Subaru Crew - Modifications II

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Comments

  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    I'm thinking about upgrading my OEM cassette player on my 98GT to something like this.

    http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/CarProducts/CarProductDetails/0,1429,71334,00.html
    It's a Pioneer Double Din XM ready player. Anybody has one of those??
    How easy would it be to install something like that and do I need to get an adapter?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I would not suggest that. The WRX wheels are only 6.5" wide and that would be pushing it to put on 225s.

    -mike
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    If you buy from Crutchfield they'll send you very detailed instructions and any needed adapters. A little common sense makes it fairly painless IF they say it is easy (they have 3 codes: easy, mod may be needed, mods definitely needed).
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    The important word that you left out is "Take-offs". ;-)

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    For $79 each, I'm sure those are take-offs. A while back I had Darlene check the wholesale prices from Subaru for stock alloy rims, and they were very expensive.

    Even their 16" steel wheels were a little more than that, IIRC.

    dude: on our 2002 Legacy, the stereo install was not that easy. The Forester was much easier. Of course, yours is a '98, different generation than ours.

    But you can get a take-off 6CD+cassette from a WRX for half the price of that Pioneer, which only holds a single CD to boot.

    And if you get the OE stereo, it's plug and play, piece of cake. No wires needed, no harness, no splicing. I paid about $250 for each, and bought 2 of them. They're even cheaper now.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I stripped out most of the dash on Dave's Outback + stereo + a bunch of other stuff in less than 1hr. Should be cake.

    -mike
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    The reason why I want to get Pioneer instead of OE stereo is because of XM radio-ready. I want sometime later put it in because I'm tired of listening to those crappy radio stations in Colorado.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Why not just get XM now, if you're going to go through all that trouble?

    -juice
  • dudedude Member Posts: 123
    It's pretty expensive. The tuner is like 200 bucks plus antenna and installation. The player itself is something like $300 bucks. On another note, I've been asked before why do I want to have cassette player and I said even though I use it rarely, I know one of those days I will need to play a cassette and I won't have anything to play it on.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Only thing I've used it for in the past 5+ years is to play my DVD player through the car stereo. My new stereo has a mini-plug for an aux input which solved that problem. Using my 2nd din slot for 3 guages on the SVX.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Books on tape, too.

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I should know better than to have to ask about this one but here goes:

    The large "AWD" decals in the rear windows of my Forester are starting to peel away from the window. The thought crossed my mind about replacing these decals with the smaller "AWD" decals that are used on the WRX wagon. IIRC the WRX decals are applied from the outside whereas the Forester's and Legacy's are applied from the inside. My only concern about doing this would arise in the event the car needs to be towed: by placing smaller "AWD" decals on the car do I increase the likelihood that the tow truck operator will not be reminded to flatbed the car? My instincts and knowledge of warranties tell me no.

    Your thoughts, both from a towing and aesthetic point of view?

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I removed those a long, long time ago. There is an AWD badge on the tailgate.

    Plus, what rock has the tow truck operator been hiding under that he wouldn't know that all Subarus have had AWD for nearly a decade?

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    I agree with juice. My stickers have been off for a while. I don't worry so much because of the AWD badge on the back and the fact that most towing companies usually verify the make of the vehicle before sending out a tow truck.

    Ken
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    A tow company is either gonna care and ask or they are just gonna do what they are gonna do regardless if there are stickers there or not.

    -mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    I removed mine within the first week of ownership. I agree with Mike, good tow companies will ask, bad ones couldn't care less.

    -Frank P.
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I figured as much; the hatch badge remains. I'll just take them off and not even bother replacing them. Thanks!

    Ed
  • artgeckoartgecko Member Posts: 78
    Sorry for being misleading above. I knew they were take offs, I just forgot to write it down!

    So, TireRack has WRX OEM take-offs for $79 each.

    I bought my take-off tire from them. They get them at the Subaru port when optional or aftermarket tire/wheel combos are put on. The tires only have the 10 miles or so on them from the factory to the loading lot, to the ship, off the ship, and to the port facility. There was no wear or damage whatsoever.

    Mike, thanks for the note on the 225s on 6.5 wheels. Kinda what I thought, but wanted to ask.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I just hate to see people get upset AFTER spending a ton of cash on nice 225 tires for their 6.5" rims. Currently I'm debating bumping my 225-50-16s on my SVX to 245-45-16s on a 7.5" rim.

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I seem to recall a couple of posts about improper towing and putting Scooby's on a non-AWD dyno (NJ emissions) on the i-club.
    And that's probably WITH AWD stickers on.

    -Dennis
  • maddogg27maddogg27 Member Posts: 2
    I'm new to the market, and researching sites to find the BEST performance parts, money is no object........any guidence would be appreciated to look up parts for a subie svx, thanks!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Since money is no object, buy a Ludespeed Stage III turbo kit with all the options plus a Stage III clutch, and pay to have it installed on my Forester. That'll be the guinea pig.


