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93' Impreza L "Project Bluebird"

87K views 542 replies 30 participants last post by  Flat4awd 
#1 · (Edited)
1993 Impreza L "Project Bluebird" aka Naomi, Kami, Eleven, Ryu, Akira, Sonic etc...
Aegean Blue Metallic
AWD / 5-Spd


Modification list has been updated as of 7/25/2022

Photos: Current to distant...

Wheel Automotive parking light Car Tire Land vehicle


Automotive parking light Wheel Car Automotive side marker light Vehicle


Automotive parking light Car Vehicle Land vehicle Automotive side marker light


Wheel Tire Car Automotive parking light Vehicle


Summer: Sprint Harts w/ Bridgestone Potenza RE-71 205/50/15
Option: Rays RS Zero STi option w/ Toyo R 215/45/17
Mid-Season: Advan RC II w/ Yokohama AVID Ascends 195/50/16
Winter: Advan RC's w/ Nokian Nordman 7 studded snow tires 175/65/15
Option: Speedline Preo-R w/ Bridgestone Blizzak 195/60/16

Engine:
EJ1.8 with many miles (275+ and counting)
Custom intake pipe w/ DEI heat resistant shield & ducting
HKS Mega Suction 'mushroom' intake
HKS Aux belts
HKS Hi-temp radiator cap
NGK plugs/wires
NGK coilpack
Cusco battery tie-down w/ Rally-Tech rods
Cusco radiator shroud
Cusco radiator v-brace
Agency Power light crank pulley (1 lb.)
Equal length CNT 'OBX Style' headers w/ high flow cat
Custom flange to stock midpipe
Paranoid Fabrications urethane exhaust hangers
Kartboy urethane exhaust hangers

Suspension/Handling/Braking:
HKS Hiper-D Coilovers
PST carbon fiber driveshaft
STi Fhi carbon fiber front strut bar
STi Alloy Lower Control Arms
Whiteline Comfort Anti-Lift Kit
Whiteline bump steer correction kit
Tanabe xmember brace
KB pitch stop inserts
KB shifter bushings
KB trans mount bushings
KB rear outrigger bushings
Prothane'd steering rack bushings
Prothane'd control arms
Prothane'd lateral links
Prothane'd trailing arms
Cusco carbon fiber rear strut bar w/ trunk v-brace
Cusco trunk brace
Cusco rear outrigger braces
Cusco pitch stop
21mm front swaybar w/ KB urethane bushings
17mm rear swaybar w/ KB urethane bushings
Spherical front endlinks (unknown brand)
Heavy duty rear endlinks (unknown brand)
Drilled/slotted front rotors (unknown brand)
Drilled/slotted rear rotors (unknown brand)
Lachute Master Cylinder brace
HKS sweat band
Stop Tech front pads
Project Mu rear pads
FHi Dual Piston rear calipers
Stainless-Steel brake lines all around

Interior:
OEM Impreza Teal/Grey mats
WRC 95' seats
STi pedal covers
STi carbon fiber 5-spd shift knob
JDM style carbon fiber oval rear-view mirror
JDM style carbon fiber door handle inserts
JDM V4 WRX rear seats
Beatrush by Laille Partition panel / blockoff plate
Custom Made x-brace
Custom parcel shelf
LED dome bulb (so you can see when it's dark out.)
Pioneer head unit w/ Alpine speakers
Gutted trunk w/ 3M weather tape for noise reduction
Gutted dash w/ paint matched components
Cool Decals

Exterior:
V4 front bumper (gutted w/ slats removed)
Beatrush by Laille under panel (recently destroyed, new one on back order)
Fading paint~Aegean Blue Metallic
Shaved moldings
Smoothed bumpers
WRC replica carbon fiber mirrors
'Tuned by STi' quick steering decal
V1 alloy hood
PIAA LED corner lights
PIAA headlight bulbs
PIAA foglight bulbs
PIAA wiper blades
JDM fluted clear corners
JDM front bumper beam
JDM rear bumper beam
JDM purple LED reverses
JDM tilt plate
Cool decals


Land of the free BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE...thanks goes to US for our take on badass GC8's...and also to the revival in popularity of razor sharp 90's Japanese tuning culture! 🗻 ⛩
 

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#34 ·
Finished up the front end suspension install, and I have to say (as predicted) I don't notice a huge difference in performance. I'll be off to the alignment shop probably next month.

