A long time Subaru owner and community member with stories to tell - Noah is about as OG as it gets.
Noah’s cars: 2005 Impreza WRX and 2016 Crosstrek Limited w/STI appearance package
Instagram: @younotcooking
2005 Impreza WRX
Engine and Drive-train: Stock EJ205 w/ stock internals, IHI VF30 turbocharger, Injector Dynamics 1000cc injectors, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, Grimmspeed boost control solenoid, Grimmspeed ported throttle body, Grimmspeed ported intake manifold, Grimmspeed TGV deletes, Grimmspeed 3mm phenolic spacers, Grimmspeed gaskets, Agency Power UEL header (ceramic coated by LOKO), Grimmspeed coated uppipe, Invidia catless downpipe, Cobb catback, Kartboy exhaust hangers, Spearco TMIC, Agency Power turbo inlet, Stock 5MT (prepping for an 04 STI 6 speed swap), Exedy OEM replacement clutch, ACT Streetlite flywheel, Subaru Group-N motor mounts, Subaru Group-N transmission mount, Subaru Group-N pitchstop, Kartboy rear subframe bushings, Kartboy short shifter, Kartboy front shifter stay bushings, Kartboy rear shifter stay bushings, TurnInConcepts shifter pivot bushings, TurnInConcepts 5MT shift linkage update, TurnInConcepts rear differential bushings, TurnInConcepts transmission crossmember bushings, Whiteline subframe lockbolts, KillerB Delrin shift knob.
Wheels/Tires/Suspension: Racecomp Engineering Yellow springs, Tokico D-spec struts, Scooby921 strut spacers, Subaru Group-N front strut tops, Subaru Group-N rear strut tops, Ingalls camber bolts (rear), Whiteline anti-lift kit (sport), Whiteline 24mm adj. front swaybar, Whiteline 24mm adj. rear swaybar, Kartboy front endlinks, Kartboy rear endlinks, STI lateral links, TurnInConcepts lateral link bushings, TurnInConcepts fender braces, STI Brembo Calipers, Carbotech Bobcats brake pads, Motul RBF600 brake fluid, Perrin master cylinder brace, Whiteline steering rack bushings, STi steering linkage, Summer Wheels :Enkei RPF-1 17x8 +45, Bridgestone RE11A 225/45/17, Winter wheels: 04 STI BBS 17x7.5, Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 225/45/17.
Exterior: Rally Armor UR mudflaps, Hella Supertones, Subaru JDM fog lights, Subaru JDM front bumper beam, Subaru STi headlights, Subaru STi front air splitters
Interior: Autometer dash gauge pod, ATI clock gauge pod, STRI DSD CS Boost, EGT, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp gauges, AEM UEGO wideband A/F gauge.
2016 Crosstrek Limited w/STI appearance package
Engine and Drive-train: Stock 2.0L FB20B w/CVT
Wheels/Tires/Suspension: Summer: STI 17” black wheels, Winter: Method MR-502 VT-Spec 15x7 +15 w/ Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
Exterior: Gorilla Offroad mudflaps, Subaru rainguards, Subaru roof rack, Yakima Big Powderhound ski/snowboard carrier, Heated mirrors, Blind spot detection.
Interior: Weathertech floor mats, Subaru rear seat protectors, STI shift knob, SubieSpeed MK2 Automatic Flappy Paddle Extensions.
What do you do for a living? I'm an Electrical Engineer, and I specialize in machine automation (design, implement, program). I currently work at Johnson Controls in support of manufacturing operations. I also worked at SKF in their oil and grease seal testing division. Previously, I served in the US Navy for 6 years as an Electronics Technician (SW/AW), with 4 ½ years aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). I maintained a shipboard automated control and data distribution network.
What are some of your interests? I’ve always been a tinkerer. I got into computers at a young age and continue to work on various computer and electronics projects, when I’m not working on cars or motorcycles.
What sort of hobbies do you enjoy? Snowboarding, working on cars, riding my motorcycle (Suzuki SV650S), playing guitar, staying active. Spending time with my 6 year old boxer, Daisy.
How did you get into cars? I had a good friend, John Rodgers, in high school get me into cars, and he actually got me into Subarus. My parents always disliked that I was interested in cars, and modifying them. Obviously, they were right that they are a money pit, but it’s a fun money pit. I had liked cars for a long time before that, but all I knew about them was playing Need for Speed or Gran Turismo. John and I did all that dumb stuff like going into auto stores and buying random stuff like stickers and exhaust tips, thinking that our cars would be faster.
What are your future plans for the car, and what do you like to do with it? On the WRX, it's getting a 6 speed swap coming up after I get the rest of the parts I need. I also have to do some minor maintenance, to get ready for summer. I'd like to track the car this year. The Crosstrek is my daily, so it might get a mild lift kit, and some window tint.
Do you go by any nicknames? If so, how did you get your nickname? In the Navy, pretty much everyone called me “G” or “Ski” mainly because they couldn’t pronounce my last name. Otherwise, Blue Team Go comes to mind. Editor's Note: Usually yelling "Porkchop sandwhiches" is enough to get Noah's attention.
