My new daily hack! - Forester STI.
15 March 2018, 10:12 PM
#391
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Loved reading through this build thread, your forester looks great.
I’m currently thinking of one of these as a daily as got new baby and 2 dogs so this would be a good all rounder. I have a 26 mile round trip each day to work, how do you find yours on fuel? Anything you could advise/recommend looking at when looking for one from experience of yours?
I’m currently thinking of one of these as a daily as got new baby and 2 dogs so this would be a good all rounder. I have a 26 mile round trip each day to work, how do you find yours on fuel? Anything you could advise/recommend looking at when looking for one from experience of yours?
15 March 2018, 11:50 PM
#392
Scooby Senior
Loved reading through this build thread, your forester looks great.
I’m currently thinking of one of these as a daily as got new baby and 2 dogs so this would be a good all rounder. I have a 26 mile round trip each day to work, how do you find yours on fuel? Anything you could advise/recommend looking at when looking for one from experience of yours?
I’m currently thinking of one of these as a daily as got new baby and 2 dogs so this would be a good all rounder. I have a 26 mile round trip each day to work, how do you find yours on fuel? Anything you could advise/recommend looking at when looking for one from experience of yours?
I've the 2002 Forester Sport (non Turbo) kids.. bags.. etc it's brill. In snow brill... sounds brill... an all rounder.
get one.
19 March 2018, 06:45 PM
#393
Loved reading through this build thread, your forester looks great.
I’m currently thinking of one of these as a daily as got new baby and 2 dogs so this would be a good all rounder. I have a 26 mile round trip each day to work, how do you find yours on fuel? Anything you could advise/recommend looking at when looking for one from experience of yours?
I’m currently thinking of one of these as a daily as got new baby and 2 dogs so this would be a good all rounder. I have a 26 mile round trip each day to work, how do you find yours on fuel? Anything you could advise/recommend looking at when looking for one from experience of yours?
Things to look out for when buying:
Typical signs of head gasket failure,
Fuel leaks under the inlet manifold, very common problem and had to change all these on mine at great expense.
Remap for UK fuel grades. If mapped any 2.5 Subaru engine should be kept below 1.35bar of boost unless it's a forged engine.
Sure there's more I've forgotten but in general it's the normal Subaru issues. I've seen a few with rust issues on inner shock towers too so that's worth a look.
Get one, you won't regret it!!!! 😁
19 March 2018, 07:44 PM
#395
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Hi mate. You won't regret it if you buy one. You'll love it. Very special cars these.
Things to look out for when buying:
Typical signs of head gasket failure,
Fuel leaks under the inlet manifold, very common problem and had to change all these on mine at great expense.
Remap for UK fuel grades. If mapped any 2.5 Subaru engine should be kept below 1.35bar of boost unless it's a forged engine.
Sure there's more I've forgotten but in general it's the normal Subaru issues. I've seen a few with rust issues on inner shock towers too so that's worth a look.
Get one, you won't regret it!!!! 😁
Things to look out for when buying:
Typical signs of head gasket failure,
Fuel leaks under the inlet manifold, very common problem and had to change all these on mine at great expense.
Remap for UK fuel grades. If mapped any 2.5 Subaru engine should be kept below 1.35bar of boost unless it's a forged engine.
Sure there's more I've forgotten but in general it's the normal Subaru issues. I've seen a few with rust issues on inner shock towers too so that's worth a look.
Get one, you won't regret it!!!! 😁
28 June 2018, 10:38 AM
#396
Should really update this thread.
So back in March I had Rich @ FB Tuning fit all my clutch and shifter parts for me. He fitted:
Exedy pink box uprated clutch kit for 6 speed
AS Performance Ultra-light billet flywheel
Forester STI AS Performance (BrownPantsRacing) shifter bush kit
New Rear shifter steady assembly
Millers CRX 75/90 gearbox oil
Millers LS diff oil
He also did the clutch slave cylinder modification to remove the additional spring etc which gives a better and more direct pedal feel. My old shifter bushes were so far gone it was mad, the transformation to the way it feels now is amazing.
When he put the car all back together the speedo wouldn't work. After some investigation it turned out to be corroded contacts on the speedo pickup plug and loom assembly. He found this and replaced it all so all good now. Phew.
