hi,i was wondering/trying to gather as much info about the forester sti,i wont be looking to get one soon,but maybe a bit later on in life,i know about lichfields etc,i like the look of the ones that are 2004 ish. i know i want that shape,6 speed,2.5 engine, etc etc,i really dont know enough about them yet,hence my post.different year models etc? any info would be great.cheers. i do love the black/white/silver colours,not overly keen on the blue ones. pics and info on year differences/prices pls?

 

First off there is subaru forester forum here:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/

The FSTI was made between 2004 and 2007 with a facelift in 2005. The only none cosmetic difference is a redesigned steering columns to reduce kickback and slightly more castor for the front suspension.
Facelift models are generally £10-14K and 2004 are £8-10K.

The 2.5 engine and VF41 turbo give good low down torque, mated to a taller geared 6sp than the impreza (fsti ratio's are a popular mod for big power cars) gives the car a less frenetic smoother drive than the equivalent saloon. Overall, nice car, very practical and pretty rare. I have the 2004 model.

Here are a load of japanese links detailing the differences in the models and examples of people modding the car in japan:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulle...r-links-65325/

 

Have you ever considered a UK spec 2.5XT with PPP? I'm a bit biased to be honest because I've got an 07 black one and it's really fun to drive. I'll admit it doesn't handle as well as my old classic wagon but the engine is fantastic (256bhp). I am looking at a few choice mods to improve things when money permits, 18" Prodrive GT1 wheels and a whiteline rear ARB to be precise.

Steve

 

sorry but it would have to be an sti,my wagon is running 315/320 so i want to be looking at sti with at least 330 bhp. i love the look of them aswell,i know i would blatently regret not having the "sti".

 

top

 

I totally understand. I would prefer an sti because it's closer to my Impreza roots but the plus side with the XT is that I don't get any of the wrong sort of attention (Police and car theives taking notice), I'm completely anonymous and can still destroy most things at the lights.

Good luck with the hunt, I was looking at the Litchfield website on a daily basis when I was looking.

 

not worried about police and the thieves thing is pretty good round my area thankfully.

 

I think the blue colour attracts the most attention, the black and silver cars can be quite anonymous, you can alway debadge if it is an issue.

My car is silver with gunmetal prodrive GC05's so pretty subtle, plus my neighbour has a bright red RS4 avant so I know which one they would try to hit first!

Advantages of a 2.5XT, you can get cruise control and nice leather interior but if you start to mod the car then the STI will save you £££ compared to the XT.

 

yeah the sti is the one for me without a doubt,i would defo not want anything slower than my 315/320 wagon,i like the the idea of a litchfield 330 sti.do you know much about the 04 spec sti? does it have the avcs? defo wouldnt go for a blue one,i would be after black,white or silver.would like to find out more info on the 04 spec as that would be more affordable for the future.

 

as explained:

So yes it has AVCS exactly as the other models. Up to 360bhp and nearly 400ftlb of torque with a remap, exhaust etc. Anything over that and you need to go forged and bigger turbo as the EJ25 in the FSTI has Hyper-Eutectic cast pistons.

 

oh....i thought all sti lumps have forged internals?

 

No the EJ25 in the forester has the cast hyperE ones, it is to do with emissions. HyperE pistons have between 16-19% silicon to ensure that they are more resistant to expansion when they get hot so the tolerances are very tight. Forged pistons use much less silicon so expand more when they heat up, therefore are 'looser' when cold hence the piston slap sound on forged engines on startup. Also means there is seepage around the piston when cold so forged pistons have supposedly worse emissions on startup that is why manufacturers turn to HyperE.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypereutectic_piston

 

and I am sure that the cast Hyper E ones are also cheaper to manufacture than the older forged pistons.

 

thanks for that mate.