Subaru Crew - Modifications

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Comments

  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    That's wot I did. I made sure the windows were untouched for aweek and a half.
    yes Tint King is quite prevalent here. So far it's been a year and nothing noticeable has happened. My friend did scrap a tiny chip off teh passenger side tint off. I've applied this chip coating on it. It's one of those stuff from nail polish. Never thot these nail polish would help me.....
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    If you guys haven't heard this, you need to.

    400kb wav:
    http://www.impreza-rs.com/download/borla1.wav

    700kb wav:
    http://www.impreza-rs.com/download/borla2.wav

    Sorry about the sound quality. That's yours truly sportin' the boxer sound!

    -Colin
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Previous posts have asked about leather in the 2001 Forester. My local dealer, Liberty Subaru in Libertyville, IL has a red model with grey leather. Cost of the add on is $1250. Thought this might be of interest.

    Don
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Aling1: Do you know of any site(s) that sell the Hella Xenon Globe bulbs. I've been looking but no luck. I've checked local resellers but they're not that LOCAL...if you know what I mean. I'm basically comparing $$$ between the Hella Xenon Globe and the PIAA Plasma Blue, I may even consider the C.B's if they're both out of my budget.
    Thanks again....
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Colin: sssschhhweeet! It resonates a lot more than stock, and particularly seems to bark out the revs, especially to begin with.

    Don: sounds like it may be aftermarket. Do you know if it is? Price is a little high, but they do have to make sure the heat still works, and the side airbags function.

    -juice
  • jurek2jurek2 Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for tinting info. I end up with Sun-Gard
    steel grey, high performance-metallized film
    professionally installed. It has manufacturer's registered lifetime warranty and scratch resistant hard coat.I used 35% shade for front doors (Less %
    is illegal in Ontario what I experienced when a cop stopped me 10 years ego) and 20% for back windows. It looks great !! I paid 200 + 15 for sun strip (+ tax). Looks like I "saved $150" so I can buy a case of ..... no beer, guys, easy....
    Amsoil syntetic oil !
    Jurek
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Juice,

    The leather interior of the red 2001 Forester sitting on the showroom floor at Liberty Subaru IS a dealer installed "option." Liberty has added leather to many of its Subarus and the shop which they use copies the Subaru look beautifully when installing leather on Legacys and non-leathered Outbacks. I had talked to them about "adding" leather to a titanium colored GT wagon. When I learned the H6 would not be available in the 2001 GT wagon, I gave up the idea.

    Thanks once again to you and to Mike for the wonderful job you do keeping all of us informed as well as passing along useful suggestions. It's appreciated.

    Don
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    You're welcome. And thank you Don for you're contributions, even if I don't care for the content of messages like <14.144</A>> ;) but I guess I shouldn't shoot the messenger, should I? Too bad you're so far away or I'd invite you to the MD meet (see Events >). Well, you're invited anyway but it's probably a "bit" far.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Don: technically that is aftermarket, even though the dealer arranged it. Sounds like the quality is up to OE standards, though. And it is great to have alternatives!

    -juice
  • tirebitertirebiter Member Posts: 2
    It is time for new rubber for our 98 S Forester. We put on about 15,000 miles a year. Here in Maine the roads are from hell; every year they heave with the frost, break up and leave craters to dive through. Looking for a M&S tire rated for 40,000 + miles and good handling characteristics. Any suggestions? Thanks, G. L. Tirebiter
  • dzartmandzartman Member Posts: 112
    Hey all hardcore Subaru performance fans (or those interested in the high-end parts)

    Zero Sports has a new site! The English side is not quite finished but now you can see prices for 2000 year Legacies (BH4 is the wagon, B4 the Turbo sedan) as well as Impreza AND Foresters. Really cool stuff.

    http://www.zerosports.co.jp/
  • dzartmandzartman Member Posts: 112
    http://home.att.net/~teaguesauto/
    (has a nice big photo of it)

    and

    http://autocaresubaru

    both list a Genuine Subaru Oil Cooler kit. It apparentlt comes stock on the Forester AT. But the fella at http://www.subaruparts.com said that the kit comes with no instructions. Has anyone put this device on, or know of a web site that has instructions? It seems like a good modification to make to any Subaru.
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Oil coolers can actually keep things TOO cool, especially in colder climates. I put one on a Mini Cooper many years ago and ended up shrouding it during the winter months so my oil temperature would not be too low. Still it was nice to have the extra oil capacity.

    Also make sure that what you think is an engine oil cooler on the Forester is not actually a transmission oil cooler. Virtually every AT vehicle has a transmission oil cooler of some kind and I have to assume that Subies are no different.

