Simple mods for a Forester XT??
03-17-2005, 10:27 AM
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fair Hill, Maryland
Posts: 25
Car Info: 05 Forester XT 5 speed
Simple mods for a Forester XT??
Hey guys, I'm looking for the best simple mods to do to this car while keeping it 100% legal. It's my daily driver, so I want to keep it mild. Low 13's to high 12's are fine with me. Reliability is my number one factor. I've already checked out Cobb tuning and may purchase one of their cat back kits. I've heard that with just a CAI and a good catback, I should be hitting low 13's. Any advice is certainly welcome. Thanks!!
edit: d'oh!!! sorry for the wrong forum thing.
edit: d'oh!!! sorry for the wrong forum thing.
Last edited by bluedevil; 03-17-2005 at 10:44 AM.
03-17-2005, 11:39 AM
#3
You don't really need a CAI. Try a drop-in filter (probably the Green), Uppipe, Turboback exhaust, and good engine management. You may not realize it, but putting a good, firm suspension helps with times too. I swapped a WRX suspension onto my FXT and lost an average of .3 seconds on my 1/4 mile runs.
03-17-2005, 11:45 AM
#4
Or, you can do what some have done and swap the turbo, injectors, ECU, and TMIC from an STi and mod it like you would an STi.
As far as handling goes, keep in mind, anything you can do to an '04 STi, you can do to the FXT. Pretty much all mods/parts bolt right up. The cheapest mod with the biggest difference on handling is the STi rear sway bar swap. It will replace your puny Forester unit and reduce body roll a lot. Also, upgrade from our crappy Yokohama Geolandars to something stickier and better.
As far as handling goes, keep in mind, anything you can do to an '04 STi, you can do to the FXT. Pretty much all mods/parts bolt right up. The cheapest mod with the biggest difference on handling is the STi rear sway bar swap. It will replace your puny Forester unit and reduce body roll a lot. Also, upgrade from our crappy Yokohama Geolandars to something stickier and better.
03-17-2005, 12:12 PM
#5
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fair Hill, Maryland
Posts: 25
Car Info: 05 Forester XT 5 speed
thanks guys. the suspension thing is kind of iffy, i want to retain the ground clearance, but i may do the swaybars. i've pondered the sti stock parts upgrade, maybe i'll look into that.
03-17-2005, 12:16 PM
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fair Hill, Maryland
Posts: 25
Car Info: 05 Forester XT 5 speed
ok, so i'll do a replacement panel filter. what about removing the air silencer? will this hurt gas mileage at all or is it even worth the effort?
03-17-2005, 12:35 PM
#7
The silencer delete has no bad effect on gas mileage. In fact, I got my best mileage w/out the silencer. Your turbo will spool a bit earlier (not dramatically earlier, but just a bit) and you will be able to hear it better. Also, you will be able to hear your recirculation valve go off between shifts (kind of like a BOV, but quieter).
About your suspension. If you do value your ground clearance, then just do the sway bars and all the necessary mods that go with it (endlinks, mounts, etc.). Or, if you want, swap in the JDM Forester STi pink springs. It will barely lower your XT, while offering a firmer ride. The spring rates are also matched for the OEM Forester struts so you won't have to worry about blowing your struts.
For more help with your FXT, i recommend checking out subaruforester.com . The knowledge there on Foresters is pretty extensive.
About your suspension. If you do value your ground clearance, then just do the sway bars and all the necessary mods that go with it (endlinks, mounts, etc.). Or, if you want, swap in the JDM Forester STi pink springs. It will barely lower your XT, while offering a firmer ride. The spring rates are also matched for the OEM Forester struts so you won't have to worry about blowing your struts.
For more help with your FXT, i recommend checking out subaruforester.com . The knowledge there on Foresters is pretty extensive.
03-17-2005, 12:46 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fair Hill, Maryland
Posts: 25
Car Info: 05 Forester XT 5 speed
Originally Posted by sneezerboi
The silencer delete has no bad effect on gas mileage. In fact, I got my best mileage w/out the silencer. Your turbo will spool a bit earlier (not dramatically earlier, but just a bit) and you will be able to hear it better. Also, you will be able to hear your recirculation valve go off between shifts (kind of like a BOV, but quieter).
About your suspension. If you do value your ground clearance, then just do the sway bars and all the necessary mods that go with it (endlinks, mounts, etc.). Or, if you want, swap in the JDM Forester STi pink springs. It will barely lower your XT, while offering a firmer ride. The spring rates are also matched for the OEM Forester struts so you won't have to worry about blowing your struts.
For more help with your FXT, i recommend checking out subaruforester.com . The knowledge there on Foresters is pretty extensive.
About your suspension. If you do value your ground clearance, then just do the sway bars and all the necessary mods that go with it (endlinks, mounts, etc.). Or, if you want, swap in the JDM Forester STi pink springs. It will barely lower your XT, while offering a firmer ride. The spring rates are also matched for the OEM Forester struts so you won't have to worry about blowing your struts.
For more help with your FXT, i recommend checking out subaruforester.com . The knowledge there on Foresters is pretty extensive.
should i buy the "delete kit" i've seen (just an elbow it looks like) or just yank it all out?
03-17-2005, 07:13 PM
#15
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Car Info: '98/'04 Foresters (S & XT)
Umm...
BAN SUVS...
The intake is different on the Forester, and the elbow will do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for it but bring in more hot air. The Forester intake is behind the passenger headlight, not behind the grille.
www.subaruforester.com
site admin
The intake is different on the Forester, and the elbow will do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for it but bring in more hot air. The Forester intake is behind the passenger headlight, not behind the grille.
www.subaruforester.com
site admin