Black Beauty

[Rdlangy1]

Feel free to pop down and spend a day doing urs

[NL03Scooby]

Well, another spot the difference today...

Before:



And after:



Really pleased to get the horrible, whatever make it was off the car and get the Milltek on it, looks so much smarter. Only downside to a Milltek with the standard cats in place is how quiet it is, but for the improvement with the look of the backend I can live with it at the moment.

A bit of bad news does follow however, after checking out the rear bumper during the install I discovered someone hit the car whilst it was parked last night, all the hard work with Ryan and his DA to discover someone used my rear bumper as their reversing marker... Going to need a trip to the body shop to get it repaired, time to keep an eye out for cars with a distinctive black scuff...

[scotty]

Looking so much better with a proper noise maker on .

[Banstead Stig]

Same happened to my wife's Impreza a while back. They managed to damage the bumper and tailgate (it's a wagon).

Pissed me right off! It's £400-500 worth of damage, easily.

Hope you get yours sorted okay.

Exhaust looks smart. I don't recall the Milteks being that quiet. We must have different benchmarks!

[Ginola]

Looks Great Rob, I did not notice the scuff on the back today.. probably because you reversed into the bay in the paddock!

[Rdlangy1]

Loving the look of the miltek mate - and has the damaged cracked the bumper or just scuffed? Won't buff out?

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

Loving the look of the miltek mate - and has the damaged cracked the bumper or just scuffed? Won't buff out?

It's a scuff, no cracking, but the paint has been scuffed off too in some areas leaving the black plastic of the bumper visible.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

It's a scuff, no cracking, but the paint has been scuffed off too in some areas leaving the black plastic of the bumper visible.

Gutted for you Rob might aswell do the boot lid at the same time

[Hongkongfooi]

exhaust looks much better

[Rdlangy1]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

It's a scuff, no cracking, but the paint has been scuffed off too in some areas leaving the black plastic of the bumper visible.

Ahhh I see

Well as Scotty says it would be a good chance to get the bootlid done to - if you need quotes I can get you a price from D&A customs who did my bootlid and rear bumpers etc - so u have a cost comparison?

Ryan

[NL03Scooby]

Another update, the best news is the suspension has finally all been fitted! It's been a mission, the rear shocks refusing to part company with the hubs using the normal removal tools. Spanners, sockets, a breaker bar, torque wrench, blow torch, impact wrench, grinder, drill, many drill bits, hammer, chisel and more expletives and blasphemy then you could imagine have finally got the job done. The original rear shocks are now no more then chunks of scrap metal...

Fortunately I had spare nuts and bolts from the blue car and have liberally applied copper grease to ensure no ceasing of fastenings in the future.

As the suspension in terms of shocks and springs is completed (other then an alignment) I have taken on the challenge of the brakes next.

I was going to simply change the front disks but upon removal of the callipers (yes, they came off without any issues!) I found the seals around the pistons had passed their best and it made more sense to put the Brembos on from the blue car, which ironically are in a much better condition any how and have already freed off bleed nipples.



No doubt a double Brembo set up would be great... for generating huge amounts of heat.

I was going to fit my Hel lines at the same time as changing the callipers but the original stuff is going to need some TLC before it comes off without too much of a fuss.

The callipers and disks replaced, Performance Friction pads back in place too.



The rear brakes are in need of the same overhaul but will save that for another time, I have already snapped one of the heads off a calliper bolt so will also get a new set of bolts at the ready for the swap.

Interior bits were also on the 'to do' list as again the interior in the blue car was a little less scuffed and abused then Black Beauties, someone had attacked the head unit surround with a screwdriver and possibly had a habit of chucking keys around the Sti gear stick surround.



I also wanted to get the orange parts out of the headlights, fortunately I have done this in the past and the silver indicator bulbs had survived from the blue car accident so had what I needed ready to go.

It turns out the clear headlight lenses have started to degrade on the insides, so any amount of work on them to make them crystal clear is pointless unless I can remove them and work on the insides, which strikes me as fighting a loosing battle.



