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.