1999 Impreza, Project Track Car

Cheers for the comments guys,

Some updates coming soon. New complete custom exhaust system, upcoming re-map and more. I've been really busy with work lately apologies for lack of updates.
 
Long overdue update, my camera phone pictures are terrible I know but please stick with it as I'll get some nice DSLR snaps of the car soon hopefully, its just I cant have good camera gear lying around in a dirty work shop in the off chance I'll get some time to work on a side project.

Engine arrived back from API, turned out it had a damaged ring and piston on number two cylinder, both were replaced under warranty.


Brakes finally arrived minus some bolts which eventually arrived a week later, Not surprisingly the AP brakes have made a huge difference to the stopping power, you can brake so hard on a dry day that you can hear the tyres squealing slightly at that point of almost "lock up" all the way down from high speed. Anyone toying with a brake upgrade should look no further.


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Once the engine was refitted and all was well, it was on with the interior, cleaning and prepping then painting with white aerosols.

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The alloy bonnet arrived as well as the bucket seats and harnesses.

Rant/ I would never use Sportseats4u again the seats were late, when I complained they accused me of having recieved seats and harnesses that were not for me and I should return them right away. When I politely told them I had recieved nothing they persisted I had another customers stuff so I sent them an absolutely scathing email they eventually looked into it and agreed I didnt have anything after all with out so much as an apology.

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Then it was on with replacing the restrictive 2 1/2" exhaust with a custom 3". After looking at various options I decided to use Meercat in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire firstly because they have a fantastic reputation having made exhausts for some big names in motorsport and secondly because I only live about ten miles from them :)

I'm pleased to report they didnt let me down, the exhaust they fabricated is beautifully made and well worth the money. At £975 its cheaper than a lot of the top imported brands but without compromising the quality. The headers are triple sleeved Grp A rally style, no clamps they just pull apart when cold. From the turbo back there is as few turns as possible to improve flow. Unfortunately the improved flow means I'm going to have to get it remapped again so another trip to Lancashire, had to be done anyway as I'd like to again push for 400hp.



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So now all that remains for the first phase of this project is to have the car remapped and resprayed as it looks bloody awful with a white alloy bonnet and unfinished repairs to rear wheel arches. After its mapped its going to the paint shop to be re-sprayed white. Then hopefully sometime soon a track day to try the old girl out and no doubt break something :)
 
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Yeah its sounds really nice now, very deep Subaru burble. The new header set is back to un-equal lenth. After trying both I can say I prefer that distinctive sound from the un-equal.

Here are some better pics of the car in day light.

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[TW]Fox;14799523 said:
Other way round surely - if you have a cage you need a harness.

This is what I've always been told, and repeat to my friend who is insistant the only thing I should do to my car is fit a roll cage as otherwise I will die.
 
The cage is on the to do list along with a load of other stuff, I just cant keep spending like a looney. I'll be doing the next phase next year.

Which will include:

Uprated gearbox, probably 6 speed
Paddle clutch
Light weight fly wheel
Roll cage
Full poly bushed suspension

Theres probably more but thats all I can think of atm.
 
[TW]Fox;14799523 said:
Other way round surely - if you have a cage you need a harness.

I would have said both or neither is the most sensible way to go but if you were only going to have one, i'd think a cage was more sensible on it's own.

With a harness you're pinned to the seat if the roof were to get crushed for example, which a complementing cage would prevent.

With a cage I suppose you might bash your head on if an ordinary belt let you move too much but surely you'd probably be beating into an A pillar or the roof anyway in that case?

That's what makes sense in my head but as said, I think the most sensible way to treat it if it concerns you that much is both or neither.
 
[TW]Fox;14799523 said:
Other way round surely - if you have a cage you need a harness.


Yeah thats my understanding too, with standard seat belts and a cage theres a good chance you'll crack your skull on it in a crash.

Harnesses are just improved seat belts.
 
Its my understanding you should never drive a caged car without a helmet on, or at the very least padding on the cage.

Never read anything about having a cage without a propper harness.
 
[TW]Fox;14799523 said:
Other way round surely - if you have a cage you need a harness.

Well my point was more that if you have one you need the other. You are extremely restricted with a harness on so if you roll the car and the roof or pillars caved in you would be squished.

Similarly if you only have a cage and you crash you smash your head on hard metal. Awesome.
 
Wow, a great project hadn't looked at this thread in a while so was good to catch up. Those brake's are huge :D bet they cost a fair wack though! This is the kind of think I would do if I had lot's of spare cash.
 
As your using it as a track car, with no rear seats, before you get it in the bodyshop shave the rear door handles

 
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