1 Lucky Texan

Yeah - it looks like the xtra .5 liters in the engine puts it in STU. 06 WRX wagon. no other 'functional' mods than the rims. Oh well, I'll get severely stomped instead of just stomped. Carl

So, if the only 'functional' change made to my car is wheels that are 17x7.5 instead of my stockers 17x7 - what does that do class-wise? I signed up for a Subaru Challenge event (anyone ever go to those? http://www.subaruchallenge.com/) and am a total noob. It's confusing because it SEEMS that, even a non 'stock' wheel might not bump your class IF it still falls within the manufacturer's 'specs' for the car AND is no bigger in diameter? I dunno - doens't really matter I guess as I expect not to win of course, just wondering. Carl

^^^^^^^^ +1 Carl

good idea! No pedal placement should start it if the NSS is bad.. Carl

seems to me you couold actually have a temp sensitive Neutral Safety Switch. Next time it fails - see if kiggling/banging around on the shifter might help. I dunno Carl

good points. There are also OTHER types of racing where suspension bits are a better place for your money. Like AutoX and RallyX. If you want a 1/8 - 1/4 miler, sell the Soob and get a bike or a Mustang. Carl

glad its working! Carl

Has the car had 'lowering' springs installed or been regularly and severely overloaded? That COULD lead to excessive neg. camber if the stock springs are sagging. New springs or installation of 'crash' (camber adjusting) bolts will correct it. I dunno Carl

great pic! Is the blue connector the Temp Gauge sender? Carl

Idle Air Control valve. finicky little valve on the throttle body that can get gummed up evidently. some folks say to beware using just ANY solvent and stick with TB cleaner specifically. I think even Subaru sells a specific TB cleaner. Engine temp Sensor. I THINK some manuals say to remove the intake manifold, but everyone I've read reports doing ok with approriate tool selection and just moving a hose or harness outta the way. Haven't done it myself - just reporting what I've read about. Carl

I wanna know about the cookie - might keep one in the glove box for emergencies! Was it a bran cookie - they help me 'go'! Yeah, most likely Engine Temp sensor - you'll probably get better mileage after replacing it. I wouldn't discount the possibility that a good throttle body cleaning or a sticky IAC should be investigated. Carl

Hmmm.... my fear on the first problem is it may be torque bind. Do you feel a jerking motion in the car or just in the steering wheel? If you did figure eights or a tight circle on dry pavement - NOT at the full steering lock but just 'off' from that postion (tight turn but not at the limit) would you feel a jerking/binding? Are all the tires the same brand and size and wear? Carl

Yeah, its one thing for the UOAs at http://www.bobistheoilguy.com to show increased silicon after a switch to K&N - but is that from the oil the filter is charged with? real dust particles? and what size are they? 10 micron is gonna be bad - 1 micron....not so much. me, I'm sticking with paper. Carl

Although I'd be cautious about the actual ratings - especially if there's only 1 or 2 users, this site might be good resource for brands and sources of clutches and flywheels. http://www.subarureview.com/drivetrain.php?PHPSESSID=5c14fe4d16d6349d8dd5f9ecc5e944b3 Carl

here's another possible flywheel; http://www.subydude.com/osc/product_info.php/cPath/220_95_276/products_id/494?osCsid=30505b9b1caba9ba4a32cf09ee98f637 Did you email Teague at boxer4racing? He will know what fits. The site is not well laid-out. Carl

definitely odd - if not fishy. also, if this is the rear sensor - you can get a sensor delete device (a resistor basically) form a 'tuner shop'. maybe cobb or boxer4racing, etc. I dunno Carl

Well, the OP seemed interested in a performance increase but wanted opinions. I don't recall what car he drives, but your comment about fuel does point out a possible stray of topic. Intake AND exhaust related HP increases are hard to come by and often have problems/caveats associated with them. I dunno Carl

WEll, it is interesting that Subaru now offers a CAI (with foam filter)under the SPT banner! https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=intake I think even a CAI is an exaggerated claim - maybe 1-2 HP at most. I'm sticking with paper. over-oiling has caused problems for MAF equipped cars as well. I dunno Carl

I say 75% chance this is heat shields. Carl

You may need to take a mechanic for a ride and try to duplicate for him. Carl

I dunno, heat shields seem to make a wide range of sounds under different conditions for people. Also, a torn CV boot could possibly make a weird sound. Has any work been done immediately before this sound began? Sometimes the air filter box is not clipped in correctly. Carl

One thing, make sure a dashcover or piecs of paper/notebook or other item is not blocking the photocell on top of the dash near the windshield. Carl

hah! It also helps to let your hawaiian shirt slip up a little in back so they see your gun leather and a glint of metal! lol! Carl

Some phrases/approaches/attitudes that I have had intermittent success with in the past; "Look them in the eye and say; "If you were in my position and owned this car, how would you feel about its reliability?" or the way Subaru was treating you?" or could you ever recommend Subaru or this dealership to a freiend, coworker or relative? (or, if your wife/daughter were driving this car, how would you feel, etc.) blah, blah - basically try to cut through the 'business barrier' and appeal to them on a human basis. When meeting with someone new I sometimes even ask them "So, how is Subaru treating you? Are they OK to work for?" - like that. If the say - "They all do that" then I point to another vehicle and say - let me drive that one until it does the same thing." or I say "If they all do this, then they are ALL broken and need repairing , you can start with mine." (this came in very handy on 2 occasions with a Ford van) An approach someone else I know has used , is to ask "Why are trying so hard to never do business with me again?" I haven't used that one yet. Sometimes, just sitting in someones office 5 minutes till quitting time, while letting them know you don't intemd to leave until a satsfacory decision has been made, is helpful. Its tricky to get just the right mix of calm, p!ssed off, professional, cooperative and exasperated at the same time. They are human, but even if they are sympathetic, many of them do not have the authority to do what's really needed. You often must go 'up' 3 levels, but when you do, you can often get whatever you want. Oh, you need to formulate exactly what would be a reasonable outcome for yourself - if someone were to ask (not that they will) "What do we need to do to make you a satisfied customer?" You need to have an answer ready. You could have an issue as simple as a loose gas cap - or something crazy multiple sensors AND failing ECU bad from the factory - we certainly don't know because you haven't told us! Carl

^^^^^ what he said Carl