    Then I'll conduct extensive field tests for you, for free even!


    Once we're sure, we'll buy another one for you. :-)


    http://ludespeed.com/products/subaru/impreza.html


    -juice

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    DRIVING SCHOOL DRIVING SCHOOL DRIVING SCHOOL.

    The best part is that it will be easily transferrable to all vehicles!

    Did you buy an SVX????? or a WRX????

    -mike
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Modding the nut behind the wheel? ;-)

    Ken
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    How 'bout an SVX STi? :-)


    http://www/rallispec.com


    "Special Projects

    Drivetrain Conversions - STi engine & full drivetrain conversions for your Subaru. We are one of the most experienced shops in the world at doing this type of conversion. Typical labor costs start at $2500 for engine only or $3000 for complete drivetrain. Parts costs vary.

    Custom Engine Builds - RalliSpec can build special high output engines to your exact requirements."

     

    -Dennis

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Come to think of it, he did say SVX, I doubt the Ludespeed kit would fit.

    Rallispec is schweet.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I have a list of mods for him. Nothing spectacular but to get warmed up. If money isn't an object the 100hp boost from the turbo kit would be nice.

    -mike
  • momof05momof05 Member Posts: 12
    Hi,

    I am shopping for a new 2003 Forester, and I was wondering if anyone here who has one can tell me their experiences or opinions of these accessories.

    Cargo bin or cargo nets (rear, rear seat back, and side) - I will be using this vehicle for most of our shopping, and I like to keep everything organized and not rolling around. In the pictures I have seen, the cargo bin seems to use up a fair amount of the space in the cargo area. Is this true? Which option (bin vs. nets) works best?

    Armrest extension - is it comfortable? Does it provide much more storage than there is without it?

    Rear window dust deflector - the salesman told me that this would help to keep snow, etc. off of the back window while driving, improving visibility. Is this true?

    Air filter

    Splash guards

    Rear bumper cover

    Rear differential protector - Is this worth getting? I don't plan to go off road much.

    We need a vehicle soon, and do not have time (according to the salesman, approx. 18 weeks) to order one. Does anyone here know if these things can be gotten and installed after the purchase? I have searched the inventories of all the Subaru dealerships within a 150 mile radius, and the Forester XS's they have in stock all have exactly the same options, some of which I want, and some I don't.

    Advice, please!

    Thanks.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    I own a 98 Forester so I can't directly comment on the 2003 accessories, but my opinions are as follows:

    Cargo bin or cargo nets: The net is great. I use it for a lot of things. The bin does take up a lot of space. I'd rather get one of those collapsible crates from Ikea or Bed Bath & Beyond.

    Armrest extension: This one you'll have to try out on a showroom model. Some people like it, others don't. I drive a 5-speed Forester so I don't like to have anything on the center console.

    Rear window dust deflector: Yes, the rear hatch does have a tendency to collect more dust and dirt than other parts of the vehicle. The deflector does help somewhat.

    Air filter: A great option, IMO. I'm always suprised at how dirty my cabin filter gets when I pull it out for replacement. Helps to keep the interior cleaner, too.

    Splash guards: Another good option, but isn't this standard on Foresters?

    Rear bumper cover: Very useful. It protects the bumper from scratches when you pull out stuff from the cargo area. I think this is standard, too.

    Rear differential protector: No, if you don't plan on offroading.

    Any of these accessories can be installed after purchase by any mechanic. The benefit of ordering before you receive your vehicle is that 1)it gets financed (if you're not paying cash) and 2)it'll be part of your regular warranty.

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Rear bumper cover, rubber cargo mat and splash guards used to be standard until this year. Now they're optional. :(

    Bob
  • momof05momof05 Member Posts: 12
    Thanks for the advice. I'm also pursuing this topic in the Subaru Forester board, if anyone here is interested in more opinions on the matter of accessories (the kind that come with, or can come with, the vehicle, not aftermarket performance type things) :-)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Cargo net is cheap and useful for groceries.

    Try the armrest, your height is the key. Some love it, others hate it.

    I have asthma, so the air filter is a natural choice.

    Splash guards: they should be standard. At least most other don't have them standard, either, but Forester used to.

    Rear bumper cover: get it. Our Legacy does not have one and I will probably get one. In fact I think paisan took one off a Subaru that got totalled for me.

    Rear diffy protector: it was cheap, so I got it. In reality, the front end is lower to the ground, so think about a front skid plate if you need these. You'll have to go aftermarket for those.

    I tend to pick the best match from the lot, 'cause I'm a sucker for immediate gratification. Then I add everything else myself.

    -juice
  • strider98strider98 Member Posts: 89
    Guy on i-club is selling a used Vishnu Stage 0 kit for like $825. He lives like 15 minutes from me and just traded his WRX for an S4 and took off the kit before he did it. Is this too high or should I not even consider it?