He also found that where Pole Position had fitted my Prodrive downpipe for me they had used the wrong downpipe bolts and instead of finding ones the right length they had bodged it together with loads of washers under one of the bolts to make it fit. Not happy with that, but at least Rich spotted it and fitted it correctly now.
I've been to a few car shows this year so far with it and I'm really enjoying the car at the moment. Few pics below.
Santapod Japshow
Banzai breakfast meet:
I get bored easily and like to make changes here and there to keep it interesting. A Subaru Forester Afterburner Vortex rear box turned upon eBay recently and was reasonably priced. You can never find these for the forester as they are different lengths with different hangers and as I’ve always liked the sound of them so I snapped it up!
When it arrived I wasn’t happy as it was a standard Impreza fitment and the tip had seen better days. With a little time and effort I managed to get the tip perfectly shaped again, the box completely polished up and the burned effect on the tip re-done in my garage using a standard kitchen blow torch. Looks like new again now.
After re-work:
Then I started cutting it up ready to make it longer,re-make the hangers etc and make it fit my foz 100% perfectly. So this is how it now looks.
Hanger on:
Hanger removed:
As it all looks now ready for fitting, extending, new hanger, stainless welding etc:
Will post pics when complete. Thanks for watching.
So back in March I had Rich @ FB Tuning fit all my clutch and shifter parts for me. He fitted:
Exedy pink box uprated clutch kit for 6 speed
AS Performance Ultra-light billet flywheel
Forester STI AS Performance (BrownPantsRacing) shifter bush kit
New Rear shifter steady assembly
Millers CRX 75/90 gearbox oil
Millers LS diff oil
He also did the clutch slave cylinder modification to remove the additional spring etc which gives a better and more direct pedal feel. My old shifter bushes were so far gone it was mad, the transformation to the way it feels now is amazing.
When he put the car all back together the speedo wouldn't work. After some investigation it turned out to be corroded contacts on the speedo pickup plug and loom assembly. He found this and replaced it all so all good now. Phew.
He also found that where Pole Position had fitted my Prodrive downpipe for me they had used the wrong downpipe bolts and instead of finding ones the right length they had bodged it together with loads of washers under one of the bolts to make it fit. Not happy with that, but at least Rich spotted it and fitted it correctly now.
I've been to a few car shows this year so far with it and I'm really enjoying the car at the moment. Few pics below.
Santapod Japshow
Banzai breakfast meet:
I get bored easily and like to make changes here and there to keep it interesting. A Subaru Forester Afterburner Vortex rear box turned upon eBay recently and was reasonably priced. You can never find these for the forester as they are different lengths with different hangers and as I’ve always liked the sound of them so I snapped it up!
When it arrived I wasn’t happy as it was a standard Impreza fitment and the tip had seen better days. With a little time and effort I managed to get the tip perfectly shaped again, the box completely polished up and the burned effect on the tip re-done in my garage using a standard kitchen blow torch. Looks like new again now.
After re-work:
Then I started cutting it up ready to make it longer,re-make the hangers etc and make it fit my foz 100% perfectly. So this is how it now looks.
Hanger on:
Hanger removed:
As it all looks now ready for fitting, extending, new hanger, stainless welding etc:
Will post pics when complete. Thanks for watching.
Last edited by BrownPantsRacing; 28 June 2018 at 10:46 AM.
28 June 2018, 03:56 PM
#399
Scooby Regular
Looking superb as always nice pics sir BPR 
Your gonna have to do a before and after vid on the 3xhaust sound
Your gonna have to do a before and after vid on the 3xhaust sound
10 July 2018, 04:46 PM
#401
New exhaust built & fitted. BY GOD IT'S LOUD!!!!! 
My poor neighbours.
In fact it's so loud that I had to take it off last night to MOT the car today.
Glad to say it passed yet again with no advisories. Should bl00dy well hope so too!
My poor neighbours.In fact it's so loud that I had to take it off last night to MOT the car today.
Glad to say it passed yet again with no advisories. Should bl00dy well hope so too!
