from Schaefer's. The grease WOULD NOT come off of anything it touched. Pretty insane stuff.
The SS is pretty cool. I had a custom unit made by Maddog in my ACR and it was simply the best you could get for that vehicle. I think with some TiC tidbits, kartboy urethane, and the remaining COBB componants this shift assy will be superb.
I would take pics but you've all seen a SS 100X..

 

Super Tones Update....installed with tricky in-line fuse. Came out pretty cool. Shrink-tubed and soldered all connections. Wire loomed everthing for a factory look.

Uber trick fuse install..


meh. to bad it doesn't add HP...

 

Engine Bay Updates: Beatrush pulley cover and radiator gap plate, Forge Motorsports header tank and power steering tank:




All high quality pieces. Easy install, etc. GarageSpec supplied the Beatrush pieces while I supplied the Forge componants through my hookup at Forge.

 

looking good