Metalmaker's build thread begins

[Frank818]

Bodywork

What's left to do?

Oh, no rear spoiler yet?

[metalmaker12]

I can't let all my secrets out,,,, I will be making something unique

Body work, fill all gelcoat voids, cracks etc, block out/ fill some wavy sections, build up certain areas for better lines, prime/ seal paint

[Frank818]

Got it. Sorry I thought those little body work were completed already, I guess I want you to finish your build faster than you can. lolll

[metalmaker12]

Got it. Sorry I thought those little body work were completed already, I guess I want you to finish your build faster than you can. lolll

Trust me I want to, but busy at work, and my second child is due on two short months so I am not getting as much time as I had hoped. I am starting on the bodywork once I get some wipers running.

[longislandwrx]

Engine looks clean as ... are you using the jdm ecu?

[metalmaker12]

I am currently running the jdm ecu, but have a Usdm wrx if I ever need to pass emissions. Motor only has 27k

[metalmaker12]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=y...&v=_H2tQeeSltY

Wipers are working and clear hood, I made them myself like Erik, should be getting plates this week. It's hitting my sticker, so gotta place that higher... Or just take the wiper off once I get plates.

[Rasmus]

Watched the video and thought, "That's great!". Then I thought, "Only a car-guy can get excited at someone else getting their wiper working."

[metalmaker12]

Lol, well I got excited when you used electrolysis (or whatever you used) to remove rust. Btw the wipers are good fun

[metalmaker12]

My exhaust sound again..http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=21mDbg64rXs

[metalmaker12]

Inside wiper design, much like Erik's
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VDyx5RCBJqY

[Frank818]

It keeps improving!

[metalmaker12]

I am working on getting plates, as you can see I got wipers to work pretty well, and I installed my rear wheel wells. I been driving it around, but want plates before I shake it down on the local autocross and or huge parking lots. I began to design some aero, but that's on hold till I get all my panels nice nice.

[Erik W. Treves]

Looks great!

[nkw8181]

Very nice indeed!

[wallace18]

Nice work. I like that exh. sound and look for sure.

[metalmaker12]

Thanks everyone, it's my labor of love

[RM1SepEx]

Chris, What did you end up with for an exhaust? I'm about to spring for a bellmouth 3 inch and am debating a cat and muffler or just the 3 inch high flow cat... Thoughts?

[metalmaker12]

I will send you pics Dan, but it a 2.5 inch pipe to a twin tip, no cat or exhaust, but I am putting in a v band to run an exhaust for inspection and different ideas. It's loud, but not terrible because it's a boxer engine and has more grunt than whin. My engine has much less rumble because of my equal length headers, and has a higher pitch at the high revs which sounds sweet. My video gives it no justice, it sounds wicked nasty

[Harley818]

Metalmaker12,
I'm trying to decide EL headers or use the stock exhaust manifold. Now that I've heard yours and Eriks, I'm thinking EL. Sounds great. Nice rumble.
I have to find someone who posted a video without the EL headers so I can compare to the boxer sound you guys are all talking about.
Harley

[RM1SepEx]

I'm going with a Cobb and Andrew at AJW felt that a 3 inch bellmouth with a cat and 3 inch with a basic cone intake would work well with a stage two Cobb tune...

I'm using a std ceramic coated tube header with a catless up pipe and stock 2005 WRX turbo. I want to stay legal and want to use a cat... the question is do I need a muffler too?

[metalmaker12]

Yea Dan that should work well, I am trying the 2.5 right now, but only time (dyno) will tell my results.

[Scargo]

I have to find someone who posted a video without the EL headers so I can compare to the boxer sound you guys are all talking about.
Harley

Here's one of mine. I've got more... but about 5:30 into this video you can hear mine and my friends blue STi, both with Full Race headers and similar setups. Three inch non-catted exhaust all the way through. Only difference is his is a single pipe but is muffled enough to be under 89 dB. Mine's not quite that quiet. I have a mid-pipe resonator and it splits into two full-flow mufflers (essentially resonators). To pass 89dB restriction at Lime Rock I have to add down-turned tips. Sorry about all the wind noise.
There's lots of Subaru exhaust sound comparisons on YouTube.

[Santiago]

Did what Scargo recommended - first one that came up in a YouTube search is actually a pretty good comparison video between an inline-4 and a boxer-4. Here.

Best,
-j

[Scargo]

This one's good. You get to hear it outside and then inside as it's being driven. I recently commented on "equal length headers" on NASIOC. The reply from Chris (KillerB) is interesting. I found Full Race's headers were from 22" in length to around 18" long. Not exactly equal length, but he suggested that the back-pressure from the three tight bends was the reason for the shorter length. Not something you might encounter with a straight four.

