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In addition to managing the builds of many an awesome car, Dale Imerman has his personal blog that talks about marketing, social media, food and cars all combined. Click here for great info...

Keep Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

The Subaru STi being used in the Castrol Edge Auto Makeover has a very unique wheel PCD. This makes it extremely hard to find wheels that will fit on the vehicle, in turn limiting the variety of styles to choose frrom. A-line wheels, importers of Antera wheels were able to solve this problem for the team...


A custom set of imported Antera wheels were manufactured specifically for the Castrol Edge Auto Makeover. The PCD was altered so the wheels fit on the car and look correct with the Chargespeed Wide Body Kit that brings the arches out over 2cm on either side of the vehicle. Spacers were not used in this case as they put stress on wheel bearings and the hub of the STi.


The silver-coloured wheels have been fitted with Bridgestone tyres for optimum grip and will add an elegant streak to the viscious looking car.

Chargespeeding Ahead!

After having the new brakes fitted at Sportech, the daunting task of fitting the Chargespeed Wide Body Kit needs to begin for the Castrol Edge Auto Makeover. The incredible body kit, made from both fiberglass and carbon fiber, was sponsored by the Japanese-based Chargespeed and imported by their distributor: Creative Rides. Sportech, where the car is currently at, will be responsible for the pre-fitting, prepping and actual fitment of the body kit - but before this can begin, the car is quickly stripped of its exterior...


The Chargespeed front fenders are bolted on so that they can be aligned correctly with the front door and the new carbon fiber bonnet. The side skirt is held in position for the team to see if any adjustments will be required before sending the parts into the spray booth.


The rear lights need to be removed to replace the OE bumper with the Chargespeed version. As you can see, it is substantially wider and clearly indicated that a larger Bosal exhaust tip will be needed to make any sort of impression.


The most difficult part of the wide body kit fitment is the rear section consisting of the door panels and rear fenders - these body parts are placed over the original panels and need to fit precisely in order for the car to look professional and sleek. Sportech will use fiber glass fillers to ensure that the panels fit together snug. Once this process is completed, the parts will be primered for spray painting.


The last major step of the wide body kit process it the cutting of the Subaru rear wheels arches. A red line is marked on the vehicle to guide the electric hack-saw. The cut panel will be sealed and rust-proofed once it is removed from the car. This step needs to be taken in order for the custom widened wheels to sit flush with the outer edge of the new Chargespeed rear wheel arch.


More to come as the Subaru is visually transformed into a wide body one-of-a-kind STi...

Ferodo Braking System = Improved Stopping Power

This week the Subaru STi was taken to Sportech where the final phase of the Castrol Edge Auto Makeover will take place. The Chargespeed wide body kit imported by Creative Rides has already been prepped for a pre-fit before it is sprayed and final-fitted to the Subaru...


Although, first order of the week was to fit the Ferodo brake disks and performance pads. The vehicle is lifted off the ground and the original wheels are removed so the brake pads can be removed and replaced with Ferodo Racing Pads.


The Brembo brake calipers are removed from the wheel hub and held out of the way using a cable-tie. In order to get the original Subaru disks off, two bolts are inserted into threaded holes to leverage them off the hub. Once cleared, the hub is cleaned thoroughly to avoid any brake judder and prolong disk life.


The new Ferodo DS 2500 brake disks, which are coated with a hi-heat dry coating are placed on the cleaned hub before the brake calipers are set into their original position.


This upgraded combination of Ferodo disks and pads will ensure ultimate stopping power and ensure that there will be no brake fade during any of the Subarus road or race usage.

Speeding Up the STi Progress

The Castrol Edge Auto Makeover Subaru is closing in on its deadline quickly. The car has left the coast with incomplete sound and multimedia and arrived in JHB where the final phases will begin. Luckily P&P Car Sound Specialists are a national outfit and can complete the small glitches in order to complete the gadgetry in the STi.


The vehicle was taken to Subaru Specialists, NXGen, who are located in Randburg. The car was lifted onto their state-of-the-art four-wheel drive Dynapack Dyno, so a comparison in power could be assessed after the changes were done. Sensors are placed in the STi motor to gauge feedback so the advanced system can calculate the vehicles performance figures from the test.



