Noob here! Just picked up an '05 WRB Wagon - deadstock with 39k miles. I'm planning on hitting up the TEAM event at Thunderhill on Nov. 13. Any suggestions on suspension mods for the wagon?

I don't have the $$$ for new rims/tires but i was thinking of finding someone's old stockers. Anyone got 'em for sale?

 

With the event just a couple weeks away, I wouldn't recommend any big changes. You definitely should flush your brake fluid and replace it with some high-temp stuff like Valvoline synthetic or ATE. Check the wear on your rotors and, if you're still on original brake pads, you'd want to change to some high performance pads. Other than that, just make sure your car's in good running order (check all fluids and suspension) and go have a blast!

 

^What he said and
Sway bars would be your cheapest and best bet. Go for a 22mm front and 24mm rear. That'll turn your car neutral.

 

If you plan on tracking your car the first thing you should do is braided brake lines, a brake fluid change and new higher temp pads. If you just change the fluid and pads, when you go to add the lines later you will have to bleed the system again. Just do it all at once and be done with it. Besides the fluids mentioned above I have had good luck with Motul R600 also. You don't need any other mods to enjoy your first day at the track. Your car can handle it until you start picking up more speed with more track experience. Enjoy what you have, worry about modding it later. Learn how to drive it first. I might also be going to that event. It is always nice to have a few more Subarus out there.

 

Thanks for the advice so far! i'm putting together my checklist now. I went as a spectator to the TEAM event 10/16 and there were only 3 Subies! i was kinda surprised that there weren't more. Hope to see you there, STi.

 

I have stockers for $150 if u want them

 

Maybe, how much tread are left on the tires? are the wheels bent at all?

 

Just wheels, no tires.. That's why they are only $150

 

Hey I was at the 10/16 TEAM event in the #0 OBP Sti. What a great track! I second what others are saying - brakes are the number one priority.

Coincidentally, before I got my STi I used to track my 05 WRB wagon too. Best bang for the buck after ATE brake fluid and upgraded pads were Whiteline sways and some decent summer tires. If you're looking for stock wheels, go for the 06/07 WRX wheels since they're 17" and also wider so you can run a 225 tire with no issue. I ran those on my 05 and it was great. They also leave room if the mod bug bites and you want to upgrade brake calipers.

 

I went to T Hill on stock suspension and had a good time. It left me really wanting to upgrade my suspension but I don't think the stock set up took away from my experience. My advise would be to just go out and have a good time. It'll be cooler than when I went but keep an eye on your temp. gauges and make sure everything is in perfect working order.

 

I went to thill with an almost stock 04 sti (GST tune only) and had a great time.
Recently I went driving a 100% stock TDI jetta, still had a great time (all season tires sure made it nice n loud)

I guess what i'm trying to say is, take your car out stock. Makes sure everything is in proper working order and has plenty of pad/rotor/tire to last the event. Then after the event, see where you think the car can improve the best for the next event.

 

Were you in the B or C group? I recall an OBP Sti in the C group. I went up with my brother and dad, both driving miatas in the B group (we had the dorky Miata racing shirts on. I got to ride along twice. That alone convinced me to sell my matrix and pickup the 05 wagon. I was def. thinking of the 06/07 17's.

 

Hold on time out for one second.

#1 question have you ever tracked any car at thunderhill or any track before.

if you havent you wont be pushing yoru car super hard like other folks would. your gonna be learning the track and what not.

the first time i took my car up i was stock, stock suspension, stock brakes, stock rotors, sock everything. my first suggestion would be to make sure you have more than 50% pad left and make sure your rotors are in good shape. i would just plan on running thourgh those brakes and get another set after yoru done racing so you arent eating up new brakes on the track, however i would make sure your brake fluid is in good shape.

turn 15 to turn 1 and 12-14 are where you are gonna be the hardest on the brakes. especially coming into 14 your gonna be hot and gonna have to slow down and get into second before you get into 15.

if you are in good shape there and yoru brake situation is ok i would recommend tires. something to get you through the turns a bit better

thunderhill is a great track to run on especially if you haven't ever tracked before, there is a lot of room to run off. only place to be careful is 15 dont cut to far in and hit the wall. have fun and be safe

best thing to remember "if you start to spin go 2 in"

 

The bf (anonypuff) and I were in C group's '08 wagon on 10/16... nice to know other iclub members were there! we (he really; I'm still just a passenger) might also be hitting up november's and december's TEAM events @ Thunderhill

I'm a noob and have yet to track my RS (maybe December), but the bf's done Thunderhill four times; he says if this is your first event, the main thing is familiarizing yourself with your car & the track, with safety as top priority. Mods-wise he recommends brake pads, fluids, lines. And get a good seat if you don't have one; when the door is the only thing keeping you from body slamming into the track, you lose a bit of control over your car :P

 

So it seems the consensus is to run the car stock the first time around with good brake fluid. Unless i can find a sway bar and 06/07 stockers on the cheap, the wags will remain stock. Can't wait!