Still, despite the TLC the headlights need I'm happier with the look without the orange bits, as everyone is when they do this little mod.

Car has had an oil and filter change, I was glad to remove the 'whatever it was' branded oil filter and get a genuine Subaru one on there, not that it was the end of the world. Also need to change the plugs at some point soon.

I am still needing to measure up/fit the Whiteline rear arb, want to get some new drop links before I do it and need to get the mounting brackets from the blue car as they're much less corroded then the ones currently on the black car.

That's about it for now, things are still going in the right direction and having the blue car around for any spares I need is a blessing. As the winter months come in its not as nice to go working on the car, but that hasn't stopped me in the past so I will keep doing things here and there.

[Rdlangy1]

Amazing progress rob

Glad suspension is on and the clear lenses look awesome!

Will have proper nose when I come for the Chinese

Such great progress to date tho buddy

[scotty]

Looking good what condition is your spare 6speed gear knob in .

[iPond]

Looking good! Really need to pluck up the courage to de-tango my lights, makes such a big difference

[Bytes]

Great work Rob

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by scotty

Looking good what condition is your spare 6speed gear knob in .

Not sure what it looks like condition wise as never really studied it. Will have to dig it out and send you some pics Scotty.

[Rdlangy1]

am I the only one who reads that and feels uneasy! Ha ha ha

[Banstead Stig]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

am I the only one who reads that and feels uneasy! Ha ha ha

Haha.

Live and let live I say. If two consenting adults want to share pictures of their knobs with each other, then so be it.

[NL03Scooby]

Think I was meant to post my previous comment on 'another' forum! Still, it's nice to let people know what else I am 'in to' in my spare time...

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

am I the only one who reads that and feels uneasy! Ha ha ha

Would be you wouldn't it, want some pics too hahaha!

[Rdlangy1]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Would be you wouldn't it, want some pics too hahaha!

Well I thought "black beauty" was something entirely different!!! Ha ha ha ha - hayleigh did mention Pmsl!!

And yep it would be me! Ha ha

[NL03Scooby]

Nice shed!

[Rdlangy1]

Awesome can't wait to get mine at Xmas meal

[NL03Scooby]

Spent the afternoon fighting to get the diffuser on the rear bumper, no it doesn't do a lot but I think it looks smart and was on the blue car so was there to be used again.

When we were in Germany this year Dave noticed how it flapped about a bit so I came up with a quick fix to try and keep things less flappy...







If my OCD kicks in I might get some black cable ties in the future but for the time being its out of sight so I'm not bothered by them at the moment.

All I need now is someone to follow behind me and check on how flappy (or not) things are.

[Ginola]

Good effort! Need to follow you for a bit now to see if it still flaps about, was it cold doing that?

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Ginola

Good effort! Need to follow you for a bit now to see if it still flaps about, was it cold doing that?

It was a bit chilly yeah but at least it wasn't raining! Cold hands and small screws and washers don't mix well, you can't feel what you are doing and regularly have to pick them off the floor again and again...

[Rdlangy1]

Looks good rob - liking that a lot..

[Rdlangy1]

hold on - just looked on my PC rather than the phone screen - WTF is all that dirt !?!?! disgraceful ! ha ha ha -

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

hold on - just looked on my PC rather than the phone screen - WTF is all that dirt !?!?! disgraceful ! ha ha ha -

What dirt... It's a very used Scoob I will have you know, poor thing needs constant TLC because it's constantly being used!

[Rdlangy1]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

What dirt... It's a very used Scoob I will have you know, poor thing needs constant TLC because it's constantly being used!

Fair comment mate - was only messing with ya

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

Fair comment mate - was only messing with ya

😊 needs another full on day of cleaning and your expertise, why did I get a black one...

[Rdlangy1]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

😊 needs another full on day of cleaning and your expertise, why did I get a black one...

It would be my pleasure mate - u just gimme a day and bring it on down

[Banstead Stig]

Looks cleaner than our two!

