New car....and new problems....
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,028
From: South Alabama
Car Info: 2015 WRX
New car....and new problems....
A little backstory....
I just bought a 2005 Legacy GT from some guy named Weston, he did some mods to it, blew up the first engine due to bad modding, then he had a new 2007 STi block tossed in it, with all his previous mods "done right" with a couple new supporting mods, ARP head studs, etc. to help hold the power.
Anyhow, I get the car just last week...long story on the delay, but I was out of town for work for a while, etc. So I pick up the car last week, and the next day I have a trip to Mammoth that I have to take.
I take the Legacy, and I arrive there no problem. Once there, I start having problems however, I started throwing error codes, luckily I had the AccessPort though, so I could diagnose the codes. Intially I just had an error code for low 02 sensor voltage. I cleared the codes, and reloaded the maps, per Weston's advice. Everything was fine at first, then...I had a misfire on cylinder 3, low voltage to O2 sensor, and a communications error. This occurred after a couple hours of driving it. It was now 1am, and I was in the mountains in the middle of nowhere, I proceeded to clear the codes, and reload the map again, just to see if something funny was going on. It seemed to work, as I haven't had any of the codes come back. Yet.
Additionally... The alarm stopped working when I was up there, or rather the keypad stopped working. Full Batteries, changed them anyhow. In the middle of the woods. No interference possible. I had all these crazy nature people staring at me. I had to call the number on the back of the keypad for Audiovox. They walked me through on how to break in, disable the alarm, and place it into Valet Mode. The crazy nature people were cheering when I finally was able to disable the alarm. I was then able to drive the car. I have since become a pro with this "feature" as it has happened twice more, but it seems to have quit for now.
My passenger side back window stopped working as well. I took the door apart and fixed it. The window was binding, I just had to adjust/tweak stuff in there. Not a huge deal, just a PITA. Works fine now.
So, I thought my exhaust note was just sorta raspy because it was just some "custom" job, but in reality, as pointed out by Paul when I stopped by his shop, it was more due to a massive exhaust leak. I proceeded to take apart the exhaust, upon removing the heat shield that covers the Downpipe and exhaust manifold, it was discovered the bolts holding it on were very rusted, and the threads were galled, and the holes will need to be re-tapped.
As you can see in the picture below, the gasket was blown out, which isn't too crazy, I mean it happens....the crazy part to me, is the little piece of gasket next to the whole gasket. That little piece is a piece of the OEM style gasket and it was still in there, along with the aftermarket gasket. Not the whole OEM gasket, just that piece. WOW. Its evident that Someone knew what they were doing...
New gasket tomorrow so I can at least be rolling again. I am just going to go ahead and put an OEM style gasket in there. I figure it should be ok.
I am not trying to sling mud as to who "tuned" what or anything. I didn't mention which shop did any of the "install" or anything, but wow. Paul pointed out some things that were kinda ridiculous. There is just no consistency on this thing. Its just not sorted, the way I would expect a car to be that had been "tuned" by a "professional".
BTW check out the A+ wiring job in the last picture...Its going to the fuse for the Stereo.
Yes. I should have performed better due diligence, if I had, I may have walked away from it. I took for granted some of the things that were done, and the fact they were done at a "shop".
I am definitely taking her to Paul to get all sorted right though.
I am considering switching to a smaller Turbo, and a TMIC.
I just bought a 2005 Legacy GT from some guy named Weston, he did some mods to it, blew up the first engine due to bad modding, then he had a new 2007 STi block tossed in it, with all his previous mods "done right" with a couple new supporting mods, ARP head studs, etc. to help hold the power.
Anyhow, I get the car just last week...long story on the delay, but I was out of town for work for a while, etc. So I pick up the car last week, and the next day I have a trip to Mammoth that I have to take.
