New Member planning on buying a 13+ SHO

[cj68]

Hey guys, my name is JJ. I signed up to this forum to do some research on the 4th gen SHO. I need to upgrade my STI swapped 2001 Subaru Impreza RS coupe to a more family practical ride. After poking around a bit for a suitable replacement that was AWD and had 300+hp, I have zeroed in on wanting a newer SHO.

I loved the look and concept 4th gen SHO when it was first introduced in 2010 and immediately took one for a test drive. Back then the car was too big for my taste and felt very torquey down low but I was unimpressed with power up top. Now with some aftermarket support, I see that higher RPM power can be achieved very easily. As far as the car's size is concerned, my love of my little pocket rocket has run its course and I am now ready for the comfortable cruiser.

I am a very ******** DIY mechanic that happens to have a mechanical engineering degree with an automotive specialty. I also worked for a few years before/through college as a collision repair tech. I have a couple ground-up builds under my belt including things I did while in the auto body business, my Subaru, a couple Jeep rock crawlers, and currently a frame off resto of a '96 Dodge Ram Diesel Dually which will be the tow pig to get the rock crawlers to the trails. Hopefully I will be able to keep my hands off the SHO I buy for the most part. Based on my research, and air/oil separator will happen immediately after purchase, followed by some goodies from Livernois.

 

[SHOdded]

Welcome to the forum, JJ, looking forward to you finding your new ride soon Sounds like you have some experience with "alterations", post some pics of your rides & projects please!

 

[cj68]

Thanks,

Well here goes my resume I guess

I have a detailed build thread of my personal Jeep on the pirate4x4 forum. Under the same username for those that what to see the details. But the short story is:

'90 (YJ) Wrangler, CJ-7 front clip, 383 stroker small block Chevy (~400hp/400ft-lbs), 1-ton truck axles (Ford D60 and GM 14B), 700R4 auto trans, NP231/Dana 300 double transfer case (4-speeds in t-case). 37" tires on double bead lock wheels. Tons of custom fab work to get the Jeep lower, more flexible, longer wheelbase, etc.

I have another detailed build thread on my Subaru on RS25.com, again same username. My current DD is a 2001 Impreza 2.5RS, currently has reground cams and a tune on the stock 2.5L motor. Swapped in is an '04 STI 6-speed trans, sub-frames, rear diff, suspension, brakes, etc. I was going to put the STI motor and dash with wiring harness in it but I have lost interest in completing the project. I will be selling it to offset the purchase of an SHO.



My tow pig in process right now is a 1996 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 Dually with the Cummins 5.9L 12 valve diesel motor. I pick her up from the car parts section on CL and what was just going to be a mild clean up turned into a full frame-off including splicing two frames together due to rust issues... I put a larger turbo and injectors on the motor and did the common upgrades to the injection pump. When all is said and done it should be knocking on the door of 400rwhp and 1000ft-lbs (yup that is a 1 with 3 zeroes behind it!)

Photo from the CL add


The truck at its lowest point. Things like this seem to happen in my shop every 5 years or so...


More or less how the truck is sitting right now.


This is my buddy's Jeep that I built for him. It is a '99 (TJ) Wrangler with swapped in TJ Rubicon D44 axles, highlined fenders, 35" tires. The key features of this Jeep is that is still on completely stock suspension, now lift whatsoever. I tucked the belly up and this has more ground clearance then your typical Jeep with a 4" lift and 33" tires. And has half the money into the build.

 

[SHOdded]

Some very nice builds, I hope this is in your line of work, otherwise it SHOULD be! Torque monsters, those turbo'd diesels, for sure.

 

[cj68]

I have learned that making your hobby your career ruins your hobby. I work for a company that manufactures submersible vehicles for military special forces divers.

 

[SHOdded]

Too true!