Since this thread has kind of turned into a WRX thread (Which is fine by me), does anyone else have problems with the compass equipped mirror rattling like hell from heavy bass songs? Mine rattles so bad it sounds like a buzz inside the car. I had to take it back to the installer for them to see it because they said they had never heard a rear view mirror rattle like that and it must be something else.

And I only have a single JL Audio 10 in the car too!

Actually, my friend was having this same problem with his JL 10"! He tried gutting the mirror (not recommended) but now the mirror just flops around. He never came up with a fix but is now looking for a regular mirror to put in. I can't help, but at least you're not the only one having this issue.

I had thought about going the other way and trying to add some more weight to the mirror like putting some Dynomat inside it.

Nice. Yeap... that's almost exactly what i wanna do with mine. I have been looking at the Rota Battle 17"s for a while. I'm gonna keep the roof rack though, i'll use it... and definitely gonna tint all the way 'round. I'm also gonna black out the badges instead of removing them like my civic... i mean remove them, paint them black, and reinstall. Looks saweet. I like the turn signal mod he did... haven't seen that before. If i end up with the '04, i'll have some interesting new headlights to play with too. =]

God i can't wait.

Take a close look at both the original ("space saver") wheel and the new ("full size") spare and take measurements before you commit!

Already tested snow tire and regular/OE spare. The lid almost fits back flush. I may either hack on it or make a replacement (since I'd need a grate/grill for the sub anyhow).

A lot of times, the space saver wheel is actually a larger diameter wheel (with a smaller aspect ratio tire to make overall diameter come out the same) than a regular size wheel. Be sure the subwoofer will fit into the new wheel!

The sub I will be recycling is a modest 8-inch square Kicker Solobaric that has done fine for me. No problem fitting it and I'm pretty sure I can get the required volume in the enclosure, but I will definitely go through the plastic bag + milk jug fill test before I start wasting any fiberglass on it.

And, just an aside, why do you want to get rid of the "fake" spare anyway?

Well, we are up to about 3-5 gravel rallies a year now depending on our other obligations and I wouldn't do any of them without a full-size spare. We haven't blown a tire yet, but have seen others do so and it'd suck to drive all the way to Oregon or BC and have to quit a 2-day rally on the first day due to no spare (as was the case with a nice S4 we rolled by in November that busted both tire *and* wheel...)

For Winter Alcan, we will probably haul 2 spares, and not just because the Hakka 1s are directional. In part by using the well space more efficiently, we are hoping we can haul 2 spares and still make the trip without adding a Yakima/Thule rack and storage box.

So rather than keep that weenie spare all the time and have to haul a full-size out of my storage unit on a regular basis, I'm thinking I'll just put the weenie one in storage.

(Oh, and then there was the time -- after shredding a tire at about 95 MPH -- that I got to drive home from Montana on a tire that was "reeeeel close" to my Pirelli 205/55-14s!!)

Matt, is it me or are those wheels on the black wagon (Rota Battles) photoshoped on? Something doesn't look right in the rear wheel.

Not to go on and on about my alternator whine (I've started like 3 threads on it) but could it be a bad amp?

I have two amps (one is a cheap 4 channel Rockford 35watt amp and the other is the amp in my Infinity Basslink). Both are grounded at the same point: to a bold under the seat. I even tried the top of one of the rear strut towers. Now it is hooked up all the way to the battery's neg. power post. The whine is always the same.

I had the empeg grounded via the factory wiring harness's ground and now it also has a direct line to the negative post of the battery. I even tried one of those capacitors that you connect to a head unit, but I tried it on both the accessory power and on the main power lines.... no change.

Could it be that I have a bad amp? I'm thinking of changing to a 5 channel amp so that I have just one power and one ground as far as amps are concerned... just to elinimate one factor.

Back to this thread: Did any of Tony's links help? It certainly sounds like an install issue and not something Subaru related.

I just got delivery of some new wheels for the summer...17x7.5 steel grey Rota Tarmacs. I can't wait for April so I can put them on, roll down the windows, and blast my music.

Yes, April approacheth. If the Miracle of Continued Employment persists, i just may have to get some Rota Attacks (easy cleaning for old folks!) and maybe some tires (looking at Sumitomo...)

I think this summer I'm also going to Dynamat the doors and maybe the trunk too.

FWIW, people say that Dynamat really stinks. Not sure if the smell goes away or how long it takes. FWIW, a product that I have used on PC cases and which I am probably going to selectively add to the WRX is Dexdamp. Similar to Dynamat, but no heating required, easier to work, and no smell. I got it from these guys . Downsides? Possibly more expensive and heavier than Dynamat (it's essentially butyl rubber), and it could prove impractical to remove once applied (this could be true for Dynamat, I don't know).

Also, it is harder to find. That Hamilton-Jet outfit might be the only source. Looks like some folks had a go at selling into the car stereo market but that Dynamat pretty much kept that channel/market.

are those wheels on the black wagon (Rota Battles) photoshoped on? Something doesn't look right in the rear wheel.