A Bosal performance exhaust, ECUTEK engine management software and a DEFI Gauge system were installed. The larger diameter exhaust system fitted runs from the turbo to the tailpiece and allows the engine to breath better. Meanwhile, the ECUTEK engine management software overrides and controls every aspect of the vehicles standard ECU, which was then expertly tuned and calibrated by the guys at NXGen to optimise timing and fuel flow. This in turn means more power, torque and better engine response.


Having completed the necessary modifications, Craig was able to increase the power output of the Castrol Edge Auto Makeover Subaru from 179kW to a staggering 197kW of power - just short of a 20kW increase.

Customised Boot Nears Completion

Richards team at P&P Car Sound Specialists have been working full speed ahead to have the Subaru's boot installation complete for collection. The Rockford Fosgate woofer enclosure is finally sealed and assembled.


A panel housing the two Lightning Audio amplifiers is placed against the enclosure and features a unique badge-shaped window that exposes the back of the Rockford woofers magnet. The blue neon inside the woofer enclosure as well as the standard blue illumination of the amplifiers gives the back panel of the cusom boot a unique glow and space-age feel.


The custom amplifier panels that were upholstered in blue alcantara are applied to the installation that is wrapped in genuine black napa leather.


Richard had the badge-shaped window further customised by having the P&P & RF symbols laser-cut into the glass.

Upping the Current in the STi

Due to the abundance of audio, video and multimedia products we've crammed into the Subaru STi, the standard battery needed to be swapped out for something a little more... powerful. Kinetik HC Power Cells are used in the "Worlds Loudest Vehicles" and provide a very low ESR and high energy density. We opted to use Kinetik Power Cells as they are acclaimed for being the most powerful, reliable and compact car audio power cells on can buy.

Custom Boot Installation Underway

The woofer enclosure has been completed by P&P Car Sound Specialists. The face cone of the Rockford Fosgate 15 inch woofer will be seen when the arm rest in the centre of the back seats is pulled down.


Inside the boot, the amps are positioned in a custom back wall. The install is designed in such a way that it gives access to the standard spare wheel.


Richard cuts a custom panel he has designed and built to cover the two Lightning Audio amplifiers.


The capacitor has been moulded into a custom panel - one of many that will fit together tightly to form the complete boot installation which is taking shape very quickly...


The custom fabrication is nearing completion. The capacitor and amplifiers all illuminate blue. The 3Sixty processor has been hacked by Richard to do the same. The badge-shape cut-out will allow the magnet of the Rockford Fosgate woofer to be seen in the centre of the installation. Once all the items have been set in place, the parts will go to CustomEiss for upholstry and covering in complimentary leather and alcantara materials.

Panasonic Head Unit Slides into Place

The Panasonic CQ-VD6503N head unit has been selected for the Castrol Edge Auto Makeover project. The product is touch-screen operated for most functions. All you need to do is touch the screen and the intuitive graphical user interface will display clear, color graphics and text that let you "touch and choose" what you want - very easy to use.


The double din head unit, which arrived at P&P Car Sound Specialists this week, features a 6.5 inch screen with DVD player and can play back other sources in the Subaru or be used as a source itself.


The Panasonic screen also has a gunmetal trim which matches the Subaru OEM centre console - it will be wired into the system before it is snugly fitted into place.

Tailored Subaru Door Panels

Today I received images of the latest door panel designs for the Subaru STi. CustomEiss, who employ a bunch of perfectionists, have finally settled on a design that they believe is "the one" - and I tend to agree with them!


The main segment of the door makes use of the same blue alcatara used in the seats, steering wheel, gauge cluster and sun visors. The "arm rest" segment is moulded in carbon-style pressed leather with blue stitching. The top segment of the door panel is finished in smooth black napa leather.


As you can see, the blue alcantara contrasts beautifully with the Rockford Fosgate speaker grill and crossover making these doors unique, stylish and one-of-a-kind!