I take the Legacy, and I arrive there no problem. Once there, I start having problems however, I started throwing error codes, luckily I had the AccessPort though, so I could diagnose the codes. Intially I just had an error code for low 02 sensor voltage. I cleared the codes, and reloaded the maps, per Weston's advice. Everything was fine at first, then...I had a misfire on cylinder 3, low voltage to O2 sensor, and a communications error. This occurred after a couple hours of driving it. It was now 1am, and I was in the mountains in the middle of nowhere, I proceeded to clear the codes, and reload the map again, just to see if something funny was going on. It seemed to work, as I haven't had any of the codes come back. Yet.
Additionally... The alarm stopped working when I was up there, or rather the keypad stopped working. Full Batteries, changed them anyhow. In the middle of the woods. No interference possible. I had all these crazy nature people staring at me. I had to call the number on the back of the keypad for Audiovox. They walked me through on how to break in, disable the alarm, and place it into Valet Mode. The crazy nature people were cheering when I finally was able to disable the alarm. I was then able to drive the car. I have since become a pro with this "feature" as it has happened twice more, but it seems to have quit for now.
My passenger side back window stopped working as well. I took the door apart and fixed it. The window was binding, I just had to adjust/tweak stuff in there. Not a huge deal, just a PITA. Works fine now.
So, I thought my exhaust note was just sorta raspy because it was just some "custom" job, but in reality, as pointed out by Paul when I stopped by his shop, it was more due to a massive exhaust leak. I proceeded to take apart the exhaust, upon removing the heat shield that covers the Downpipe and exhaust manifold, it was discovered the bolts holding it on were very rusted, and the threads were galled, and the holes will need to be re-tapped.
As you can see in the picture below, the gasket was blown out, which isn't too crazy, I mean it happens....the crazy part to me, is the little piece of gasket next to the whole gasket. That little piece is a piece of the OEM style gasket and it was still in there, along with the aftermarket gasket. Not the whole OEM gasket, just that piece. WOW. Its evident that Someone knew what they were doing...
New gasket tomorrow so I can at least be rolling again. I am just going to go ahead and put an OEM style gasket in there. I figure it should be ok.
I am not trying to sling mud as to who "tuned" what or anything. I didn't mention which shop did any of the "install" or anything, but wow. Paul pointed out some things that were kinda ridiculous. There is just no consistency on this thing. Its just not sorted, the way I would expect a car to be that had been "tuned" by a "professional".
BTW check out the A+ wiring job in the last picture...Its going to the fuse for the Stereo.
Yes. I should have performed better due diligence, if I had, I may have walked away from it. I took for granted some of the things that were done, and the fact they were done at a "shop".
I am definitely taking her to Paul to get all sorted right though.
I am considering switching to a smaller Turbo, and a TMIC.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,028
From: South Alabama
Car Info: 2015 WRX
-----List O' Crap (or shopping list for thieves. lol)------
Engine/transmission (installed by FIA Motorsports):
Brand new 2007 STI block
PE 1820 turbo (new with block)
Custom front mount intercooler (made by TDC Tuning)
Perrin big MAF intake
APS turbo inlet hose
Helix 860cc injectors
TGV deletes
Full 3” custom turboback exhaust with cat
Exedy clutch and lightweight flywheel
Kartboy short-throw shifter
Tuned with Cobb Accessport
Suspension (installed by LIC Motorsports):
GP Motor fully adjustable coilovers, height and dampening
Cusco front/rear swaybars
225/40/18 Falken Azenis on 18x8” Krimson K2 rims (rims not readily available in U.S.)
Also included are the 4 stock tires (Potenza RE92’s) and 17” rims.
