Subaru Crew - Modifications

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  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    You're supposed to relieve fuel pressure before working on anything in the fuel system. The service manual advocates the following:

    disconn negative terminal of battery
    open gas cap (woosh)
    access fuel tank via accessory hatch in floor of trunk
    disconn fuel pump

    When I removed my intake manifold I found that skipping the pump nonsense worked just fine.

    -Colin
  • seamus3seamus3 Member Posts: 98
    if only i were the average enthusiast. i put my springs on myself and that was a challenge at best. my parents a have a friend who runs a local garage, he's going to give me a price break.

    who makes a good set of non-stud winter tires. i have yokohama avids on now. i was thinking of buying a basic michelin winter tire.

    seamus
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Colin: I also skipped that step. Heck, I even skipped the "woosh"!

    seamus: read up a bit. Colin even shared photos of his winter tires.

    -juice
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    I should disconnect the battery then eh? How do I disconnect the fuel pump? I already bought the new fuel filter. Just too busy to work on it in the weekend. And mysteriously the hesitation is gone during the weekend. But it's back this morning.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Disconnect the battery. Fuel pump dead.

    Now unscrew the gas cap...fuel system mostly depressurized. Technically there could be some pressure left after the fuel regulator.

    -Colin
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Anyone know what the widest tire that will fit on a 15" forester steel rim is? I bought Juice's rims and now i'm trying to figure out which Khumos to put on them for my XT6 for auto-x. Also was thinking of some other performance on-road tires instead of the Kuhmos, and suggestions would be helpful.

    -mike
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Colin. I will get to that one day..... mabe this weekend.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    paisan: I can help a little. Specifically, the rims are 15"x6" with a 48mm offset and 100mm spacing.

    Tires state their full section width, not the width at the tread or at the rim. 6" is 152.4mm at the rim, but a 205mm section width tire fit fine, without the sidewalls bulging too much (as you saw when the tires were on).

    My guess is 225s would bulge out a bit, but 215s would be OK. Any other opinions?

    What was the stock tire size on the XT? We could figure out a proper Plus One that way.

    You don't want a bigger overall diameter if you're going racing, 'cause you lose gearing and end up with slower acceleration.

    I'm guessing 195/55VR15s would be pretty sweet, but even those may have too much diameter. Maybe 205/50VR15 would do.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Colin nailed it. That's the closest Plus One without going over in terms of diameter.

    It'll be just 0.1" smaller, and a negligable 0.6% speedo error.

    In reality, with less sidewall to deflect, it would be perfect. You'll have half inch more rim and half inch less sidewall, plus a wider, better performing tire.

    Make sure to get before/after photos! For steel rims those look pretty good.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I was thinking of the V700s, although i may go with a more of a street tire just so I can use em in the summer, not just on the auto-x. There will be before and after shots. First I have to fix the shocks :( (air-suspension is dead )

    -mike
  • ksheddkshedd Member Posts: 10
    Just recently purchased a 2001 OB, and it did not have the rear deflector.

    The dealer had told me they would install-it for $100. I believe cost is around $69-70.



    Also, does anybody have the heavy rubber mats from Subaru?

    thank you.
  • chriscoulterchriscoulter Member Posts: 17
    What is recommended as far as a set of cables for the snow now and then?
    And do you put them on the front only or all four wheels? Anyone with thoughts/experiences?

    Thanks in advance!

    Chris
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Chains? We don't need no stinking chains! That's why we got our Soobs. :-)

    -Frank P.
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Chris, make sure your car can use them before you get them. The owner's manual says "nope" for my '00 Legacy GT. It also says to put them on the front wheels only (for those models that can use them).

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Mike: let us know how you end up fixing/swapping out that suspension. Sounds like a really fun (albeit pricey) project. You may want to jump in on i Club if there is an XT or technical section.

    Kurt: $100 sounds reasonable. You have to drill holes in the sheetmetal, I think, so a good job is essential. $30 for labor is a bargain. You'd spend more on the tools to do it yourself.

    I've seen the rubber mats in a Forester (Dale's), and they are not a custom fit. They do have the Subaru logo, but any rubber mats from Pep Boys or Trak Auto would do as well for less.

    Chris: all four wheels, though you're not likely to ever need them. Consider a set of winter tires on steel rims if you live in the snow belt.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I think I am the expert on I-club on XT- XT6s!

