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Canonshooter's '07 FXT (now mac_gc8s 2007 XT)

133K views 426 replies 92 participants last post by  Kevin 
#1 · (Edited)
Admin note January 23 2022: This thread is closed and a new Journal started here: ('06-'08) - Mac_gc8's 2007 XT!

Photo Gallery






















Most recent photo with stock FXT scoop and grill mod;




Background

I purchased my 2007 Forester XT Ltd. 4EAT/MPT in Newport Pearl Blue new in January of 2007. At the time I had a 2006 WRX 5MT that I very much enjoyed, but needed something a bit more "practical." I wanted another 5MT, but this 4EAT model was on the lot with a price offer I couldn't turn down. This was my '06 WRX.

From the outset, stealth was the name of the game for all of the mods I have done with the FXT - I wanted to keep it a "sleeper." My modification goals were as follows;


  • To be capable of running the quarter mile in under 13 seconds
  • To handle as well or better than any other SUV on the road
  • To enhance interior comfort, appearance and overall ride quality
  • To maximize winter weather capability
  • To retain full daily-driving practicality and utility

In pursuit of those goals, the complete list of mods is listed below.

Mod Notes

“Modding” a vehicle involves many choices – sometimes too many. For this reason (and based on first-hand experience), I decided to set my expectations before moving forward with the purchase of any hardware. Below are some thoughts on how I went about modifying my Forester (full mod list further down this post);

Handling – the Forester carries a lot more mass higher than a sedan and because of this, I never expected my Forester to handle like my WRX. I made the decision from the beginning to make it handle as well as possible without sacrificing ride comfort. The combination of Swift Sport springs (Forester specific) on OEM struts, 22mm anti-sway bars and a performance alignment has worked well for me. Of course, tire selection can make or break the handling (and ride comfort) of any vehicle - finding the right mix of traction, side wall stiffness and ride comfort seems a never ending process.

Ride quality (as well as handling) was greatly enhanced with the addition of bracing. Compared to my WRX, the Forester seemed to twist in every conceivable direction when driving on rough roads, something that not only impacts the perception of vehicle quality, but adversely affects handling as well. IMO, this is something that must be done in combination with any suspension performance modifications. The bracing also seems to have reduced rattles and squeaks. Here is the list of braces used in the order of their greatest impact;


  1. Subtle fender braces ("cowl stays") – no doubt these made a very noticeable difference (as they did in my WRX) and along with a set of rear subframe locking bolts, is the place to start your bracing project.
  2. Whiteline Quick Release Rear Strut Brace – the Forester does not have the benefit of a metal bulkhead in back of the rear seats like a sedan to tie the strut towers together and this brace helps address that. I used a Whiteline brace with quick-detach ends so it could be quickly removed when I needed to make use of all the available cargo space. There are more effective and elaborate braces available, but will compromise your ability to carry stuff in the cargo area.
  3. GTSpec 4 Points Front Ladder Bar – though not as noticeable as the first two braces, it gave my Forester a more solid feel driving over rough roads (we have plenty of those in frost-heaved NH). I highly recommend this brace and in combination with the first two, will make a very noticeable difference in a Forester.
  4. GTSpec Front Strut Brace – more bling than anything else, I cannot feel any difference in normal road driving.
  5. Subtle Trunk Brace – same as the front strut brace, but at least was quick and easy to install.


Sound deadening - the installation of RAAMaudio sound deadening in all four doors and cargo area certainly reduced cabin noise and enhanced the sound quality of my after-market audio system. It also reduced cabin noise from the MadDad Whisper exhaust, but it can still be heard (and appreciated) without any droning. I used about 30 pounds of material and found it to be a very worthy mod.

The combined results of the suspension mods, bracing and sound deadening truly transformed my Forester, greatly improving its handling, providing a more solid feel on rough roads and giving the Forester a higher quality “feel” and driving experience. To place this in perspective, our son in-law drives a late model BMW X5 and though its loaded amenities, it has nothing on my modded Forester in terms of performance, handling or ride quality.