10 July 2018, 07:53 PM
#402
Scooby Regular
Video
14 August 2018, 02:24 PM
#404
So not a great few days. Had last week off on holiday and was out with the kids in the Foz and the temperature gauge on my ODB monitor display started going higher than it's ever gone before. It's never in it's life gone higher than 96degC which is the fan cut in point. When I got moving again the temperature rapidly dropped back down again but it started alarm bells ringing. Once the car had cooled down fully I opened up the high pressure header tank cap to find the header bottle only about half full at best, not fully up to the top as normal. Topped it up and it's been good as gold since.
Took it to Subaru today who've done some checking and told me I have very early signs of head gasket failure. Bugger.
So I'm now looking at a couple of options:
1. Go for a Paul Finch fully forged build (already been discussing this with him today).
2. Sell the car to a breaker. The normal crew have been contacted who have already shown interest.
3. Sell the car with this known fault for someone to buy and repair, either straight head gasket or full build.
I have already had a price for trade in from a breaker, which is the price I would expect to sell this car for un-forged less the cost of a forged build. So if anyone wants to buy my car for the price I have been offered to break, then I will put a full spec list below.
Price is £7k firm, no offers, or it's getting broken for bits. (Not by me as I just don't have the time sorry).
If someone buys this and spend the money on simple head gasket repair they will get a bargain car, or if they get a full forged build it will be the ultimate forester.
Very sad times.
Basic Car:
Thanks for watching.
Andy
Took it to Subaru today who've done some checking and told me I have very early signs of head gasket failure. Bugger.
So I'm now looking at a couple of options:
1. Go for a Paul Finch fully forged build (already been discussing this with him today).
2. Sell the car to a breaker. The normal crew have been contacted who have already shown interest.
3. Sell the car with this known fault for someone to buy and repair, either straight head gasket or full build.
I have already had a price for trade in from a breaker, which is the price I would expect to sell this car for un-forged less the cost of a forged build. So if anyone wants to buy my car for the price I have been offered to break, then I will put a full spec list below.
Price is £7k firm, no offers, or it's getting broken for bits. (Not by me as I just don't have the time sorry).
If someone buys this and spend the money on simple head gasket repair they will get a bargain car, or if they get a full forged build it will be the ultimate forester.
Very sad times.
Basic Car:
- World Rally Blue 2004 SG Forester STI Lux model, current mileage under 71k (Used daily).
- Vehicle imported to UK by Torque GT in August 2014.
- Purchased by me in February 2016 from another enthusiast. Purchased as standard vehicle and all modifications completed in last 2 years. Vehicle passes every MOT with no advisories.
- Personalised plate P7YTT to be removed before sale and vehicle to be sold on original import plate WH04VHJ.
- Front STI v-limited STI splitter.
- HT Autos Rear Bumper Corner Spats for Subaru Impreza 06-07.
- SuperPro SPF1617-20K Front sway away (ARB) to chassis uprated bushes.
- SuperPro SPF1972K uprated steering rack bushes for 30mm bracket.
- Whiteline KCA414 14mm camber adjustment bolts for rear of Forester STI
- Whiteline KCA414 14mm camber adjustment bolts for front of Forester STI
- Whiteline BSR35XZ 22mm adjustable uprated rear ARB including uprated bushes.
- Whiteline KSB750 Rear subframe lock bolt kit, for SG Forester.
- Whiteline KRB18-22 rear sway bar mount kit heavy duty for 22mm uprated ARBs.
- Whiteline KLC32 sway bar link assembly for front of SG Subaru Forester.
- Whiteline KLC32 sway bar link assembly for rear of SG Subaru Forester.
- Alloy wheels XXR 527 18" x 8.75" wide ET35 114.3/100x5 PCD in Flat Bronze.
- Spiggot rings 73.1mm / 56.1mm to suit Subaru wheels
- JDM Neo Chrome Tuner Wheel Nuts x 20 M12x1.25 pitch
- Yokohama Parada Spec 2 tyres 225/40/18 92W.
- MeisterR ZetaCRD+ coilovers for GD/PCD 5x100 Impreza, trial fitting for manufacturer for Forester STI SG9 model.
- Whiteline KSB590Q rear strut brace including quick release clamps.
- Whiteline front strut brace assembly to match rear brace. This is a newage Impreza strut brace and fits perfectly. Both ends stripped and powder coated black, main bar polished.
- Perrin Subaru 6 speed STI short shifter adaptor including Perrin uprated shift linkage polly bushes.
