A faster grocery getter - 04 WRX Wagon

[Recoil889]

Sick wagon you have there mate.

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.

I ordered a set of front and rear agency power stainless brake lines, and a set of Kartboy rear subframe lock down bolts. I'm hoping to have the interior mostly reassembled soon and work on running the brake lines while the rest of my parts are out for powdercoat and anodizing.

[HILLTOPHOODZ]

Sick wagon you have there mate.

[Recoil889]

Maybe you could set up an evo x battery tray in the back and make it look oem+ while still showing off the gold hardware.

Why not use the standard silver knobs, don't they fit?

I'll have to look into the Evo tray. The problem is that the wagons have a false floor with a spare tire well underneath it. Unless I do the floor in Plexiglas, no one will be able to see the battery tray or the battery. Not a big deal, just kind of complaining for the sake of complaining.

The standard silver knobs will fit, but I just think they'll stick out and look dumb? I'm not in a huge hurry to order the $120.00 black ones. I guess I'll see once it gets all installed. It might actually look OK.

[rice4life]

Maybe you could set up an evo x battery tray in the back and make it look oem+ while still showing off the gold hardware.

Why not use the standard silver knobs, don't they fit?

[Recoil889]

Updates:

Got the wire from the Starter ran through the same hole in front of the clutch into the door sill along the driver side and into the spare tire well. I also drilled out the hole in the fender arch that the new fusebox harness ran through, so that's done.

In the mean time, the stuff to flock the interior showed up. I'm hoping to get started flocking the charcoal gray parts before this weekend.


In prep to do the rest, which will be black, I disassembled the 06/07 STI center console as far as it'd go.


Because they're high wear areas, all the parts here are getting mailed off to be vinyl wrapped in matte black.


I still need to order these HVAC knobs, which are unfortunately unreasonably expensive, but that's how it goes, I guess.

http://www.flatironstuning.com/p-1723-sti-limited-black-h-vac-knob-centers-for-05-07-wrx-and-sti.aspx

All the things being powdercoated are getting dropped off this upcoming Monday. Estimates are 2-3 weeks before I have them back. Seriously looking forward to putting stuff back together.

[Recoil889]

After quite a few hours of reading various opinions, reviews and data sheets, I decided to order an Odyssey PC680. I really like how it can be laid on it's side with no problems, as it's going in my spare tire well. I got a great deal on it. $135 shipped including automotive terminals. Tackling some wiring tomorrow and probably running the battery cables to the rear through the door sill. I've got some really nice gold plated hardware to go on the cable. It's a shame the battery is going to be hidden away with all that bling but I suppose in this instance, functionality wins out over form. Photos to follow.

[Recoil889]

I am loving this car more and more. I wish I had the space to do this in. For a battery just go for an all lead one. I paid 150 and have not had a single problem. I will have to look and see what brand it was

Thanks. I'll have to look into that and see what I can find out.

[dubs&boost]

I am loving this car more and more. I wish I had the space to do this in. For a battery just go for an all lead one. I paid 150 and have not had a single problem. I will have to look and see what brand it was

[Recoil889]

i commend you.

Loving the quality of this thread.

Thanks guys.

Does anyone have any recommendations for sealed a sealed battery? I know optimas are nice, but I'm not so much on the bandwagon that I want to spend that kind of money. Something around the $150 mark is cool for me. Looking for 450+ CCA.

[phenom]

Loving the quality of this thread.

[bimmerspotter]

i commend you.

