News from Subaru4You
Sticky: Rolling Road Pictures
Sticky:
Mapping Day
Subaru4you's next on road mapping day is 6th July 2016.
Sticky: Rolling Road
The rolling road is currently out of commission
pending building works/move to another unit.
We have added a Facebook plug in to our news page so that anything we post on Facebook also appears here. Older news is below the Facebook plug in. Please wait while the plug in loads. .. ... .... .....
March 2016
Motor manufacturer sued over vehicle warranty
A vehicle manufacturer (VM) has been successfully sued over their seven year warranty which stated that it is a requirement that any prescribed service is performed by a brand authorised workshop (ie. dealer). This is contrary to the EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation 461/2010 where VMs have a duty to honour the vehicle's warranty when it is serviced outside of a dealer network and NON-OE parts being fitted is an insufficient reason for a warranty to be declared invalid. KIA, the vm in question but this will appy to all vehicle manufacturers, have just lost a petition in the Supreme Court to appeal against their conviction.
A new survy indicates that two thirds of UK drivers ignore wanring signs that there my be a problem with their car. A staggering 67% of drivers have ignored things like the check engine light being illuminated, unusual noises, steering problems and visibility issues. The advice from the survey is that even if you cannot afford to have the vehicle repaired at least get it checked out to make sure you are not driving a dangerous vehicle or causing more damage by driving it.
July 2015
Subaru recalls 2004-2007 Impreza for passenger airbag problems.
Recall number R/2015/112.
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY CORRECTLY.
"In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, the subject propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the vehicle occupants". Source DVSA
June 2015
Subaru recalls 2014-2015 Outback for rear brake light problems
Recall number R/2015/131
"There is no inherent problem with the brake lamp switch. However, if the brake lamp switch did fail the driver would not be informed that the brake lamps were not working or the adaptive cruise control or pre-collision braking."
Source
DVSA
November 2014
Subaru recalls 2008-2011 vehicles for possible brake fluid leak problem
Recall number R/2015/127
"It is possible that corrosion can form on unprotected hidden brake pipes. This could result in the failure of the pipes and loss of brake fluid, which can affect the brake system and ultimately cause reduced braking efficiency." Source DVSA
27th March 2013
We have uploaded some videos of our mapping days. Click on the rolling road day pictures link
Latest Power run Pics (click for more)
Lotus Rolling Road Day Sat 19 Jan 13
Subaru Legacy 'Japan's Safest Car'
The 2010 Subaru Legacy has been officially named 'Japan's safest car', after being awarded the Grand Prix 09/10 in Japan's New Car Assessment Programme (JNCAP).The Legacy was rated as the safest passenger car in the collision safety performance tests for driver and front passenger. It also achieved the highest rating in the pedestrian head protection test. Subaru UK Marketing Director, Kenyon Neads, commented: ''It's clear from the number of top scores awarded to the Legacy in crash tests right around the world that it is one of the safest cars on sale today''.
Jan 2012
Subaru recalls 2002-2007 Impreza and Forester for Lower Arm Corrosion.
Recall number R/2011/146.
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY FAIL.
"The front Transverse links (lower Control Arms) may corrode leading to possible breakage if left without treatment. " Source
DVSA
Subaru BRZ Toyota GT86 FOR 2012 / 2013
Subaru finally lifted the covers off of the Subaru/Toyota collaboration car, the Subaru BRZ (Toyota GT86). The GT 86 revealed at the end of November 2011 is essentially a rebodied BRZ, so you're looking at the same 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed flat four engine - a 'boxer' - producing 197bhp and 150lb ft of torque.
Mapping Day
Subaru4you's next mapping day on the Dyno Dynamics 4wd Rolling Road is Thurs 1st Sept 2011 but if you just want a Rolling Road Power Run you can book for that too..
1st Aug 2010
Not exactly new of Subaru4you but news from Subaru.
The new 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi for 2011 unveiled. Click here
30th June 2010
Moving to a New Server
Subaru4you's website is moving to a new server. Parts of the website may be unavailable or display in an unusual way during this time. Emails may also be erratic. We apologise for the inconvenience.
27th Feb 2010
Rolling Road Day
Subaru4you held it's first rolling road day. A great success and enjoyed by all even though the weather could have been better. Click the picture to see more.
Dec 2009
Dyno Dynamics Rolling Road
Subaru4you has had a Dyno Dynamics 2W/4WD rolling road installed just before Christmas. After 3 days of intensive training we are just waiting for the snow to clear before we start taking bookings but you can view the web page for this new equipment HERE Next RR session will be announced on this page.
Nov 2009
Subaru4You to get a Rolling Road
The contract is signed and the deal is done, now we all await to join in the fun. Yes, Subaru 4 you is getting it's very own Dyno Dynamics Rolling Road. This should be installed in the next few weeks and we look forward to offering this service by the new year. In the mean time don't forget to take advantage of the last few weeks of low VAT. The rate of VAT will be increasing on 1st Jan 2010 so any servicing or repairs that you have been putting off getting will be cheaper before then so book now to avoid disappointment!
Nov 2009
Book Early for Christmas
Don't forget to take advantage of the last few weeks of low VAT. The rate of VAT will be increasing on 1st Jan 2010 so any servicing or repairs that you have been putting off getting will be cheaper before then so book now to avoid disappointment!
Sept 2009
After much tweaking, changing, moving and grooving by Rick the Subaru4you website finally achieves the Holy Grail of Websites - Number 1 position on Google UK and Number 2 on Google World. (Click the pics for a larger image). Rick took over the running of the website when he joined S4Y as manager in 2008 (see earlier article). Giving the website a complete makeover it has expanded from five static pages to the current 100 pages and growing. Rick is only an amateur at this using only HTML and a bit of Javascript to build the website. He started building websites a few years ago a a part time hobby and is really pleased that his search engine optimisation of the S4Y website has finally produced such a good result. Now all he has to do is keep it there.
Rick said, "I am over the moon at the results with only Subaru Australia beating us in the world rankings. We are also on page one of Google for a number of other search terms. Trying to maintain that position is going to be the hardest thing now. It is so easy to slip a few places overnight. As well as having the right content on the page, 'links in' are always a help in keeping a website high in the seach engines so if any of the readers have a website that features well in Google Rank and they will know what that means, then a link on their website to ours would help and it would mean that their website would get a reciprocal link back from our links or resources page, where they will also find the code to use for a the text or banner to put on a website."
Apr 2009
The Black Beast gets a makeover with the subaru name and Len renames it Black Jack. Taken onto the track at Castle Coombe it makes a recorded 1min 19 secs in the morning session taken from the in car video camera. No times for the afternoon session but someone said it was 1min 16 secs. Click the pics for a larger image.
  
