[konaid]

Alright,

After all the awesome posts and projects I have been reading, I figured I would start to keep track of some of my Forester work on here.

I got this car from my mom four years ago. It is a 2006 white Forester X premium package. It is a decent car, in pretty good shape.

I currently have about 179K on it. Just got the head gaskets, timing belt, radiator, etc. changed out. That was bad. Yuck.

I was about to just buy a new car, but after this work, I think I will keep her around for a while. I have a strange attachment to this car, and it is still in pretty good shape.

I have done a couple things over the years, but it is basically stock. I figured that since I am keeping it, I want to be a little more enthused about driving it. So I think I will mod it a bit. Nothing crazy, but I figured why not?

Currently it is stock. I have a rood rack with a small ski rack, currently on 16" Blizzak (LOVE THESE TIRES BTW). I have a small License plate bumper with some LEDs on it. Horrible lights, blind everyone. I will change those out soon. I want to replace the OG fog lights with some better focus and brightness, and maybe the Halo ring. Have to find some good ones. I have the factory rear spoiler that I am pretty sure does nothing at all, but looks cool. I need to do something with my stock headlights, but that will come later. Up here in AK, we will not need them in a few months, so that is a low priority.

I am about to put on a Magnaflow muffler so I can at least hear the beauty of the boxer EJ25 N/a. It is not a performer, but it's also not a total slow POS, so that will be fun. So far I am just going with a generic 4" double wall stainless tip, but i can always change it. I doubt i will see any increase in performance, but maybe a tiny bit. Most likely going to see a decrease in MPG haha.

Need to look into some suspension too. Nothing crazy, but it is a little loose.

I thought about intake, but i do not think there will be any gan in power, especially low end. Probably the opposite. Just going to get a high flow filter and call it good.

I am considering lightweight pulley, but for the cost, I seriously doubt i will see an increase in performance. Maybe.

I also desperately need a stereo. I can install one, but need to figure out what plug n play harness there is out there. Then what will fit in the hole. Maybe a couple hundred bucks? And it would be really nice if it had Apple Play. Any thoughts would be helpful.

That is all for now. I will try to get some pics when we have a nice weather day, and warmer. Been COLD lately.

Cheers and welcome to my crazy little project!

 

[Snow3d]

If you are looking for a new stereo your best bet is to start here first.... https://www.crutchfield.com

Go to the car audio tab. Enter the model and year of your car into their matrix and it will show you all that they have on offer for your car. More specifically only stuff that fits with no modifications. While not the end all in selection, and you'll pay full retail, but if you buy from them they include all the harnesses and bits that you need to do the job. They also throw in what usually amount to excellent instructions that are vehicle specific. On top of that they have some of the best customer service in the business should you need it.

Even if you don't end up buying from them you will at least know what you need.

Good luck!

 

[konaid]

Thanks a lot. That is a great bit of advice! I will have to check them out. I used to install some stereos about a decade ago, and i remember having the right stuff made a HUGE difference!

 

[konaid]

Ordered some fun parts online this week. Nothing too substantial, but I can't wait to show them off! (I know, the suspense is killing you guys. Admit it!)

Now if Amazon would actually ship stuff when I order it instead of waiting a week...

 

[konaid]

also... This caught my eye on Crutchfields site... VERY tempting: Pioneer AVH-1440NEX

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13014...0NEX.html?search=Pioneer_AVH-1440NEX&skipvs=T

 

[cbaumy34]

Too funny I am thinking about picking thus radio up in thr new future. It has some solid reviews.

Sent from my LM-Q710.FG using Tapatalk

 

[Superru]

I recently upgraded both of our Foresters with different model Pioneer AVH head units. They have been awesome.

 

[konaid]

I recently upgraded both of our Foresters with different model Pioneer AVH head units. They have been awesome.

Sweet! That is great to hear!

 

[konaid]

Alright. Update.

This weekend I was going to try to get the hood gas strut mod installed. I got as far as buying the aluminum angle for the fabricating the attach brackets. I decided to take them into work and get them made/measured there.

I did end up installing the LED map lights though. Took me forever to find them in the old junk drawer from the old house. Easy install and they look modern.

Exhaust tip showed up last night. For $20, it looks good enough, even if the logo is a little off. China?!?! Will upload pics of that when it gets put in. Exciting stuff.

I also just found out there are some parts for my car on Primitive racing! Oh boy... might have to get some other stuff soon.

 

[konaid]

Going to update some pics soon. It is so nice today!

Curious if anyone knows the shift knob thread size>???

#asking for a friend HAHAHA

 

[Superru]

Manual or 4EAT? They are different.

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

@konaid here you go. :wink:

Manual transmissions use M12x1.25 (same as the lug nuts)
Automatic transmissions use M10x1.25

Bobby...