Electronics/other (installed by local car audio company in Reno, NV):
Memphis 12” subwoofer with custom linoleum box in trunk
Memphis front speakers
Memphis amps
Prestige alarm system with 2-way remote
Hardwired for Valentine 1 radar detector
Boost and EGT gauges, custom install in "cubby" above stereo, match stock gauges
Engine/transmission (installed by FIA Motorsports):
Brand new 2007 STI block
PE 1820 turbo (new with block)
Custom front mount intercooler (made by TDC Tuning)
Perrin big MAF intake
APS turbo inlet hose
Helix 860cc injectors
TGV deletes
Full 3” custom turboback exhaust with cat
Exedy clutch and lightweight flywheel
Kartboy short-throw shifter
Tuned with Cobb Accessport
Suspension (installed by LIC Motorsports):
GP Motor fully adjustable coilovers, height and dampening
Cusco front/rear swaybars
225/40/18 Falken Azenis on 18x8” Krimson K2 rims (rims not readily available in U.S.)
Also included are the 4 stock tires (Potenza RE92’s) and 17” rims.
Electronics/other (installed by local car audio company in Reno, NV):
Memphis 12” subwoofer with custom linoleum box in trunk
Memphis front speakers
Memphis amps
Prestige alarm system with 2-way remote
Hardwired for Valentine 1 radar detector
Boost and EGT gauges, custom install in "cubby" above stereo, match stock gauges
iClub Silver Vendor
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,494
From: Participating in some Anarchy!
Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
To be fair, all I did was a quick "open the hood" inspection, and as such, was only commenting on the obvious mechanical oddities: transmisson has been openned, pre turbo exhaust leak, unsafe wiring, etc.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,028
From: South Alabama
Car Info: 2015 WRX
yeah.... Well. the wiring was hidden initially. I pulled it out from where it was tucked in to take that picture. It wasn't held in with clips or ties or anything....it just was tucked in there. But yeah. Like I said...a little more due diligence was in order.
But I am stuck with this now, so......
I picked up a new gasket today, and that is going in, in a few minutes here. I will also be cleaning up the wiring, finding an appropriate 12v source for that bit of work pictured....
True. I found out a little more about the trans. It was gone through when the original engine let go. Not sure what was damaged or replaced. It has a different flywheel now though, clutch,etc...
Well. I am just going to make the best of it, and see about fixing these inconveniences....
But I am stuck with this now, so......
I picked up a new gasket today, and that is going in, in a few minutes here. I will also be cleaning up the wiring, finding an appropriate 12v source for that bit of work pictured....
Originally Posted by Paul
To be fair, all I did was a quick "open the hood" inspection, and as such, was only commenting on the obvious mechanical oddities: transmisson has been openned, pre turbo exhaust leak, unsafe wiring, etc.
Well. I am just going to make the best of it, and see about fixing these inconveniences....
Oh no, you bought that car? You do know he wrecked it. Blew the motor because of no attention to the oil level. This guy was a moron. He'd been trying to sell that car for a long time. He f'd it up sooo bad sooo many times it broke his bank/pride and put it up for sale. Good luck with that mess.
I have broken my share of Subarus. Blown many of motors too. You should have seen the carnage this motor was subject too. I'm not talking siezed I'm talking bits and pieces of just about every part on the motor.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,028
From: South Alabama
Car Info: 2015 WRX
Oh no, you bought that car? You do know he wrecked it. Blew the motor because of no attention to the oil level. This guy was a moron. He'd been trying to sell that car for a long time. He f'd it up sooo bad sooo many times it broke his bank/pride and put it up for sale. Good luck with that mess.
I know that the engine was blown, and that there is a whole new one in there. It has less around 2k miles on it. I have the paperwork for that...
As far as "wrecked"...I hope not. The carfax came back clean on it...
The body looks straight?
This one right...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB....cWAT.m240.lVI
Don't even have to answer, I know it's this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB....cWAT.m240.lVI
Don't even have to answer, I know it's this one.
Last edited by ipozestu; Jul 5, 2008 at 05:01 PM.
Seriously I wish you the best of luck with the car. Take some time and sort out all of the bugs. Take a long look at aftermarket wiring, short cuts and band aids. Be cautious of any of the performance modifications. This car had tons of bugs. Just because it's a new motor doesn't mean all is well. There could be some gremlins. I was hoping that whom ever got stuck with this car would not be a forum member. I think it sucks to push ones ish onto another member.