Hi scooby people,

I've been perusing this board for a couple of weeks now (It all happens here doesn't it!) and generally picking up lots of info on subarus etc. Its a superb resource for gaining knowledge quickly.

Ive got a few things I'd like to ask that I havent found the answer to yet.

I've just bought an imported 1998 Japanese Forester S/TB. For those who don't know, its a Forester with an Impreza WRX 250 Bhp engine. Its a true stealth mobile, and very fast.
Its surprising how quickly you get used to the speed though, I've only been driving it for a week and I've already loosing that "F***K ME !" thrill I had when I first drove it) I can understand the Mods that many people do now.

Anyway if anyone can answer any of these questions I would be very grateful :

Whats the difference between the 280 BHP Impreza WRX engine and my one? or is it exactly the same bar the ECU?

Does the Forester S/TB share any other parts with the Impreza WRX (clutch, brakes, gearbox etc)


Has any one got the Kenwood Tape, CD, CD Changer unit that speaks in Japanese to you. If so have you mastered how this damn thing works.


Thanks

 

Hi Zorb,
I have a 97 STB and have wondered if it is easy to move the power to that of the WRX.
I thought that the turbo and ECU would be different, but I have been told that the turbo (a TD04) is the same as the WRX. So is it a simple ECU job to get the WRX power?
Dare you to try first?

At present, the boost is a steady 0.75 bar through the range. I have not put it on a RR, but I presume that it has 240 bhp, although I have seen output quoted at anything from 230 to 260 bhp.


Brakes are the std Imprezza 2 pots. I have swapped over to the 4 pots of any Imprezza post 98. Unfortunately, this has meant a wheel swap as the spokes of the Forester wheel will foul the caliper.
If you try putting on Imprezza wheels then you get fouling of the struts....
I put on some 2nd hand 17" MIMs.

Clutch and struts (springs must be longer and stronger for height and weight difference) are as per WRX and so far all parts fitted have been for an Imprezza.

Audio wise, I had an empty DIN space to fill.
Do you have strange speaker grills, about 3" x 3" either side of the hatch area? Are these filled with anything?

Regards
Nick

 

Hi Nick,

Thanks for you excellent info.
From what you say, nearly everything is shared with the Imprezza WRX, Thats what I was hoping, At least if anything goes wrong I can source the parts relatively easily. Have you got any idea if the same is true for the clutch?

As far as the ECU is concerned, If what you've heard is true, then It seems that a simple swap over to an imprezza WRX one would give an instant 280 BHP. But I don't think I'll take you up on your dare, at least not for now.... I'll let you go first!

From what I've read on the net, The 97 and 98 S/TB's came with 250 PS then they reduced the power to 240 PS in 99 up to the present day.
I have seen a few adverts in Auto-Trader that incorrectly state the BHP as 280.

What petrol do you use?
Do you use octane booster?

I've got those tiny speaker grills too, mine have got speakers in them but I had to go quite close to hear them, they're not very good.

The Kenwood, I think was an optional extra when the car was new,Its a fat chucky thing about twice as wide as a normal CD player, it lights up like a Christmas tree and speaks to me in Japanese whenever I touch a button, it has so many functions I just don't have a clue, Its just asking to be stolen.
Does anyone know, if I change it for a face-off Kenwood will the CD changer still work?


Zorb

 

Hi again,
I am getting the clutch done next month. Again I have been told that it will be the same as a WRX of the same era - but the proof will be when the gearbox is taken off.... I hope they have several sizes in stock.

Fuel wise, I have always kept to Super UL but kept to Optimax from Shell since it has been out. I keep some Octane booster in the boot just in case.

Speaker wise, mine only came withe the front door pairs. There is wiring in the rear doors but no spekaaers. I suppose I ought to fill them with something.

What I didn't mention is that there are a few mods that can be done quite cheaply.
1. Rear box. Scoobysport in Essex do one specifically for the Forester. An Imprezza one has different dimensions.
2. Air filter. Any panel filter for the Imprezza will do. I have an ITG, again from Scooysport.
3. Rear anti roll bar. This is my job this weekend. The Foretser has an Imprezza set up for the front in terms of bar size (18mm) and bush/ link bar combo. The rear has a 13mm bar. This cna be replaced with an 18mm bar off a UK Turbo or jap WRX, but you need new bushes. You may be daring enough to try the 21mm rear bar off a Jap STi if you like hanging out the back.
The rear bar cost me £30 from Midland Imprezza and bushes all round are £25.

Nick

 

Thanks for the info Nick, I'll get a panel filter soon, Its just good to know that there are parts and mods so readily available for the S/tb.

Incidentally, I replaced the oil today because on the invoice I noticed that the importer / dealer had put standard 5 - 40 oil in during the pre-delivery service. My poor engine, I've been thrashing it around for a week. Never the less probably no harm done.

Good luck with your mods.


Zorb