What I do notice, is how stable it feels at cornering speed. At 55mph it feels like I'm going 35mph. I bet it will be a different story when I get my Advans mounted this summer, as I prefer more nimble/frenetic handling. :bitehard:
 
#35 ·
Snapped a couple images:





Handling is finally where I am satisfied with it. Had an alignment done at AJW Performance in NH, installed some clear fender markers w/ LED's, and 5k bulbs. I have noticed better on/off throttle response with the installation of the Anti-Lift Kit, post alignment.

Up next for Bluebird will be the V4 bumper to complete the front end, and then I'll be saving up for a V1 WRX Type-RA trans. Maybe another set of Ray's Foundry wheels, but I'm not going to get greedy...:D
 
#40 ·
Up here in the frozen great white north, frost heave season is upon us. I took the square root of British American Tobacco, multiplied it by Colin Mcrae and decided to get skidplated:



When you get skidplated, you don't even need to slow down for speed bumps. Being plated' instantly turns any normal Impreza into a rally car, this is a proven indisputable fact and is not fake news. Google it.
 
#58 ·
Advan's/Rays are ready to go. After this bullshit snowstorm, it's supposed to be 50 degrees or better next week...



"I take a quote from menace look at THE WHEELS!" <img src="http://www.rs25.com/forums/images/smilies/mouth_water.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Drool" class="inlineimg" />
What wheel and tire specs are you running? Looks sweet
 
#56 ·
Supposedly it's supposed to improve engine function, since more coolant can flow freely. I never used to beleive in them, and thought they were gimmicky at best and would cause overheating issues at worst. I figured I'd give it a shot, as I've read the reason people have had trouble with them is due to an old radiator or inefficient cooling parts. Plus it looks cool.
:blol:
 
#59 ·
You are correct...I have an Injen cone filter waterproof 'hairnet' leftover from that green Impreza, but it doesn't fit. I think I'm going to try and find one that fits over the HKS filter because I love it so much. I don't want to seal up the vent or the scoop because it keeps the engine bay nice and cool.

What wheel and tire specs are you running? Looks sweet
Thank you Mr. Hot Tub, I wish our hot tub in the backyard worked as I enjoy them shits-they're hella therapeutic on my back. The wheels are Rays Gram Lights 16x7 I believe, and Advans Sport V105 205/55/16.

I just tested the tires today and they do grip. Not a thorough test by any means, because it's still like 40 degrees up here in the frozen north.

Quick question:
Does anyone know to get around the ultra fast blinking of the directional's after installing LED's in the tail-lights, fender markers, and bumper?

Right now I have led's in the clear corners, and fender markers-No issue with directional speed. I tried installing the CREE's solely in the tail-lights, and the signals became excessively fast as if there were a short. I understand LED's are much less of a power draw, but SO MUCH LESS to cause this?
 
#62 ·
I took advantage of the nice weather to finish up this V4 Bumper:









For comparison:



Also did the fog covers, but I am debating on using them:



:naughty:

And this stuff ready to be installed:



Those tiny front rotors were very light, coming in at around 11 lbs. each. I also have the JDM front beam to use with the bumper, so much weight will be shaving off...
 
#96 ·
I took advantage of the nice weather to finish up this V4 Bumper:









For comparison:



Also did the fog covers, but I am debating on using them:



<img src="http://www.rs25.com/forums/images/smilies/naughty.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Naughty" class="inlineimg" />

And this stuff ready to be installed:



Those tiny front rotors were very light, coming in at around 11 lbs. each. I also have the JDM front beam to use with the bumper, so much weight will be shaving off...
Did you use "flexible" paint on the urethane bumper? I have the same v4 bumper that's been burning a hole in my pocket! Dying to get mine put on but painting it has been holding me back. A friend was telling me I can't just rattle can it and that I need some sort of special paint for it.
 
#66 ·
You talkin the Kouki's Georgy? I've wanted a set of those for years, but they're so priced gauged I was never able to justify them. Also, they aren't period correct for it. I like the smaller OG fluted ones, and then maybe do a multi-color overlay on em'.
 
#69 ·
:lol:

So in my mind:

The vented rotors (while helping with heat dissipation) are about 2 lbs. lighter/each then the oem ones for (4) lbs. of total weight shavings.

Alloy LCA's are around 3 lbs. lighter/each, (6) lbs. total. JDM front bumper beam is about (12) lbs. lighter.

Chyaaa 22 lbs. of weight loss is nothing to be ashamed of!
 
#71 ·
Don't tell me my business devil women!

Trust me bucko, I know about unsprung weight and rotating mass, I was making a generalized statement about weight loss. And thank you for the compliment on the tires, I mistakenly thought you were taking a jab at the rotor size.

:sunny:
 
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