I hate how filthy they are, but haven't had time to clean them and the roads are really grim at the moment.

Diffuser looks bob on.

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Banstead Stig

Looks cleaner than our two!



I hate how filthy they are, but haven't had time to clean them and the roads are really grim at the moment.



Diffuser looks bob on.

Thanks! It is a little on the tough side just leaving it filthy but at this time of year if it's driven regularly you would have to clean it every day to be happy... As mine is from Scotland it's probably used to it, Scotty would know!

[Banstead Stig]

Yep, mine does about 1,000 miles a month, so you're fighting a losing battle!

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Thanks! It is a little on the tough side just leaving it filthy but at this time of year if it's driven regularly you would have to clean it every day to be happy... As mine is from Scotland it's probably used to it, Scotty would know!

it got a clean every 2 days and a full treatment on a sunday

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Looking good have your sorted the front splitter yet

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by scotty

Looking good have your sorted the front splitter yet

Yes I have! It was a pain to sort it, took a hacksaw and pair of tin sips to hack away at that stupid bolt but now things are secure and as they should be.

[scooby doo]

Very nice! I had that diffuser to locks smart

[Lucky]

Looing good Rob. Remember if you need any badges I have the full set sitting around doing nothing.

[C. J.]

As much I hated keeping my black bug clean I think it's the best colour for a newage . So much so I find myself looking at bugs and blobs in black !

[scooby doo]

Originally Posted by C. J.

As much I hated keeping my black bug clean I think it's the best colour for a newage . So much so I find myself looking at bugs and blobs in black !

Couldn't agree more on that Cj, id get mine spot on then next mornings due would leave it crap , but they do look awesome,

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Lucky

Looing good Rob. Remember if you need any badges I have the full set sitting around doing nothing.

Thanks! I will give you a shout should I need some new badges, must sort another boot Lid first. Is it the newer style black and red Sti badge?

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by C. J.

As much I hated keeping my black bug clean I think it's the best colour for a newage . So much so I find myself looking at bugs and blobs in black !

All the time I had my blue one I remember looking at and loving the black ones that turned up at meets, I think they look very smart in black and fate kind of set me up for one (in a round-about way...). looking at them online is a dangerous game...

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by scooby doo

Very nice! I had that diffuser to locks smart

Never seen another one with the diffuser in the flesh yet, when mine was originally fitted at Scoobyworld they said it was the first they had ever done. The photo of it on their website is my old car the day it was fitted.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

All the time I had my blue one I remember looking at and loving the black ones that turned up at meets, I think they look very smart in black and fate kind of set me up for one (in a round-about way...). looking at them online is a dangerous game...

I know i keeping looking at black newages for a future purchase

[Dan881]

Just read your project thread very nice blob eye you have! I'm looking at blob eye sti's now and this has tempted me even more towards a black one

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Dan881

Just read your project thread very nice blob eye you have! I'm looking at blob eye sti's now and this has tempted me even more towards a black one

Thank you! I see you are now in the market for an Sti after selling your WRX, have you looked at any yet?

I remember when I first looked at Impreza Sti's they were all blue, the first one I bought was a blue one too. I got this black one through a bit of chance from Scotty and remember always having a bit of lust for a black one.

I never realised how hard it would be to keep clean and polished, the paint shows up every little mark you can imagine, I even got a machine polisher just to keep the swirls at bay!

[Rdlangy1]

We need a day before Germany doing both motors mate

Perhaps we should have a SES Detailing day at mine with pizza and beer and what not for all those interested prior to Germany

[Dan881]

H

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Thank you! I see you are now in the market for an Sti after selling your WRX, have you looked at any yet?

I remember when I first looked at Impreza Sti's they were all blue, the first one I bought was a blue one too. I got this black one through a bit of chance from Scotty and remember always having a bit of lust for a black one.

I never realised how hard it would be to keep clean and polished, the paint shows up every little mark you can imagine, I even got a machine polisher just to keep the swirls at bay!

Not been to look at any yet just looked online at some for sale as only sold mine today. But like you say they all blue and after owning a blue one I kinda fancy a different colour.