Here is the complete list of modifications;

Engine

IHI VF48 turbo
Perrin TMIC
Aquamist HFS3 Water/Methanol Injection
SPT Heat Shield
PTP Turbo Blanket
Samco turbo inlet
Perrin BOV hose
Subtle Splitter modified for IC sprayer and stock FXT hood scoop
Subtle Hood Struts
Subtle Radiator Shroud
Grimmspeed PnP/ceramic coated exhaust manifolds
Grimmspeed Air-Oil Separator
MadDad catted bellmouth DP
MadDad Forester-specific 3-inch Whisper cat-back
Kartboy Exhaust Hangers
KillerB oil pickup tube
Walbro 342 fuel pump
Northstar Group 35 AGM battery
274 WHP - 344 ft/lbs, open source tune by EFI Logics
A review of the MadDad exhaust can be found here.

I installed an Aquamist HFS-3 water/meth injection system. Using Autozone -20 degree windshield washer fluid (about 30% methanol, the remainder water) and with a re-tune, the car produces 274 WHP and 344 ft./lbs. of torque on the EFI Logics Mustang Dyno. The graph below shows the gains using the system;



Update May 1, 2011

I had the opportunity to get the Foz on a different dyno, a Land & Sea DYNOmite unit this past weekend. Word has it that this is a very low reading dyno. The only change from the graph above is that I went to a 50% meth/50% distilled water mix for the injection. The car has not been retuned for the new mix, but it feels like the ECU has adjusted to take advantage of the higher octane. On this dyno, the car put down 268 WHP and 360 ft./lbs. torque;



Performance

Best run to date - 12.966 at 105.94 MPH, with a nearly 2-second 60' time. I believe with a more agressive launch, it's capable of doing 12.7s.



Transmission

4EAT with Variable Torque Distribution transfer case, installed June 2015 (standard on 2007 and 2008 Forester XT Sports model)


Rear Differential

With Viscous Limited Slip (standard on 2007 Forester XT Ltd)


Brakes

Carbotech 1521 Pads
Centric Premium Rotors
G2 Caliper Coating (silver)
Grimmspeed MC Brace


Suspension & Handling

Swift Sport Springs
Whiteline 22mm RSB (adjustable) with STi mounts and mo_boost support brackets
Whiteline 22mm FSB (fixed)
Kartboy Links
Whiteline subframe locking bolts
Whiteline Quick Release Rear Strut Brace
Whiteline steering rack bushings
Subtle fender braces ("cowl stays")
Subtle Trunk brace
GTSpec Front Strut Brace
GTSpec 4 Points Front Ladder Bar
P215/55R-17 Goodyear Eagle Sport on Steel Grey Rota Tarmac 2 wheels (3 seasons)
P225/55R-17 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R on factory alloys (winter)
Performance alignment - minus 1.5 degrees camber all four corners, zero toe

Exterior

Forester Sports Front Bumper
Forester Sports grille
'08 Sports black tail lights
'08 Sports black headlights with Philips Vision Plus high beam bulbs
Hella Rallye 4000 Compact Driving Lights with 100 watt bulbs
Tint - 50% front windows, 35% rear windows and moon roof
Rally Armor UR mud flaps

Interior

Aquamist HFS-3 Gauge
AEM Digital Boost Gauge
Subtle Gauge Bezel
Shifter boot mod with WC Lathe Werks custom knob, center differential (VTD) lock switch
Lloyd Luxe Carpet Floor Mats (front)
Weathertech floor liners (rear)
Lloyd Luxe Carpet Cargo Mat
Sound Deadening (RAAMaudio - Automotive sound deadening products)

Audio

Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD with SIRIUS and iPod
Polk DB 6501 components (front) powered by Rockford Fosgate P400-2 amp
Kenwood KFC-1362S 5-1/4" 3-way door speakers powered from HU
Infinity Basslink (installed in spare tire well)

Awards & Recognition

June 2008 SubaruForester.org Calendar Selection
2010 Wicked Big Meet Car Show - 1st Place, Performance Category
January 2011 NES ROTM
January 2011 SubaruForester.org FOTM
NES Super Meet 7 - Best Form Award
Granite State Subaru Meets, March 16 - Daily Driver category, 2nd Place
2016 SF.org Calendar Selection








 
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14
#6 ·
great looking ride so far. I think with that color a nice set of steel gray rotas would look awesome. either the tarmac3's or the new sf.org favorite svn's.

how do you like the maddad and how quiet is it really. I am not really feeling my wbr 3in since it is a little on the loud side
 
#11 ·
how do you like the maddad and how quiet is it really. I am not really feeling my wbr 3in since it is a little on the loud side
I'm liking the 3-inch Whisper. Plenty of sound when on the go-pedal but at 65 to 70 MPH cruising on the highway with the windows up, it's really not much different than my stock exhaust with the STi axleback. Cruising around town in the 30 to 40 MPH range with the windows down it really shines - great tone/boxer rumble without going overboard on the DBs. The tone is deep and smooth with no raspiness at all.

I will attempt to shoot a video inside the car and post it in this thread.

Thanks to all for taking the time to comment!
 
#44 ·
After 58,000 miles I finally had to replace the brakes. A full report can be found here.

A few photos showing my newly painted brake calipers -

That looks great, I need to do the same this spring, mine are horribly rusty form all the road-salt we get in winter.
Did you take the calipers off to paint them or leave them in place and mask off the struts, etc... ?
 
#15 ·
Update 12/27/09

I've made a few additions to the car since I last posted.

First, I installed '08 Sports head and tail lights (black versions). I did the parking light LED strip mod to the headlights -





I also upgraded the Alpine MRP-T220 amp that I was using to power the Polk db6501 speakers in the front doors to a Rockford Fosgate P400-2 amp. The certificate that came with the RF amp showed a measured output rating of 149 watts RMS per channel (into a 4 ohm load) at .012% THD. The Alpine amp sounded fine but the RF amp really brings the speakers to life with all of it's power reserve.

With nearly 500 watts RMS between the RF amp and the Infinity Basslink, I also had to upgrade my power distribution cables to handle the current draw.

Next up is a sports bumper conversion and auxillary light installation. I am removing my Limited bumper with factory fogs (it's been blasted pretty well from the sand and salt that goes on the roads up here in the winter) and installing a set of Hella Rallye Compact 4000 driving lights behind the grille. I will modify the factory fog light switch on the dash to operate the Hellas with the high beams. I also picked up the new fender liners to fit the sports bumper.

I will post again when the sports bumper conversion is done.
 
#17 ·
Thanks! I liked the Newport Pearl Blue as soon as I saw it, and I think it will look good on the sports bumper.

Not much to look at under the hood - yet. I am 90% sure that I'm going to do the following at the same time I do the bumper:

1. New TMIC - if I can get hold of the APS unit, that's what I'll use.
2. APS 65mm CAI. May as well do it when I have the bumper off and the fender liner out!
3. Gimmick MS turbo inlet and afterMAF hose.
4. Some Subtle engine bay dress-up pieces.

Once that's done, engine bay shots will follow!

Yes, I don't beat on the car. I treat the driveline with "mechnical compassion" so hopefully it will last for a while.
 
#19 ·
On that Friday night when I pulled the car into the garage, it had the stock turbo (TD04), stock TMIC and stock exhaust with STi axleback.

When I pulled the car out of the garage on Monday to go have it tuned, it had a new VF48 turbo, a STi TMIC and the MadDad DP and 3-inch Whisper exhaust. I purposely did not go into boost, but the off-boost, sub 3000 RPM throttle response was hugely improved.

When I pulled it back into the garage Monday after the tune, it was a beast!

No doubt, the MadDad DP and exhaust played a role in that. Under the circumstances, I just can't quantify it.
 
#22 ·
That looks really nice Jim! I've been thinking about a custom knob for my 4EAT, but I want something a little taller. Kinda like this:




Do you know if you're maxing out your injectors? Any plans on upgrading your turbo inlet? I just got an APS inlet kit, and it's VERY nice; comes with a ton of hardware as well as the MAF tube.

Edit: Oh yeah! Any plans to swap out the chrome tail lights? ;) I had the '3-05 style tails on my NBP and they looked GREAT!
 
#23 ·
That looks really nice Jim! Do you know if you're maxing out your injectors? Any plans on upgrading your turbo inlet? I just got an APS inlet kit, and it's VERY nice; comes with a ton of hardware as well as the MAF tube.

Edit: Oh yeah! Any plans to swap out the chrome tail lights? ;) I had the '3-05 style tails on my NBP and they looked GREAT!
Thanks Ian!

No, not quite maxed out on the injectors. From the start, I decided to let the injectors be the limiting factor of how much power to make. Since this is a daily driver, I need to keep the well being of the driveline in mind - sticking with the stock injectors seems a reasonable way to maintain a limit.

Black tails and headlights from the '08 Sports already in. I also did the LED strip parking light mod with the headlights.

I have sitting in my garage a new Sports bumper, side grilles and fender liners. The plan is to wait until the weather warms up a bit to have the bumper cover painted and then do the install. While the bumper is off I'm also installing a set of Hella Rallye 4000 compact driving lights behind the grille.

But before I do that, I have a new Perrin TMIC and Gimmick turbo inlet/after MAF hose to install. Since my rattle can paint job on the STi hoodscoop is less than perfect, I will have it sprayed with the new Sports bumper. I am also going to do the CAI conversion/snorkus mod on the stock air box at the same time. This will be the end of my power mods for now.

Lastly, I'm getting the Whileline QR rear strut tower brace and Cusco 23mm FSB with KB links. I hope to have all of that done by spring, at which point I'll get some new photos posted.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Update -

Today I installed a Whiteline rear strut tower brace (with quick release). Other than having to make some minor alterations to the trim on top of the strut towers, install was easy.

Though I still have my mushy Nokian winter tires on, the brace did what I was hoping it would do - reduce body flex when driving on rough roads. The car definitely feels tighter now and I'm sure it will help handling once I get my Advan S4s back on. This mod also made the need to upgrade my stock 20mm FSB even more obvious so I wil be taking care of that soon. I plan on installing a Cusco 23mm with KB links.

I also installed my Perrin TMIC today as well. That was pretty much a direct swap for the '06 STi USDM TMIC that it replaced. I swapped the hoses and eblows over and it bolted right up. The Subtle splitter fits nicely too, with no modification needed.

A quick spin revealed improved off-boost throttle response, expected with the lower pressure-drop intercooler. The new TMIC certainly didn't hurt performance when in boost either.

My next planned mod under the hood is to replace the stock turbo inlet and afterMAF hoses with the GMS product. I am also going to do the snorkus delete on the stock air box so I can pull air directly from the fender. Once that is done I'll be heading back to EFI Logics for a few pulls on the dyno and any tune tweaks that will maximize these mods.

And, I still have the Sports bumper conversion to do. I'm dropping off the bumper on Monday to be painted.













 
#29 ·
I got my '08 Sports bumper painted at a local shop and it came out very nice. I purchased the bumper new from Manchester Subaru.

One of my peeves with the front bumper is that there is no license plate bracket available from the factory. As you know, the dealer just holds the plate up to the bumper and proceeds to run through screws right through it. There was no way I was going to do this with the new bumper!

After some research, I decided to do it this way. I purchased a plastic license plate mounting bracket from Amazon. This mounting bracket is the same dimensions as the license plate. I also purchased a smoked polycarbonate plate cover while I was at it too.

To complete the mounting plate installation, I picked up some rubber spacers from Autozone (actually, wiper motor bushings) and some nylon nuts, bolts and washers from Home Depot. This way, everything is corrosion proof - an important consideration here in New Hampshire.

Photo 1 below shows mounting bracket mounted to bumper cover:



Photo 2 below shows how the rubber spacers are used as stand offs between the bumper and plate bracket:



Photo 3 below shows the inside of the bumper with the nylon bolts and washers visable. The existing holes in the bumper are used:



Photo 4 below is a close up of the installed license plate bracket:



I plan on installing the new bumper late March/early April after they're done nuking the roads up here with salt and sand. I will no doubt get the clear protective film applied to the new bumper soon after its installed.
 
#31 ·
Thanks! I'm looking forward to getting the bumper (and Hella Rallye Compact 4000 DR lights) on, and getting the summer wheels/tires back on too. I will be doing a photo shoot of the car at that point since many of the photos in this thread are getting dated.

My Whiteline 22mm FSB showed up and I painted it today. That and the KB links may go on tomorrow.

Also sitting in my garage is a GMS turbo inlet and afterMAF hose. Maybe in a few weeks if I can catch a reasonably warm weekend I'll do that fun job.
 
#32 ·
Installed the Whiteline 22mm FSB and KB links today. Install was straight forward as expected with no unforeseen problems.

Between the heavier bar, polyurethane bushings and Kartboy links, the improvement is immediately noticeable. Turn-in is sharper and the front end feels tighter. It will be another month before I take the winter tires off, but I would say that the 22mm FSB is a good match for the 20mm STi RSB.

Overall, the current suspension and bracing mods feel just right for every day street use.
 
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