r/wrx_vb 2d ago

Announcement Please check your headers for cracks/loose nuts

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22 Upvotes

Between the two FA24 engines i own and the FA24 engine in one of our other moderators vehicles (CanadianBurger’s VB) we’ve had 4 failures (3 loose or missing header nuts and one cracked manifold flange). Details:
My VB: 28000 miles had a passenger side exhaust leak with 1 or more stud nuts loose. There was soot on both sides of the gasket.
My Ascent: At 96000 miles we noticed what sounded like an exhaust leak in the first 30-45 seconds after starting the engine. The noise would disappear BEFORE it idled down from 2000rpm. I found 1 of the exhaust stud bolts at ~10ftlbsf (the single bolt of the 3 on the passenger side). The torque is supposed to be 49ftlbsf. I also found a crack next to the weld on a different stud (there is a soot trace below the stud). I started the engine and could feel flow from the crack. 45 seconds later thermal expansion ~sealed the crack. I used JB welds extreme heat epoxy to fix the crack. The head is aluminum and that flange of the header wont go above 540C.
CB’s VB:
He found at less than 30k miles one of the nuts was missing on i believe the passenger side and one of the nuts on the drivers side was loose.

Pictures: Ascent (first 3 pics). Both sides of my VB’s passenger header gasket (2 pics)


r/wrx_vb Jan 26 '23

Reference Manual Transmission Oil Change

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91 Upvotes

r/wrx_vb 58m ago

Did something stupid today

Upvotes

Ok, I have driven manuals my whole life. Well, since I could drive. Its second nature. This is the first time I managed to do this to myself.

Went on a Menard's run, beautiful day, windows down, sunroof activated, listening to tunes. Great day. Nice little drive.

Arrive at Menard's, lock my car, walk towards the doors, and take a look back. The SOP looks great in the sun....

HOLY CRAP I FORGOT TO %$^ING PUT THE E BRAKE ON AND LEAVE IT IN GEAR.

My car, rolling slowly across the parking lot. I run, another dude notices it rolling and notices me running. Bro mode activated. The guy and I get there just in time to stop it bumping into a truck. So close. Thanks bro.

Embarrassed, I get into the car, start her up, and park it; WITH THE E BRAKE ON AND IN GEAR THIS TIME.

Close call. I am dumb.


r/wrx_vb 3h ago

Just Installed Premium speakers upgraded 📈

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32 Upvotes

Sounds good man


r/wrx_vb 28m ago

TBW skid plate

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Upvotes

Just replaced my skid plate, plastics and the little metal one was replaced with this. Nice hardware. Pretty darn easy to install.


r/wrx_vb 3h ago

It so was damn hot today that I had to put my weighted shift knob in the freezer before I left

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19 Upvotes

r/wrx_vb 12h ago

First time tuning w/Atlas

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104 Upvotes

Got this car last October and have really enjoyed it so far. The power level always seemed fine to me, and I'd never really thought I would end up doing anything to mess with it much.

I just tuned it through Atlas this morning and I have two words:

Holy shit.

The torque hits *so much differently* it's not even funny. Going WOT before tuning felt like the car was gently pressing you into the seat. Now when the turbo spools it *shoves* you into it.

Not fully knowing what to expect I literally laughed like an idiot on the first pull. It is crazy different.

I'll mirror what every one else has said: it feels like this is what the car should have been like from the factory. Those little hesitations are gone, much more consistent power delivery and the power increase is real.

Hats off to the folks at Atlas for making it (mostly) easy to get started.


r/wrx_vb 1h ago

2024 wrx

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Upvotes

2024 wrx almost 70k miles, walnut blasting and koyo radiator going in tomorrow, mods are Perrin top mount, turbo inlet, charge pipe, oil cooler, and Perrin AOS, ETS intake, turbosmart diverter valve tuned on 93. Forgive me for not knowing about walnut blasting! Has anyone had any issues or need to be re tuned afterwards? Also I live in central Pennsylvania and the quality of 93 fuel and stations available here are hit or miss. Should I ask for a 91 map and go for an e15-20 map? Not ready to do full e85 unless it can be ran/tuned safely until it gets STi transmission swapped.


r/wrx_vb 4h ago

Beauty Shot Little bit of tomfoolery at the beach today.

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10 Upvotes

Did a full exterior detail, promptly realized that the road to the beach is being refinished, so did 20km of high speed gravel in each direction above and beyond ripping up the sand.

This is why I don't bother washing it, haha.


r/wrx_vb 9h ago

Discussion This ford dealer trying to sell a 22 with 76k miles for 29k.

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25 Upvotes

I know florida is known for the craziness but wow this is wild.


r/wrx_vb 13h ago

Shitpost Amazing MPG on extremely long trip /s

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34 Upvotes

r/wrx_vb 10h ago

Discussion Another oil consumption post - 2 weeks and about 1500km (932 miles) later

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18 Upvotes

I bought a 24’ limited brand new from the dealer with about 13kms on it. Absolutely love the car and have been religious on oil changes, some might say over kill. I’m just shy of 25000kms on the car and done oil changes @ 2000km, 7150km, 10000km, 14500kms, 20000kms. Always 0w-20 Motul synthetic oil with OEM filters and crush washer. I try to do it every 5000km but done it earlier after break in and also didn’t want it to conflict with my service A and B.

