edrach

I got these keyblanks from Jason in Parts (toll free:866-528-5282) for my '97 Impreza (same for early Legacy): Part number 57430AA130. The come with the built in LED for lighting up the key slot. I think they will also work in the earlier EA81 locks.

Subaru links are red, black, or green. If you know which color you need I can send you a junkyard one.

Do you have an Interstate Distributor near you? I have one 20 minutes from here and I always buy my batteries from them (or PAP ). Anyway when I buy there, I always ask if they have a "blem" battery. Price of the "blem" is generally half of full price and they carry the same warranty as full price. I've never seen the blemish that put them in that category, but I don't care if it's scratched or ugly as long as it works. As to what I think of Interstate batteries. Last time I bought a battery from them for one of my cars was 6 years ago. It's still working like a champ and we've recently had the coldest weather in 30 years for the two weeks before New Year's Day. I used to buy Sears until it dawned on me that they never lasted the full rated time period and buying another at the "pro-rated" price was actually a waste of MY money since the pro-rate was calculated on the list price of the battery and not the sale price I paid. Not a very good deal in the long run. I bought a pair of Interstate batteries for my son's BMW ($350 EACH from the dealer!!); they cost me $300 for BOTH. When I asked them about the "blem" price they said they were out. "Dealers buy our "blems" as fast as we get them in!" was the reply I got. My son has been very happy with his batteries but he hasn't had them in the car for over 4 years yet.

If I remember correctly oddcomp lives in Longview.

At that price it would be worth it to import it from your country!

Just for your information, there was an XT6 at the Olympic Pick a Part yard three weeks ago; it might still be there if you want to pull the glass. If you're going down on a reasonable weekend, let me know since I want to pull some parts off it. Sorry about the damage; that's just ugly.

Almost impossible to find the vacuum advance modules. But you can get them rebuilt. Check out http://www.philbingroup.com/fhhistory.htm.

Hotter is better since the catalytic converter is more efficient at higher temps. Not sure how it affects the HC levels at idle. I would consider installing the stock temp thermostat (especially now in the wintertime). You can re-install the lower temp thermostat in the summer if you need it. It wouldn't cost you anything to ask the emissions guru that question if no one here has a better opinion than mine.

I know I posted this before numerous times, but only found one item where I started the post. The Brat had pretty similar numbers to what you were seeing and I had to change the idle jet. But the emissions gure tweaked it the rest of the way instead of my guessing and paying $15 more each time it failed. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22506&highlight=emissions+testing+guru

Try going to the emissions testing place on 6th Ave. South (just south of Spokane St). There's usually a van parked on the adjacent side street with a sign on it saying "Pass emissions or don't pay." This guy has been there for years and managed to get my car through every time (and I went through a succession of "beaters" during the early years of my three sons' learning to drive). He is state certified and has full emissions testing capability in his van. He will only tweak the settings to get it to pass; if he finds a problem with the car, he'll tell you what to get and install and then come back for a re-test. He doesn't charge you until you pass; last time I needed his services it was $45 plus tax. He's the real deal, and won't gouge you for his services. Just bring the most recent test result with you.

You're correct about it being so hard to read. I originally posted it before we went to the "gray formated Stars Wars" look and it was easier to read then. If you want to make it easier on yourself, copy and paste the entire procedure to a Word document; black on white should make it more reasonable to read. Good luck with replacing the axle.

Ok guys. Here is the official lowdown. Schedule: Tech/Registration - 9:00 - 10:00am Drivers Meeting - 10:30am 1st car out - 11:00am Cost: $25 per Driver + SCCA fee's if applicable $5 fun runs possible depending on time Classes: Front wheel drive w/studs Front wheel drive w/no studs Rear wheel drive w/studs Rear wheel drive w/no studs All wheel drive w/studs All wheel drive w/no studs Directions: 61702 Teal Rd., Bend Or, 97702 Take hwy 20 East approx. 4 miles past 27th St (Costco/Safeway). It's pretty flat the whole way until about the last 1/4 mile which is down hill. At the bottom of the hill is Bear Creek rd. go Right on Bear Creek to Teal Rd., go Left. WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP ALL THE TRAFFIC ON THE HWY AND NOT BEAR CREEK, AS THERE ARE LOTS OF HOUSES AND BEAR CREEK IS A NARROW ROAD! THANKS. Aprrox. .5 mi on left is the house, 61702 Teal Rd. PLEASE LOOK FOR THE TECH/REGISTRATION TENT. We'll need to check the cars in before heading over the bridge to the back field. Teal is a gravel road(usually), but is covered in snow at the moment. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 15MPH!!!! People need to drive slow and be considerate of the neighbors.. If people act like ******************s on the transit, we won't be able to use the property anymore for rally x purposes. The field has +-8" of snow now, but we will be dragging it again next week to get the snow packed down. It's looking to be a snow cross at this point.. Thank you. Ben Trujillo Oregon Rallycross Director.

Boy, I can't say for sure whether the rear swaybar I installed on my Brat made it "tail-happy." I don't rallycross it anymore; it's become my "work" Brat. But in normal driving, there's no tendency for the rear to come around. The Brat is very well behaved.

Actually the cold came down from Canada and the snow came from Hawaii (was rain until it met the cold).

I have '03 WRX seats in my '97 Impreza (originally in my '91 Legacy). They fit just fine; I didn't even have to change the rails. I just had to use 4 of the 5 mounting holes since the Imp and Leggy didn't have a threaded portion on the inside rail (only one bolt needed). You also have to install the matching seat belt holder from the old car onto the WRX seats.

Just a comment on lower pressures. Less PSI can allow moisture to get into the tire's bead and when that freezes will expand and give you a flat tire. That being said, here's my suggestion: Don't screw with summer tires in the winter. Buy a cheap set of junkyard wheels for your car and get a set of decent studless or studded snow tires (I prefer studless here in the Seattle area). Initial cost is an issue, but over the long run, the only extra cost is the wheels and mounting, since for every mile you run on your winter tires, you'll get another mile of use out of your summer tires.

You figured it out and yes the LSD will cause significant understeer compared to an open diff. I had the same issues with my Brat that I used for rallycross years ago. I did add a rear sway bar to my Brat but found that reducing speed before going into a turn and using less throttle in the turn works also. I would imagine a stiffer rear swaybar would help the situation. If you can't find an XT6 swaybar, check the Whiteline website and find a US re-seller (Rallitek in Portland is my suggestion). The Whiteline swaybar is a bit pricey but it's one of the best.

Glad to see you back sparkster. How did you finally get yourself re-instated?

So where are you located? If in western WA state, I'd be interested also.

Hood off of most EA81 wagons will fit. Door from a Hatch will also fit your Brat. Sorry for the bad luck.

Sorry for your loss, but I'm glad to hear you and the car are relatively okay. You might consider filing a Police Report just for grins. You might run across this guy again and it might be satisfying to nail him for the hit and run. Not likely he has insurance.

Looks like it's official. Posted on the ORG website for Jan 4th in Bend, OR. Now to see if I can get out there!http://www.oregonrally.com/Event_Detail.cfm?EventID=569

I live in Bothell, it's almost noon and the sun is out, and it's still 15 degrees out! And the weather service is forecasting strong winds this weekend (see my post in OT) and another band of precipitation coming in on Sunday (supposedly stronger than the recent storm).

It was a GREAT time!

The kid asked me if I wanted to tag along. A great time. 11 miles of fun road covered in hard packed snow and drifts. A great time. More pics can be found in my Album. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/album.php?albumid=68