    Cheers,
    WDB
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    ...Well does ANYBODY know where I can buy the Hella Xenon Globes??? I haven't had much luck... thanks in advance.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    tirebiter: I'm still on my original 'stones, so let us know what you get.

    Personally, I'm switching to something more performance oriented, possibly even a Plus One with alloys. I'd leave the 15s for winter.

    -juice
  • lurker4lurker4 Member Posts: 19
    Who will Subaru market the North America turbo to? I'm assuming it will be limited to 230hp (a given), and will not be stripped of the soundproofing and other details that make some of the Euro/Pacific Rim turbos essentially streetable race cars. So, power to weight ratio will be sweet, but not AWESOME. Assuming styling will stop short of the winged, giant-driving-light-holed creature on the "new impreza" web page, but will be close to it(and please lose the Focus-style wheel arches). Without 280hp, will it still eat Corvettes or Z28s? M3's?

    What performance cars will it compete with?

    So who will buy this car? Impreza fans, speak up. Will it be plastered with decals by "boy-racers"? Dressed down as a sleeper by 40-somethings? Both? Neither? Something in between? And where do you think it should/will be priced?
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Dude, it's going to be the same turbo Impreza as what the rest of the world gets. Only a few markets get the JDM 280HP WRX STi... most get a 220HP version without the adjustable center diff, etc.

    This car will weigh the same, about 2850lb. In the UK it goes 0-60 in about 5.5-5.8 seconds and does the quarter mile in the low 14's.

    And since it's factory turbo, modifications for MORE POWER (what a lovely american tradition) will be easy.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm betting that it will come with slightly more of those scoops/spoilers/side skirts than the current RS, i.e. pretty boisterous but not over the top.

    I wonder if the 2.0l Turbo is lighter than the 2.5l engine. That would translate into a sweet power-to-weight ratio. I don't think 230hp is enough for tire-smoking starts, given the AWD.

    I don't think it will eat M3's and Vette's, but it will probably compete favorably with the Prelue, Integra, Eclipse, Celica, Cougar, etc.

    Who will buy 'em? Former SVX owners whose kids left to college? Current Impreza owners? Former Eclipse Turbo owners peeved that Mitsu dumped them? SCCA autocrossers? Probably all of the above.

    Demographics? I'll list my predictions next to AutoPacific's current data:

    Impreza WRX
    Female 59% 20%
    Single 49% 45%
    Median Age 45 45
    College Degree 46% 60%
    Median Income $51.5k $80k

    So I'm guessing mostly middle-aged, affluent men would buy them.

    Don't be surprised to see pricing jump up to about $25k. If Subaru says they're moving up, you can bet they are in price, too. That's still in line with higher end sporty coupes like the ones I mention above, though.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Whoops, guess they're a little faster than I thought. Make that 5.0-5.4s 0-60.

    -Colin
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I thought the 230 hp was a number Subaru had to report because of an agreement with the Japanese Gov't not to advertise anything more....

    ANYWAY, who will buy it?

    I am guessing a LOT of current RS owners will trade up. All those Eclipse AWD Turbo nuts out there who went bananas when the new Eclipse failed to meet their needs will buy one (They have an active club scene, too). I think some boy racers will sign up, and there will be plenty of VR6 and Prelude shoppers who will give it a look.
    I for one would love it, but I am pretty sure I can't afford a 26K car, especially since there will be no deals for a while.
  • dzartmandzartman Member Posts: 112
    The http://www.axa-int.com/

    site is working! Their online catalog is now functioning. There's a HUGE Impreza/WRX section of parts, including new ECUs/computers, pipes, body, shifting, springs and shocks as well as whole N1 engine blocks. Foresters have a ton of parts as well...flywheels, pulleys, body kits, oil coolers, exhausts, etc. I tried "Subaru" under description since Legacy isn't listed as a vehicle, though Impreza, WRX and Forester are. Then I used All Manufacturers and All Products and Voila! Check it out and hide the credit card!

    Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Lucien: I think that number is 280hp. The Impreza they're sending over here is the higher volume turbo model, though they may still call it a WRX.

    Maybe I'll give the Forester to my wife, and get a WRX wagon for myself. Who need two kids? We could just stop at one! he he he

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Juice has it right, Lucien. There is a 218-230HP version that Europe gets as standard, and the Japanese version is the only one that gets 280HP stock. Whoops, except the UK just got the Prodrive 1, basically a 280HP Japanese market car with some unique looks and ECU tuning to run on the UK's lower quality fuel.

    Anyway, the US will get the more mundane version. If sales take off, Subaru can bring the higher HP version later...

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The real funny thing is that it's a claimed 280hp, but actual horsepower is closer to 320. Hence the euro-version runs on lower octane fuel yet still makes the same power.

