I just have to express my opinion here, i have driven and sold a good few forester turbo`s, but only today have i really driven one hard for a good distance.... WOW!

I had more fun driving it across some proper welsh b-roads than ive ever had in an impreza, it`s a jap spec T/Tb, not the 170bhp uk version, i beleive its 240 bhp (correct me if im wrong) but still on the same baloon tyres. a fantastic sensation of speed, plenty of power... pathetic brakes though!

If you need a bigger car than the impreza, but dont fancy a legacy, definately try one of these!

 

They are rather fun aren't they. There are a few JDM Forester owners on here and I know that some of us have done at least the following: If you have the original tyres, get rid of them and replace with 225 55 16 Toyo's and then replace the rear anti roll bar with an 18/20mm one off an STI. Huge increase in grip and very predictable power slides. Original ARB makes it oversteer. Manuals are 240 not sure about automatics and a better backbox plus ITG filter does help low end pick up. Enjoy.

 

One of my all time favourite Soobies - and the new shape CrossSports even better

 

AS Obi says - a change in tyre does wonders over the OEM M&S tyre.
Great cars for blasting through rough B roads that would have Imprezas hoping all over the place.
Was the T/tb an auto box?

Nick
1997 Forester S/tb

 

No, it was a manual, i`m seriously considering an STi forester now.

 

Yes, great fun.
Happy T/tb owner.

Brian

 

How does insurance compare to an impreza?
especially the import models.

Cheers

Rich

 

My T/tb was a lot cheaper to insure than a Legacy GTB when I enquired last year. I think it is less than an Imprezza because it does not have the boy racer/speed image!

Brian

 

£530 fully comp, modded exhaust, wheels and brakes,no tracker, on drive and for business as well from Liverpool & Victoria (tho it'll go up next year as I've had a little prang last week )

Nick
1997 Forester S/tb

 

£530 wow that is cheap! Thought I had a good deal @£565 from Tesco on a UK Turbo S. Go on then, tell us what you did. Hope it's no too bad........

Anyway even puny UK model great fun. Also holds dogs, band gear, and is sadly v comfy for in-laws/parents.

 

I did a pirouette on black ice and clouted a rear wheel and bent some suspension. Insurance quote for this is £1500.

Mr AJBASE - do you have any access to more technical info on Foresters in Japan?
Stuff like ECU numbers and how the JDM Forester engine is detuned from the old WRX output?
It is lacking over in the UK and tuners seem to scratch their heads when it comes to trying anything more than an air filter and exhuast change.

Nick
1997 Forester S/tb

 

I think the engine is identical to the JDM WRX wagon (which has 250ps for MY97-98, & 240ps from MY99 onwards).

 

Hi, this is my first post here so be gentle with me!

I thinking about getting a Forester XT, what is the easiest way to get more horses out of it?

Can you just swap ecu's or do you have to fit a bigger turbo or swap the ebv for a passive job?

Any info would be a great help.

Cheers

Kevin

 

Does nobody have an answer?

A simple "Sod off!" would suffice!

 

Perhaps import the JDM XT turbo/STi or even get a 2.5 litre turbo!

See http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=314717

You'll be lucky at the moment for tuning an XT. The UK still haven't caught up with any serious stuff for the old Forester version.

Nick
1997 Forester S/tb

[Edited by Butty - 2/14/2003 9:58:19 AM]

 

A mate of mine wants to tune the nuts off his twin turbo 97 JDM Forester..

any ideas of who he can take it to?
he in brum.
cheers.

 

AFAIK there isn't a twin turbo Forester. JDM just has the TD04L from the earlier WRX's.

A tuners (TSL maybe ?) who have done plenty of WRX's should be able to help.


Steve


MY01 Uk Wrx wagon > 2001 JDM Forester S/tb in a week or so

 

KevinA - 'www.superchips.co.uk' does an upgrade for the Forester. That's the old model, but it's worth a look. 30 odd BHP more than standard. Try a bigger turbo.....