Rawr... My 2011 STi Build Log by Heide264

5 minute(s) of a 127 minute read

1-7-2012

Driveline Overhaul #2

Group N Engine Mounts and Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings

Install:

No pictures for this one. In catch up mode. In a nutshell, I didn't get the engine mounts on earlier. Luckily, my friend from work came over and helped with the engine mounts. Ended up dropping the engine cross member instead of jacking up the engine. This saved us from possibly crushing the oil pan, and I had to loosen the steering rack up anyhow to get the steering rack bushings on. The mounts would have been tough to do by myself. Steering rack bushings weren't too bad. Hardest part was getting the steering column back together. Kinda a tight area to work, difficult to line up, and those knuckles take a toll on your hand - mine was beat up pretty bad by the end. Feel free to shoot any questions my way. I don't mind talking more about the install, I just am doing some catch up on the rest of the stuff I've done.

Results:

Was happy with the results. 

I actually really enjoy the engine mounts. The noise wasn't nearly as bad as I expected, and it 'balanced' everything out. Before the install, getting into first gear was 'clunky'... although very notchy after the shifter/bushings install. Afterwards, it felt like it should. Notchy, but not like I'm forcing it in or jamming it in at all... Just a light pop and it was in gear.

Steering rack bushings weren't as noticeable as I was expecting. Made the steering more firm, but not nearly as dramatic of a change as I had expected. Biggest difference seems to be over bumps - the steering wheel goes where the wheels do. None of that 'mystery angle' stuff that I had before. Just a bit more connected to the road =). I'd still recommend them. I'm sure on older cars this would make a much larger difference - the rubber bushings on mine were still in great shape.

Suspension Overhaul

RCE Front/Rear Sways, RCE Blacks, and an alignment.

Install:

Install was pretty much as expected - the springs did take longer than I had anticipated though. I found the spring compressors to be fairly useless due to the shape of the spring. I couldn't fit them in a manner that compressed them in a useful direction (always pulled at an angle). Also, lining the tophats up on the rears was an unexpected one. I spent a good hour or two thinking of a scheme to align the back passenger one. Then my friend came over, stuck the driver side one in, and just turned it with a long screw driver in about 30 seconds. I'd say go for the later for the time savings, haha. Still not too friendly with car mechanics, so was a pretty educational install. Definitely one to have a friend handy for though. The RCE youtube video does make it look absurdly easy. If the install goes that nicely for you, you deserve a pat on the back. Sway bars went in as expected.

Alignment was done at a local shop - hard to find a shop that will do custom alignments around me apparently. Went with a place called 'Foreign Traffic'. They sell fairly high end imports normally, but do service on them as well as detailing. They aren't cheap, but they are honest, upfront, and do good work - money well spent. If they mess up (which they all do, whether they admit it or not), they let you know and fix it up right. I went with a mild camber (-1.0) upfront and tried to minimize toe all the way around (setting the toe to zero in the rear caused my camber to go crazy apparently). I would go more aggressive upfront next time.

Results:

Car felt generally tighter. Noticed the car pulled to the right as well... Turns out its just tire wear due to me rotating the tires and the crappy factory alignment. I will throw up the alignment specs in a bit.

Car actually felt like it understeered worse. This was due to a not-aggressive-enough alignment I think, but more so due to the fact that I accidentally switched my sway settings. Putting the rear on 'firm' and the front on 'soft' cleared up the issue, and I have a pretty neutral feeling car now. Will be looking to get some rear control arms and try again next year with another alignment most likely .

Also, I still to this day haven't cleared up the end link pop over bumps (I've gotten them as straight as possible - I think the sway bar moves too much within the guides when going at a slow speed) or the spring perch creaking when I pull out of a parking space or something. I'm going to call RCE and see if they have any suggestions about the spring creak... it is pretty annoying and I can feel it slip all the way up to the wheel. Will confuse my traction control time to time over low speed really sharp uphill/downhill bends. Still, the car felt very good.

Not as simple as the driveline bushings (more tweaking required)... but still a good one that I'd suggest. Car just feels more 'behaved' on the road.