    I think the current, regular turbo models make 205hp or so (it varies by market), so 230hp ought to more than make up for any weight gain due to longer wheelbase and slightly bigger size.

    It's almost better that we get the regular turbo, so the price is down to earth. A full blown 22B STi would likely break $30k, and there would be few buyers.

    Few, but happy.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    PS Anyone know if Outback rims will fit a Forester? I mean the new 16" alloys. What is the offset and width? Is it 55mm and 16x6.5"?
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    Don't know how it would look like. Lately I've been contemplating of keeping my OBS and the money saved for the turbo might as well get eithe ra swap or an aftermarket turbo. I just need a little over 200hp. Then go and buy a nice used roadster like a miata for summer cruisin'..... I've already put quite a bit of mulah on my car and I really don't want to see it go after like 3-4 yrs! Besides, I am not even sure if I would like the new shell. Also been thinking o buying my first home and some investments.... Anyone? Colin you trading up when the turbo arrives?
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    oh boy, here we go! A bidding war between you and me for dave's rims!! :-))

    I knew one of those turbos produced more HP than claimed, but I guess I had the wrong one in mind.

    I too would like to know the answer to Juice's wheel question (for academic purposes only, of course!) and have another Mod question:

    How reliable are these aftermarket underdrive pulleys? I am REALLY leery of messing with engine tuning. My mechanic thinks it is a mistake to futz with blowers and chips and the like, at least on cars that are not dedicated track cars. However, I notice the legacy on Teaugue's site wiped almost 2 seconds off the 0-60 time after the installation of a Primitive Motorsports pulley, so I am intrigued.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    re# 81, trading up:

    Probably. I will put down a deposit whenever hard facts are known about the car (at least price!).

    re# 32, underdrive pulley.

    It won't hurt a flat four. The pulley is not used for engine balancing, so as long as the pulley itself is rotationally balanced (i.e. machined properly) then you'll be just fine.

    -Colin
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    thanks. Also, it was an Unorthodox pulley, not Primitive. I just checked the Teague's site again, and it actually took over 2 seconds off the 0-60 for their project Legacy (2.2l 2wd '95 AT). Not bad for $185...hmmm......
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    I read in a recent Car&Driver piece that Japanese companies have a silent agreement to cap horsepower claims at 276hp. Don't know why though - insurance or licensing restriction, maybe? Also that agreement may only be for certain markets as the Honda CL advertises 300hp here in the US.

    Cheers,
    WDB
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    I have it on my OBS. It gives a good clean acceleration. However you know the trade offs will be that you might get light dimming and less power to the a/c during hot summers. Also if you have lots of high wattage equipments like amp, big lights etc.... it might be better to get a stronger alternator.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    re#85, JDM horsepower caps

    It's a liability thing. If you've ever seen Japanese roads you would wonder why they would need anywhere near 280HP in the first place. It's self-regulation in the place of government regulation.

    -Colin
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Thanks Colin. Just to clarify, it is a cap on the *claimed* or *advertised* horsepower, not a cap on the *actual* ponies. The article I read was about an Australian-market Lancer which C&D said had more like 320hp than 276. (It also had what must be THE most ridiculous-looking rear wing I have ever seen, but that is another story for another day.)

    Cheers,
    WDB
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    In the Lancer's case, the wing works. If it has over 300hp and screams to 60in 4.4secs I think a wing is in order to hold it down. But in a crappy 100hp Civic now that's another story!
  • rutegerruteger Member Posts: 60
    The location and design of the hoodscoop and airbox on the Impreza RS looks remarkably as if it were designed to be opened up and made fully functional. Is there an actual factory version and parts available (perhaps for the racing rally car) to make the scoop functional? The biggest problem I could see in making the scoop functional would be that some jurisdictions might consider it an 'unsilenced' air cleaner and not exactly something Subaru could sell on a brand new car.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    The RS look (and, therefore, scoops) comes from the WRX turbo that we all are so excited about (it is coming to the U.S. in '01). So, yea, they are functional on the turbo car, but are just window dressing on the RS.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    right, the RS hoodscoop is made to cool a non-existent intercooler. if you buy or have a 2000 RS, it already pulls cold air from the fender. IMO there would be minimal gains and considerable risk of water ingestion if you were to try to make the hoodscoop functional.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    ramon: go with the mods. How many stories have you heard saying "I never should have sold that car..."? If you're happy with it, keep it and get it the way you like it. It's cheaper than buying new.

    How much work was that pulley? Did you DIY (do-it-yourself)? Any special tools required? What about new belts?

    lucien: my interest in the rims is only mild. They may look out of place to the trained eye (i.e. mine). If you're interested, please go ahead.

    WBD: it's 276ps, I believe. It's a slightly different measure than we use (bhp, or break horse power). Their limit equates to about 280bhp.

