Project: AWD TURBO Family Hauler (04 Forester 2.5XT)

[JustinG]

Hitch acquired and media blasted. Ran out of bedliner before I could get full coverage. Gonna throw on the sway bar while I'm back there. May try and tackle the dp/uppipe this weekend. And if I am feeling frisky, plugs and VC gaskets. Will post pics of installs/progress regardless.




I guess I need to PayPal someone for this hitch. Who wants some money?

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[Jake]

Who wants some money?

*raises hand*

[JustinG]

Got around to installing the hitch after spraying with bedliner.

Turned out well. I need to figure out how to secure the muffler on one side cause it doesnt play well with the STi muffler.



Bought this bike rack so I can carry my bike to work and ride before or after.



Misson accomplished.

Also installed the STi rear sway bar.

New vs old bar.






XT vs STi sway bar mounts.
STi is way beefier and shorter.








Added on these whiteline mount reinforcements, got em for half price off a guy on NASIOC. The XT has issues with breaking the tabs when a larger bar is added. I picked up some STi arms off a budy for cheap but installing those will require an alignment so for now the tabs will do.



Stock.


STi


Nothing special here with the bushing brackets. XT has a tab onnone side and a bolt. STi has bolt and stud.


All in all I am like $75 and a 12 pack of new castle into this rear sway bar for a 3mm increase.

Very anxious to see how the car feels.

[ScottyB]

i ran into the exact same issue with my hitch and STi catback, back when i was running one.

look for extended exhaust hangers. Kartboy has them, Paranoid Fab has their own for less but they're obnoxious green (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.paranoidfabrications.com/shop/category/subaru-impreza/exhaust-hangers/">http://www.paranoidfabrications.com/sho ... t-hangers/</a><!-- m -->)

1 on the left side of the exhaust can might be enough to drop it down....maybe its just me but from the picture the exhaust looks tilted down a bit on the right and that would even it out.

[Maengelito]

I guess I need to PayPal someone for this hitch. Who wants some money?

I know where you live. :finger:

[JustinG]

Blown Headgasket - 04 Forester XT: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://youtu.be/ifqmKPnUOV8">http://youtu.be/ifqmKPnUOV8</a><!-- m -->

Womp womp.

Time to make some decisions.

[Kaan]

2jz

[davej]

LSx seem pretty popular around here lately...

[JustinG]

Sooooooo......the headgasket. For some reason whenever I talk to people they find it hard to believe a turbo Subaru has a blown headgasket?
Yea, is it that hard to believe? I cant think of any other way there would be bubbles in my overflow like that, and it smelled of exhaust. If someone else has any ideas please enlighten me.

I have multiple options.

1. I fix it myself - Cost $500ish
Pros:
Cheapest option
Gain experience working on a Subaru
Car doesnt have to leave my driveway
Cons:
I dunno how long it will take me to do it
I don't really think I want to
I have 0 experience working on a Subaru aside from bolt-ons

2. Take it to the dealership - Cost $3k
Pros:
None
Cons:
Quoted $3k (14hrs labor @ $100hr, plus $500+/- in parts does not equal $3k)

3. Take it to MachV - Cost quote $1500-2000 (pending heads needing resurfacing)
Pros:
Mach V, they know Subarus and are good people
They fuck up, they fix it
Shorter turn around time
Cons:
Still not cheap
In Sterling

4. Jason fixes it - Cost quote $XXXX
Pros:
Cheapest option involving me not lifting a finger
Trustworthy guy with a beard
Cons:
He hates Subarus
In Winchester
Side work, so turn around time is higher

I have some calls out to Mitchum's shop as well as Delta V. Waiting to hear back from them.

But as of now it is between limping the car to Sterling to Mach V, or limping the car to Winchester for Jason to work on it.

[.RJ]

Well if its running fine the heads probably dont have to be resurfaced.

Pro tip: If you are doing headgaskets pull the motor. It will take you less time in the end because the motor comes out really easily. Leave the trans in the car. My dad was a subaru tech for 30 years - he works at a smaller independent shop in winchester now. Cost would be cheaper than the dealer I'm sure.

[HAULN-SS]

I'll give you 2 grand for the car, so you don't have to be bothered by this.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Well if its running fine the heads probably dont have to be resurfaced.

Pro tip: If you are doing headgaskets pull the motor. It will take you less time in the end because the motor comes out really easily. Leave the trans in the car. My dad was a subaru tech for 30 years - he works at a smaller independent shop in winchester now. Cost would be cheaper than the dealer I'm sure.

Never heard of not resurfacing a head and it working out well. Subaru specific? The headgasket failed for a reason.

+1 on pulling the motor.

[premiershine9]

Lemme know if I can help man!

[WRXtranceformed]

Bummer dude While you have it out, you should do a built and bored 2.8L swap. Lemme know how that goes. :lol:

[Sully]

While you have out, you should do forged internals. I could go find the quote but I'm too lazy but Rex says anyone who takes an ej out and doesn't put forged internals is a complete fucktard

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[JustinG]

A complete fucktard who doesnt wanna spend another $1500 on internals

[ScottyB]

all EJ25T's have fragile ringlands. if you run a tune you might be able to sidestep any problems long term.

sorry Justin...been there, done that, it sucks. glad it didn't leave you stranded though.

[davej]

always go with a beard option when one is available.

[Beej]

Bleh, that's a bummer. Any other symptoms, or did you just happen to check the coolant reservoir?

Let me know if you need a hand/tools/whatever.

[JustinG]

It had been getting warm and losing coolant. I thought it was a leak in the lower rad hose. But was actually coolant being forced out of the overflow. Overflow sits directly above the lower radiator hose.

Basically the blown hg is forcing exhaust gasses into the cooling system removing room for actual coolant. So the coolant is forced out of the overflow since it has nowhere else to go. Causing me to get hotter than I'd like due to low coolant levels and exhaust gases being in the system.
Never overheated though since I use my AP as a temp gauge.