Driveline Modifications

[idipskoalmint]

Now that I have all the parts for a StageII setup (TBE+Walbro), and I'm just waiting on Dom flying out for the tune, I am beginning on looking at another aspect of modifications since I'll be happy with that power level for a while.

I'm going to look into drivetrain modifications because they're relatively inexpensive upgrades, such that I can do a little bit every month (this will also give me a chance to notice and appreciate the difference in feel for each one). I drive ~18-20K miles/year now, and many people say that driveline is some of the more bang-for-buck modifications on a day-to-day basis.

For my birthday, I've asked for a short shift bundle that includes the Kartboy short shifter, Kartboy F/R bushings, and Turn in Concepts Shift Linkage / 6MT pivot bushings.

Next, I'm thinking about the Group-N engine/transmission mounts. A lot of people say the Cusco are better, but that's nearly $100 more than what I can get the Group-N ones for, and these'll probably suit me well. While I'm installing the Group-N transmission mount, I may as well install transmission crossmember bushings. TiC is a contributing vendor of CNYSubarus, so I'll throw them some business and pick up a set of theirs.

I figure I'll do a few different bushings at this point. I'm planning on the TiC Klunk Killer bundle (Kartboy Rear Subframe Outrigger Bushings / TiC Rear Diff Mount Bushings) and Whiteline Steering Rack bushings.

Last, I'll throw a pitch stop on there. A friend installed one from IxizConcept a while back, and had good results. It's comparable in price to the others available, so I'll pick up one of them. I was strongly considering ordering their hood dampers and air-oil separator, so maybe they'd be willing to give me a package deal on the three items.

At this point, I believe I will call it with my driveline modifications because I don't want to go too overboard with it.

Advice on my choices and/or order I plan to do the upgrades? Anything I left out?

[cazwrx187]

Sounds like a good plan you have set out for your car. 

Shifter bushings are awesome.  I know some people who skip the short shifter and just do all the bushings.  I would definitely do the kartboy short shifter though.

Definitely do the whole Group N tranny, pitch stop, and engine mounts.  They are fairly cheap and they work awesome.  I had them on my wrx and they were so nice.  I've ridden in a car with Cusco mounts and it was bearable, but nothing I would want in a daily driver.  Stick with the Group N pitch mount as well.  You can save a nice amount of money by getting that instead of a metal one.
Everything sounds good, good luck with it!

Speaking of driveline, how's your clutch holding up?  Will it handle the extra power you are about to throw at it? 

[RS25BG]

blah get your 20g power differences are great for a month haha im sure you'll love stage 2 for a while though...

plans sound good sir!

[deadlydave]

sounds well thought-out.  'little stuff' like bushings can really add up.

[idipskoalmint]

blah get your 20g power differences are great for a month haha

That's going to be $$$, as I'll need 3 Defi gauges (if I'm going to be putting down that much power, I can't afford inaccuracies), WBO2 gauge, 20G turbo, injectors, APS TMIC, Meth Kit + failsafe

I'm looking at $2500 at least. I don't quite have that kind of $$ at the moment. Plus, I want to balance my modifications - I don't want a really fast car with stock suspension, etc.

Stick with the Group N pitch mount as well.  You can save a nice amount of money by getting that instead of a metal one.

I see a lot of the Group-N pitch mounts for sale on Nasioc with only 5K on them because people decided to order another one - this is why I'm thinking about just getting a metal one from the start. I noticed there's a forged Beatrush one on RSD for $105 (the non-forged one is $85).

Speaking of driveline, how's your clutch holding up?  Will it handle the extra power you are about to throw at it? 

It should have no issue at StageII power levels - when I step up to the 20G+meth, however, I think I'll need to upgrade that. That, however, will not be something I do initially, but when it goes, I'll replace it.

[Kavik]

Ming (IxizConcepts) will sometimes give multiple product discounts.  he's usually a decent guy to deal with, when things don't get confused 

He occasionally runs bundled deals too.  Last one was for the hood dampers, dead pedal and clutch limiter, 20% off the package.
I think it's time he put together a package deal on the pitch stop, phenolic (sp?) spacers and something else, i dunno what, that air/oil seperator is more than i want to be spending right now 

[Photofixer]

AS  a fellow Saabaru member  [Ming}  I can vouge [sp] for him  Great guy, Great Products.

[idipskoalmint]

Look what I got yesterday:

[Kavik]

nice 
I gotta get the shifter bushing put into mine, they're still sitting in a bag in my office somewhere 

[flutyr525]

sweet matt...u gonna get it installed before the cruise on sunday?

[mxf08STi]

One person/resource you may want to think about contacting is Myles at Racecomp Engineering. They focus on driveline and suspension mods. Myles is great and very responsive. Do a search for "Project NY Car" on IWSTI - it'll give you a bit of background. I've had tons of questions for him over the past few weeks about springs, mounts, bushings, pitch stop -etc... Props to Myles. Give him a shout for a sane opinion.

http://www.racecompengineering.com/

Cheers!

[idipskoalmint]

Got the Short Shifter and Bushings installed last night (big thanks to Scott and Dave for their help)

This is the way the car should've come from the factory - a worthwhile mod for anyone

[flutyr525]

thats awesome matt do you have any other mods all ready to be installed or you still need to order them?

[idipskoalmint]

do you have any other mods all ready to be installed or you still need to order them?

Nothing for the driveline.

When I can afford to buy anything more, I will talk to Fred to see if he can get Group-N parts

[byroll01]

I'm pretty sure he can.  He has all the engine mounts on his GC.

[idipskoalmint]

I'm pretty sure he can.  He has all the engine mounts on his GC.

Awesome - thanks, Byron

[M2KS]

When I can afford to buy anything more, I will talk to Fred to see if he can get Group-N parts
[/quote]

Matt, I bought the pitch mount and Group N tranny mount from Fred months ago. Good pricing. The tranny mount makes a big difference in tightening up the shifts and the whole feel of the transmission. I put the cross member bushings in too so that helped as well. Good luck,
Steve

[idipskoalmint]

Matt, I bought the pitch mount and Group N tranny mount from Fred months ago. Good pricing. The tranny mount makes a big difference in tightening up the shifts and the whole feel of the transmission. I put the cross member bushings in too so that helped as well. Good luck,
Steve

I've never had the chance to drive a car before/after the tranny mount, but I've ridden shotgun. You can feel the difference, even in the passenger seat.

Thanks for confirming he sells the Group-N parts, Steve