    Seth
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It must not have been used for long. But mods get used hard by definition. I'd try to get it for $600-700.

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I ended up going with an orthodox Plus One setup- from 205/70/15 to a set of 215/60/16 Dunlop SP 5000 All Seasons. Suffice to say I am quite pleased with the results. The car still exhibits more body roll due to its ride height, but cornering limits have improved dramatically, with a lot less sturm und drang.

    Ride is firmer but still supple, actually much better than the GT, which is set up rather stiffly right now. Speaking of which, I discovered a LOT of wear on the inside of the front left tire (practially toast) so I'll be off for an alignment this week sometime.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good idea, and don't delay or the new tires will be out of balance.

    Sounds sweet, did you pick them up at the meet yesterday? At Randy's new place, I mean?

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I would be interested on commments and suggestions for a relatively inexpensive brake upgrade, had a panic stop on the weekend and while I did stop, I have decided that I am fed up with the feeling that I am stepping on a wet noodle when I hit the brakes.

    Subaru has got to have the spongiest pedal bar none that I have ever felt, I was thinking of stainless lines with maybe a pad upgrade, but I do not want a pad that trashes the rotors in a short space of time.

    Anybody who has done this mod I would like to hear from you, is it a worthwhile mod? would you consider it money well spent?

    Colin feel free to weigh in with your opinion, I am interesred in all opinions. Pros, and cons.

    I know that subaru had a relatively inexpensive 4 pot upgrade I do not know if it is still offered, I tried one local dealer here and he did not know what I was talking about, however that does not surprise me since they are unaware of most factory upgrades, My car is a 2001 Legacy GT wagon for those of you who do not know what I drive.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What about the single brake booster swap? That'll get rid of the spongy pedal feel.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Lucien -- were you swapping out the OE Michelins on the OB? Let me know how the SP5000s fare. I'm considering them for my Forester.

    Pat -- I think juice is right about the booster swap. The SS lines and 4-pots probably won't change brake feel as much as performance.

    Ken
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    WRX rims and SP 5000s went on the Outback. The excessive wear was on the GT.

    Ken- so far so good. Good dry grip; mostly progressive scrub until 90% The last 10% of grip goes away in a hurry. Not an issue, just requires a re-calibration for this driver coming off S-03s.
  • lakepoplakepop Member Posts: 221
    We have another source of Subaru parts....www.allsubaru.com.
    Subie Gal now works at Carter Subaru and is another source of mod parts etc. Moreover Jamie is performance orientated and should prove to be helpful.
    OK...just a little input.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Cool, does she offer skid plates and lifts, stuff like that, given the rally background?

    -juice
  • lakepoplakepop Member Posts: 221
    Well...I'm not sure but based on her comments in the Forester forum at the i-club and her enthusiaism I'd bet she would be helpful in locating most anything on the market.
    Check out the site....pretty good but being brand new it has some minor glitches that you will have to overlook/deal with. Much potential!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Did just that - saw no skid plates or springs, besides the lowering variety.

    Prices are decent, though, much lower than retail.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    The single stage booster probably would give a firmer pedal but I think the brake effort would also go up, I mean you would have to tromp harder for the same effort.

    I looked into a four pot system, subaru apparently no longer offers it as a kit I also understand that it would not work with the 16x6.5 GT rims and I do not want to get into buying rims as well.

    There is a group buy on i-club for a four pot system that will work with 16 inch rims but they also talk about noise factor plus no dust seals on the calipars, this alone does not turn me on.

    I have read that stainless lines will firm the pedal up some, I just want to lose the mushy feel in the stock system but I do not want to have to get a mortgage to do it.

    I do not have close to 3and a half Grand Canadian for a brake swap including rims, my summer rims would probably be okay as they are 16x7. but that would still leave about$2200 CDN.for brakes I don't think so! even if I could swing it my wife would hang me up by the thumbs.

    Cheers Pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    SS Lines, Metal Master Pads, Slotted rotors. That's what i'm running on the SVX and it works great, even during 30 minute track sessions! :)

    -mike
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    I read on the i-club about a master cylinder bracket on the WRX that has helped with braking...mostly positive reviews...maybe there is one for your car?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No dust shields? You'll have to wax the inside of the rims twice as often. ;-)

    I saw that bracket in an on-line catalog somewhere. I'm not sure how much flex the firewall gets, but it braces where the brake booster sits.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Pat,

    I saw your original message and this follow-up; seems that you've got a lot of the information already.

    You will have a little more pedal effort with a single-stage booster. It will be linear though.

    Braided brake lines are a small improvement but in my opinion they do make a difference that can be felt at the pedal. They are relatively cheap too, easy to install so long as the stock lines don't get stuck. The 10mm nut securing them can get rounded off oh so easily...

    -Colin
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,398
    Gotta use a flare-nut wrench on those brake lines!

    Jim
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