    Speaking of the latest Lancer Evo, C&D tested one and it was 0.2 seconds slower than the WRX STi 22B. Ha ha, can't touch it Mitsu!

    -juice
  • ramonramon Member Posts: 825
    juice : there's some good explanations at the imperza-rs.com website. I am a little bit too tired to explain with detail.
  • vamdpvamdp Member Posts: 1
    Hi Does anyone know of any good places in NY to get add-ons for the new outback?
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    What type of mods? For performance mods (sway bar, intake, exhaust, turbocharger), RalliSpec in Cherry Hill is close to NYC (not sure where in NY you're locate). You can find other resources at the best compendium of Subaru sites I've ever seen, Gordon Diamant's Sube-Directory.
    Gordon is the man. Let us know what you're looking to do and we'll try to point you in the right direction.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Speaking of mods, I really liked the white 17" rims and rim-protecting tires, the deep bass exhaust, the wild 2 tier spoiler, the 4 point racing harness, the sunroof deflector, the various strut tower braces (front and rear), and the entire experience at the i-club meet on Saturday.

    Look for a web site coming soon.

    -juice

    PS Anyone looking for mods should try to attend one of these meets. Lots of fun, and plenty to learn.
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    I finally got a good deal for the PIAA Platinum SuperWhites.
    Daaammmnnnnn....
    Whoever tells you these bulbs don't make a difference, is either blind or have never experienced them. For MY00RS, H4 Headlights and H3 Foglights. It really makes night look like day.
    Though these bulbs, no matter how good of a deal you get, cost more than the average bulb; if you're concerned about safety, these DEFINITELY make a difference.
    Just thought I share this with you, especially for those that are still skeptical in buying these bulbs.
    Trust me...they ARE worth it!!!
    Thanks Aling1.
    PS- And I forgive those who did not respond when I asked how to get the Hella Xenon bulbs. It wasn't easy to find, so I'll take in consideration you couldn't either! :o)
  • aling1aling1 Member Posts: 225
    Glad you liked them, Elmer. I too, used the H4 PIAA Platinum Superwhites in my Camry and it made an immediate (and huge) difference in night driving. The difference was especially noticable with the high beams and on dark roads (without street lamps). I wouldn't go as far as "night into day" (you'll need Xenon HID lights for that ), but nonetheless I felt that the light output and contrast was much improved.

    Now, just imagine, HID Xenon headlamps are not only even whiter (much higher colour temperature) than the PIAAs, but they offer more even illumination, and more than 3 times the brightness of a regular H7 halogen bulb! On top of all of this, they only consume 35 watts. Of course, price is the biggest drawback right now.

    Enjoy!
    Drew
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    What is the cost of the superwhites? From your comments, the benefits outweigh any cost considerations.

    Thanks.

    Don
  • aling1aling1 Member Posts: 225
    Go to www.autosupermart.com or www.autobulbdepot.com to have a look at the current prices. I do believe that the benefits justify the cost, though I wouldn't say ANY cost considerations. There is a limit as to how much I'd spend on bulbs.

    Good Luck!
    Drew
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Drew,

    I just got a pair of Hella Premium Xenon Replacement Bulbs last night. I wanted to try these bulbs because they have no blue tint on the glass, are relatively inexpensive ($10.43 ea) and Hella claims a 30% gain in light intensity due to the Xenon gas in them. They also are standard 12W bulbs so I didn't have to worry about melting stuff.

    I tried installing one and compared side to side with the stock bulbs and I could see an immediate difference! The Hellas have a whiter light and the light is more intense. I had a couple of friends take a look and they all agreed.

    Later that night, I drove around to see how they performed. The bulbs do make a notable difference.

    I tried taking some photos of them bulbs. I'll post them if they come out.

    Ken
  • aling1aling1 Member Posts: 225
    My ML320 came standard with those Hella Xenon halogen bulbs (in H7 and H1 size), and they are indeed more intense and brighter as you found out. If you think that those are good, wait till you see the PIAAs! I currently have the PIAA Platinum Superwhites installed in my integrated foglamp sockets and upon turning the foglamps on, you can immediately see a huge colour temperature difference between the Hellas and the PIAAs.

    Good Luck
    Drew
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Thanks for your input on various bulb alternatives. As we get older it comforting to know there may be practical solutions to improving night time driving!!!

    Don
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Drew,

    Did you ML320 come with the Hella 'Xenon White' or 'Xenon Premium' bulbs? The Hella catalog that came with my bulbs show that the 'Xenon Premium' come only in H1 and H4 sizes. Just curious, since I may want to use them in my Jetta as well.

    Do the PIAA Platinum Superwhites have a blue tint on the glass or does it contain actual xenon gas?

    Ken
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