- Both rear arches professionally rolled (minor inside only) to accommodate wheels.
- Genuine HEL performance Subaru STI braided brake line set (4) for Impreza newage or Forester vehicles, UK or JDM.
- Tegiwa Brake Master Cylinder stopper / brace, (For Newage Impreza models).
- SWRD 3 Port Boost Control Solenoid, including additional tubing and connector harness to fit newage Impreza/Forester.
- Prodrive 200cel sports cat downpipe and 2nd cat replacement pipe to fit Newage Subaru Impreza STI (2nd de-cat pipe shortened to suit Forester, main downpipe original).
- Fitting and modification of Prodrive Sports Cat done by Pole Position.
- SWRD 342 Colussus 340lph fuel pump and fitting kit.
- August 2016 - Custom ECU re-mapping session by Andrew Carr on Forester STI. At Pole Position. Vehicle mapped for 99 grade petrol and boost level raised to 1.35bar.
- Sept 2016 – Map tweak by Andrew Carr and Pole Position.
- Cosworth high flow dry panel air filter for Subaru Forester SG9 STI.
- TSL Group N backbox & de-resonated centre exhaust pipe for Newage Impreza. Centre pipe made 4” longer to suit Forester platform and rear box modified to have new longer 4” diameter tailpipe professionally stainless welded on with centre hanger re-manufactured to suit Forester. Looks OEM.
- July 2017 – Map tweak by Andrew Carr and Pole Position for new exhaust system, general increase in performance.
- Exedy pink box uprated clutch kit for Subaru STI 6 speed gearbox. (Fitted March this year by FB Tuning, 2k miles max)
- AS Performance billet ultra-light 6 speed flywheel (Fitted March this year, 2k miles max).
- BrownPantsRacing designed 18mm uprated gear shifter bush kit, made by AS Performance.
- Rear shifter assembly steady bush for 6 speed transmission.
- Tailored boot liner for Forester 2003-2008.
- Autowatch 457 cat 1 alarm & immobiliser.
- HKS Turbo timer & harness.
- Mirror-Matic auto folding JDM mirror module & wiring kit.
- 2x brand new Genuine STI titanium Subaru JDM blank keys, cut to this vehicle.
- Genuine new Spec-R Subaru (Richbrook) polished alloy STI 6 speed gear ****.
- Rare dash top mount containing stereo.
- Rare rear luggage retractable cover.
- Widetrack STI aluminium gear surround trim.
- Hertz component front speaker upgrades.
- Rear speaker upgrades.
- DAMD flat bottom STI steering wheel for GD Impreza and Forester.
- Brand New genuine widetrack STI weighted gear ****.
- Red stitched manual leather gear gaiter to suit Forester STI 2004.
- Kenwood DNX-5220BT double din stereo DVD system, including parrot bluetooth phone support, separate new microphone, Satnav including Garmin UK maps & cabling accessories including remote control, GPS antenna etc.
- ODBKey bluetooth KBM021 model adaptor. OBDKey Interface with built in Wireless Bluetooth and complete software on a USB Flash drive. Most likely removed before sale.
- Samsung Tab 7 tablet mounted in dash lower stereo position running Torque Pro, Spotify etc. Will most likely be removed before sale, or factory reset if left in vehicle.
- April 2016 - Major Service at Adams Subaru Aylesbury including fitting of new spark plugs, engine oil & filter, gearbox oil change, rear diff oil change, cabin filter change, engine cambelt changed, engine alternator belt changed, water pump checked, new fuel pressure regulator supplied & fitted, new fuel filter supplied & fitted, renew and change all fuel pipe for fuel system with new pipework. Including labour costs.
- April 2017 – Full service at Adams Subaru Aylesbury.
- March 2018 - FB Tuning fitted the clutch, flywheel & shifter parts March 2018 including Millers CRX oil, diff oil, clutch slave cylinder spring mod and more.
- April 2018 – Full service at Adams Subaru Aylesbury.
Thanks for watching.
Andy
Last edited by BrownPantsRacing; 17 August 2018 at 11:21 AM.
