'X' Plate Classic - Rise of the Silver Surfer

[ralliart didz]

scott what size is your front number plate please

[majorscooby]

Originally Posted by ralliart didz

scott what size is your front number plate please

Same as mine 3/4 size from fancyplates.Com

I too asked Scott then got mine done.

[ralliart didz]

Originally Posted by majorscooby

Same as mine 3/4 size from fancyplates.Com

I too asked Scott then got mine done.

thanks majorscooby

[Scott.T]

Having had such a wonderfull time racing around The Ring in a gay blue STI, I thought I'd camp mine up a bit too.
So just ordered these from The Land of The Rising Sun :



Their going to clash terribly with my Orange ARB though !!!!

[ajelliott]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

da06f020e43594a9c230972d/59008/Image/Normal/Image1.jpg[/IMG]

Their going to clash terribly with my Orange ARB though !!!!

so why not spray your arb

[Steve_PPP]

Whats the spec on those then? Not seen pink STI springs before....









(poof )

[Scooby_Greg]

Last time I used RHD I ordered some parts from the UK at the same time. The stuff from RHD turned up in 3 days and was quicker than my UK order. I could easily spend a fortune shopping with them

Look very nice Scott!

[majorscooby]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

(poof )

Lol, are there any springs you haven't tried?


You must have about four sets in your garage!

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by majorscooby

Lol, are there any springs you haven't tried?


You must have about four sets in your garage!

I think Silversurfer ought to change his user name to:

Zebedee

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Whats the spec on those then? Not seen pink STI springs before....
(poof )

STi Pinks are there premium range, not that common on Classic's but they do a full range :

GC8 Standard Pinks : http://www.rhdjapan.com/sti-coil-spr...preza-gc-55492

GC8 Lowered Pinks (-30mm) : http://www.rhdjapan.com/sti-lowering...za-gc-gf-59008

GDA / GDB Pinks (-20mm) : http://www.rhdjapan.com/sti-coil-spr...za-gd-gg-55487

GRB Lowered Pinks (-15mm) : http://www.rhdjapan.com/sti-coil-spr...preza-gr-58940

Mine are for the 'lowered' version specified for the WRX-RA or WRX-RA Type R.

[Scott.T]

STI springs are on their way......

DHL tracker......
Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 15:39
Origin Service Area: OSAKA - HIRAKATA - JAPAN
Destination Service Area: MAIDSTONE - ST LEONARDS - UK

[Anger]

I had the full STi pink coilovers on my RA, better than the cusco's I had for English roads

[Scott.T]

Bored of the colour 'Green' so fitted something 'Pink'
Ride Height is now approx. 5-7mm higher on the STi Pinks compared to the Teins despite being a shorter spring.
Therefore, this proves that the Spring Rates of the STI Pink are higher then the Tein's.

Compared to the P1 Springs tried previously they sit approx. 10mm lower.

Front's




Rears :

[Scott.T]

Used the GoPro for a bit of a comparison.
Footage is the same stretch of road, taken at approx. the same level of attack.

Of particular interest in the Tein's reaction to the drain cover.
It has an initial compression and further bounce then hits the drain cover.

The STi hits the initial compression, doesn't give a second bounce and then takes the drain cover a lot smoother.

Tein


STi Pink

[jonnyricer5]

Proper suspension data going on good work scott!!

[Steve_PPP]

Videos are quite surprising, they make the teins look soft!

How does the car feel now, quite a bit stiffer?

[Mortster]

Ive got "Pinks" on my Bug too, was thinking of changing for the "Greens" to drop it down a little, think I wont now. Good research Scott

[Scott.T]

Did a drive by of my test bend to see where-abouts the drain cover was to put things into perspective.

In the Tein Video above the first compression is induced by the initial turning into the 90 Degree bend and accelerating as hard as I dare. The 2nd compression is a bounce of the Tein's mid-corner, followed by a 3rd compression as it hits a drain cover on the corner exit.

In the STi Pink clip there is much less compression on turn-in, no mid bounce and good reaction to the drain cover.

Tein's are on now on Ebay......but I don't recommend them

[majorscooby]

Nice bit of research indeed with the use of a go pro! You should have a really nice trackday ready scoob once everything is tweaked and set up.

My teins will be staying firmly on my scoob. It's lowered the car nicely and still gives me a comfortable ride with the family on board.

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by majorscooby

Nice bit of research indeed

My teins will be staying firmly on my scoob. It's lowered the car nicely and still gives me a comfortable ride with the family on board.

You must be geting old,

I thought you had a Civic for the family ?

