Attack on Benjamin

Who the heck is, Benjamin? 

Benjamin, refers to the 18 year-old, whiny, Subaru in the image above. And this is my introduction to my favorite of all the vehicles I've owned thus far. I'll also be documenting its journey of hopeful restoration here, inspired by my friend,  @Peeeels (instagram), who is meticulous when it comes to his cars and documenting their modification journeys. 

How Benj-aru really looks

I inherited Benjamin from a good friend of mine for exactly $100. Yes, $100 worth of turbocharged, AWD, automatic (shhhh we don't really talk about that), WRX goodness. My boring driving experience, which typically is that of a 3rd Gen 4Runner (Second favorite car I've owned), has never been the same. 

Hearing turbo noises always brings a smile to my face and I find it hard not to push the pedal down a little more than I'm used to when I'm behind the wheel. Before the Covid quarantines and working from home became so prevalent, Benjamin had me to and from work the quickest I've ever commuted. At last I've found a car that made the commute something to actually look forward to.

My first VW

I came from the world of VWs and with it came a sense of elitism towards other platforms for a while. Not that I thought euros were superior mind you, in fact I was used to carrying my full tool arsenal in the trunk of my VWs in the event I had some catastrophic failure on my way to work. I mean I just had no interest in other brands. For me the only cars I looked at or were really interested in were euros. 

But then I picked up a 1997 4Runner and the practicality, ease of maintenance, reliability, and huge aftermarket support that came with the Toyota broke me of my die-hard euro fandom. Thus my eyes were opened to the JDM world. It has also given me an appreciation for older car models and I believe I have found a love for 90s and early-00s era cars best. 

I was chatting cars with @Peeeels and I told him the story of how I acquired the WRX and one day he threw out the name, Benjamin, and it stuck. Benjamin has immediately turned me into a huge Subie fan and I think Subaru has won a place in my garage for years to come.

So with that said, here're things I've done and plan to do for ol' Benj-aru:

Already done:

• Replaced timing belt, waterpump, and all the associated pulleys etc
• Silicone hoses for cracked/brittle PCV lines
• Replaced a brake master cylinder
• Fluids changed
• wink rally mirror (cheap but favorite mod so far)

Things to-do:

• Tune-up
• Valve cover gaskets
• Install invidia cat-less up-pipe
• Suspension refresh and bushing replacements

Things I want to do:

• Coilovers
• Regamaster wheels
• Chargespeed Front Lip
• Sideskirt extenders
• Voltex rear diffuser
• Seibon CF Roof vane
• Roof Vent
• Fog light delete with CF duct covers
• Invidia TB exhaust with STI Muffler
• STI Intercooler
• Cobb AP
• KillerB Pickup and Pan
• VF39?
• STI Injectors/Fuelpump
• Tune
• Circuit Demon Headlights

I always have grandiose plans for my vehicles, as evidenced by my above photoshop of Benjamin, but I never really execute. Life has always gotten in the way of more irresponsible expenditures I've wanted to make. So most of my cars remain stock or in some weird transitory state between stock and modified. We're also in the middle of saving and hunting for a house so you'll probably see more updates in other aspects of my life before you see much happening with Benjamin...Benj-aru...or W-X, as my 2 year-old calls him (how disrespectful). 

BUT I will be installing my Invidia Up pipe soon. So I'll probably put together a piece for that.

So shiny

This rust will be fun to deal with

Well there you have it. We'll see how this project turns out. 

Until next time.

Peace!