Edit: I think Metal said it eloquently. With balanced you get a higher frequency sound at high RPMs. Unbalanced, you get the burble at idle and a lower frequency sound up top.
If you do twin scroll you need equal length to maximize it's potential. I think for stock motors, or with just minor tuning, there's little point to having aftermarket headers. You want piping after the turbo to be as unrestricted as you and others can enjoy.

[Harley818]

Hey thanks for the sound clips. They both sound good. Never had a boxer before so I might stick with the stock set up and change it later if I don't like it.
Sorry for the temp hijack Metalmaker, its all your fault.....yours sounds great.

[ssssly]

You gain a lot of spool by going equal length. The out of phase exhaust pulses rob more than you would think. Is the difference between full boost at 3500 RPM or full boost at 5500 RPM in some cases. Most see at least a 700 RPM decree in spool. With a stockfish turbo that can't flow more air than 6500 RPM on a 2.0l, that's a lot of power under the curve.

Just food for thought when making the decision based on the boxer burble.

Metalmaker, you will be the envy of many if you post up a how to on those wipers. Great looking build BTW.

[metalmaker12]

You gain a lot of spool by going equal length. The out of phase exhaust pulses rob more than you would think. Is the difference between full boost at 3500 RPM or full boost at 5500 RPM in some cases. Most see at least a 700 RPM decree in spool. With a stockfish turbo that can't flow more air than 6500 RPM on a 2.0l, that's a lot of power under the curve.

Just food for thought when making the decision based on the boxer burble.

Metalmaker, you will be the envy of many if you post up a how to on those wipers. Great looking build BTW.

Thanks it's been very good fun. I will set up a separate thread next week, I am waiting for inspection to get plates so I don't wanna tear they off to show the setup close and measure out what I did.

[Xusia]

You gain a lot of spool by going equal length. The out of phase exhaust pulses rob more than you would think. Is the difference between full boost at 3500 RPM or full boost at 5500 RPM in some cases. Most see at least a 700 RPM decree in spool. With a stockfish turbo that can't flow more air than 6500 RPM on a 2.0l, that's a lot of power under the curve.

Just food for thought when making the decision based on the boxer burble.

Metalmaker, you will be the envy of many if you post up a how to on those wipers. Great looking build BTW.

I have been told exactly the opposite, which drove my decision to stick with the stock header. I'd really prefer the sound of the equal length headers, so I may just put this to the dyno test! Thanks for the info!!

[Stickshift84]

Well everybody I had the distinct pleasure of visiting with Chris for a little wile this morning. His car sounds incredible and very loud. He took me for a blast around the neighborhood and all I can say is the car feels amazing. Both he and I are now hoping this cold weather ends and the street sweepers come out. Sandy roads = very bad traction. Thank you for the fun time Chris. Looking forward to more fun in the future.

[metalmaker12]

Door panels http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=y...&v=ghui_2fZuJE

[wallace18]

Your door panel looks much better than mine. For some reason my top fit was way off. The black looks good with the white. Nice job on the whole car IMO.

[metalmaker12]

Stop it yours look good too!

[Xusia]

Oh, you're both pretty! LOL

[flynntuna]

Lookin real nice.
Ps. Funny how your posts don't have a RI accent. Lol

[metalmaker12]

I am so used to the way we talk that I am unsure who has a ri accent. I am very happy with the plastic door liners.

[Kalstar]

I got the privilege of going on an extended ride in Chris's 818. First impression was this thing is quick. I rode down to his house (about 70 miles each way) in the Vette. It feels very much the same pick-up wise and can smoke the tires in the higher gears much easier then my Corvette. Much like the GTM it was very evident that this was a light car with tight steering and very good brakes. The car tracked straight even at near or slightly over triple digit speeds. One thing I didn't like, the roadrunner Beep-Beep horn. This car might be small but it drives and accelerates with authority. Sorry Chris, please put a "get out of my way" horn in that beast.

All and all Chris did an outstanding build and Factory Five has really produce a winner. I can't wait to drive mine. One more note, the 818 in many ways is better then the GTM and that is really saying something.

[metalmaker12]

Beep ah beep ah lol, or meep meep lol, I need a roarrrrrrrgettttout myfQyfvhhfxvwayhorn!!!!

We had a fun cruise, so 80-90 cruising and just did some straight speed burst, some launches and even stopped by another 818 builders house( stickshift84). It is driving pretty well with minor tweaks needed to alignment. It takes some seat time like anything, but like I noted before, it is a blastttt to drive. I kinda wanna just keep driving and driving it more than taking it apart to paint,,,, hmmm

[longislandwrx]

wait don't you have hellas already?

[metalmaker12]

Yeah but they sound beep beep