What's your favorite thing and least favorite thing about your cars? That I’ve had the WRX for so long, it’s pretty special to me. The paint on the WRX though is in some serious need of help. Also, no one waves at me in the Crosstrek.
What is your car like to drive? My car is fun to drive, and while it’s not making lots of power, it handles well and it always puts a smile on my face to get in and just go. It allows me to escape whatever mood I’m in.
What was your inspiration or objective with this build? When I first got the WRX, I didn’t know what I was getting into. My previous car was a Mazda 3 and it was the first year it was out. There were next to no performance parts out for it. When I got the WRX it was a different world and there were so many directions to go. For a long time, it was just to be a fun daily driver, but now I want to make it more auto-x and track oriented.
Why did you choose a Subaru? When I was in the Navy, I was stationed in Virginia. I really wanted a Subaru because my friend had an STI and I really liked it, but at the time I just couldn't afford it. A few years afterwards in 2006, I traded my 2004 Mazda 3 for my 2005 WRX. It had ~9000 miles on it and basically stock, aside from some cheap axleback. I had no idea how great the AWD would really be until I moved back to Illinois.
For the Crosstrek, I determined that it was time for a daily after having a few issues with the WRX, which I thought was a boost leak, and eventually turned out to be a bad coilpack. I wanted something comfortable, decent on gas, more room for dog hauling and other activities, and of course AWD. I was debating between the Crosstrek and Forester, but at the time the Crosstrek suited me best. I wanted something I wasn’t going to go overboard with modifying. I got another Subaru because the WRX had been reliable (for the most part) and fun for me.
What was your first car? My first car was a 1990 Buick Regal coupe. I made a custom intake for it out of one that was meant for a Honda Accord or something. Many neutral drops were done in that car.
What makes your car special to you? The fact that I’ve now had the WRX for 11 years is amazing to me. We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, new experiences, and I’ve always enjoyed that the Subaru community, (in my experience) has always been full of really cool, helpful, and welcoming people.
You've been a Subaru owner for a long time now. Would you mind sharing with everyone a little bit about your history? In 2006, I bought my WRX in Virginia Beach, VA. I was stationed in Norfolk Virigina at the time and the local Subaru folks welcomed me into their community. I met a lot of awesome and knowledgeable people. We had meets at restaurants, performance shops, dealerships, I hosted a few install days at my house, went on several cruises. I really enjoyed this time because I learned so much about cars, not just Subaru’s and I met tons of people.
When I left the Navy in 2008 to return the school, I had time to kill. I moved back in with my parents in Libertyville and was looking for a job before starting school. The only Subaru activity in the area at the time was the NASIOC Schaumburg meets at Moretti’s (Editor's note: Funny how things come full circle, right?). After a few of these I was hoping to find something a little closer to home. After asking about local area events and people on the MWSOC section of NASIOC, I formed a small group of friends that eventually became the Lake County IL Subaru group. We had mostly dinner meets on Thursdays but this eventually spread into working on each other’s cars, going to different meets outside of Lake County, cruises, trips to both GLD and Byron, etc. Sometime in the midst we had a joint Algonquin/Lake County Subaru meet and I met even more Subaru folks. When I started school at NIU, occasionally I would make the trip out to the Algonquin meets.
I also met a few people out in Dekalb with Subarus and we would occasionally hang out. Kevin Mei and Michael McClure were involved in some of my engineering projects. I also started helping to run the Annual Subaru shootout drag racing event at Byron Dragway. During my time at school I also saw that it was possible to unbrick 32-bit ECUs. After reviewing the circuit, I order the parts and put one together as a prototype. Sammy So gave me an 04 STI ECU to test on, and after successfully flashing it, I tested it on Aatif Sheikh’s swapped GM6. Since then I’ve been able to unbrick ECUs for several people (shameless plug).
Word has it that you're a moderator on NASIOC. Is that true? It is. While in school I worked on engineering related projects for cars, but kept active in the community. In 2011, Scooby921 @ NASIOC asked if I would become a forum moderator for the Midwest section (MWSOC). I accepted and helped to keep the general and for sale sections organized and tried to defer trolling.
You're one of the people in the community who are quietly active. What have you been up to lately? I continue to help people with their cars because so many people have helped me. Recently helping Nick Baumbich with his motor swap, Eric “Dewey” Dewitt with suspension swaps, O2 sensor shenangians, and logging on his newest project, changing a downpipe on Sammi Jane’s car before the shootout, letting Hector Zapata borrow a compression and leak down tester to help someone else out, and unbricking ECUs for Roman Emano and Tyler Stallard. I love that the community is always there to help and give advice.
Any shout-outs to anyone who helped you along the way? Ron Schunck aka Unabomber @ NASIOC, All Aspects Motorsports (Chesapeake, VA), Six Star Motorsports, APM, All my friends from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. All the OG Lake County Subaru folks (IBLakeCountyBrokeMyCar), you guys know who you are. Phil Ly for all your help when my 5 speed decided to shit a transfer gear and help with other various issues. Brian Leazenby for the new set of coilpacks that I picked up from you recently. Andy Housholder for fixing my tune and recently helping me fix a boost leak issue. NASIOC, and countless other people I’ve met since owning a Subaru, thank you all for your help, friendship, knowledge and memories.