    I spoke to Dale Teague and he is trying to get me the Loyal rear suspension (about $80/corner used) and the front takes Impreza or 2nd Gen Legacy suspension ($80/corner)

    It beats $300/corner for the airbags.

    -mike
  • ksheddkshedd Member Posts: 10
    It appears the price is o.k. to have installed, but is it worth the $100?

    thank you
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I didn't have one on my '83 Dodge Ramcharger SUV, and had a built in one on my '97 Rodeo and '00 Trooper and it does help. Well worth the $100.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    paisan: if there are standard suspension mounts, could you go to performance springs/struts? I dunno, KYBs or Tokico?

    Kurt: I don't have the deflector, so I can't tell you. Do you drive on dusty roads a lot? Farms? Gravel?

    My rear window gets really bad if I'm at an orchard, and in the winter when the roads are laden with snow. The aerodynamics are such that dirt get kicked up and cakes up the rear window. The rear wiper/washer are great, but then you get a part clean/part dirty window and have to wash it more often.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Problem is that you need the hardware from the used vehicles in order to mount the springs and struts onto the XT6 because there is no hardware there from old springs/struts because the air-bags were there. So you have to buy the used springs/struts/and mounting hardware, then I can get performance springs and struts to replace the used ones after the fact. So I'll likely get KYBs and performance springs for it sometime next summer, or perhaps at the same time. It's not a fun process...

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I hear you. I'd go with the $80 per corner set up, then see how that performs. The XT is light and that may be fine as-is.

    If you wanted to, you could even just use gas shocks and leave in the stock springs. You may not want a lower ride height.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yummy. The wife landed a short-term contract. She didn't want to go back full time.

    Maybe there's hope for a WRX after all. The trick is to get her to DRIVE one.

    -juice
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    giver her the Forester and "sacrifice" yourself with a WRX instead? ;-)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Now wouldn't THAT be sweet!

    "Honey, I care about your safety - and Forester aced the crash tests!"

    "But why a new WRX then?"

    "Well, that's in case we need to get the baby to the hospital VERY quickly, of course!"

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice,

    Good to hear that the WRX is in the horizon again. Just wait till you see the video!

    Ken
  • alingaling Member Posts: 598
    A couple of Euro the M-class mailing list memebers have tried out the Phillips in their MCC Smarts and have reported that the bulbs are indeed worthwhile over the stock Hella bulbs. They also seem to be slightly whiter in addition to being brighter than the Hella Premiums.

    Did you pick up any kewl accessories for your Forester or Jetta while you were in Japan? Is your brother getting the VDC after all?

    Drew/aling
    Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Hello,
    Just did my fuel filter install tonight. It was a 5 minute job. Very easy. Well I used golf tee. But still spilled some gas on my hands. Had the batery disconnected prior to that. Anyhow the gas spill was minor. Car now drives very nice. Ohhh how I miss the oomph it used to have. Will find out if this is the solution to my stupid hesitation problem. Wish there is a way I can dissect the old filter.... Would like to see what sort of gunk is in it.
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Juicewoman : "honey I need to go pick up some eggs and milk'"

    Juice : "Lemme go! Lemme go! I can do it faster....err... I meant in a more efficient time management. Yeah that's right!"
  • chriscoulterchriscoulter Member Posts: 17
    OK, thanks for the advice folks. Especially to read the manual...which states: "CAUTION - Tire chains cannot be used on P205/55R16 tires for GT models and P225/60R16 tires for OUTBACK models because of lack of clearance between the tires and body."

    Of course, chains may be required even on 4wd vehicles and the manual continues, requiring front-wheel only application and recommending a max speed of 19MPH.

    Hmmm...carry them with me and put them on my 2K OB when asked, then drive just 'till out of sight of the officers, then take them off?

    Tomorrow I'll try the cable slippers I already own (miraculously the same size) on "Ruby" and see just how bad they pinch. Will report.

    chris out
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Chris, please do let us know how they fit.

    Are you in CA? I did a big chunk of research on chains when I was there because I anticipated possibly needing to navigate Donner Pass in the snow. What I learned was that there are three levels of road conditions; the first two are covered by having AWD, tires with and M+S rating, and chains in the trunk. The third level is where they close the roads to all vehicles!

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    DOH! Hellas were one-upped!