[Scott.T]

Took the car out for the 1st 'extended' drive on the STi Pink springs to get more of a feel then the industrial estate blast last week.
Still pleased with the results. Around town it's a bit more jiggly but on a run if feels great, with turn-in much improved and much reduced bounce from the rear.

Took a few piccies when we got back to show how it sits.

[Matt23]

Nice pictures mate, I'm pleased the car is going well for you and is still 1 of my favorite classics on the road.

[Lucky]

Looking really nice Scott.

[majorscooby]

Very nice indeed. Does make want a set of 18's.

[Bytes]

Great looking classic Smashing colour too

[Scott.T]

Spot what's missing......


It fell out/off on the A20 on the way to Brands this morning....I wondered what I ran over that clattered the underside of the car.

[Steve_PPP]

Whoops. Expect the nut probably went quite a way before the bolt worked itself out too...

[Scott.T]

The bush and sleeve have gone too. I wondered why the car behind dropped back....LOL......

I then noticed a mild clonking when I drove on the gravel round to Southbank @ Brands. Spotted what was missing while we had lunch.
Took it a bit easy on the way home.

Not sure if I can get replacement bushing as PowerFlex don't list these Drop Links anymore.

Stainless Nyloc nuts, and crinkle washers already on order......

[Scott.T]

Spoke to PowerFlex today and although they no longer produce these drop-links (due to tooling issues with the ally link) they did manage to find some bushes, which they are sending to me FOC.....happy days ......

[Scott.T]

Popped the bonnet vents out yesterday to give the plastic mesh a good clean and also get all the dirt/polish residue out from the bonnet lip.
Quite liked this view, so took a quick snap.



And yes, I sorted de-rusting/polishing the aarthing kit to stop all you moaners everytime I pop the hood......

[Hongkongfooi]

Lol NOW it looks mint

[Bytes]

Wow, that's really clean! Great idea for a photo too

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

And yes, I sorted de-rusting/polishing the aarthing kit to stop all you moaners everytime I pop the hood......

Much better

[Lucky]

Much better and probably an extra 5BHP too

[Scott.T]

Well another year and another MOT. Thanks to my local MOT'er for giving it the eyeball
I can't believe I've had the car back with me for just over a year already.

2,268 miles clocked up this past year (which included the Ring trip).

Now thinking of putting it on a SORN, as can't see it getting much use for the rest of 2013 & early 2014.

[Scott.T]

Another piece of Newage STI gets bolted to the Classic :

[BIG"E"]

Very nice.

You are obviously a newage wonaby..

A nice set of WR1 seats would set it off..

[Lucky]

How much nicer does that look . Must feel nicer to drive with too.

[Matt23]

That really does look very smart

[scotty]

What a difference it makes to the classic interior , looking good was it a straight fitment scott .

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by scotty

What a difference it makes to the classic interior , looking good was it a straight fitment scott .

2 torx to remove the airbag unit/centre (their captive bolts located in the side of the wheel assembly that don't come all the way out)
One 17mm nut holding the wheel on. A few bangs with the palm of your hand around the wheel rim gets the old one off.
New one drops straight on, taking care not to move the slip ring and the holes in the new wheels metal frame locate and align with the classics slip ring lugs/locators.

The only difference is the airbag connector.
I just need to re-wire that. But I will wait until I can get hold of a tidy 2-way male/female connector (probably from the office).
You could do it with choc-block if you really wanted to as no-one will ever see it, as it sits in the airbag unit.

[RobEvo5]

Very Nice, love the subtle changes, attention to detail and progression your car has taken over time. A rare gem now.

[aps555]

That is a smart tidy Classic

simple upgrades makes is much better to the eye

[stuballs]

Gorgeous car mate! Modifications that modernise the look and the performance in a subtle way. That's how a Classic should look and go.

Makes me want to do something with my bog-standard Classic. I'm new to the Subaru scene and this is inspiring.

[Scott.T]

This seasons spring colour is Blue :

[Red Baron]

Knew there must be a reason it had ventured out of the garage earlier.

[bonner]

Your classic is stunning scott has to be the cleanest ive ever seen!

[alfa male]

Scott gave me a little inspiration today after seeing him on Queensway, just spent 4 1/2hrs cleaning the Alfa!

Also saw Red Baron getting out of his Passat at Sainsburys traffic lights.

[Red Baron]

Yep, stopping the woman driving off with no fuel cap on and emptying diesel all the way up the A21

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by alfa male

Scott gave me a little inspiration today after seeing him on Queensway, just spent 4 1/2hrs cleaning the Alfa!

