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Mike's 02 SF

('01-'02) 
76K views 467 replies 47 participants last post by  02foresterL 
#1 · (Edited)
So I've been on here for almost a year now, never made one of these and definitely should have. I used the rainy day today to track down dates and info on all the things I've bought/done to the car and decided to start one of these. More to come.

Bought the car May 14th, 2011. 2002 Forester L AT with 44k for $8800, and it was soooo clean. Came to about 11k with everything else and a 50k mile warranty. Loved it, I remember there was a problem with the hood latch when I first got it and the plastic panel on the driver door was popped out, the dealership fixed both things the next day.



I'll start with the small things I don't have logged anywhere. Lamin-X yellow vinyl for the fogs, mud flaps, painted stock grille black and grabbed a new subaru badge off an old legacy at the junkyard. Tint sometime early this year, Subaru all weather floor mats, LED interior lights(domes/reading lights), SF.org red N/A vinyl badge, debadged L/AWD and both FORESTER badges on the side, DIY PVC 3" cold air, toggle switch to run parking lights and fogs without headlights, etc etc

Both head gaskets done March 2012 @ 72,593 miles
02 WRX wagon takeoffs bought w/45k 8-21-11
02 WRX SPT front lowering springs bought new 9-2-11
215/45 Continental Extreme Contact DWS Tires @ 85,5xx miles

Ride height was pretty even and suspension is the same right now. Plan on doing coils, still debating on which route to take.

Sport Edition CD 17x7.5 +48 w/ Michelin Primacy Alpin 225-55/17 w/3.5k miles put on 9-5-11.


Bought a BNIB US spoiler November last year but got around to installing it maybe two months ago.




Hella Supertones February 2012.



JDM Grille & Clear Corners June 2012.



The above picture is the most up to date picture I have, I have a bunch but don't want to flood the first post. I'll make sure to log everything from here on out with pictures.

My plan from here is to go lower and wider. Not going to bother swapping the auto to manual so no performance mods. So basically, coils, wheels, sway & tower bars.
 
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#363 ·
Got a three day weekend break from work, and it was much needed. We just paved an entire parking lot this past week and man am I sore. Decided to replace my fuel filter today because it hasn't been done Since I've owned the car. I poured out what was inside of it from the in port and the gas seemed really clear still. Also cleared my CEL, again, of my p0420 from the uel headers. I bought an o2 sensor spacer but it's a straight one and I need one with a 90 degree bend.

One thing I've noticed for a while but never though anything of, when inside my car while driving with windows up and no radio, I can hear some kind of liquid flowing behind my dash. Sounds like it's pouring around. Any idea what this is and if it's normal? My assumption is that it's coolant but I could be wrong.


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#369 ·
As long as it's nothing to worry about I can live with it.

Thanks man, I've been wanting to do something different but I'm on a tight budget. Even tighter as of this weekend. Just found out out youngest cat has tapeworms and fleas which means both cats and the dog probably does too. I need to find a better job here but I live in such a remote county. Any good job will be an hour plus commute.


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#370 · (Edited)
So I got underneath my car today to make sure all of my header bolts were tight and found a nice deposit of oil on my filter, sway bar, crossmember and a few other things. The pipe of the header closest to the engine is touching the oil filter and I assume burnt through it and is causing a small oil leak. I was about a quart low when I checked my oil. I've been doing some research and it seems my choices now are to get a smaller filter or get an oil filter relocation kit. Seems like the cheaper route is using a different filter but I kind of like the idea of relocating the filter in the bay somewhere for easier access. Been going through a few threads on here and it seems I can use a 2009 Mazda RX8 oil filter or there's a few different brands that are smaller. My question is, what would you guys suggest? Different filter or relocation kit? I have to go under my car regardless to open the drain valve to let the oil out when changing oil so it's not that big of a deal if I have to go the route of a different filter. If you could give the best possible smaller filter to use, that would be great. The only downside I see to using a different filter that is smaller is that the headers are still going to be very close to it and I've been told you don't want excessive heat on the filter. I think I left my packet of exhaust heat wrap at home in PA so I'd have to buy another one if the smaller filter allows that much clearance.

Pipe Water Auto part Electric blue Gas


Auto part Fuel line Suspension Engine Suspension part


And to add to the fun, my front driver side axle is leaking grease on the diff side and the last time I tried taking it out, it was frozen in my hub. Not to mention I'm now over 105k and need to get the timing belt done asap. Anyone want to take a vacation to the part of Florida that Jeepers Creepers was filmed to help me with the timing belt? :biggrin:

Link to http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f113/oil-filter-discussion-tokyo-roki-replacement-97604/oil filter thread
 
#377 ·
Just got back from Advanced Auto. Looked at their book of filters and pulled everyone for my car off the shelf to see which was the smallest. Mobil 1 M1-108 was the smallest out of all the ones they had in stock. I bought it and some oil only to get home to find out it's the same exact size as the Subaru blue filter. Gona go back tomorrow with my Subaru filter and see if I can find one that's thinner in diameter. Maybe look at some 09 RX8 filters as well. If anyone has any input I'd greatly appreciate it.


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#382 ·
Yeah, and the Subaru filter is already really small.


Only way to find out is to visually compare the RX8 filter next to the napa gold and subaru OEM filter I'm sure a picture or two could help clear up a lot of questions people have about the filter clearance and such.
Hopefully the Mazda oem filters are about the same size as aftermarket ones. Seems like my choices are put the stock headers back on or do a relocation kit.
 
#394 ·
I'm gona take a torch to it and just dent it enough to make room for heat wrap to be applied and there still be a gap. Hopefully it doesn't interfere with air flow.

On another note, bought a new cabin air filter and Subaru A/C cleaning kit today and cleaned out my AC system. Moldy smell went away instantly and the chemical smell is very faint after running the car a bit with all of the doors and back hatch open.


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#404 ·
I sprayed PB Blaster on it and let it soak for a few minutes then just put a 22mm wrench on it and pulled as hard as I could. Came off easier than I expected.

And what did you use to extend it out so far?
18mm spark plug non foulers. You can get them at any auto parts store. Comes with two pieces. Drill the center of one out with a 1/2" bit, put the O2 sensor in that one then put the undrilled one on and screw it back into the exhaust. I used anti seize on the threads just in case I ever want to take it out.




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