The black is a nice colour with the gold flake in it but I imagined like you said it be a night mare to keep clean etc and I'm really fussy with my cars being clean/ hating swirls! The other option is silver

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

We need a day before Germany doing both motors mate

Perhaps we should have a SES Detailing day at mine with pizza and beer and what not for all those interested prior to Germany

Sounds like we have some serious planning to get sorted, this is a great idea! Be nice to get the cars really clean ready for the trip.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Sounds like we have some serious planning to get sorted, this is a great idea! Be nice to get the cars really clean ready for the trip.

Think mine will need a clean weather its a white or black one you never know .

[NL03Scooby]

Another small update, I finally got round to ordering and fitting a new rear anti-roll bar. I had a 22mm one from the blue car but it wasn't correct for the black car due to different rear drop links.

Having the opportunity to compare the arb for 'C' shaped drop links to that for standard straight ball joint type setup, I was quite surprised at the difference. Although not massive I'm sure it would have had an impact on the car should I have tried running my old arb.





I imagine the narrow arb meant for the 'C' shape drop link set up would have upset the drop links on the 2004 car forcing them to be somewhat angled.

Even the designs at the end were pretty different...





Everything fitted up nicely and my eyes filled up with varying bits of debris, I even took part in the obligatory 'drop a spanner on your face' routine that every home mechanic should try.

[Rdlangy1]

Look great mate should be a nice addition come Ring time

[scotty]

Ahmen to that are you doing front aswell interesting about drop links situation too .

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by scotty

Ahmen to that are you doing front aswell interesting about drop links situation too .

Not looking to do the front at the moment, I understand it isn't as essential as the rear. The drop link situation is a good one, black beauty has a far better set up with standard style drop links compared to the 'C' shaped style of earlier models.

[NL03Scooby]

Getting in to prep mode for Germany so getting the all important service parts. Engine oil, gearbox oil and rear diff oil has all been ordered, oil filter was hand delivered as a gift from Ryan, thanks! I have bought some new Whiteline track rod ends and will get the car booked up for a geo set up shortly.

[Rdlangy1]

Great job rob

[NL03Scooby]

New parts, sometimes you never want to get them out the box.

[scotty]

Nice you get them via Alyn

[555_Si]

Lol, got the same on Saturday when I got back from Goodwood. Needed a bit of retail therapy and went via JPP after putting Tiger away.

[Rdlangy1]

Mmmmmm

[scotty]

Originally Posted by 555_Si

Lol, got the same on Saturday when I got back from Goodwood. Needed a bit of retail therapy and went via JPP after putting Tiger away.

Haha thats my next upgrade a long with anti lift kit haha .

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

Mmmmmm

Not the correct answer it should be

Mmmmmmmmm to meeeeee

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by scotty

Nice you get them via Alyn

Got them from Scoobyworld, had a voucher to use from Christmas and decided to put it towards these. Have another voucher from Ryan to spend now, what next I wonder...?

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by 555_Si

Lol, got the same on Saturday when I got back from Goodwood. Needed a bit of retail therapy and went via JPP after putting Tiger away.

Can't believe you got some of these Saturday, chances of that?! Retail therapy was a must after seeing the metal on show at Goodwood.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Got them from Scoobyworld, had a voucher to use from Christmas and decided to put it towards these. Have another voucher from Ryan to spend now, what next I wonder...?

Anti lift kit

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by scotty

Anti lift kit

Quite possibly yes, people say it's a good kit to buy and fit. Trying to make sure I buy the parts I need, not just the stuff I want.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Quite possibly yes, people say it's a good kit to buy and fit. Trying to make sure I buy the parts I need, not just the stuff I want.

Oh you will need it no doubt about that lol .

[NL03Scooby]

Another delivery, some lubrication jollop this time around.

[Rdlangy1]

Never have enough lube

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Another delivery, some lubrication jollop this time around.

Why you want to put that in a standard engine

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by scotty

Why you want to put that in a standard engine

Unfortunately Scotty I'm on a piston slap reduction mission...