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

 

[konaid]

@2.5x_sleeper You're the man Bobby! Thanks. I'll show ya what it is in a bit.
Side note: Any idea if the 06-08 MTs are the same for the N/A vs Turbo (short throw...)

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

I edited my previous post with the AT/MT thread differences. :wink:

Bobby...

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

 

[konaid]

Hood stuts and a cool filler cap!

Alright! Finally a little progress.

It has been cold and ****** lately. After about a week of gathering parts, making brackets (thankfully work has some tools I needed), and receiving packages from Amazon, I got something cool to post. (Finally)

It took me some time, some swearing, a little blood, and some patience to get this mod in. It is really quite simple, but I am glad it is done. I did the $50 DIY Hood Strut Kit. Being as I live in AK, it took me closer to 75 bucks. Good enough. I will try to post link later if anyone still wants to do this on a SG F. It was a fun project in the end. The tolerances were pretty tight. I almost cross-threaded a hood mounting screw (I really need to cool it on the power ratchet), and had to post-manufacture adjust (file) my mounts, but it works great! It's almost having a much newer car. And since I am postponing the new purchase, I am glad I am putting some money and time into the car.

The other small thing I did was get a Mishimoto Oil cap. Pardon the dirty engine bay, but it is AK, I just had a bunch of engine work done, and I have not had time to clean it. That will be a spring project.

If all goes well I will get the exhaust in this weekend. I should have pics of that soon... unfortunately I think my CAT is actually shot, so I will have to replace that sooner or later.

I always love the satisfaction of a completed project. Seems like it is far to rare these days.

Cheers

 

[konaid]

I need to get better at picture hosting. Might be time to get the ol photobucket account back up... here is the oil cap and final strut install.

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

@konaid if you want large images, easy to do, you can embed the attached images (links) into your post. :wink:

Bobby...

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

 

[konaid]

2.5 FX Magnaflow w/ 4" China Tip!

Alright!!! So I did a thing this weekend. It cost a little more all said and done, but I am happy. I go the 11255 Muffler (Magnaflow) and 4" tip welded on. The install was a lot quicker that I thought it would be, and in the end I "could" have just cut it off and welded it in. There was no need to bend and install pipe. Crazy. It still cost the same, but whatever. It is done.





As far as the sound: I remember now why I LOVE Magnaflow. Damn, such a good sound. I am pleased with the subtle deep tone. Being as it is an N/a engine, it could almost be louder, but for now I am happy. The higher end could be louder for sure, but for a daily driver... It is still a great ride without droning. I may do a high flow filter/aftermarket resonator down the road... maybe it could breathe a little more and add a tiny bit of sound.

The look: The 4" tip actually looks awesome. It fits the space well, and I am happy it worked out and wasn't too big. The tip I went with was a "Upower" cheap Chinese thing from Amazon, but it is supposedly stainless and double walled. I like that look. The logo was not centered right, but whatever. It is gonna be rubbed off eventually or dirty enough to not see.



The power! So I have ZERO data for this, but the car does feel to have a tiny bit of lower end power. Maybe it is the slightly less pressure having to accumulate before flowing out (original necked-down muffler design), or my car just feels less insecure about itself. Whatever the case may be, it seems like it has a "slight" bit more on the low end.

So now I am enjoying driving a bit more, and I would say that is the point. I want to enjoy driving my car again, and this is heading in the right direction. (I almost feel like I have a performance model now!)

 

[konaid]

Alright!

Another beautiful week up here in Alaska!



I am experimenting with some CATacleen. Supposedly it helps clean the cat a little and the fuel system. I say it's probably snake oil, but I figured I would give it a shot. I will update after a bit and see if it helps at all. Seems like the fuel trims and such were a little different. Hopefully it is gonna help.

I am still in love with my Magnaflow muffler setup. It sounds great! I am curious how it will be after it "breaks in". I have put about 350 miles since new with little change. Seems to sound a bit better after it warms up and the moisture goes away. It is a little black and sooty. Could be a bunch of things, but I will try not to worry too much.

I want to find a new front/rear badge. Subaru, or the i. Mine are getting old and look bad.

I also eventually want to upgrade headlights. Maybe something like https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/members/18043-duderotomy.html? Any ideas?

I also need to fix/ upgrade my suspension. Not sure what to do. I do not want to change the ride height. But i definitely want less roll, and an overall stiffer-better handling feel? I need suggestions. Maybe just a good set of struts and bushings will help?

That is all for now. Have to wait for next paycheck to really do much so planning it out now

 

[soobcrazy]

I would skip the lightweight crank pulley, long term they're not good for the engine because they remove the rubber dampening ring in the stock pulley, transmitting more whipping forces to the accessory drive system, clutch/TC and, most importantly, engine bearings.