Feb 2009
The Black Beast is back on the road again. Len has rebuilt the Black Beast, another remap and 480bhp/ 497lb/ft torque and an APRacing brake kit. (You could have cleaned the tyres Len!)
  
  
  
Feb 2009
On the 20th Feb 2009 Subaru 4 You became a member of the Good Garage Scheme. Using the Good Garage Scheme, you'll find local independent garages you can trust. Be assured that every garage listed performs services to a strict standard and will always have your best interests at heart. Find out more at Good Garage Scheme
Dec 1st, 2008
The workshop has new overalls complete with logo!!
 
Nov 18th, 2008 - Nov 8 2008
The doors go on and the furniture starts to move in. Just a bit of decorating and the carpet to go down in this area now.
 
Oct 19th, 2008 - Nov 8 2008
The mezzanine floor has been installed and the false ceiling and walls are going up. Lights to be installed on 24th so I am a bit in the dark at the moment (Len, what do you mean by the comment 'my lights have never been on'?).
Click the pictures below for a larger image.
The empty new workshop We move the ramps and cars in The Mezzanine floor starts
  
More shots of the mezzanine floor construction. The stairs are completed and the builder moves in.
  
More shots of the mezzanine floor construction. The stairs are completed and the false ceiling is up.
  
The builder moves in and the walls go up. The electrician starts installing the lighting
  
