Plums!

Hi I was just wondering mechnically how similar are they?

I know the Forest has 177 bhp
and the Imp Turb 218~bhp

But do they share the same running gear and just detune the forest or is there more to it than that?

Cheers,
Plums.

wide

I think mechanically the same, maybe its just the ecu being differant

Suresh

Forester S has a smaller turbo, 2pot brakes and a higher centre of gravity. It'll never be an Impreza, but is a very competent small SUV.

Suresh
Forester S from 250 horse Tek3 Classic

Nich B

If you want a Forester you want a Stb Import with 240bhp or if you have more money a Forester Sti

All Impreza stuff fits, and as tuneable

So

300 BHP in a family runaround is

GC8

From a different point of view of course, the Forester is an Impreza. Subaru is a small company and the Forester was little more than a high capacity estate body built on an Impreza floorpan/underpinnings. Thats where the later dashboard with white dials came from; and how come its fits.....


Simon

skoosh

If you want the lowdown on forrester stb's, speak to "dannytwo".

He's got a black import stb with full decat on eibachs and it's a bloody flying machine.

Probably not as quick as some of the modded imprezas due to a little more weight but once rolling it's very very rapid.

Looks like the meanest hearse in the universe too..............

Si.

GC8

Personally; I wouldnt bother with the SF5 STI. The mechanical spec doesnt seem to be improved over the S/tb, with both producing 250PS..... Theyre late models too and I think youd be better buying an early SG5 for similar money.


Simon

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

On a related note, does anyone know how come the Forester STI is only 260bhp from the 2.5 engine, while the JDM Impreza manages over 280 from a 2.0? Are there other significant mechanical differences?

GC8

I would hazard a guess that it runs a smaller turbocharger somewhat like an early Classic 'Wagon, for better low down torque and quicker spool-up at the expense of top end power.

ricardo

Forester STi has the same engine as the US Impreza STi, but a smaller VF41 turbo instead of a VF39. It also has a slightly smaller intercooler than the Impreza STi.

The torque curve and spool characteristics are different from a 2.0, and are quoted very conservatively in the oficial numbers (it wouldn't do to be more than the Impreza would it...). A bit of mapping sees it up to 315 bhp and 300 lb.ft.

Like on mine:
http://www.thegaddfamily.co.uk/Other.../dynosmall.jpg

Not huge numbers, but very driveable.

Andy.F

Only ever been in one tuned Forester and I was most impressed, straight line as quick as an Impreza, not sure what the weight difference is but it can't be much ? 100kg = only 1 passenger in a scoob.

Andy

ricardo

Weight difference between JDM Impreza STi and JDM Forester STi was only about 50Kg (1440 vs. 1490) for the 2005 cars. Maybe an 8-stone passenger

Andy.F

So, like the difference between a full and nearly empty fuel tank then !

What weight are the 2001/2 Foresters ? I was considering one as a daily driver

LegacySTi

iTrader: (13)

Wat about on handling. Like if fitted with V6 STi suspension is she as good a handler.

GC8

A 2000 SF5 S/tb weighs 1400 kilos and an 2001 STiII Type-M 1410 kilos (both 5MTs).


Simon

stevem2k

I'd sell you mine but it'll be extra for Bob's map

stevem2k

Never be quite as good due to the higher centre of gravity. Handling can be sorted to be significantly better than how it comes out of the factory though. More tricky on a uk spec s-turbo due to the self levelling struts at the rear ( need to swap struts+springs instead of just springs ) , but investing about a ton on a thicker rear arb & droplinks makes a world of difference...


Steve

Andy.F

Steve, when did the Forester change to the new age Impreza engine ie the one with individual coil packs ?
Do Impreza shocks fit ?


Andy

stevem2k

new age engine came in with the XT afaik- so '52 reg .

Impreza struts will fit but you need the wagon rear springs. Whiteline do a couple of Forester specific sets for reasonable money though. Euro spec XT is still stuck with the SLS btw....



Steve

GC8

The SF5 was replaced by the SG5 in February 2002.

Simon

Nich B

Which is why I have an ST/b which is errr not standard

Andy.F

Thanks for the info

gooook

Hello. I have been fitting 98 Impreza suspension to my SF5 Forester S Turbo. The Impreza struts and springs I am using is from a 98 Impreza WRX with Wagon rear springs. The front fit fine but didnot have the holder for the abs sensor cable (took off Forester struts and welded onto Impreza struts). The main problem is the rear strut tops are a different size, so I had to use the Forester strut tops on the impreza shocks and spings but the forester strut top also lower the suspension by about 2 inches. Making the rear end very low. It drives lovely but I am looking into fitting 2 inch Forester lift kit to the rear to make it sit level. Any ideas on how to acheive this in any other way is welcome. Hope this helps people get it right first time.

SLAB

iTrader: (77)

i used 02 wagon rear struts sits ok but have a leaky one, lol
so the old girl leaning