Highlanders MY03 STi Prodrive

[Alin]

aww man!!!!

At least the car looks great as always! :tup:

 

[Highlander395]

Sorry dude.. Contacted 4 companies, they all gave me prices but way to high to make it do-able.. I had to sell at least 30 to get the prices down

 

[Alin]

Sorry dude.. Contacted 4 companies, they all gave me prices but way to high to make it do-able.. I had to sell at least 30 to get the prices down

I say get 30 people and then you can do it! Well 29 cause im the first on the list! :tup:

 

[Highlander395]

Continued working on the Sub last week:

Bought a small battery, weighing half of the original Stock vs new: 16kg vs 7.7kg

The old waterspray tank in the boot was removed, so I had an ideal place for the new battery:
So:
- Fabricated battery tray:

- Old cables out:

- New ones in:

- Testfit:

Once the trunk lining is back in place, it will look like this:

I could have made it easy for myself and install it in front at the OEM location, but I needed that space for this:
Saikou Michi Dual Oil Catch Can

 

[Alin]

Sweet update!!! :tup:

 

[Highlander395]

Thanks!

Continued this week:
I noticed the intake manifold took a lot of heat especially during track days, so I decided to (try to) eliminate al radiant and transfered heat on the intake manifold. After some research, I collected everything to do 3 things:
1. Throttle body coolant bypass mod => No more hot coolant flowing through the TB
2. Phenolic spacers => will make the biggest difference.
3. PTFE spacers (thanks Tim) => coolant tank doesn't touch intake any more
I'm hoping I can touch the intake after a session of hard driving.. :lol:


Pics:
- Intake:

- Phenolic spacers:

- PTFE spacers:

While the intake was off, I noticed a lot of dirt around the turbo:

Caused by a ripped crank case ventilation hose...

That hose had to go anyway because I needed a new one going to the dual catch can. This has found it's spot already but I still need a few parts in order to finish the install.

To be continued

 

[Grinder34]

do you drive in winter? TB bypass can be problematic in cold temps i think.

Also, you may consider insulating the coolant hose that runs under the IM.

 

[Highlander395]

As far as I found info, I've never read about a TB gotten stuck by freezing. I think the air has to be really really really cold before u can actually freeze the TB valve. Another point is, that suppuse u do reach that temp, how long do u drive let's say WOT? It's not nitrogen, it's just cold air. I agree that during winter there's always a possibility, but winter time = mod time for me I'll try it this winter, I can always reverse it if I notice anything

 

[Alin]

Nice! You should chime in on that phenolic spacer thread!

 

[Highlander395]

And where can I find that one, because I don't know which u mean

 

[Alin]

Let me see if i can link through tapatalk.

Phenolic Spacers, and their effectiveness http://www.igotasti.com/vBforum/showthread.php?t=3669

 

[Highlander395]

Joined, but not for any the engineering-stuff

Everything is back where it belongs now


Ordered a turbo blanket as well :mrgreen:

I'm curious how well this will perform to keep the temps down

Engine bay now (with the DCC installed):

Long story short, engine works done:
- Battery relocation
- Saikou MIchi Dual Catch Can
- Turbo blanket
- TB Coolant Bypass Mod
- Phenolic spacers
- Cleaned
There's a couple of things left to do, but the engine has run today and all looks and hears to be ok?!


In the mean while I also finished debadging my grill which was sitting in the garage last 5 months:

This weekend: fun fun fun!
Next week: check up to see if everything is ok? and start of project brake cooling

 

[Alin]

That engine bay! :bigtup:

Looking forward to more! Let me know what your thoughts on the turbo blanket are in a few weeks after youve experienced it long enough.

 

[Highlander395]

Thanks! I'll get back with some feedback on all the 'lowering temp' mods

 

[Highlander395]

Update for this week: brake cooling
Remember these:

These would serve as basic entry point for the cold air. After some thinking about how, I started to go work. It's fully functional, but not yet completely how i would like it to be. :lol:


Started with some Corvette inlet ducts and shortened them a bit:

Cut a piece from the inner fender liner and fitted the duct:

Got 95% wheel clearence
Inside it looks like this:

Brake duct hose installed and cut to length:

Result:

I was planning to get them attached to the disc brakes as well (brake ducts), but I'm going to try this out first and see how it ends. I need to know if they help, how fast they will wear and if our technical approval stations will make a remark If neccessary, the next step will be to improve the whole thing

As for my 'cooling' mods, I haven't really driven the car hard since the install.. So I'll get back with feedback later on

 

[Grinder34]

love the ducts.

Quantum backing plates werent too expensive IIRC, and should make a large difference to go the extra few inches.

 

[Alin]

I think this is my next DIY. Home depot should have those ducts, correct?

My question is: would anything get damaged if a rock flung up in there?

 

[Highlander395]

@ Grinder34: i know, i have found them earlier but getting them to europe is another story The backing plate will only be installed if this isn't sufficient, which i very much doubt.

@ Alin: which ducts do u mean? The black parts are from Corvette, only available via dealership. The hose can be found in home depot. But i'm not sure I got mine from work, some leftovers we didn't use
As far as damage.. I will let u know. The OEM backing plate is still in place so even if some debris would get that far, it won't get to the disc itself

 

[Alin]

The orange hose. Im on my way to home depot as i type this

 

[Highlander395]

Oh, yeah i guess home depot has them I know they exist in black also, color has to do with temperature they can handle I used 80mm hose (3-3,5inch?)