Forester XT performance upgrade options?

[Benjamin]

Hi Team,

 

Long time lurker, little poster here.

 

Well... after leaving the Subaru world for a company car for 2 years I have just purchased a new vehicle for a weekend project... 2003 Subaru Forester Cross Sports XT, 2.0L, Manual. After owning several Subaru's to include a '99 B4, '06 B4, '03 Forester 2.5x, V5 STI and a few others well, you can only go so long before wanting another! 

 

Now long story short the modification idea has been in my mind for some time. The car has 210kms on it but is in good order and drives well.

 

At current it appears it has been fitted with a VF22 turbo ( V3 STI?) and a Cat-back exhaust.

 

My question would be what modifications to increase performance would be? Realistically the car has little value so spending large amounts of money on it doesn't seem logical.

 

Has anyone got any good options to get me going? To name a few I was thinking:

 

*STI top mount (what would fit without modification of pipes, hoses etc?)

 

*Fuel pump

 

*K&N panel filter 

 

* STI manifold

 

*STI standard shock and struts

 

any ideas of cheap reliable performance would be of great help.

 

Ive also looked at tuning via cable such as a COBB upgrade but this is quite costly!

 

cheers

 

Ben

 

 

[Kiwi_Fozze]

Vf22 is quite an old turbo but they do the job. If you want to stay within the same single scroll family a vf30 will give you more midrange without sacrificing the top end, a vf34 being probably the best you can get from a factory range.

 

Tune it. Tune tune tune. You will have a SIGNIFICANT improvement in drivability, response and fuel usage. If its jdm, you are S*** out of luck with a Cobb, they work on usdm and a select few audm ONLY.

 

Sti shocks and springs are a good upgrade, drop it somewhere around the 70mm mark. Get hold of an sti rear swaybar endlinks and bushes, or a big whiteline one to help the body roll.

 

Remove the subframe and gearbox spacers if its a manual, sets you to the same geometry as a wrx. Once done though, keep an eye on your front control arm bushes as they'll S*** out pretty quickly

 

Sti and wrx mani, ehh not worth the effort.

 

Sti tmic, definately worth the effort to swap. Try to get one with the y pipes. The support bracket can be bent to hold it iirc.

 

Walbro or deatchwerks fuel pumps are considered a good idea, more a supporting mod tbh. You cant hardwire and relay these, as they are controlled via a speed controller by the ecu.

 

K&n filter... Much of a muchness. Tbh a ryco filter is easier, because they dont need cleaning and they dont coat the afm in a thin film of oil. DO NOT STICK IN A POD 

 

Going backwards in performance.

 

Tl;Dr

 

Good tyres, lower it, fuel pump, sti tmic, tune and you'll be upsetting a few people

[Guest]

As far as performance goes.

 

Replace y pipe with a silicon or sti version. Cheaper than replacing intercooler and hacking scoop to match. Shouldnt cost you power at the level youre playing at.

 

Fuel pump. Aem is my preference best bang for buck or walbro.

 

Exhaust 2.5" turbo back.

 

Basic service oil/fuel/air filter, plugs type thing.

 

Then tune best mod you can do to it.

 

As for handling stuff foz nailed it.

[El_Chado]

Pics?!

I have an 02 Forester XT. Recently lowered it on Tein sport springs on factory shocks. Got about a 50mm drop. Also put an Forester STI rear sway bar on. Looks far more like a wagon and feels less boaty. Also just bought a V7STI intercooler and a STI Forester intercooler splitter. Should hopefully get it fitted this weekend.

Highly recommend the handling mods.

[ben-jamminn]

I just put V7 STi struts & springs in my SG5 XT, huge difference, in both looks and handling, Though it is a tad stiff now (well for Christchurch roads anyway) I put V7 wrx seats in mine too, makes it feel a bit more sporty. My next plan is WRX or STi sway bars, and STi intercooler.

[Scoobydoo]

I have a set of GFB lightweight pulleys if you're interested for some engine bling

 

https://www.pro-wholesale.co.nz/pulley-kits-lightweight-under-drive/

 

Model #2010

 

$250 for CS member