Wattup everyone! I'm new to the forum and just purchased a 2004 silver sti and loving it. I'm in NE now but will be moving back to oahu in a year and shipping the sti too. I wanted to get started on some mods but want to make sure that it'll pass all of HI's lame standards. Is there a site that I can go on to look at that stuff? I definitely want to do the whole intake all the way to exhaust mods, tint, etc. What are some of the set ups that you all are running?

 

All you need to do is make sure you can show a current alignment sheet with stock specs, and tint no darker than 26% ( I say 26% because there is a 10% variation window you can get away with ) if you don't want to split hairs, 35% is as dark as you should go. Other than that go nuts.

 

actually i think its 29% its +/- 6%... if you just go exhaust it shouldnt be a problem with safety check. if you get into suspension you will need recon and for that you are going to need a cat

 

Welcome! They're a thread that's "Sticky"'d to the top of the HIIC forum called "Reid's Recon/Safety Check Information Thread". Check it out and feel free to post any further questions you may have!

 

Front mounts are questionable.
Keep your stock springs and struts to re-install once a year.
Dont tint too dark
Make sure all of your lights and wipers work.

Other than these things you should be fine without recon.

Recon is a hastle, they have malleable regulations with no constant system of measurement or requirements. It's corrupt (surprise, surprise). If you know the right people, you are passed with no problem. If they dont like something about you or your vehicle, they dont pass you.

You can have split C.V. boots, missing half your lug nuts, mount your engine with duct tape, leaking brake hoses, JB welded steering tie rods, and a spaghetti noodle throttle cable while passing safety inspection without a problem.

However, if you lower your car 2 inches and have tinted windows, it becomes a major safety hazard.

 

I probably wont go too crazy with suspension stuff but I will want to get... up & down pipe, intake, turbo back exhaust w/cat if that's out there, tint ( I read that it can't be lower than 35% all around), rims to begin with. This sounds like it shouldn't be a problem and I definitely want to stay away from recon. What types of upgrades are you running (specifics)?

 

From your list, if the tint is legal level, the exhaust piping is all catted (aftermarket sports cats OK, doesn't have to be OEM), and the rims are less than 19 in. in diameter, you won't need Recon.

 

welcome aboard bro! hope you enjoy the forums and community here it's really nice =)

 

thanks guys. I'm currently on 3 different forums nasioc, nebraska-subaru, and kcsubaru. They are all very helpful. What are the steps of mods that you have put on your sti? I'm thinking of getting an exhaust first.

 

Here are a couple of rather popular options that will be fun without breaking the bank.

quick, nimble, great around town:
vf34 turbo, equal length header, up-pipe, catless down pipe, exhaust

More fun on freeway and wide open back roads:
18g or 20g turbo, 750cc injectors, catless dp, exhaust, front mount intercooler


Down pipe and exhaust are a great place to start.

I dont know from experience, but I have heard that an anti lift kit is worth twice it's weight in gold. Maybe a good starting point for handling and improved acceleration feel.

 

I want a catless exhaust but it wont pass hawaii's smog correct?

 

Hawaii Doesn't have smog Check....

 

It does have visual for Safety though IIRC.

 

everyones runnin' around with catless exhausts here...

anyways welcome, you'll find that HIIC are a bunch of helpful folks. aloha!

 

Yeah, but it'd be super embarrassing to be the one and only one guy that can't pass safety for no cats, right? Ya never know!