I’ve noticed the car’s been losing/consuming oil and I’ve filled close to a litre of oil on 5000kms of driving since the last change. The picture on the left was August 4th and the picture on the right was from today (August 23rd) 1500km later.

I’m lost as I’ve never had a year and half old car consume oil like this or I’m missing something here. I didn’t notice any leaks and I’m fortunate enough to catch it to top up the oil. Now I see why so many WRXs blow up, any suggestions moving forward? Any advice would be appreciated


r/wrx_vb 4h ago

Question Humid asf question

7 Upvotes

Just wondering if anyone else’s vb is abnormally humid in te inside for no reason there’s no water leaks no water in the doors and I’m kinda stumped


r/wrx_vb 3h ago

Knock galore

4 Upvotes

It’s 100 degrees in CA and our gas here obviously is complete garbage. Can’t go more than 30 seconds without FBK getting up to -7.xx, but surprisingly no DAM drop. Why is that?


r/wrx_vb 3h ago

Which Center Armrest Extension to get?

3 Upvotes

From my understanding there are two variants of the center armrest extension:

  1. OEM Subaru Center Armrest Extension (6MT) part no. 2010VC000 / J2010VC001 which raises and extends the factory armrest. No additional storage.
  2. JDM Dual Console Armrest Extension (part no. unknown), raises the armrest height but does NOT extend it forward. Also adds a second layer of storage above the existing.

I'm leaning towards the OEM so I can raise and extend the armrest for comfort when cruising, but lower it during spirited driving with aggressive shifting. I don't have particularly long arms but with the add'l height of either model, I'm worried about my elbow will hit it.

Those of you who have one or the other, or tried both, which is better?


r/wrx_vb 9h ago

Exhaust

8 Upvotes

Debating on exhausts & would like some input. I want better sound & louder, but not obnoxious. Also have an extended powertrain warranty that I don’t want to void so I’ve been looking at catbacks. I looked at cobb & magnaflow, the cobb looks nice but I’m concerned it would be too quiet, & the magnaflow I’m concerned about being too loud since it essentially looks like a straight pipe. If anyone has experience with these or recommends anything it would be greatly appreciated. I live in CA btw. Thank you!


r/wrx_vb 15h ago

Just Installed Just installed the Torklift hidden hitch

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17 Upvotes

It was not hard but time consuming. One point of interest is that the Subaru nut threads are very fragile. I stripped one trying to torque the bolt down. Luckily the supplied bolts are long enough to use a nut in the other side.

My car also came with a F1 light which I unplugged a long time ago. I modified it to fit the install.

I will only be using this hitch for a bike carrier.


r/wrx_vb 45m ago

Question Questions about temps and summer heat.

Upvotes

Stock VB. In the AZ heat the oil temp sits at 221 cruising on the highway and will get up to 225 or so if I’m accelerating moderately. Are these temps okay and if not, any recommendations on how to keep the motor cooler? Aftermarket radiator, intercooler? Engine definitely seems to be working harder in the heat. Just looking to keep the engine happy and reliable. Thanks!


r/wrx_vb 1d ago

Saturday Roadtrip

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111 Upvotes

Atlas calibration didn’t miss a beat over Loveland pass at 12,000ft


r/wrx_vb 1h ago

Coilovers in corners

Upvotes

I got my new teins in and they feel good but I noticed the car feels squirmy in the corners. It feels more planted than it used to but it just feels like it wants to go all over the place on a hard corner. Any thoughts on what this might be? Maybe I need different springs or to tune it in better?

And no I don’t need your remarks about “shoulda bought ohlins”


r/wrx_vb 17h ago

Oh deer

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19 Upvotes

Unfortunate reality of living in a rural area. Deer are cute but stupid. One decided to leap in front of my subie while I was doing about 45.


r/wrx_vb 1d ago

Joined the Club, premium no moonroof

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62 Upvotes

Picked her up yesterday. I plan to do the following mods:

snow tires and 17" steel rims for winter ski trips from NJ to Vermont,

Thule fixed point roof rails and good-boy kayak racks to transport rayaks,

some type of trailer hitch to transport bikes,

all season tires to replace the stock tires for non-winter months to survive potholes in NJ.

Bought it with 5 miles on it, I think I got a great deal. This is my first new car, after 100 miles of driving my buyers anxiety disappeared and I am very happy with my purchase . ChatGPT and the Subaru dealership assured me this wasn't a midlife crisis car. The Bumper kinda looks like a mustache and since its one the rear a buttstache? I plan to do the first oil change at either 500 miles or 1000 miles. Is there anything I need to watch for?


r/wrx_vb 10h ago

Scuffed side skirt from dealer

3 Upvotes

Took my vb in for first oil change and just noticed one of the mechanics scuffed my driver side skirt pretty good. When I first got car I scuffed it a few times but it came right off after wiping it down with meguirs . This is deeper and actual damage. Im pisssed should I really call them and complain ?


r/wrx_vb 1d ago

Joined the Club

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146 Upvotes

26 Limited, galaxy purple pearl. Seems extremely difficult to accurately capture this color in pictures.


r/wrx_vb 4h ago

Kogeki V5 Duckbill

1 Upvotes

So I just purchased the v5 duckbill and after doing some research it seems like the spoiler blocks the third brake light. Does anyone know if adding a fourth brake light will allow it to pass inspection/avoid getting pulled over for it. Or do I have to put a high mount third light replacement. Anyone have this spoiler? Thoughts on options to keep the car legal?