I'd say a noticeable difference Glenn, in the limited mileage I put on the car before having the suspension work done I noticed that the car didn't feel as taut as an Impreza - not unexpected given the increased weight and higher ride height that the Forester STi has.

Now after the springs, rear anti roll bar and strut braces plus alignment have been done I have a lot more confidence in the handling, I know that it will never rival a modified Impreza but that is not what I was aiming for either.

I would say that the car is a very good compromise between handling, rigidity and comfort - it's very comfortable on an extended drive but when needed it handles the corners and uneven road surfaces with ease.

 

Thanks

 

I've ordered a set of Rally Armor urethane flaps for the car, being it's a white car they should help keep the car a little cleaner.

 

I test drove an fsti at torque gt today. Was a lovely car to drive and I think I'll be selling the bug in the near future to buy one. Also torque's customer service was brilliant.

 

Yes they are very nice to drive, I did contact Torque GT first, but they didn't have anything in stock at the time that interested me although they were awaiting at least one car to arrive from Japan.

 

Hopefully I'll join the forester club soon I'll be keeping an eye on your thread as it's a similar scenario to mine just want a pretty standard one and that's it.

 

Got mine from Torque gt they where great

 

Seemed to be genuine and honest which is a rarity these days.

 

1 was hoping to see you and the car yesterday at PCAD but you did not attend .

 

They do have quite rightly a very good reputation, so do Prodrift as well and I'd have no hesitation in recommending both companies.

 

I was due to attend Kev, I was on call and on the rota to work on Saturday - I asked for cover in work months ago when the stand was booked, but unfortunately when it came down to it nobody would cover for me.

To say I was cheesed off would be a big understatement.

 

It's looking highly like that the car will be remapped by Bob Rawle on the 27th or 28th of May, it's had a K&N performance panel filter and a Torques fuel pump already fitted, so it only remains to fit a Scoobyworx 3 port boost solenoid on the day before it's ready.

I was in the process of looking for a Hawkeye STi intercooler but have now shelved that idea - we all know the slippery slope and how quickly things can snowball.

 

A normal STi item is good enough mate.

 

That's the conclusion that I came to in the end, as I'm only aiming for expected levels when remapped there's no point in spending money for the sake of it.

 

A few more minor jobs out of the way today, the big job being fitting a rather nice STi oil filler cap I bought from Japan, the fitment of the Rally Armor mud flaps and fitting the GPS aerial that I forgot to fit when I installed the Pioneer head unit.

The oil filler cap was a real swine to fit and took me all of 5 seconds and that includes having to remove the old cap.





The Rally Armor mud flaps would have fitted like a dream if I didn't have the optional STi spats fitted to the car which means they needed slight alteration to fit (elongating the holes and moving one of the mounting points). They are very good quality and I'd happily recommend them to anyone thinking about buying a set.





The GPS aerial fitment will teach me a lesson in the future and that's to read the installation instructions before starting to fit something, it meant stripping down the passenger side dashboard in order to route the aerial behind the glove box and up to the head unit.

 

Coming together nicely TY.

 

Cheers Dave, it's off to Japfest on Saturday so Friday will be spent cleaning it and getting it looking it's best.

 

Hope to see you at JapFest Tyron

 

I will definitely be there Kev, see you there.

 

With the forthcoming mapping session coming up with Bob Rawle I have bought a Prodrive sports cat from Gibsy, and have a Scorpion deresonated centre section on the way as well.

For those interested when using an Impreza STi PPP sports cat on a Forester you need to use the centre section from a Hawkeye STi in order to keep the exhaust length uniform or they won't marry up to the Forester STi silencer.

The car is booked in with Three Arches on Friday for them to swop out the exhaust sections, I have no doubt that Dan and Dean will do their normal exemplary work.

Plus I now have a Genome Defi boost gauage fitted on the steering wheel cowl, although I need to move it's position because it's obscuring the speedometer.

 

Free tea at mine if your interested Ty, perhaps a HobNob

 

itll sound wicked ty I had a prodrive downpipe and de/ resonated centre on mine

 

still does Oz and mighty fine it is.

 

Looking good Ty!

Glad Bobs sorting the mapping in the end.

Si

 

Thanks Ian, but I don't think I am going to have time due to work commitments.

Thanks Ozz.

Thanks Si, sorry at Japfest I called you Rob a few times for no apparent reason - I only realised later on the drive home.

Yes I am glad I chose to go back to Bob, he always gives good results and certainly knows his potatoes.

 

Very nice!

 

Been called a lot worse mate

 

Be interesting to see wot Bob gets out of ours ,i had 340 with cat on

 

I thought dave took the de/res pipe off it

 

It's a wrapped sport cat Ozz