This is Boofhead

[Marcus]

I used to run RX2's, RX7's then I disappeared for a long while because of marriage.

After THAT went south, I had myself a VR4, which I did this to in late 2007...



It got re-roofed and all the panels done but it kinda went beyond my time right now to fix. It's goign to be a long project one day - I did enjoy the VR4 a lot. But in reality, ever since I was in this sport I wanted something else.



And on Christams eve last year of all days (I got my first new car 5 years to the day before that in fact) I picked up Sean Herbert's 2004 STI.



The one thing that is really clear is that this car is indeed waaaaaaay beyond my present ability to find the limits of. While I did okay on the VR4, the STI is a different league altogether and potentially a hell of a lot faster. And indeed, first event I did in it (Minidulla) it really did give it's crew a few startling moments. Usually when John and I are just mind f***** how a car with real diffs and a lot of straight line makes the trees blur. And it really took a few khanacrosses to get my mind around it. I did have to laugh when my brother got his hands on it at Awaba - he went in cold and just about stalled in surprise by it's sheer take off.

Now as if any bit of machiery, we have been in a steep learning curve - an enjoyable one I have to say, the car itself is a joy. I'm not very happy with what I'm getting out of it, despite winning an event -



I feel there is better I can do and I do sense just how quick this car really is. First job tho so far is making the handlign more my style - anyone who's driven car's set up by me know I like my handling. Boof pretty much defines "Horsepower handling" and "Diffs cover sins of the suspension" and I dont really like that. It works, but not for me.

The car itself is one of the Subaru RS challenge cars, originally driven by one of the Brand family (Not Sam). Did okay, seems to have been garaged for a while, fell into Sean's hands and three weeks before BRM last year it seems a lot of beer lead to very quick rebuild andparts swapping from his wrecked STI. And it came 3rd outright. Some rebuild.

And thence he got busy and sold it to me.

Specs -

2004 RS converted to 2004 STI
2litre in 2004 RA spec.
DMS 50mm
Usual 2004 FIA cage of the RS Challenge
Terratrip
Sparco seats
Autronic
A few Maximum Motorsport bits everywhere.
and so on.

What I have done -

Changed the intercom
Done some remedial work to get a few things done
Suspension work
Seating changes to suit me.
Invaded the ECU and realised we had a VERY good map and we should be using better fuel......

Future plans

Conversion to 07 Spec C
Go have fun

Now while I am coming to grips with this thing and I know this car can win rallies - it wont in my hands. By my own admission, I just dont have any interest in trying to explore the outer envolope - it's a really good car that I would love to keep for a long time as it's exactly what I want to use and to have a lot of fun with.

And as long as it puts a grin on the face..... who cares?

[bob moore]

Originally Posted by Marcus

And indeed, first event I did in it (Minidulla) it really did give its crew a few startling moments.

Not to mention those two old blokes in the Stanza in front of you, out for a quiet Sat'dy arvo drive, who couldn't work out why you hadn't passed them after 5 km!

Seriously, it looks like a weapon.












Yours, too!

[vkdude]

Originally Posted by Marcus

I did have to laugh when my brother got his hands on it at Awaba - he went in cold and just about stalled in surprise by it's sheer take off.

It does get going pretty quick.
I started behind pete I think on the last track for the day and went f********k pete was in 3rd and accelerating at a point where I was still wasn't ready for 2nd in my poor 16v twin cam corolla.

[Marcus]

Job log....

Since last rally, done a fair bit to get a few things right. Retuned the suspension - now is a much more settled and less twitchy beast. Also, tried out RON 102 and that did make a difference. New intercom (Stilo WRC), new mudflaps, general cleanup and ECU check.

To do list -

I need to look at low down power. When I fell off (too often) boost, it took a while to respool and get going again. Precious seconds lost.

Also need to look at low speed handling. I think the car feels a lot better mid to high speed, the low speed isnt that flash. Either that or my technique is needs a lot of refinement.

Handbrake cable.... hmmmmm. Something isnt kosher there. Looks to be chewed out due to rock damage.

Terratrip. Odd fluctuations in readings. It does work, maybe pickup is screwed? It does read off the rear wheel bolts so wheel bearing may be the issue.

Diffs. I think I need to work out what exactly is in them. Feels.... weird. Every now and then the front end goes where it wants to in a big hurry, same with the rear. I think this is the sign of mechanical diffs. If so, that's good.

Brakes - Not really all that good. I think new pads and rotors are called for. Doesnt really dig holes in the ground.

Weight - I think I need to look at this. I think I am running about 50 kg's too heavy. I'll need to sort out where I can trim weight. Not easy in this thing tho, it's quite minimal and unlike the VR4, there's no areas that are obvious right now.

Seating. Generally okay but over crests, cant see ****.

Exhaust. Think it needs another flex join.

Positives - car LOVES to do a good scando flick.

VERY enjoyable car. That sound rules.

[Marcus]

So, here' more boring **** working on the STI.



Ripping the back end apart to change the suspected failed wheel bearings.



Hub out.




Gravel and stone damage on the back of the rear calipers is a concern. Nearly time to change them




Off up the road to where the 10 ton press was and set up to get the old bearings out.



Oh....



.... ****

No wonder the handling was funny



Using the old bearign shell to help press the new bearings in. Car in the background is a rally prepped RX2 four door



Went surprisingly well



Hub back in



Our erstwhile and these days much thinner correspondant ready to kill someone because of that ****ing stupid drum brake handbrake. **** drum brakes of any kind

Sadly, I could feel the difference immediatly. The bearings obviously just self destructed.

[Marcus]

So since the last update....

New brakes

Got 101 little jobs done

Retuned





As the car gets more things either fixed or replaced by my hand, it really feels more and more like a car I built, less like a bought one.

More power came at a cost...



It's a huge mess in there, looks like a sideplate sheared. Oh well, here comes more thigns I put my stamp on with a R180 rear end and SpecC bits. It is odd tho I got the order of things to be fixed / changed different to what I usually have - i usually do suspension first, then brakes and driveline, lightweight THEN maybe engine. Havent really fixed the suspension as yet so it's looking like that's going to be done last.