More shots of the builder in action. Lets take you upstairs and show you the store room.........
   More store room shots. The electrician has finished downstairs! The diffusers are installed
Sept 19th, 2008
The electric meter has been installed, we have 3 phase!! Do we have lift off?
All can proceed now at a cracking snail pace!
Not that we will be cracking any snails you understand, it is just a figure of speech.
We do not condone cruelty to molluscs. Back to the workshop (that is what I keep telling the technicians as well).
The next stage is getting the ramps moved and a 4 poster ramp installed. Then get the electrician
back in to connect them up and we are back in business (not that we ever stopped, just another figure of speech).
Then we have to move everything else into the new unit except the office so that we can gut the old unit and start the conversion.
Is it Christmas yet?
Aug 22nd, 2008
The electrics are in and just need connecting as soon as
the 3 phase meter is installed. The alarm has been
extended and the wall has been cut through for the
double door between units. The go ahead has been
given for the mezzanine floor in the old unit.
July 10th, 2008
Subaru4you have finally gained the keys to the new unit and now all we need to do is move in. . .. ..
if only it were that simple.
The new unit will house the workshop. We intend to
move the existing ramps and install additional ramp(s)
but first we need three phase power so get quotes from
electricians to install 3 phase fuse board, move the
lighting switches etc. etc.. We also need a door
through from the old unit so get quotes from builders.
The old unit needs alterations so more quotes from the
builders. The premises needs alarming so quotes
from alarm company (priority). Work
starts............
April
1st 2008
April 1st
marks two occasions. First is the launch of the
new website (this site). There is much much more
to the new website, more interaction, more information
and more dedication. The old website was stagnant
for too long. The new website will be updated with
new information as often as possible with links to the
WRC rally site and information about the current WRC
rally. You will find parts and products on our
parts and shop pages. Over the coming weeks and
months these pages will be expanded to include new and
existing products and prices. This news page will
keep you updated with what is happening at Subaru4you
and the other news page will try to keep you abreast of
happenings in the Subaru world in general. We have
an interesting pictures page so if you have any pics.
that would be of interest to our readers then email them
in and we will see if we can publish them.
The
second announcement is that as of April 1st Subaru4you
is now a limited company. This step roughly
coincides with the appointment of a new full time
manager and the expansion of the workshop and customer
sales area (more news on that later). All in all
this is an exciting time for us and we would like to
take you long on our journey. Welcome aboard!
March 15th, 2008
Len's Black Beastie
Has a Fit
And so nearly did Len!
The story so far, see below. At the end of the day before the Donnington
track day Len and Marc bring the sponsored car into the workshop to swap out the
wheels on the Black Beast only to find that the locking wheel nuts are over
tight and will not be removed! Two hours later with the wheels swapped and
the transport truck checked over and oil topped up it was time to load up and
head home for some tea before setting off for Donnington.
On the journey up the clutch seemed difficult and there was a vibration on the
back of the truck so they pulled into the services to check but found nothing
amiss. This vibration continued off and on all the way until they were a
few hundred meters from junction 23A on the M1, (due to come off at J23A) but
the tyre burst yards before the slip road. It was now about 12.30am and woe and
behold the spare was flat too so they decided to struggle a bit further to get
off the motorway and reach the services which must have been a mile or so.
By this time the only way that the truck could restart from rest was to turn the
engine off select first gear and then restart the engine, jerking off down the
road. After making it half way up the slip road they realised that it was a job
too far, so the track car was unloaded to give the remaining tyres a chance to
make the last half a mile or so (twin wheel rear axel).
At the service under the light of the canopy with the truck jacked up they
started to remove the offending wheel but found that it was seized onto the hub
and despite beating it with a large hammer from the inside it was not going to
