Hey from Australia!

[JDM207]

Good afternoon/evening/morning to all!

Just posting my little intro ?

Melbourne, Australia based and purchased a
'98 JDM Version 5 GC8 a few months ago!

Has typically spent more time off the road than
on since I've owned it haha. Have replaced a few hoses, tidied the engine bay and replaced some gaskets while I had the intake off to give it back some of that wrinkle red paint.

I'm currently waiting for a turbo inlet hose to fix a boost leak, then I'll be doing clutch and timing belt before a dyno run to ensure its health!

Look forward to engaging in the forum and can't wait to share the love of the STI fam!

I also look forward to sharing pics once i get around to creating a photobucket account or similar.


Chat soon!

 

[Alin]

Welcome to IGOTASTI!! You're going to absolutely love it here!! Can't wait to see pictures of the ride!!

What other cars have you had in the past? Why did you opt for a GC8 seeing that you're in Australia, and you have access to more impressive cars that the USA never received?!

 

[JDM207]

Welcome to IGOTASTI!! You're going to absolutely love it here!! Can't wait to see pictures of the ride!!

What other cars have you had in the past? Why did you opt for a GC8 seeing that you're in Australia, and you have access to more impressive cars that the USA never received?!

Thanks! To answer your questions - I got my license late at 28 years old (bartender for 10yrs, drank a lot and never never needed it) so my official 'first car' was actually a MY00 GF8 N/A in WR Blue. I still have that as my daily driver , and I have plans to lift it on forester suspension and potentially turbo swap it down the track.
I grew up with my dad as a mechanic and amatuer race car driver (mini coopers/toranas/ford escorts etc) but have always loved Suby's, I guess when it came time to get a car it was really the only car I actually wanted! Once I got my full license it seemed logical to upgrade to a STI GC8 rather than waste money on a WRX then opt for STI later, especially with prices the way they're going.. always been a fan of the classic model, only other one I would maybe opt for is a 2004/05 Peanut eye i think. Would also have to be STI with DCCD/6spd etc..maybe one day haha!

Im not a huge fan of newer anything..i think because I'm a "90's kid" i have the nostalgic bug, so now I can afford to I'm just attaining all the things i lustrd after as a teen haha.

 

[Grinder34]

Welcome!

Is/was the car mostly stock? Does it have much of a known history?

Would love to see some pics, and impressions once you get it back on the road!

 

[JDM207]

Welcome!

Is/was the car mostly stock? Does it have much of a known history?

Would love to see some pics, and impressions once you get it back on the road!

Thanks!

Yes the car is mostly stock. Virtually no service history after it got to Australia unfortunately..has service stickers that seem to be every 10,000kms or so in Japan.

It was brought in as a personal import in 2009 with its next service being 100,000kms but no actual record of that. Some receipts for wheel bearings, shocks and a couple of other things. The guy I got it off said he had it for 2 years but barely drove it. He had 2 R34-GTR's and a Tommi Makkinen Evo so I believe it haha. It certainly needs work but I paid a price reflective of that which I was OK with, because it means that I can change/upgrade things the way I want them sooner, rather than buy a pristine one that would be wasteful changing things that don't need to be. For example since I'm taking out the engine to do timing belt, clutch/flywheel I'm looking into getting Group N engine and trans mounts while all thats out, as well as an AVO silicone turbo inlet to replace the cracked plastic OEM one.
Car only has 140,000kms on it so still a reaonable number IMO.
It came with a HKS Fujitsubo 3in turbo back exhaust and Blitz turbo timer, eventually I plan to replace with custom exhaust and STI Genome diff back. STI rear diff support is also on my mind at some point, STI rear shifter bushing and replace shifter linkage if i can get my hands on them before i take it in to do clutch and all that.

As for pics I've just realised I can post them now I'm using Tapatalk app again..!!

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

[Grinder34]

Man that looks good!

 

[JDM207]

Man that looks good!

Ta!

Top one is after the first proper hand wash haha. Booty shot was when I got her home. This next one is a comparison of engine bay cleanup..

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

[Eagleye]

Looks great. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Batmobile_Engage]

...always been a fan of the classic model...

...i think because I'm a "90's kid" i have the nostalgic bug...

I totally get it! Watching Colin McRae in the 90's basically ensured I would be a Subaru nut for the rest of my life. :lol: