How an engineer mods a Forester.....

FXTSPORTS08 · 04-20-2010, 06:23 PM

Ok guys here it is. I really need to start a Member's Journal. The mods are starting to pile up and so are the parts that are ready to go on! So here it goes....

What it looked like when it was at the dealer:

Bought it used with 23,000 miles on it in December 2009.

Pic From Latest Photo Shoot:

(The car has since been lowered a bit more!)

Interior/Gauges:
OEM Boost Gauge Installed
Innovate LC-1 Wideband
LCD Display Multi Gauge (Pics)
JDM Forester STi front and rear seats (Pics)
DVD/Nav in Factory JDM Nav Location
2007 STi Shifter Trim and Boot(Pics)
Custom Sequential Shift Light (Video Here)

Handling Mods:
'04 STi Struts
Prodrive Red Springs
Whiteline Com-C Front Strut Mounts
Group-N Rear Strut Mounts
'05 STi Rear Sway and Mounts
SPT Lateral Links with Spherical Bearings
Custom Rear Trunk Bracing: Strut Tower Bar, "V" Bars, and "X" Bars (Thread)
STi Front Control Arms
Saab 9-2X Aero Steering Rack

Wheels/Brakes:
2011 STi 18x8.5 Wheels (Info and Pics)
Custom 15mm Hubcentric Wheel Adapters
Dunlop SP Sport 600 245/40-18 Tires
WRX 4/2 Pot Brakes
Goodridge Stainless Lines
Hawk HPS Pads
STi Master Cylinder and Brake Booster
TiC Master Cylinder Brace

Engine/Power/Exhaust:
STi TMIC (Black Thermal Coating to Increase Heat Transfer)
Custom Hood Scoop Splitter (Pics!)
SPT Intake and Intake Heat Shield
SPT Turbo Heat Shield
Walbro Fuel Pump
Grimmspeed EBCS
Green Performance Filter (Pics and Info)
Air Pump Removal (Pics)
Moore Performance Stock Location Twin Scroll Header and Uppipe (Pics)
TD05H-18G Center Section
Custom Modified VF37 Exhaust Housing to accept the TD05H Turbine Wheel
Custom Moore Performance Divorce Twin Scroll Downpipe with 1" Steel Flange (Open Dump) (Pics)
Custom Moore Performance 3" Catback with SpinTech Muffler (Pics and Video)

Exterior:
Internal Aluminum Light Bar for MY03-08 Build Thread
JDM STi Hood Scoop
Front Grill 2.5XT Badge (Pics!)
Custom Carbotron Rear Bumper Trim (near exhaust) (In Progress Pics!)

Mods In Progress:
Moore Performance Prototype Battery Tie Down
Custom Intercooler Spray System (Temp Controlled Auto Mode)
OmniPower 3 Bar MAP Sensor
GM Intake Air Temp Sensor
Open Source Speed Density Tuning!

Planned Mods:
Trailing Arm Group N Bushings
Custom Skid Plates

Previous Mods:
Blouch TD05-16G Thermal Coated (8cm hot side and ported to match uppipe ID)
Moore Performance Prototype Equal Length Headers (Final Pics) (Install Pics)
Moore Performance Prototype 4-2-1 Up Pipe (Final Pics) (Install Pics)
2" Strut Top Spacers (Pictures and Drawings)

Other Projects In Progress:
2" Camber Correcting Strut Top Spacers for Lifted Foresters

Calculations and Other Information
Front Roll Center Calculations
Rear Roll Center Calculations
Scrub Radius Calculations
Ride Height Measurements for STI suspension and spacers: Link
Increasing Flow on Stock Injectors
Moore Performance Down Pipe (Pics!)

Awards and Recognition:
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix - 2nd in Modified Subaru (Pics)

Here are the great shops that have really helped me out along the way and made this build what it is so far!

LOTS more to come, stay tuned!
(Updated 6/07/2012)

The Black Box · 04-20-2010, 07:01 PM

How refreshing! An intelligent approach. Guessing your not going with the aggressive dubs? LOL.

2.5x_sleeper · 04-20-2010, 07:08 PM

Nice start to your Member Journal & I'll be looking forward watching your progress.

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

TonW07 · 04-20-2010, 08:30 PM

Very sweet ride fxtsports08! Love that light bar you made. Good work. Excited to see whats to come!

fourortwowheels · 04-20-2010, 08:31 PM

nice foz! i think you would be happier w/ an hta68 over the 16g though!

Tuned200 · 04-20-2010, 08:34 PM

Question. You have 04 sti suspension and 2" spacers? Wouldn't that give you a near stock to maybe 1" lower than stock height?

Just asking. Nice journal so far. And nice builds.

Duderotomy · 04-21-2010, 05:48 AM

Nice write-up.
I'm guessing mechanical engineer? I'm civil myself...

I really like your light setup, thinking I may do that myself someday soon.

FXTSPORTS08 · 04-21-2010, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuned200

Question. You have 04 sti suspension and 2" spacers? Wouldn't that give you a near stock to maybe 1" lower than stock height?

Just asking. Nice journal so far. And nice builds.

The reason for going back closer to stock height is for one, its a Forester, and I still want it to go through the snow and do all that.

Second and more important reason, if you look at my roll center calcs the 2" spacers actually reduce body roll, not increase it like most people would think!

As the Forester gets lowered the roll center height drops faster then the center of gravity does. This means that the roll moment gets higher, not lower when you lower the car. Most people don't realize this because when they lower their car they also increase spring rates which in turn has a net result of less body roll.

FXTSPORTS08 · 04-21-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duderotomy

Nice write-up.
I'm guessing mechanical engineer? I'm civil myself...

I really like your light setup, thinking I may do that myself someday soon.

Yeah I am an ME. I do custom tooling design and fabrication everyday for my job so making these custom car parts is no problem for me :)

FXTSPORTS08 · 04-21-2010, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourortwowheels

nice foz! i think you would be happier w/ an hta68 over the 16g though!

I got a really sweet deal on a 16G that was port and polished as well as thermal coated by a very reputable shop. I will hopefully be picking it up this weekend.

Tuned200 · 04-21-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FXTSPORTS08

The reason for going back closer to stock height is for one, its a Forester, and I still want it to go through the snow and do all that.

Second and more important reason, if you look at my roll center calcs the 2" spacers actually reduce body roll, not increase it like most people would think!

As the Forester gets lowered the roll center height drops faster then the center of gravity does. This means that the roll moment gets higher, not lower when you lower the car. Most people don't realize this because when they lower their car they also increase spring rates which in turn has a net result of less body roll.

A good friend runs a dirt car and we have discussed this topic many times. I agree that I think my car handles better on higher swifts than it did on wrx take offs.

Thanks for sharing the info. Good journal so far.

FXTSPORTS08 · 04-25-2010, 08:34 AM

Here is a shot of what my Forester currently looks like, the new STi scoop, some hella 500FF's and supertones peeking through the grill. Oh, and its a Forester so roof rack and basket!

mmowry · 04-25-2010, 09:52 AM

Very nice journal, I'll be following closely!

BTW, glad you didnt forget that we get snow in these parts!

FXTSPORTS08 · 05-28-2010, 10:12 PM

In the middle of doing my suspension mods! Calling it quits for the night. Got the front STI struts and springs on with the 2" lift. Got the rear all apart and about to go back together with the SPT lateral links, STI sway and Kartboy locking kit.

Here are some pics of what it looks like tonight when it got dark:

Sorting out all the suspension bits:

FXTSPORTS08 · 05-29-2010, 03:30 PM

The suspension is on the car and I just got back from the first drive! It handles sooooo much better now but is still easily a daily driver. The ride height only dropped about 1/2" front and back so it really isn't noticable. Its perfect!

04-20-2010, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
FXTSPORTS08 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,297 Location: Pittsburgh Car Year: 2008 Car Model: Forester XT Sports Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 12 reviews	How an engineer mods a Forester..... Ok guys here it is. I really need to start a Member's Journal. The mods are starting to pile up and so are the parts that are ready to go on! So here it goes.... What it looked like when it was at the dealer: Bought it used with 23,000 miles on it in December 2009. Pic From Latest Photo Shoot: (The car has since been lowered a bit more!) Interior/Gauges: OEM Boost Gauge Installed Innovate LC-1 Wideband LCD Display Multi Gauge (Pics) JDM Forester STi front and rear seats (Pics) DVD/Nav in Factory JDM Nav Location 2007 STi Shifter Trim and Boot(Pics) Custom Sequential Shift Light (Video Here) Handling Mods: '04 STi Struts Prodrive Red Springs Whiteline Com-C Front Strut Mounts Group-N Rear Strut Mounts '05 STi Rear Sway and Mounts SPT Lateral Links with Spherical Bearings Custom Rear Trunk Bracing: Strut Tower Bar, "V" Bars, and "X" Bars (Thread) STi Front Control Arms Saab 9-2X Aero Steering Rack Wheels/Brakes: 2011 STi 18x8.5 Wheels (Info and Pics) Custom 15mm Hubcentric Wheel Adapters Dunlop SP Sport 600 245/40-18 Tires WRX 4/2 Pot Brakes Goodridge Stainless Lines Hawk HPS Pads STi Master Cylinder and Brake Booster TiC Master Cylinder Brace Engine/Power/Exhaust: STi TMIC (Black Thermal Coating to Increase Heat Transfer) Custom Hood Scoop Splitter (Pics!) SPT Intake and Intake Heat Shield SPT Turbo Heat Shield Walbro Fuel Pump Grimmspeed EBCS Green Performance Filter (Pics and Info) Air Pump Removal (Pics) Moore Performance Stock Location Twin Scroll Header and Uppipe (Pics) TD05H-18G Center Section Custom Modified VF37 Exhaust Housing to accept the TD05H Turbine Wheel Custom Moore Performance Divorce Twin Scroll Downpipe with 1" Steel Flange (Open Dump) (Pics) Custom Moore Performance 3" Catback with SpinTech Muffler (Pics and Video) Exterior: Internal Aluminum Light Bar for MY03-08 Build Thread JDM STi Hood Scoop Front Grill 2.5XT Badge (Pics!) Custom Carbotron Rear Bumper Trim (near exhaust) (In Progress Pics!) Mods In Progress: Moore Performance Prototype Battery Tie Down Custom Intercooler Spray System (Temp Controlled Auto Mode) OmniPower 3 Bar MAP Sensor GM Intake Air Temp Sensor Open Source Speed Density Tuning! Planned Mods: Trailing Arm Group N Bushings Custom Skid Plates Previous Mods: Blouch TD05-16G Thermal Coated (8cm hot side and ported to match uppipe ID) Moore Performance Prototype Equal Length Headers (Final Pics) (Install Pics) Moore Performance Prototype 4-2-1 Up Pipe (Final Pics) (Install Pics) 2" Strut Top Spacers (Pictures and Drawings) Other Projects In Progress: 2" Camber Correcting Strut Top Spacers for Lifted Foresters Calculations and Other Information Front Roll Center Calculations Rear Roll Center Calculations Scrub Radius Calculations Ride Height Measurements for STI suspension and spacers: Link Increasing Flow on Stock Injectors Moore Performance Down Pipe (Pics!) Awards and Recognition: Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix - 2nd in Modified Subaru (Pics) Here are the great shops that have really helped me out along the way and made this build what it is so far! LOTS more to come, stay tuned! (Updated 6/07/2012) __________________ DGM '08 XT Sports 5MT Check out my Journal! Last edited by FXTSPORTS08; 09-13-2012 at 06:51 PM.

04-20-2010, 07:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Black Box Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,219 Location: Los Angeles Car Year: '09 Car Model: STI Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	How refreshing! An intelligent approach. Guessing your not going with the aggressive dubs? LOL. __________________ '09 STI

04-20-2010, 07:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
2.5x_sleeper has awakened! Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 17,302 Location: Newberg, OR Car Year: 2007 Car Model: Forester Sports XT Transmission: 4EAT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 36 reviews	Nice start to your Member Journal & I'll be looking forward watching your progress. Bobby... ['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal] __________________ '07 FSXT - COBB Surgeline dyno Protune - Stage 1+ '03 X +AVO turbo kit = XT (son's) '95 Neon Sport

04-20-2010, 08:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
TonW07 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 90 Location: South Dakota Car Year: 2004 Car Model: Forester X Transmission: Automatic Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Very sweet ride fxtsports08! Love that light bar you made. Good work. Excited to see whats to come! __________________ -Tony 2004 Forester X A/T

04-20-2010, 08:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tuned200 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 20,401 Location: Florence, KY Car Year: 2006 Car Model: Forester XT Transmission: 5 Speed Gallery: 2 Feedback Score: 55 reviews	Question. You have 04 sti suspension and 2" spacers? Wouldn't that give you a near stock to maybe 1" lower than stock height? Just asking. Nice journal so far. And nice builds. __________________ 2007 Forester XT - The Gray Goose 2006 Forester XT - Blu-Blur 2010 Forester X - SOLD-The Green Goblin

04-20-2010, 08:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
fourortwowheels Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,130 Location: Long Island, NY Car Year: 2008 Car Model: FSXT Transmission: M/T Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 13 reviews	nice foz! i think you would be happier w/ an hta68 over the 16g though!

04-21-2010, 05:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Duderotomy ɹoʇɐɹǝpoɯ ɹǝdns Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 16,370 Location: Tim Horton's Car Year: 2007 Car Model: Sports 2.5XT Limited Transmission: 5MT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 16 reviews	Nice write-up. I'm guessing mechanical engineer? I'm civil myself... I really like your light setup, thinking I may do that myself someday soon. __________________ 07 XT - VF43'd 02 S 03 Outback H6 98 S - H6/Ver.8 swap 90 Nissan Skyline GTS-t

04-25-2010, 08:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
FXTSPORTS08 Forum Member Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,297 Location: Pittsburgh Car Year: 2008 Car Model: Forester XT Sports Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Here is a shot of what my Forester currently looks like, the new STi scoop, some hella 500FF's and supertones peeking through the grill. Oh, and its a Forester so roof rack and basket! __________________ DGM '08 XT Sports 5MT Check out my Journal!

04-25-2010, 09:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
mmowry Walkin by Faith Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 190 Location: Pa Car Year: 2004 Car Model: Forester XT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 4 reviews	Very nice journal, I'll be following closely! BTW, glad you didnt forget that we get snow in these parts! __________________ 04FXT 5MT EVO III 16G Java Black Pearl

05-28-2010, 10:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
FXTSPORTS08 Forum Member Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,297 Location: Pittsburgh Car Year: 2008 Car Model: Forester XT Sports Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 12 reviews	In the middle of doing my suspension mods! Calling it quits for the night. Got the front STI struts and springs on with the 2" lift. Got the rear all apart and about to go back together with the SPT lateral links, STI sway and Kartboy locking kit. Here are some pics of what it looks like tonight when it got dark: Sorting out all the suspension bits: __________________ DGM '08 XT Sports 5MT Check out my Journal!

05-29-2010, 03:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
FXTSPORTS08 Forum Member Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,297 Location: Pittsburgh Car Year: 2008 Car Model: Forester XT Sports Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 12 reviews	The suspension is on the car and I just got back from the first drive! It handles sooooo much better now but is still easily a daily driver. The ride height only dropped about 1/2" front and back so it really isn't noticable. Its perfect! __________________ DGM '08 XT Sports 5MT Check out my Journal!

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