move. This then meant that the drum and wheel bearing had to be removed as well
and once off the centre hub had to be beaten from the wheel rim.
The spare was pumped up at the pump on the forecourt and they attempted to fit
it to the hub but attempt was the right word. The spare wheel rim had a
different hole diameter in the centre of it, this then wouldn't go over the
bearing boss on the hub and with tempers at breaking point all the tools, wheels
etc. went into the back of the cab and they drove off to the hotel, (now 01.45am).
The following morning still rolling along on 5 wheels they arrived at Donnington
(a short hop from the hotel) and after the pre track talk Marc was first to try
out "The Beast". Four or five laps later it was back in the pits with a
slight misfire. After changing the plugs Len took it out but after another
4 laps the coolant pressure cap was blowing steam. After replacing the cap
it was back onto the track but after another couple of laps the misfire was back
so it was a gentle drive back to the pits but unfortunately on the way there was
a very large cloud of oil smoke from the rear of the car and a severe lack of
any power. After recovery to the pits it was discovered that both the oil
and the coolant were now empty. End of track day.
Off to the tyre repair shop to get the truck tyre fixed whilst Marc tried
adjusting the clutch cable on the truck. With the wheel back on the truck
and the clutch working again they set off for home........
Halfway down the M1 the gears became difficult to select again even after
further adjustment so there was no option but to carry on. Within sight of
the M40 the clutch cable snapped!!! The rest of the journey was spent
wrestling with the gearbox in the start of rush your traffic on a Friday!
UPDATE: After stripping down the engine they found that the head gasket
had blown and caused pressurisation which in turn blew out the side of the
liner. A piece of the liner had disintegrated and been sucked around the
system destroying the heads and pistons. It's going to be an expensive
repair!!
March
11th
Many of
you will know that Len has been upgrading the black
beastie, a '95 WRX by building a 2.5 engine from a new
EJ25 block, forged pistons, H section steel con-rods,
race series shells and a standard 2.5 crank. At the
top end, modified cylinder head combustion chambers, S4U
spec. valves and S4U spec. profiled cams. An in
tank up-rated fuel pump provides the fuel through an
adjustable fuel pressure regulator and modified parallel
fuel rail to 850 injectors. An S4U spec. turbo
with ceramic housing and custom made equal length
headers, bespoke twisted up pipe and down pipe, all
ceramic coated, all feed into a 3 inch bespoke de-cat
exhaust system. Helping to keep this cool is a
Front Mount Inter Cooler (FMIC). A twin plate
Exedy clutch delivers the torque.. Stopping this lot are 330mm front
disc brake set- up using 4 pot front caliper and
adjustable pedal box. The rear has a 330mm disc
conversion and 4 pot calipers.
He
finally saw the finishing post towards the end of Feb
and went to get it mapped only to blow the gearbox on
the rolling road!! Limping it back to the workshop
avoiding third gear it was back onto the ramps and out
with the box. Yep, third gear had stripped teeth.
After ordering a straight cut synchro gear kit and using
3.9-1 front diff and a matched rear LS diff and installing said
items it was time to book another rolling road session.
On March
the 10th he once again made the journey and this time
everything was successful. After a long wait he
finally made it onto the rolling road (roll on the day
when we have our own) [addendum. see here] and the ECU was mapped and the
engine tuned and the result
was..................500/500. Yes 500 Bhp with
500lbs torque!!! He came in to work the next day
grinning ear to ear. Pics. below
 Before 
 After
February 18th
2008 Welcome Rick
Rick joins the team at
Subaru4you. Rick will be the new manager ordering
parts, booking jobs, manning the phones and the 101
other jobs that need to be done which will free up Len
(he hopes) to manage the workshop. Rick is also
completely revamping the website (the one you are on now
is the new website). New pages will be added to the current few pages with a parts department and an upgrading section.
February 1st 2008 New workshop
Hopefully by April/May 2008 we will have
expanded into the new workshop.
We are planning an expansion over the next few months.
We need more space in order to develop a customer
reception area, a parts department, a clean room and
eventually our own rolling road.
Proposed new workshop:
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