Ethan pulls Kevin’s STi long block after confirming a head-gasket failure, marked by classic symptoms like rising coolant temps, white exhaust smoke, and coolant pushing into the overflow. With the engine out, the teardown and repair can finally begin.
Colin replaces a failing clutch master cylinder on Steve’s WRX after the car showed the classic symptoms—an inconsistent pedal, difficulty shifting, and the clutch pedal slowly sinking to the floor. With the new unit in place, the pedal feel and drivability are restored.
Julian captures video of a failing timing belt just moments before catastrophe. This wasn’t a wear-and-tear issue, but an installation error—and thankfully, we caught it on the dyno before it caused serious damage.
Julian performs a walnut-blast cleaning on Jeff’s 2015 WRX ahead of its Cobb protune, ensuring the intake valves are spotless so the tuner can pull the maximum clean, efficient power out of the 2.0L platform.
#cobbtuning
Christian methodically extracted a sheared skid-plate bolt from the chassis, working the broken fastener out cleanly without damaging the surrounding threads. Once removed, he chased the hole to restore proper thread engagement, ensuring the skid plate can be reinstalled securely and without future hassle. With the repair handled efficiently, the client can stay focused on more productive tasks instead of fighting with a stubborn bolt.
A Subaru Subaru STi came in needing a clutch replacement, but after reviewing the car’s power level and the client’s daily-driving environment, it was clear that a stock-style clutch was the most appropriate choice. While some owners are tempted to “overbuild” with aggressive multi-puck or heavy-duty units, doing so can introduce unnecessary noise, harsher engagement, and reduced drivability with no real benefit at the current power output. In this case, the OE-type replacement strikes the right balance—delivering the reliability and smooth engagement the client needs without compromising the driving experience.
Ethan advances the diagnosis of John’s DAVCS function issue by replacing the cam gears, a critical step in restoring proper valve timing control. By addressing one of the most common failure points in the system, he moves the car closer to resolving its drivability concerns and verifying that the dual AVCS system can operate as intended under all conditions.
Upgrading the MAP sensor on a 2012 WRX to an AEM 3.5-bar unit allows the ECU to accurately read higher boost levels than the factory sensor can support. The stock sensor maxes out well below the boost ranges commonly seen on cars running larger turbos, E85, or more aggressive tuning, which can lead to incorrect load calculations and limit safe power potential. With the AEM 3.5-bar sensor in place and properly scaled in the tune, the engine management system gains the resolution it needs to maintain accurate fueling, timing, and boost control as power levels rise.
Julian removes the incorrect cams and installs the proper cams and gears in a backyard-built Forester, a job that required every bucket to be re-lashed to the correct spec 🥲
A leaking A/C condenser confirmed by a vacuum test explains exactly why the Mitsubishi Evo X isn’t blowing cold air. During the vacuum test, the system’s inability to hold pressure indicates a breach in the condenser, allowing refrigerant to escape. With insufficient refrigerant, the compressor can’t build the pressure differential needed for proper cooling, so the system simply can’t absorb and remove heat from the cabin. Until the leaking condenser is replaced and the system is recharged, the Evo X will continue to have no cold A/C.
A compression and leak-down test on a Subaru WRX with a cylinder 3 misfire helps pinpoint the source of the issue by measuring the engine’s internal sealing health. During the compression test, cylinder 3 typically shows a noticeably lower reading compared to the others, indicating a potential problem like worn rings, a damaged piston, or a failing valve. The leak-down test then identifies where the air is escaping—whether through the intake, exhaust, crankcase, or head gasket—providing a clear direction for diagnosis and repair.