Video Timelapse: Unpacking Chargespeed Body Kit at Creative Rides

This video was recorded at Creative Rides when the Chargespeed Wide Body Kit originally arrived. We unpacked it to make sure all the parts had arrived in good order before they are sent to to be prepped, painted and fitted to the Subaru.

Prepping Chargespeed Wide Body Kit for Prepping

The Chargespeed Wide Body Kit, imported by Creative Rides, was delivered to Sportech in Modderfontein today for paint and fitment preparation.


I unpacked the kit from the shipping boxes and laid them out in the workshop for the second time - I removed the protective padding so I could see the parts in all their glory this time round.


The front fenders are wider than I expected them to be. The indicator hole matches the stock Subaru fender, but the three air vents really set this panel apart - these will be visible from the rear angle in front of the driver and passenger doors.


After unpacking the front bumper and the side skirt I was able to balance the front fender in place to give me an idea of how aggressive the Chargespeed conversion is. The panels fit together beautifully, forming the new shape of the STi.


I positioned the rear door panel and the rear fender together to get an idea of how the Subaru will flair out towards the rear - it's dramatic! The standard wheel arches will need to be cut with a plasma cutter for these parts to fit into place properly and allow sufficient room for the custom 19" wheels.


The two-piece rear bumper, which most drivers will be seeing, gives the Subaru a bulky and sporty look with its carbon fiber diffuser. Like the boot lid, its quality is exceptional!


The Chargespeed fiber glass (FRP) rear wing completes the kit with a carbon fiber top segment. The wing (which is synonymous with Subaru) is fitted further back than the standard wing, it will hang over the boot lid to give the car a GT appearance.


I was handed a wrench by a busy Sportech employee and told I would need to dissemble the carbon fiber parts from the ARP before prepping could begin. I got to work on the four-piece front bumper, removing the bottom segment which is made up of two side pieces and a central carbon fiber lip.


The carbon fiber lip on the Chargespeed wide body kit has a beautiful "Chargespeed" emblem embedded into the black weave.


Next I removed the rear diffuser (which also features the "Chargespeed" emblem) from the rear bumper as well as the top beam of the rear wing, separating all the fiberglass pieces from the carbon fiber so Sportech can proceed with prepping the FRP for paintwork and fitment.


Lastly I laid out all the parts of the Chargespeed wide body kit to show you exactly how many parts will be fitted to the Subaru STi - there are 22 pieces - the bonnet, front scoop and boot lid brings the total to 25 pieces of Japanese beauty!

STi Gets Eibach Pro-Street Flexibility

The Castrol Extreme Auto Makeover Subaru is nearing the second phase of its transformation - performance. This not only includes power and tuning, but handling - possibly the most vital element in modern vehicles.

This week, the Subaru was taken to East Coast Dyno Tech in Jeffreys Bay by Richard from P&P Car Sound Specialists to have it's new Eibach Pro-street suspension fitted. It was essential that this be installed before Richard can complete the customisation of the vehicles boot. East Coast Dyno Tech were selected due to their high level of expertise and advanced workshop which includes an all-wheel dyno.


The next level of high performance suspension technology, Eibach tuned coil-overs, will be used in the Subaru STi. The system, made up of Eibach ERD Racing Dampers and ERS Racing Springs, is used in top-level racing series all over the world including Formula 1, NASCAR, CART, IRL, Super Touring Car and the World Rally Championship.


The rust-free stainless steel products were laid out in the workshop before the car was hoisted up so the fitment and setup of the suspension could begin.


Jakes from East Coast Dyno Tech begins the process by removing the nuts from the top mounting point of the original front suspension in the engine bay.


The next step is removing the bolts that secure the bottom mounts of the suspension to the steering knuckle - these are found behind the brake calipers and wheel hub.


The quick adjustable Eibach coil-overs are then bolted into the same position as the stock setup.


The difference in quality is easily identified when the car is hoisted up. When lowered on the ground, the only way to identify the upgrade is through the visual stance of the vehicle that can now have its ride heigh and the corner weight of each individual wheel adjusted for precise flexibility on both the street and track.