    Hmm, maybe the Hellas will fit in the wife's car, and I can get the...

    ramon: I don't get it, why do you think you've lost power?

    chris: certain chains are very low profile and may actually fit. You have about 1/2" to 3/4" clearance for them, I believe.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Nope. The 626 takes H3/H1 bulbs.

    My Miata has the older type where you replace the entire assembly. Compared to the Forester they're LAME.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    You are lucky on the Miata...

    Go to Susquehana motorsports and get yourself the replacement sealed beam bulbs that have the european reflectors. I did that on the XT6 and they are like night and day (also upgraded to the 80/100 watt H4 bulbs!) Well worth the $.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Susquehana sounds good. I misplaced that URL, anyone have it handy?

    -juice
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    hesitations. It sux. Really. From a stand still, you launch. No power. Feels like there's only 50% power delivered. Thne pass 2500rpm, womp! the remainder arrives. It sux ok. When i had hesitations, even old SUVs ate me to the other side of the lights. =( Yup....
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    BTW, Hella stopped selling the Optilux bulbs due to problems with them. They are coming out with a new model so hopefully they'll be even better than the Phillips ones.

    http://catalog.com/susq/index.htm

    is the url for ken over @ susquehanna

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    ramon: could it be a lack of back pressure? But you've had the Borla for a while now, right?

    paisan: thanks. Time to go shopping. I need a replacement power antennae too.

    Maybe someone upstairs is trying to tell me something. Subaru Crew chief gets a Miata, and in the first month of ownership the garage gate at work goes down too early and whacks me in the head so hard I bit my tongue! Bent the antennae and it won't retract, too.

    Now I need estimates for their insurance to pay me. Whatever the amount, it ain't enough! Ouch!

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Who can arrange for your damages to be slightly exaggerated, you know, tony down at the body shop... wink wink, nudge nudge!

    -mike
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Yup.... all my mods were in for months before this hesitation came up. Not sure if I mentioned it. But just prior to all these, I ran my gas tank to empty. Gas light came on for a bit before I refilled it. So I might've sucked in some bottom gunk in the tank..... thus clogging the fuel filter. That's my theory. Anyhow I'll find out if it is true (dirty filter) in the next few days of driving.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thought about that, paisan, but the folks at the garage were very nice and apologetic. If they start giving me a hard time...

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Drew
    Yup, it seems like my experience with Vision Plus matches theirs. Definetly whiter and brighter. Unfortunatley, I didn't have a chance to get to any automotive goods store while I was in Japan. I'll be going again in two weeks so I'll try then.

    Chris
    You might be able to fit cable-type traction devices on the Legacys. The Shur-Grip Z from SCC is a low-clearance type.

    juice
    Bulb hand-me-downs! I think I'm getting the feeding order within your vehicles. :) The Vision Plus only come in H4 and H7, unfortunately.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I have to give the other Ken (from Susq) a call. Nothing on their web site looks like it'll fit a Miata.

    -juice
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    wdb -

    Which Soob tires are M+S? I don't believe the GT's RE92s are.

    bit
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    M+S doesn't mean much. They only look at the tread to give it that rating. No real-world tests are done, hence some M+S rated tires are lousy in snow.

    The wife had RE92s on her 626 and they were lousy, though I actually do think they get the M+S designation.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    That's what I thought, but I'm probably wrong.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm not sure how to define "all-weather". I guess the manufacturer determines that.

    -juice
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    The RE92s are... just looked. I know they aren't great winter tires but I do go to the Sierras in the winter and was wondering what my options are. I don't really want a second set of tires (or replace them yet after only 10k miles) and we really never need to travel when it is really bad. It's more an issue of it starts to snow and we hit the CHP chain up stop. As wdb posted I won't need to chain up but will need to carry chains even though I won't be able to use them on the GT....?

    Make sense? Not really.

    bit
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    bit,

    By law you're supposed to carry chains, BUT I've never come across a situation where they've actually pulled you over and checked.

    As you know, traffic slows down quite a bit when chain controls are in place anyway so it's probably do-able with the RE92s.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    CHP is a lot more likely to pull over a GT and question you, vs. an Outback or Forester, which are better known. They may not even recognize a GT, much less know it has AWD.

    -juice
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    There are so many Legacys (in addition to Outbacks) up there that I am sure they will recognize the GT. My friends make it through the checkpoints with their older Legacys but I am not sure what tires they have.

    bit
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