Unique Motorsports

Ordered a “new to me” Aveo motor mount which I could properly fill with some 3m Window Weld. 3m window weld is a great alternative to polyurethane motor mounts if you do not have the money for polyurethane or if they are simply just not available.

While swapping out the old mount with the filled motor mount I noticed 3 of the three bolts which hold the rear pitch mount bracket to the engine are actually missing. This in turn makes the entire mount swing and therefore the engine itself  is able to just rock as though it’s completely missing the rear torque mount. Below are the images of the filled mount, missing bolts and the installation.

The video is set to “The Underground is Cheap” by DertCheep

UPDATE: I setup a temp fix… which is now permanent. One of the three bolts can’t be used as the transmission housing where it bolts into is actually broke. I didn’t stick my head up where it would be attacked by my exhaust and therefore only noticed this last night. The third hole where the “temp” fix resides consists of a Subaru stud welded to a piece of round stock which is used for things like exhaust hangers. It twisted off with about 18 pounds of torque so the bracket will have to be removed to take it out. The other bolt gets tight as I try to remove it so I’m not taking it out in fear of it actually breaking. That said, it is how it is and that’s how it will be. The stiffer motor mounts will keep some of the pressure off the transmission mount anyway so I’m sure it will be fine.

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With around 75,000 miles, I started getting some excessive oil around the valve cover base. I had a full blown oil leak where the valve cover protects the spark plug galleys from getting any oil in them. This made for a couple of oily plugs which does not work out to well for performance. The install went pretty straight forward, while I was in there, I also removed the Exhaust Manifold and did some minor gasket match porting on the head and exhaust manifold.

The minor port work I did had some surprising results. There is a “test turn” which I would normally take around 65 as that’s all the car could really muster. After the porting, I am through third, into fourth and find myself lifting as 75 is a little too fast for this turn.

Check out the slide show and enjoy the sounds of Blap Blap by Vegas DJ Dert Cheep.

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Some of the pictures between part 1 and part 2 will be mixed up and possibly even duplicated. I was more concerned with working on the car than having an impeccable photo collection. Now with that said, here is a video clip of the progress along with all the photos.

Other than the mystery screw to the right of the glove box, most of the interior cleaning went quite well.

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It’s now 9:36 on a Friday night and i just finished repairing a bathroom vent fan. Call me domestic and put a beer in my hand… Except I don’t drink beer.

The fan sounded as though a rodent was stuck in there as of six months ago. 3 months ago, a replacement that “looked” like it might work was purchased with the intention of installing it. As with many things, life runs on and more time goes without replacing the faulty fan. Why would I, when there’s so much more fun stuff to do.

So finally my lovely wife Heidy talks some other sucker, er, um, I mean friend into swapping it out. This is when we see the original replacement is not quite right. Back at Lowes today we try again, take that in for a store credit and look for a replacement. The replacement is $30, I also spot the motor and fan assembly or $15. Score! Worst scenario has it going back yet again for another, so why not.

With a little bit of persuasion i was able to separate the old fan from the old motor. I also placed the old vent in the bathtub to soak hopefully freeing up the dust. Next, I coupled the new fan motor and blade after quadruple checking orientation.

For inserting the fan into the casing, first check the location of the duct, this is so you know which way the fan plugs in. Once checked, insert the tabs first, and a screw on the other side will complete the bathroom fan assembly.

This fan assembly works the same as a turbo so it pulls air in the vent, and compresses it as it forces the air out the duct. Now for the moment of truth, applying power. Flip the switch and make sure the fan is turning the right direction. Is it? If not turn the plug around and check again. Pat your back, you are now ready for the trim vent cover.
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Meet Project Resurrection. This car was taken in as a rebuild project which I will restore for the purpose of reselling. A 93 Impreza can only pull around $2000 so my goal is to keep the overall costs low enough that I can sell it for $2000 and make some profit.

Now for an overview of the car. Click on the picture for a larger image along with a small description. If you prefer a more musical view, I set the images to “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” as well.

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