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2007 - X Premium - Low power on my Forester, but maybe I'm a dummy?

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LightlyDim

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2007 Forester X MT
Joined
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6 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Vehicle Details:
2007 Subaru Forester
Transmission:
Manual
Location:
Ohio
Hello. I recently got a 2007 Forester base X, manual. I put new tires, flywheel (subaru), clutch (subaru), rear left hub and bearings, plugs, air filter. It seems to not want to drive like my 2007 corolla manual, my 82 mercedes 200 manual, and 1996 civic basic manaul. Obviously I wasn't expecting it to run like my 2004 WRX. Is it a subaru thing, or do I need to look at other issues?
Each one of my manual cars felt (or currently feels) great in first and second. This Forester seems hesitant in first or second. The HP specs are similar to the corolla and much better than the mercedes, but I can't figure out what might be wrong. I don't think there's any way it would be this way originally. I did an extensive search on your site and couldn't find any similar threads. Thanks for reading.
 
owns 2007 Subaru Forester Base
Manual Transmission, new Subaru clutch and flywheel.
#5 ·
LightlyDim said:
None of them stutter like this.
Click to expand...
You didn't give an indication of fault in your original post.

The Subaru engine is a "short stroke" or "oversquare" type engine. I don't know about your other cars. If you can't find the torque curve on them, check out the bore and stroke numbers. I imagine the Jeep has an undersquare engine. I have no idea what Honda does. I remember a fellow wanted to increase low end torque on his beach going Subaru by opening up the exhaust. The limiting factor is not something like an exhaust restriction, it's in the inherent design of the engine.

I'm not recommending that you drop the clutch but I will say go ahead and bring your engine up to 2500 rpm for shifts. You'll feel the difference. I'd have to look at your gear ratios to give a better answer. Another fellow was dissatisfied and confused with the lack of power in his automatic transmission equipped car. All I can say is wind it up, that's the way it's made.

I consider this to be the most gutless car I have ever owned. :)
 
#6 ·
LightlyDim said:
@donkpow None of them stutter like this.
Click to expand...
Can you describe the stutter in detail? I don't think your engine is running right.
My 2008 is hobbled by a slow-processing 4-speed automatic, but is very quick off the line because of sudden throttle tip-in, and very responsive around town if I leave it 3rd gear.
 
#7 ·
@LightlyDim As an ex-honda Civic 1992 owner, auto. I consider my 2001 Forester auto to be substantially more powerful. Powerful enough to pull a 3300lb trailer. But like mentioned above the engine is a big bore, short stroke engine. Similar to the Honda Civic. However, note that this is a very heavy vehicle. And the AWD system hides this power. I on purpose plugged in my FWD fuse and drove it around, WOW. It felt like a rocket off the line. Pull the FWD fuse and it's drives like a regular Subaru. I have to wonder if you're used to driving FWD vehicles or non-AWD vehicles.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
donkpow said:
You didn't give an indication of fault in your original post.

The Subaru engine is a "short stroke" or "oversquare" type engine. I don't know about your other cars. If you can't find the torque curve on them, check out the bore and stroke numbers. I imagine the Jeep has an undersquare engine. I have no idea what Honda does. I remember a fellow wanted to increase low end torque on his beach going Subaru by opening up the exhaust. The limiting factor is not something like an exhaust restriction, it's in the inherent design of the engine.

I'm not recommending that you drop the clutch but I will say go ahead and bring your engine up to 2500 rpm for shifts. You'll feel the difference. I'd have to look at your gear ratios to give a better answer. Another fellow was dissatisfied and confused with the lack of power in his automatic transmission equipped car. All I can say is wind it up, that's the way it's made.

I consider this to be the most gutless car I have ever owned. :)
Click to expand...
I agree that it feels gutless, but I don't really speed around in this car. I think my expectations were that it would have some torque when I'm at a stop and on flat ground so that I didn't need to put on the gas as hard as I did in my previous subaru (2004) and other manuals. I find it feels on the brink of stalling unless I give it a good 1200-1500 rpm from a standstill in first. I'm wondering if I'm just being a wuss and need to drive it more aggressively. I'm happy with the power for what it is in all of the other gears though. Thanks for the response.
bman400 said:
@LightlyDim As an ex-honda Civic 1992 owner, auto. I consider my 2001 Forester auto to be substantially more powerful. Powerful enough to pull a 3300lb trailer. But like mentioned above the engine is a big bore, short stroke engine. Similar to the Honda Civic. However, note that this is a very heavy vehicle. And the AWD system hides this power. I on purpose plugged in my FWD fuse and drove it around, WOW. It felt like a rocket off the line. Pull the FWD fuse and it's drives like a regular Subaru. I have to wonder if you're used to driving FWD vehicles or non-AWD vehicles.
Click to expand...
Can you help me out with a link or tutorial for pulling the FWD fuse? I'm used to driving a RWD 333hp automatic Genesis and a RWD automatic Frontier mostly. And thanks for the feedback. This forum has been very helpful.
 
#10 ·
I don't believe you can pull a fuse and force the manual Forester into FWD only. You can never drive it in RWD or FWD.
It's AWD all the time.
It's a short stroking motor and you should be shifting around 4,000 RPM.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
trailangel said:
I don't believe you can pull a fuse and force the manual Forester into FWD only. You can never drive it in RWD or FWD.
It's AWD all the time.
It's a short stroking motor and you should be shifting around 4,000 RPM.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I understood that the automatic will distribute based upon situations, but the manual was all time awd. I thought the other person was saying that I could do that with the manual, but obviously I misunderstood. Thanks!
 
#12 ·
LightlyDim said:
...

Can you help me out with a link or tutorial for pulling the FWD fuse? I'm used to driving a RWD 333hp automatic Genesis and a RWD automatic Frontier mostly. And thanks for the feedback. This forum has been very helpful.
Click to expand...
You have the MT - Manual Transmission, this FWD fuse does NOT exist in the MT. Only the AT-Automatic Transmission.
 
#14 ·
LightlyDim said:
Hah! Not yet, but I will tomorrow. Good advice. At least I can baseline it then. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Baseline. Please post the results. I'm interested.

Keep in mind that some websites say it is closer to or even over 10 seconds.
 
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donkpow
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