Restoring a Subaru WRX STI (Hawkeye) - Overview

[@superspeeder]

My unobtanium Subaru is the 1998 2.5RS, lol. I’m a few years older than you and it was a brand new model when I was starting college, and it was out of my budget. I ended up with a 1996 Saturn SL2 which ended up being an amazing car for someone to grow with, race, beat the everloving P!$$ out of, and generally have more fun with than I could ever have imagined… but that AWD Subaru mystique always intrigued me. Better Imprezas have come since, and I agree with your choice - that eagle eye ‘06 is a fantastic machine burned into automotive historical greatness in many ways, not the least of which by the late great Ken Block. RIP. Awesome car man!!! I’ll be living vicariously through you in this journey for sure! If the original paint ends up unsalvageable, it wouldn’t break my heart to see it in blue!

[@Garagetopics]

Thanks! I'm a black hawkeye, but blue blobeye/bugeye/RS kinda guy

[@icawn]

been a while. nice to see you still in action. congrats on the gray hair man those kids can really do a number.

[@Garagetopics]

Haha the past two years have been something!

[@colemcmeans7809]

cant wait to see it looking better, cool cars.

[@Garagetopics]

Thanks!

[@RoadPatina]

I just started the exact build on my channel. People love to neglect these cars and we get to save them!

[@danne941]

I have wondered about this car. I am 37 and bought a slightly nicer but higher mileage 2005 STI 1.5 years ago. It was my not obtainable car as a teen. They are a ton of fun and I look forward to watching your progress. Rip that tint off ASAP 😂

[@Garagetopics]

They are so fun to drive! I'm about done with the timing belt job and forced myself to do that first before cosmetics. Cannot wait to start making this look nicer

[@cordcd7]

Ha the 2005 STi was also my unobtainable car, ever since falling in love with the platform when I saw the first commercial for the then first of its kind in US 2002 WRX. The years went by and I missed being able to afford a good 04/05 because their value was not justifiable. Bought an 02 WRX in '13 and loved everyday with it. Finally bought an STi in '21. A 2013 GR sedan in SWP with a brand new dealer installed engine.

[@TheSubieSanctuary]

Looks like a decent specimen to me, needs a little tlc her and there but id say that was good buy! But! I want to see the cruSTI part of it, youd see the cruSTI’s we get to deal with in the salt belt 😬

[@Garagetopics]

I've seen severe CruSTi examples before - this one is able to be revived. The body underneath has surface rust that if I treat now will stop, but certain things like the u brace is super rusty. Thankfully you can replace those easily

[@ricepony33]

Make sure it does have a tune, air intakes with no tune are a bad combo on those motors. You may want to consider adding NOS as well for the launches.

[@Garagetopics]

300 shot at launch should be fun! It drives very nicely now but yes if this is a long term vehicle I def want to get the tune confirmed to prioritize longevity

[@ricepony33]

@@Garagetopics The best way to keep them going is to clear them out with a bit of NOS.

[@JM-cs1nc]

Good job on doing the timing belt job, I recommend doing a tune up and fluids change. stock air box is more than enough and works great also. Depending on the mileage it would be a good idea to replace the motor and trans mounts with oem sti group n ones. Oh and do the killer b oil pickup tube.

[@Garagetopics]

Thanks for the advice! I have no clue on the maintenence of this car so it's all probably due

[@satsun]

I'd uninstall the turbo timer, it's unnecessary on these since the turbos are water-cooled. Be careful if replacing the intake, either find a complete stock airbox or something that won't affect the MAF scaling (require tuning); this AEM might not affect the MAF. The mesh on the intercooler isn't standard, otherwise this looks really good for its age. Ensure the MAF and front O2 sensors are OEM (Denso),, check/replace the plugs, and it should run good.

[@Garagetopics]

Thanks! Lol yes the turbo timer is silly but reminds me of my teenage years. I'd rather have an oem intake for those reasons ill most likely end up getting this tuned to confirm it operating safely and for the long term. Not looking to make big power with this car.

[@pirihern9329]

Terrible gas mileage

[@DanielGarcia-zq5rl]

YOLO😅😅

[@pirihern9329]

Gates timing belt kit

[@Garagetopics]

Just did an aisin kit!

[@JM-cs1nc]

Gates kit is not very good quality, the only good thing on the gates kit is the belt, but the all the tensioners and pullleys are Chinese made. Aisin is better quality with quality Japanese parts. So Aisin ftw!!!!

[@satsun]

@@Garagetopics Sounds like you're doing your homework. I had just recently learned that Gates quality had slipped and that Aisin was the ideal kit now.