Also saw Red Baron getting out of his Passat at Sainsburys traffic lights.

Thanks for letting me out Steve. I did spot/realise it was you eventually, but bloody difficult with the rear spoiler as it has a habit cutting the following drivers head off in the rear view mirror.

[Scott.T]

And today was a Grey day.....

[scotty]

Looks like your testing different spring options when the season changes Scott have you got some info on the different spring type .

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by scotty

Looks like your testing different spring options when the season changes Scott have you got some info on the different spring type .

Gradually gathering the data.
The spring rates will change once I get data back from independent testing.

[scotty]

Some good info there Scott come in good use for us classic owners .

[Mortster]

So from the data, the P1 setup is the stiffest, but also the tallest?

Which ones to you rate the most so far?

[Scott.T]

A few pics to show the coil spacing when fitted/on-ground and settled.
22B UK (We assume these are a P1 Spec Spring, as standard JDM 22B ones are Grey)
nice linear spacing

STi 'Lowered' Pinks

WR Blue Front


22B UK Rear

STi 'Lowered' Pink Rear

WR Blue Rear (nice linear spacing)

C35 Rear

[Scott.T]

Newage (2004) on Left Vs Classic Fronts Right

Now that Newage Blue (above) looks very much like the Prodrive P1 Red Front (below) to me.....

[scotty]

So Scott what spring have you found to be best suited to your classic .

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by scotty

So Scott what spring have you found to be best suited to your classic .

The set I am having made .....with linear coils similar to the blue rear and red front above.
But at P1 Spring rates (and lowered compared to P1), which we now know, and have had it confirmed using 2 independent test houses.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

The set I am having made .....with linear coils similar to the blue rear and red front above.
But at P1 Spring rates (and lowered compared to P1), which we now know, and have had it confirmed using 2 independent test houses.

Sounds good Scott be the only classic with a set of custom made springs like it .

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by scotty

Sounds good Scott be the only classic with a set of custom made springs like it .

If they work, they'll be put into production.

[Scott.T]

New colour arrived yesterday.
Unfortunately, in his haste to produce these, the supplier has messed up with the 1st prototypes, as the coil diameter top/bottom for the front match the rear, which they shouldn't and also we wanted to try and avoid the coil'on'coil approach on the rear.
So these may get turned into table lamps.........

[thepieman]

soon be the 20th





first day of spring


great car this

[Hongkongfooi]

Originally Posted by thepieman

soon be the 20th





first day of spring


great car this

[Scott.T]

Spring has arrived.........well prototype No.2 has, from the 2nd supplier.....quality is a lot better and spring pairs have close measurements so good tolerances.
Heavier wire gauge on the front compared to the rear (similar to the P1), fronts are rated at 215lb/in, Rears 206 lb/in. That's 19lb up at the front and 31lb up on the rear compared to the STi Pinks (P1's measured 206lb/in Front, 189lb/in Rear).

Fingers crossed the ride height ends up where I want it.

[Scott.T]

P1 Red's Vs Fast Road Orange's

[SpecB]

Looking like a good development!

[scotty]

Looking forward to Scott's verdict on them once fitted and a test drive .

[Scott.T]

Epic fail........ride height too high. Actually now higher then a P1 and Eibach Pro's
Back to drawing board........if I can be bothered.

[Hongkongfooi]

They look nice though

[Steve_PPP]

Doh! I know new springs are meant to take a while to settle and reach their full drop, but they won't drop that much

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Doh! I know new springs are meant to take a while to settle and reach their full drop, but they won't drop that much

Cheap springs maybe but good quality should have hardly any.
These are supposed to only have 2-3mm max settle as part of the build process squashes them to full compression to prevent any future variations.

[Scott.T]

Getting quite quick at changing the suspension now.......

[Scooby_Greg]

Can you get them rewound shorter?

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by Scooby_Greg

Can you get them rewound shorter?

We could but other dimensions and minor coil end over grinding giving non-perfect location issues meant it was easier to start another set.

[Scott.T]

Today's colour is Red.
P1 Red's (14 years old, re-powder coated)
I thought I would throw these on to check ride/ride height.
After 14 years there is only 3mm difference between these and the new set I fitted when this whole spring saga kicked off getting on for 1 year ago.



STi Pinks at the front still corner/turn-in better then anything else I have tried.

[Scott.T]

Time to freshen up the pulleys and Induction Kit heatshield.
The original plan was to get them powder coated in 'High Chrome' silver with a 'Translucent Blue' top coat. This makes it a Anodised Blue type finish.

