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

[Beej]

You have challenged the gods - there will be no more snow this year. I own only summer tires - may the VPN be strong.

No but for real, come and get me when it snows. AWD donuts are the best!

PS: dig the silver over the dark colors.

[.RJ]

Y U NO PAINT WHEELS GOLD

[ScottyB]

i think the silver is pretty nice looking, honestly. plus, all that winter sludge grime will just turn them grey in a week or so....gold would turn a putrid brown

[JustinG]

Should be ok, gives an extra half inch of clearance with the 65s, others havent had an issue running the 65s while lowered. Doesn't seem like there will be any rubbing issues.

So uhhhh anyone wanna roll my fenders?

The inner fender lip seems to be rubbing the sidewall a bit when cornering. Mor so in the rear, but in front too. Gonna see if airing up fixes the issue.

[JustinG]

Radiator was full, Upper reservoir was pretty low. Added some distilled water and although I still heard the rushing water sound, it wasnt nearly as noticeable. Overflow was empty as well when cold.

I still think I have some air in the system, but no issues this morning driving in, temp never spiked up like yesterday. Gonna keep the AP hooked up so I can keep an eye on it.

Update,

Bought some ramps with a christmas giftcard. Holy balls, I should have bought a set of these things sooner, made changing the oil in the subaru and the saab cake.

While under there I looked around for a potential HG leak since i had lost coolant. No signs of such. Opened up one of the access windows in the under tray and viola, lower rad hose is leaking. using crappy worm clamps, i will replace with some t bolt clamps and see if that solves the issue.

Next, inspired by the what do you carry in yoru car thread I added that roadside kit to the car. It is flying around all over the place. So I ordered a cargo net. Subaru sells a rear seat, side, and cargo opening net. I opted for the rear seat net.

Couple of 1/4in holes drilled into the trim and donezo.


May order the cargo opening net as well.

So far so good, approx 17k miles since March and I still love it. I picked up a STi sway bar, which changes my rear sway from 17mm to 20mm, it only cost me a 12 pack of Newcastle. I need to grab the hardware from Subaru (approx $35 for everything), and the car will hopefully flatten out a bit.

Plan to throw on a catted DP this spring/summer and go "Stage 2". Flat Brim hat not included.

[ScottyB]

have the same OEM net in mine, love it. sits right inside the trunk opening.

you'll like the 20, it does make a difference especially drop throttle around a bend with the suspension loaded up. check your plastic sway bar links while you're down there. mine are OK but older ones get brittle and a thicker bar is just going to exacerbate the potential for plastic bits going snap crackle pop. Kartboy metal ones aren't too $$ for a quick upgrade.

[JustinG]

Thoughts on modding a grill to look like this? Minus the sti badge.

[Sully]

Do it.

Possibly put xti badge but either way do it.

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[Jeff]

So much win. Would look much nicer. Paint the horns black and peel that crap off the fog lights while you are at it. (lol, j/k, smooch)

[CaptainHenreh]

Possibly put xti badge

So not do this.

[JustinG]

Dont worry, that badge no longer exists

[DavidL]

Did something similar on my bugeye - looks so much better - do it!

[JustinG]

I think I am going to keep a lookout for a grill off a parts car. Id rather not mess up and be stuck with a jacked up grill yo.

[JustinG]

Also looking into increasing my scoopage.

Keep it stock.


02-03 STi scoop, same as current scoop by bigger.


04+ style sti scoop, in cf, color matched, or color matched with edge left as exposed CF


Thoughts?

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[Jeff]

Stock.

[Sully]

Donor hood plus the 4th gen hood? (Whatever gen is current) cut and paste scoop into your hood

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[JustinG]

You like making shit complicated don't you?

[JPolen01]

What the fuck does that even mean Sullivan? Why would he need an entire hood just to get a scoop?

[Sully]

You like making shit complicated don't you?

Yes

But it probably wouldn't look good with the squareness of the the Forrester looks like it could work on an outback


Polen, get on my level. The new scoops are more molded into the hood. You'd have to cut out the old scoop with a chunk of hood around it And weld it into your hood

I'm not sure it would even work but I like to say stupid shit on the forums lately. I also new a guy who welded the scoops from a new gto into an old Oldsmobile :lol:

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[Jake]

Stock. But get the dog from the 02-03 photo, because he/she is want-worthy.