[Recoil889]

Long time no update -

Quite a bit finished up/worked on since the last time I posted. I've also had a couple changes made to the direction some things are going. Mainly, I decided that I'm not going to be ordering anymore Alcantara. At $110.00/yd, and the difficulty of working with it, I just don't think the end result is really worth it. The ~3 yards I have now will be used for the headliner, and any scraps will be used for a shift boot and other miscellaneous things. After doing a considerable amount of research, I realized that flock is a reasonable alternative. I ordered a couple pounds of black nylon flock and 3 ounces of charcoal gray to do some accents with. http://www.flockit.com/

In preparation to do the flocking, I sanded down all the interior trim pieces, then further wiped them down with a red scotchbrite and acetone to remove any of the stuff left over. I went over to home depot and got some shellac to cover the dash and the other pieces with "texture" to them. This should create a nice uniform surface for the adhesive


In order for everything to match up nicely, I disassembled my gauge cluster, sanded down the silver rings you see, cleaned them with acetone and sprayed them black.



With the help of a friend, I ran about 500ft of wire to extend out the fusebox harness. Each of the 23 wires was cut to length, then separated into two braids with electrical tape. The two braids were then paired and sleeved in water resistant shrink wrap. I labeled each wire on each end with numbered labels that correspond to the ones on the main harness and fusebox. The wire was run through a hole in the firewall below the brake booster which exits in front of the clutch pedal. I ran it the width of the dash, and secured it to the dash crash beam. I drilled a hole in the glove box for it to run through and be connected to the fusebox again.


It will exit the engine bay right here and run along the inside of the fender arch and be soldered back to the main harness behind the fender out of the way of the tire.


I also scored a set of Kaminari side skirts BNIB on craigslist really cheap. I'll need to get those painted to match soon, They're a little more aggressive than the stock ones, and should help with the giant clearance I have on the side of the car.


Got my JDM multi color foglights and bezels installed onto my bumper today. Very excited about this.




I sold the stock front seats today. I need to buy a sealed battery to go into the spare tire well, so I'll be looking at those this weekend. Up next should be some more wiring action on Saturday, flocking the interior and powdercoat shortly thereafter.

[Johnsea]

Good choice in turbos too i see.

[Recoil889]

I love what you're doing man and I'll be watching closely. I have been wanting to tidy the bay up a little in mine but there really isn't too many doing it with these cars. Well, if there is I'm not finding them.

Good luck brother!

Thanks man. There is some stuff on NASIOC, I'm trying to do it nicely without going too overboard or cut any corners. It's a fine line to walk.

keep up the great work, nothing but love for your wagon!

Thanks!

There's a few wires you can make longer and run your fuse box over to the passenger side glove box and it'll fit in there mint. While your at it your should just tube the front end with the tubs it''ll look awesome. And honestly just ditch the abs module, its useless imo. I took mine out all the lines and wires and ran a wilwood proportioning valve and call it a day.

Yeah, I've got all the fuse box wires cut and separated. Everything is ready to be extended through the firewall and into the glovebox. I'm going to cut out the fender arches here shortly and figure out the tubbing situation. ABS is staying. I don't mind rerouting the lines and moving the module out of sight. Having functionality and form at the same time is ideal for me.


Finally worked up the ambition to get out and get some work done this evening. The first thing I did was take some masking tape and tape over this port that the AC lines used to run into.


I then traced the outside of the port and made an indent where the threaded hole is. I've got a friend who's a machinist, so I'll have him cut me a plate that'll sit flush and cap this off. Less welding is better for me. I don't mind just capping stuff off where I can get away with it.



I gathered up some cleaning supplies (brake clean/toothbrushes/qtips/rags) and got to cleaning off some of the grease and junk that's on the motor and tranny.







And last, but not least..the brake lines that are in the engine bay are gone.





That about does it for stuff that needs to be deleted out of the bay. I still need to reroute and shorten up some of the vacuum line, and generally just move some other shit out of the way.

Here's a hint at what's coming next. SO not looking forward to this.



Thanks to all of you checking out this thread on the regular.

[Johnsea]

There's a few wires you can make longer and run your fuse box over to the passenger side glove box and it'll fit in there mint. While your at it your should just tube the front end with the tubs it''ll look awesome. And honestly just ditch the abs module, its useless imo. I took mine out all the lines and wires and ran a wilwood proportioning valve and call it a day.