However, the powder coater put too much Translucent Blue on, so it ended up just a 'Dark Blue'.
Also the packaging when they returned was poor, so they were chipped.



Due to the wrong colour and chipping I decided to do it the old fashioned way with paint/lacquer.

Everything was stripped of powder coat and 'Nissan Intense Blue' was the colour of choice.




Very please with the result and the colour goes well with the Samco and is very close to the Anodised Blue of the Fuelab Regulator.

[Bytes]

Sooo clean .... /gets me dinner, don't need a plate

[Ginola]

Cracking stuff

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Ginola

Cracking stuff

what type of paint you used on header tank lid Scott .

[Red Baron]

Originally Posted by scotty

what type of paint you used on header tank lid Scott .

Powder coated if I remember rightly

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by scotty

what type of paint you used on header tank lid Scott .

Plasti-kote gloss red aerosol, then sand back the lip to alloy.

[Red Baron]

I stand corrected

[scotty]

Cheers Scott think I will do that as that heat proof hammerite is rubbish stuff on lid .

[Scott.T]

A little bit of inner arch rolling.......
The combination of the Prodrive WR Bilsteins, which have short bumpstops, and the 8x18 ET51 225/35x18 mean't that occasionally the tyre would buzz on the inner arch.

This can be seen below.
The problem is the the inner arch has a 'step/lip' that the wider wheel/tyre combination clip's before contact with bumpstop is made.
It is probably perfectly OK if running the 7.5" Prodrive P-WRC wheel.

With a little help from an arch roller this has been smoothed out.

These images probably best shows the 'step/lip', and where tyre contact has occurred :




Step removed (the bumpiness is where the underseal moved and in some cases come off. A bit more underseal and smoothrite now required):



Images from the other side, which better shows the rolling out of the 'Step/Lip', which 'was' just above the wheel arch lip. Also showing the Arch Roller in action :

[Scott.T]

History Update : The guy I purchased this back from stumbled across some information relating to the guy I sold it too in 2011 (for those that don't know, it had 2 short term owners whilst out of my hands for 18 months).

No big surprises and it stacks up with what I knew and also clears up why it returned to me with a new rear bumper/panel : http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/vi...=599826&page=1

[2-jaffacake-tone]

How much higher were the springs you had made? would they of not settled?

[Scott.T]

Originally Posted by 2-jaffacake-tone

How much higher were the springs you had made? would they of not settled?

Too high.
Quality design and manufacturing processes ensure that any 'settle' is designed out as much as possible. Only about 2 - 3mm maximum is expected.

The final design P11-L springs for the P1 are expected from Eibach next week to satisfy current orders plus some stock.

[Scott.T]

Spotted this reflection whilst on my knee's this evening :

[Ginola]

That is very shiny sir!

[Bytes]

[Rdlangy1]

nice shine and nice Audi

[Scott.T]

Well after the dreaded tin worm made an appearance on my rear arch I though it was time to start taking off the side skirt's and inspecting the sills and also the underside.

So gingerly, not knowing what to expect I commenced on the drivers side.

Side Skirt removed and 13 years of grime. The last time these were off was 2002/2003 when they were painted :







Out with the baby wipes for a wipe down and I was very surprised, and happy, with the condition :





The floorpan then had a quick stiff brushing, and again very please with how it was looking. Tony had often commented during MOT how tidy it was and I was surprised how easy it brushed off considering this is one area I have never touched before :




Then a re-application of underseal to make sure it remains water tight and that all damages area's from 'jacking' up/down in the last 13 years are repaired :




I'll now wait for that to go off prior to the top coat of Silver going on, otherwise it can leach through and contaminate the paint.

The sills have slight paint chippage/rust where there are 2 rectangular sections cut out of the sills. As as result of this I think I will apply some stone guard on the lower section of the sill/flange as the final stage.

[BIG"E"]

Looks really good, fancy doing mine???

[Scott.T]

For reference, this is what I used. A combination of what I already had in the cupboard :




I will be continuing the job with the Hammerite version, as this is much easier to apply. More like a thick black paint then sticky Bitumen based gloop.

[Steve_PPP]

That looks nice and clean considering 13 years without the skirts off, must be pleased with that

[Bytes]

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

Looks really good, fancy doing mine???

... and mine

[Lucky]

Its a credit to you Scott. You must have been well pleased to see it still that solid.

[scotty]

That's amazing how clean the sills still after that length of period oh by the way Scott importcarparts stock all the clips you require as a kit .

[Rdlangy1]

Looking a job well done