Subaru STI / 2011-2014

[bhop73]

Hey guys. I'm currently working on this. I own a 2013 WRX Hatch and wanted to build my car. STI kit is the closest thing, but visually it's identical, so score! Here's what's up so far.

You can also follow on my blog but it's the same photos: http://bhop73.blogspot.com/

First up, here's a crappy pic of my car:


Here's the kit i'm working with. This is a nice kit. It almost seems like it's better than other Aoshima kits i've built, but that might be in my head. I also bought a photoetch set to go with it.



I've always been partial to Enkei NT03 wheels, so why not use a set?


Because I own a world rally blue WRX, I already have the proper touch up paint. I plan to decant some of it and spray it on.


The rest of the pics are my progress so far. Finished the chassis/undercarriage, started adding some photoetch such as brake rotors, exhaust tips, and some grill bits. I also test fit the wheels.







This kit has an option for lowered and regular heights, but it seems the regular height is already pretty low compared to the real car.

[bhop73]

Built the photoetch vents inside the hood scoop this morning. It was a bunch of fiddly parts that just didn't want to go together easily. ugh.. It looks a little rough, but should clean up ok.

[bhop73]

I'm making the USDM version of this car. The kit comes with two dashboards to make a right or left hand drive version, but the center console, which is different in the two versions isn't interchangeable. So, I hacked it out using Hasegawa saws and stuck it back together in the us version's configuration.

JDM (right hand drive version)




USDM (left hand drive)

[bhop73]

Almost done.. if anybody's watching..



The paint looks a little orange peely, but I think it's just the way the pearl paint looks in the pics.

[rallymaster]

I do Watch, but haven't commented yet.
Nice color and paint, I know what you mean with the orange peel look of the paint, always had some with my TS-50 painted models.
Are the exhaust tips box parts ? they look perfect !

[JimboCO]

Looks really nice. The interior looks awesome and the seat belts give a nice touch.

I've got a 2015 on order

[bhop73]

Originally Posted by rallymaster

I do Watch, but haven't commented yet.
Nice color and paint, I know what you mean with the orange peel look of the paint, always had some with my TS-50 painted models.
Are the exhaust tips box parts ? they look perfect !

Thanks, the exhaust tips are from a photo etched set I bought separately, also made by Aoshima specifically for this kit.

Also, I realize after looking at these pics how dusty my apt. is

Originally Posted by JimboCO

Looks really nice. The interior looks awesome and the seat belts give a nice touch.

I've got a 2015 on order

Thanks. The hardware was also part of the photoetch kit, and nice on the 2015. I hated the look of it at first, but they're growing on me. The performance is definitely there, looks aside.

[da_ashman]

Looks awesome!!!

[HondaSan72]

Love how you converted the center console!! Those photo etched pieces look on point!! Awesome job!! Did you scratchbuild those valve stems?

[bhop73]

Originally Posted by HondaSan72

Love how you converted the center console!! Those photo etched pieces look on point!! Awesome job!! Did you scratchbuild those valve stems?

Thanks, yeah, they're just bits of wire that I cut and painted the ends silver. Not very amazing, craftsmanship-wise, but it adds a nice detail. Just a note, the NT03M wheels have two valve stems.

[bhop73]

A couple weeks ago, I ran into some snags. I put some parts together in anticipation of the upcoming model contest (valleycon, two weekends ago) but had the following issues.

First and foremost was the ride height. It was nothing like my test fit and looked like a 4x4 or maybe a rally version. I wanted low, so this would have to be adjusted. The paint isn't as glossy as I want it to be, so I'm going to spray on some more clear and polish it again. The back windows come pre-tinted and that bothers me. I don't even like dark tint on real cars. You can't see much of the work I put into the interior, so i'm probably going to try to fix that somehow. Maybe clear resin casting.. dunno yet. The hood isn't mounting flush either. I made a front lip as well, but haven't had a chance to mount it and want to make some side skirts to go with it. So now that i'm not rushing to get it done for the contest anymore, I should be able to be more careful about the build.

Here's the 4x4 version


And yesterday I lowered it.

[bhop73]

Hey dudes. Been a while since i've worked on this, but I had to repaint some of it because I wasn't happy with the glossiness. I also added some detail bits. After putting on the front grill, I noticed you could see the lack of anything under it, so I added some mesh inside and I also made some hella horns (not pictured) because what's a modified subie without hella horns? I also made a front lip and side skirts from styrene (pictured) Hopefully i'll be done with this thing soon, but I don't wanna rush it.

[Mr Plumb]

Excellent progress, really like looking at this

Those side skirt and the splitter looks great, could I trouble you for some more photos, maybe close up?

Keep the updates coming

PS: Those NT03s look EPIC! :O

[bhop73]

Originally Posted by Mr Plumb

Excellent progress, really like looking at this

Those side skirt and the splitter looks great, could I trouble you for some more photos, maybe close up?

Keep the updates coming

PS: Those NT03s look EPIC! :O

Thanks! What close-ups would you like to see? I can probably take some. Still nothing new to report though.

[circuitR]

Looks great, I never knew the NT03 had twin valve stems