CJ's 99 RS (Alice) Back to the beginning..... something new coming up.

Take it for what it's worth, but I personally would not deal with used turbo unless I knew the owner well and or had intimate knowledge of it's history. New is a better way to go with a part like that.

That is true. I've always had good luck with used turbos in the past though, even with buying them until recently. LOL! The way I see it, is if I get a good deal on a used turbo, so long as the CHRA isn't damaged I can ultimately have it send out for a rebuild (heard good things about sixstar rebuild service on Ebay from NASIOC and 3GWRX members) and still be well under the price of buying new.

This is my theory for VF series. However, if i were going to be going with something other than an oem one I'd spring for new. This is for future endeavors of course.

Still no closure on the VF39 saga. Still waiting on paypal to make a decision as USPS still has the "we have no idea where it is" excuse. Anyways, landed a VF43 from a fellow swapper. Looks like that may be the approach I take. Can't complain for the price (which will remain a secret and no it wasn't free) Though I wish it was.

I wanna know the price!

Get Jermaine here and I might tell you! LOL!

VF43 going in this weekend hopefully. May or may not have it done in time for C&C. Will probably put it off until after just to be safe.

VF43 has been installed! I see little bits of smoke coming from under the hood after driving. Hoping it's just burn off of coolant/oil/and WD40 since I can't find anything leaking and no smoke coming from the exhaust itself. Haven't got on her yet since its just the base map but will start datalogging this weekend hopefully.

Got my first set of logs done and received the first revision. Peaking at around 18 psi

Even though it's on the market it looks like I may be upgrading the front brakes to the WRX ones. Nothing major but slightly larger rotors. Not sure if I'll use my stock calipers or switch out for the WRX ones.

Why oh why do you keep tormenting yourself by putting it on the market???? Kudos on the brake upgrade, but no bueno on you selling her.

Yeah.  I mean I'm not in any hurry to sell her and wouldn't mind getting into an OBS.  More than likely i'll end up keeping her because I have yet to find a decent replacement for it.  I can always start over with a new platform, such as an L.  Same body styling but about 1/10 the price of an RS

Welp, just a set of injectors short of returning her to a stage 2 setup. Still for sale but unless I get my asking prices then I'll continue to keep her. Eventually she'll go back to Stage 1 and then back to 100% stock.

Injectors are en route. Going back to the basics for a while. If she sells, she sells. If not, then plan for bigger and better things.

Somehow I foresee a JDM STI conversion at this rate before you get serious about selling her.

Giggidy

Nah, nothing on the horizon for her now. Will probably even be pulling the Prodrive springs off and putting the stock ones back on.

Just need the motivation to swap everything back out.  The future does not hold a 600HP beast on this thing but something along the lines of 350whp. My 08 was putting down around 270-275 and I figure the 350 would be an awesome daily, weekend go getter. Thinking hybrid with 2.5L shortblock with the 2.0 heads. HTA71 or equivalent sized turbo.

Maybe I'll even go catless with that setup.

Chaz2.5 wrote:Just need the motivation to swap everything back out.  The future does not hold a 600HP beast on this thing but something along the lines of 350whp.  

BOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even my Benz and my truck are going to break that benchmark. Step it up, man!!!! 

Brake upgrade is in the works. Thanks to Kory for the Calipers and brackets, have a set of power slot slotted rotors in the mail. Just have to get my brake pads ordered.

So, what to do about the rear brakes. The RS brakes/rotors are the exact same ones that came on the 02 WRX. Same rotor size, calipers, and 770 brake pads. Been reading up a lot and the RS has 721 front brakes and 770 rears. With the 02/03 WRX there was a combination of 721/929 front and 770/1004 rear. Anyways, so I will have the 929 fronts and 770 rears.

Should I leave them as is, do the H6 rear brake upgrade, or 90-94 legacy turbo rear brakes?

H6: Larger rotor and will need H6 bracket. Uses same 770 brake pad
Legacy turbo: Same size rotor however it is vented! Larger calipers and larger brake pads but will cost quite a bit more.

Thoughts?

Chaz2.5 wrote:Brake upgrade is in the works.  Thanks to Kory for the Calipers and brackets, have a set of power slot slotted rotors in the mail.  Just have to get my brake pads ordered.

So, what to do about the rear brakes.  The RS brakes/rotors are the exact same ones that came on the 02 WRX.  Same rotor size, calipers, and 770 brake pads.  Been reading up a lot and the RS has 721 front brakes and 770 rears.  With the 02/03 WRX there was a combination of 721/929 front and 770/1004 rear.  Anyways, so I will have the 929 fronts and 770 rears.

Should I leave them as is, do the H6 rear brake upgrade, or 90-94 legacy turbo rear brakes?

H6: Larger rotor and will need H6 bracket.  Uses same 770 brake pad
Legacy turbo:  Same size rotor however it is vented!  Larger calipers and larger brake pads but will cost quite a bit more.

Thoughts?

This depends on what you intend to do with this vehicle and the type of handling you want. Have you upgraded the front brakes and if so with what? improving your rear brakes will increase the oversteer during braking however...

Haven't done anything with the brakes yet. I have pretty much everything i need in order to do the "WRX" front brake upgrade (just need to order brake pads), however, now I'm debating something different for the future. Since I had to replace the motor in December I've kind of put any type of mods on hold until I have a set path on my intentions for the car. I chose the title "Captain Slow" for a reason and most of the forum members know I baby the hell out of my car. I don't track it or race it. I think I just do the mods to do the mods. I think I'll end up doing the 4/2 setup or Brembo when the time comes. I want to find a little beater, put the RS up and remove all WRX components and do a full USDM STi conversion (full powertrain)

FINALLY! got the brakes installed. Went with with the Powerslot (whatever they are called now) slotted rotors up front, Centric high carbon rear disk in the back (because it sounded cool ) and the posi-quiet ceramic brake pads. Can't really say that I can notice a huge difference but the grinding when have both clutch and brake pressed together is gone. May potentially spring for a master cylinder brace to see if that stiffens the pedal at all. Having Mendy press the brake while looking at the cylinder I can see the massive amount of flex in the firewall.

CJ.....I've seent the brakes and they look way better than when you got them from me.....