Anything to try and calm it down a little bit, I wouldn't stick this stuff in otherwise.

[Hongkongfooi]

roll centre kit was a good upgrade on the p1...you'll notice this mod for sure

[NL03Scooby]

Despite the rain this morning I wanted to try out a wheel and tyre on the rear end for fitment purposes. I bought some new wheels recently for the 888's I got in a trade with Si. The tyres are 235 wide and despite the fact I had been told by a few they would fit fine I wanted to see the proof for myself, and just get a wheel on the car to see how it looked!



The eagle eyed among you will note that this is the wrong tyre for this side of the car, it was the only wheel I had to hand and the only one I had put a spigot ring in.

[Rdlangy1]

Looks awesome rob!!

[Granby]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

Looks awesome rob!!

Agreed

[Steve_PPP]

Nice Should give you plenty of grip round the Ring.

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Nice Should give you plenty of grip round the Ring.

Hopefully so, and if I don't use them to their full potential at least they will look the park and suggest 'that bloke knows what he is doing' XD

[Ginola]

They look great!

The 888's are very progressive on the limit, you can feel (and hear!) when they get there, and know when to ease the hammer back so to speak


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lucky]

Fantastic Rob. The car is coming on a treat.

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Lucky

Fantastic Rob. The car is coming on a treat.

Thanks Steve, I still have loads of things to sort, mainly bodywork, but we are getting there. Car is booked in with SMD next week for the traditional 'pre-ring' check up.

[Consti]

Looks good,
I've managed, to squeeze in a 235 on a low offset of 35 on a widetrack, even though loads said it was impossible.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1461220039.155724.jpg


Widetrack 😀

[NL03Scooby]

Had a new adventure today, removing locking wheel nuts when your brain lets you down and the tool disappears from the face of the earth...

Not how I wanted to spend my morning, fortunately I had a new set of nuts to hand.



Got a removal tool from Halfords and that worked on two of the nuts, after chewing up the other two I had to resort to smacking a 17mm socket in them and hoping for the best, a bit cave man but the only option I had!

All is back to normal now and I won't be letting the tool out of my sight, will therefore spend most of my time looking in the mirror.........

[Red Baron]

Bet you find it tomorrow.

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

Bet you find it tomorrow.

Odds on, surprised it didn't turn up once I had finished getting the problem sorted.

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

Bet you find it tomorrow.

Probably in the compartment just behind the handbrake.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

Probably in the compartment just behind the handbrake.

Or in the glove box or do what i did get 20 matching nuts lol then no need for locking nuts .

[NL03Scooby]

Rather pleased with the look, they will be on for one day only though and back to normal wheels and tyres some point tomorrow.

[Rdlangy1]

Looks amazing that mate

[iPond]

Looking good tough call but I think I prefer the pff7's. If these were bronze tho... not sure I could call it. Love the black with bronze wheels!

[Banstead Stig]

They look great.

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by iPond

Looking good tough call but I think I prefer the pff7's. If these were bronze tho... not sure I could call it. Love the black with bronze wheels!

I gave the bronze ones a long hard think and in the end bottled it because I wasn't sure how they would go with the Brembo's. The PFF7's (or replicas in my case) are a nice wheel and go well with this shape Scoob.

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

Looks amazing that mate

Originally Posted by Banstead Stig

They look great.

Thanks folks. First set of wheels I have ever purchased despite my 6 car past.

[Lucky]

They look spot on mate

[scotty]

Looking very smart indeed my old china

[Ginola]

Prefer the look of these to the pff7's! Think they look great


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Matt23]

I think the car looks good, but the old wheels (PFF7s) suit the car better in my opinion.

[NL03Scooby]

More bits, because we all like bags with Fuji Heavy Industries stickers all over them!



Unfortunately for new nuts, bolts and washers to go in, the old stuff has to come out, if they were going to come out happily and in one piece I wouldn't need this kit so the fun and games will begin at some point soon.

[Ginola]

£3.99