For those of you who don't know me, my name is Craig. I have been the owner of 1501 for about a year now. My brother owned it for about 4 months before me, and my best friend Mark for about a year previous to that. I knew when Mark bought it, it would eventually be mine. My little brother started an introduction thread, which I basically took over and have been using as a build thread. Since the car is back on jack stands again, I decided its time to do things right.

Here is my introduction thread, if anyone wants to check out previous cars and such LIV4PSI newbie intro

Now onto 1501. Its all started about two years ago when my friend Mark listed his Jeep Cherokee for sell/trade on Craigslist. His first offer was for a Galant VR4. Here is the car when he got it. The only mods were an HID headlights, HKS turbo timer, and an improperly installed HKS BOV. At this point we knew we were saving it from a ricer. Here are some shots of the Jeep, and the 1501 when we first got it










The first thing Mark did to it was paint the chrome grill bllack, since we both hated the chrome. In retrospect, I wish I would have talked him into painting it body color. He also gave the car a much need cleaning





When we picked it up, the only known issues were a bad rear wheel bearing and of course the 4WS was leaking everywhere. No surprise there. Within a short time, the first thing broke under our ownership, the oil return line



Mark being overly anxious to start modding (much more maintenance was needed), he started with a 2G downpipe and some wheels I had laying around from a 2000 Sentra I parted out. He kept the stockish look, and painted them Summit White.

So after the oil pan leaked onto the clutch and ruined the new Spec clutch, I decided it was time to make my move. I got my brother to trade Mark his Miata plus some cash for 1501. My brother owning the car was one step closer to it being mine

Here is a shot of the Miata we traded my friend for it.



My brother's ownership was very short lived. One of the ebrake cables snapped, driveshaft bushings needed replaced, and the water pump belt pulley came off shearing a bolt. That was all he could handle. He sold the VR4 to me, and talked my dad into loaning him the difference to buy another WRX. My brother is, and always will be a Subaru guy. I own an STI, so I can't blame him

The car was basically JSB status when I got it. The pulley needed fixed, the clutch was slipping, still had the bad wheel bearing, and a fuck ton of leaks. I let it sit as I slowly accumulated parts, until it came time that I had to make a decision. I thought I broke the input shaft on my STI, and I had to decide which car got my limited funds. So I foolishly decided to let my Subaru sit, so I could get 1501 ready for the 20th annual DSM Shootout. This was our second round of removing DSM herpes.

-Cometic gasket kit
-Fluidampr pulley to replace the cheap aluminum one (APR hardware as well)
-New SPEC disc since the old one was soaked in oil
-Resurfaced a used ACT lightweight flywheel (ARP hardware)
-New 2G clutch fork and OEM pivot ball
-5 lug swap and 4 bolt rear end from a parts car
-New rims for the 5 lug swap from an FD I had parted out
-Avid mounts since the stock ones were done for
-JNZ clutch line
-ABS delete
-Symborski shift kit with all OEM shifter assembly bushings from JNZ
-OEM rear main seal kit
-Energy Suspension master bushing kit
-New manual steering rack with new OEM bushings from JNZ
-ordered vanity plates since I'm cool like that





































We barely got the car together in time for the 20th DSM Shootout. We got the car back together the night before. I ended up using a spare 4 bolt DSM subframe, as we didn't get mine finished with all the spare goodies I bought. The front sway bar wasn't installed. The car had no alignment and a crooked steering wheel. And to top it off, the battery turned into junk while sitting, so we had to take a jump box. I also sliced a tendon in my finger when removing the valve stems because I was rushing. No worries though, it was all worth it.

Looks nice, what size are those sentra wheels?

Nice, were they hub centric?

Haha I see myself in your 2011 shootout pic =)

Hell yeah, For sure. I can't wait.

So I haven't gotten nearly as much done before the Shootout as I had hoped. I did get my driveshaft finished up though. The carrier bearings were causing it to thump pretty bad, especially under deceleration

Here's the DSS aluminum drive shaft beside my stock one


I sanded blasted the rear section and coated it with POR15. I also replaced the carrier bearing, u-joint, and bushings

In retrospect, I have a hard justifying the DSS driveshaft. I am all about efficient HP gains, but I have more money in that driveshaft than I do in my truck I use to tow the VR4

Anyways, I got the driveshaft installed. I also replaced to drive side hard brake line from he prop valve back. Installed some SS brake lines on all four corners while I was at it

You have boobs? thats kinda weird for a dude....

had to dude.

So once again, 1501 is jack stand ballin' It's all for a good reason though. I sold my spare 4 bolt rear subframe that I was currently using. I've been making some good progress on getting my refreshed subframe finished.


My plans while it is apart are
1. Undercoat unibody and wheel wells, fix pinch welds
2. New -8an feed, -6an return and new passenger brake line (DS is done)
3. POR fuel tank and sending unit
4. Brand new emergency brake cables

I also acquired another parts car. 1501 has now claimed the rusty souls of 627/200 and 960/1000. New goodies I'm keeping are
-5k mile transmission w/ double synchro 2nd gear, newer T-case
-Omori DIN pod with water temp, oil pressure and boost gauges
-Whiteline front and rear strut bars
-Exedy clutch (mine slips)
-JDM RS replica CF hood with Aerocatch hood pins
-92 grill
- some really nice interior pieces I needed (uncracked dash, perfect console lid)

I also just bought this off of eBay for $100. Ad said it came off of a car with 10k miles, I believe it


Here is a teaser part of some of the parts I've been accumulating

I have decided to stay content with 16G power levels, and focus on making my car nice. My best friend and his father own a body shop, and his father has almost 40 years of experience. My friend wants quite a few parts I have, so I decided now is the time to paint it.

Plans are:
-JDM front and rear bumpers
-facelift projector fog lights
-Carbon fiber replica RS hood (painted of course )
-93 headlights/ putting stock corners back on
-92 grill
-wingless trunk

I fucked around and just bought this, so now I'm committed

I already have the RS CF hood, so no need to buy it from anyone

The only thing I still need to buy is the rear bumper. Now if Citymunky would just sell me his

Anyone have any thoughts about me painting it Wicked White?