14 August 2018, 03:06 PM
#406
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Sad times Andy. I know we’ve had a few chats and think it’d be a real shame for you to break the car after all the work that’s gone into it and how great it looks!
i’ve had this exact same conversation with Rich at FB Tuning about mine as it’s gone to overheat a couple of times do suspect it’s early stages of headgasket, so i’ve always got it in the back of my mind and when it needs a forged build I eventually will I suspect.
If you do decide to cut your losses and break, i’d like to know who’s breaking it as i’d be interested in a few bits
i’ve had this exact same conversation with Rich at FB Tuning about mine as it’s gone to overheat a couple of times do suspect it’s early stages of headgasket, so i’ve always got it in the back of my mind and when it needs a forged build I eventually will I suspect.
If you do decide to cut your losses and break, i’d like to know who’s breaking it as i’d be interested in a few bits
14 August 2018, 03:14 PM
#408
I'd love to forge it, but seriously tempted to cut my losses and sell it to be broken. I know I will regret it big time but life must go on, possibly in the form of C63, E63, RS4, RS6, M5.
Have a couple of breakers interested in the car and if it gets broken I'll let everyone know who breaks it.
14 August 2018, 03:15 PM
#410
Sad times Andy. I know we’ve had a few chats and think it’d be a real shame for you to break the car after all the work that’s gone into it and how great it looks!
i’ve had this exact same conversation with Rich at FB Tuning about mine as it’s gone to overheat a couple of times do suspect it’s early stages of headgasket, so i’ve always got it in the back of my mind and when it needs a forged build I eventually will I suspect.
If you do decide to cut your losses and break, i’d like to know who’s breaking it as i’d be interested in a few bits
i’ve had this exact same conversation with Rich at FB Tuning about mine as it’s gone to overheat a couple of times do suspect it’s early stages of headgasket, so i’ve always got it in the back of my mind and when it needs a forged build I eventually will I suspect.
If you do decide to cut your losses and break, i’d like to know who’s breaking it as i’d be interested in a few bits
14 August 2018, 07:50 PM
#411
Scooby Regular
very sad day indeed
if I was in your position I’d be getting it finched and keeping it You won’t find another like it ....
if I was in your position I’d be getting it finched and keeping it You won’t find another like it ....
14 August 2018, 08:13 PM
#412
Will see what the remaining breakers say tomorrow, but looking more likely that it will get sold on and broken now. Already seen a few nice cars to replace this with. I know I'll regret it and I know I'll regret not owning a Subaru if it comes to it.
14 August 2018, 08:33 PM
#413
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Noooooooooooooo. Saw it in "the garage" earlier but didn't know what for. It's been great reading about all the stuff you've done to the car, seeing the pictures and hearing it go passed my place.
I seem to remember saying that you could always sit at the end of my drive drooling whilst looking at my motor (I might even pop out with a cuppa) - the offer will remain open
Sad news
but maybe a new project is in the offing...
I seem to remember saying that you could always sit at the end of my drive drooling whilst looking at my motor (I might even pop out with a cuppa) - the offer will remain open
Sad news
but maybe a new project is in the offing...
14 August 2018, 08:47 PM
#414
Noooooooooooooo. Saw it in "the garage" earlier but didn't know what for. It's been great reading about all the stuff you've done to the car, seeing the pictures and hearing it go passed my place.
I seem to remember saying that you could always sit at the end of my drive drooling whilst looking at my motor (I might even pop out with a cuppa) - the offer will remain open
Sad news but maybe a new project is in the offing...
I seem to remember saying that you could always sit at the end of my drive drooling whilst looking at my motor (I might even pop out with a cuppa) - the offer will remain open
Sad news
but maybe a new project is in the offing...Was told today that Dane might buy my car as his son has a FSTI and they want all my nice bits. 😂 We'll see.
I'm going to miss the car so much. My shortlist is now down to a new shape Impreza STI with forged build and a Merc C63 estate with quite a few upgrades running 530bhp. 😁
14 August 2018, 09:00 PM
#416
Yep, tell me about it. I don't want to look at my spreadsheet showing all the expenditure on this car, it's quite frankly scary and I'm going to be way way over £10k out of pocket once it's gone. 😰
Whatever happens I will have another Subaru.
Whatever happens I will have another Subaru.
20 August 2018, 10:05 AM
#419
Plus, this one has just had a fully forged build using the full RCM catalogue. Sorted!