Maybe. In a totally non-scientific examination, I laid my ruler across the front wheel on the screen (17" monitor 1024x768 resolution) and it measured 22 millimeters across. The rear wheel measured 20.

Not likely that he really has smaller wheels on the rear...

tanstaafl.

I resynched the unit and that helped somewhat. It still happens but not as often. It seems to now be more of a "the unit doesnt realize its been turned off for a bit" issue now. It will power down but it takes about a minute for it to happen. It seems to be much less frequent after a did a resync.

On your whine issue, now that you mention it, my amp is grounded to a seatbelt bolt under the backseat. I had forgotten about that. I am using a JL Audio 300/4 amp to drive my whole system and it's also been in a couple of my older cars and been solid throughout. I'm really sold on the JL Audio stuff.

Matt, is it me or are those wheels on the black wagon (Rota Battles) photoshoped on? Something doesn't look right in the rear wheel.

nope, it's legit. the color of the wheel is a super-spiffy limited edition 'titanium chrome' color. here is another pic of the same car:



I probably going to go with raammat instead of Dynamat. I guess I just said dynamat because it's more of a common name. Raammat doesn't have the stinky problems either.

I probably going to go with raammat instead of Dynamat.

Interesting, that raammat looks suspiciously like Dexdamp (the foil backing, weights, and the way it lays down). I will have to get a sample...see if it is cheaper, too!

JIm, I found a link to a raammat sale $20 off. The people that I have talked to that have used this stuff have nothing but good things to say about it.

The wheel planes are not parallel in the (first) photo. The front wheels are turned slightly to the right, giving you a more straight on view compared to the rears. You are seeing a projection of the rear wheel at a greater angle than the fronts, so the linear dimension (horizontally) of the projection is different. Try measuring them vertically.

Jim

Just felt like bumping a WRX thread and showing off a photo I took (resizes for wallpaper pretty good).

Ok then, I'll show off a new photo that I took with my new wheels and tires. 17" Rota Tarmac wheels with Kumho Ecsta MX 225/45/17 tires

Nice wheels Matt (and good color choice on the car )! I'm looking at the Rota SubZeros' or Tarmac's myself. That's why all the photos of my car are from dead on - so you don't see the stock wheels that I'm not crazy about.

Nice. I'm looking at the Rota Battles for the WRX i don't even own yet. =]

I'm getting excited about it. The '04 pricing is out and i'm gonna call the dealer to see about ordering up my baby as soon as i hear back from my insurance company about my stolen Si.

I think we might have more WRX / empeg owners than any other model?

How many empegged WRXes are there? Including mine, I count about 8 or 9 Mustang installs, just based on posts in this forum. Some of those empegs may no longer be in Mustangs right now, though.

I'd imagine some of today's more popular sedans (Camry, Accord, Maxima, etc.) might number even higher... And it seems that cars with really easy installs might not show up as often in the forums here.

The WRX has only been in the US for 2 years, so comparing it to the Mustang, which has been out since 1964 isn't a good comparison, but you are probably right.

WRX's w. empegs (that I can think of off the top of my head):
ithoughti
jimhogan
SE_Sport_Driver
loren (soon)
KungFuCow
fink08
my friend Nate (I don't think he's ever posted).
iceweasel (I think)

Mine was a removal FROM a Mustang. Before that, it was in a Camaro. I just needed more room for the kids and the WRX seemed to be the logical solution. These pictures are kind of big and Im too lazy to resize them so I'll link to them instead.

WRX

Empeg

Trunk

Hopefully these link correctly.

You can see the bumper of the Mustang in the photo with the WRX.

Woohoo! Someone used my logo! Nice pics, don't you love that smoked lens for the Subaru?

Yes, the smoked lens is about as close to perfect as I think you can get on the WRX to matching factory lighted gauge colors. Really, really close..

and that logo owns

If someone could only animate it....

->SE_Sport_Driver

so comparing it to the Mustang, which has been out since 1964 isn't a good comparison, but you are probably right.

All but one of the ones I found were late-model Stangs. But you're right, the WRX is certainly a hot model... The Mustang enthusiast in me wants desperately to add "flavor of the month" to that statement, but I won't go quite that far No fair bringing in guys who haven't posted on the BBS, by the way... They don't count.

->KungFuCow

Mine was a removal FROM a Mustang.

Sorry to hear that.

And mine but then I'm in the UK.

Hey, chances are your Mustang was built in my home town. Do I get points for that? A few prototype 05 Mustangs driving around too.

Yes Vince, that counts! Esp. since you guys get the better models (until the new 04' STi comes to the US).

Actually Ive owned 5 Mustangs, a Buick Grand National, Buick Turbo T and a Z28 since turning 16. The WRX is my first foreign vehicle. I miss my Mustang but my father bought it from me (01 GT covertible) so it went to a good home.

It's amazing the WRX has stayed stock as long as it has (3 months) but I'm about to get cranking on it.

EDIT I feel kind of old after posting all those vehicles