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Old 09-23-2003, 03:53 PM   #1
Obnoxio
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Member#: 44009
Join Date: Sep 2003
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: in an old barn
Vehicle:
2001 Toyota Tundra
red/bird poop

Default My Rex, and some questions.

Hello all. Im new to this group. I just purchased a used 02 WRX, blue in color. Manual trans, pretty clean car. I work at a Subaru/Volkswagen dealership in the service dept, so I was kinda on the lookout for a good used one. This car in particular apparently was a repo or lease turn in. I spotted it on the truck from the sale, and put it on the lift pretty quick. It has 4 brand new Potenza RE 732's on it. It has a short shifter with a black plastic 8-ball type knob (which I like a bunch). I also noticed a large, light blue rear sway bar, and poly/aluminum mounts on the front subframe. I checked the trans fluid and diff fluids, and as far as I can tell they are synthetic type. 42,000 miles, and appears to be in good shape. Shifts good, clutch takeup feels good, and the pedal has some oomph to it.
Now, for my newbie questions. And, I know I am going to take some heat, but here goes.
First, what exactly does UTEC stand for. I have been reading this site and WRXhackers, and am acratching my head on that one.
Second, the front of my car seems to sit a bit higher than the rear. Is this common on WRX's, or is the swaybar on the rear set too low? The dealer I work for is kinda on the small side, so we dont see a ton of WRX's, and you all know Subarus stance on modded cars.
Sorry for the length of my post, but I really dig this car, and I dont want to screw it up.
-Toddb
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Old 09-23-2003, 04:12 PM   #2
dropmech
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Member#: 41477
Join Date: Aug 2003
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Jacksonville
Vehicle:
2006 Tahoe that
will pull your bumper off

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Congrats on the buy! UTEC=User Tunable Engine Computer. Go to www.turboxs.com and you can find out pretty much everything you need to know about them. As far as the suspension, the rear is a little higher than the front. If it looks like it's high though, it probably is. I really don't know if it would be your sway bar though. Hopefully some other guys will chime in here and help you out. Anyway, have fun with your car. You'll be tuning it in no time!
FYI: the blue color on your car is World Rally Blue or WRB.
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Old 09-23-2003, 04:13 PM   #3
Gethin
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Member#: 2998
Join Date: Nov 2000
Chapter/Region: VIC
Location: BC
Vehicle:
2002 WRX
WRB

Talking

UTEC (User Tunable Engine Computer ) is a piggy back computer that sits between your stock ECU and the sensors the car uses to do it's timing / fuelling etc etc and then alters those signals http://www.turboxs.com/ wich allows you to dun different engine maps. Basically a performance enhancement for your car. I allows you to load up different maps for different conditions / driving styles if you wish.

The wheel gap larger at the front is standard. Post some pics or take a measurement and i'll compare to my stock car if you wish.

If your car has those mods IMHO it's been driven pretty hard. A good thing!! As long as the car has a full service history.

Enjoy your car and drive safe.

Gethin.
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Old 09-23-2003, 10:03 PM   #4
Uncle Scotty
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OK buy Nates beans
westcoastroasting.com

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The blue sway bar is made by Whiteline and the "poly/aluminum mounts on the front subframe" sound like an "anti-lift" kit, also by Whiteline.
Try:
whiteline.com.au
for more info.
Whiteline is an Austrailian aftermarket manufacturer.
I have many of their suspention parts, including the RSB and ALK on my car.

Good luck with your new WRX, and shift smoothly.
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Old 09-23-2003, 10:12 PM   #5
DrBiggly
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Vehicle:
02 WRX
Acute Stickeritis

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Or he could possibly have an upgraded front rollbar with the poly bushings instead of the anti-lift kit. The rear bar can't be adjusted (except perhaps for its stiffness setting, but has nothing to do with ride height.)

Congrats and have fun with the car.
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Old 09-24-2003, 11:53 AM   #6
DrBiggly
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02 WRX
Acute Stickeritis

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Oh, and it is typical for the front to sit a little higher than the rear.
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Old 09-24-2003, 12:09 PM   #7
Obnoxio
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2001 Toyota Tundra
red/bird poop

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Quote:
Originally posted by DrBiggly
Oh, and it is typical for the front to sit a little higher than the rear.
So, is there a way to level the car without replacing springs?I was thinking of removing the front springs, and maybe cutting 1/2 coil off. I want to replace the springs and shocks, but the money is not here for that just yet....
Thanks for all the posts, I dont feel so stupid asking about the UTEC now.
-Toddb
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Old 09-24-2003, 01:31 PM   #8
loreley
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you work at a service department at a dealership and your thinking about cutting springs on your wrx?
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Old 09-24-2003, 01:32 PM   #9
Unabomber
Big Ron
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me b4 j00 buy

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DO NOT cut the springs! This will create a very bad ride and throw your alignment and geometry all out of whack. Wait till you can get some proper springs. The apparent uneven ride height is there for a reason, so don't worry too much about it. Springs should be around $250 or so plus installation if someone else is going to do it. Check the used classifieds here for used ones for less.
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Old 09-24-2003, 01:34 PM   #10
loreley
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p.s. i wouldnt reccomend it. seriously, if you just want to buy lowering springs, they are pretty cheap. of course, struts and springs are a better way to go, but its a lot better than cutting your springs
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Old 09-24-2003, 02:01 PM   #11
Obnoxio
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2001 Toyota Tundra
red/bird poop

Default

Quote:
Originally posted by loreley
you work at a service department at a dealership and your thinking about cutting springs on your wrx?

Well, it was just a thought, no tools in hand yet. I do have access to spring compressor and alignment rack, but I just wanted to see what the consensus was before I did it. I had a 91 Jetta Coupe with very mildly cut front Eibachs, and after I aligned it, it was fine. I drove it for 3 years like that with no real issues with tire wear, other than burnouts. I'll probably just get the Eibach kit and some konis when money permits.
-Toddb
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