Well it looks like my forester is at the point where I've got a bad ring but still running well except for burning oil. So it's time to decide what to do or what would be more cost effective, trade it in on a new vehicle or build the motor, order a bad arse shortblock, or a stock sti shortblock and sell it? Kinda at a crossroads now and can't decide what would be best.

If it were traded in, it would be for a Tribecca or some soccer mom POS SUV so we'd have more room for kids/dogs/ etc.
If it were a built motor it would be through F.A.T and would be 4Kish but it would be bullet proof w/ an awesome warranty.
With just a stock STI shortblock it would be close to 1-2K and it would be so I could just sell the car w/ a clear concience.

What would you guys do?:confused:

Sell it get a quad cab truck. That is what I did at least. In the end when modding, it all falls apart.

dont sell it virgil! your fxt is sick!

Sell it get a quad cab truck. That is what I did at least. In the end when modding, it all falls apart.
Modding is definately a money pit.
dont sell it virgil! your fxt is sick!
Thanks man, it's just an idea right now but I'll have to figure this out soon before the damages get worse.:alien:

Man there droppin like flies ,first Ebeck and now you Virgil dont sell in the long run youll be way happier

Virgil,

You already have the FMIC.

Go built block with a GT35R and call it a day.

Pick up a cheap DD and make it a garage queen like mine :)

Actaully I would keep mine if it were a third car for sure. No question actually. As a daily driver no so much so. Besides, my car is statying alive. A well know respectd member who has a new built sleeved 2.2 with large port heads and Pauter rods just sitting around bought it. No it is not crawford, I said respected.

I vote for a reliable daily driver that your family can depend on. $5K every 2 years and constant worrying inbetween blows. Besides, you look at a subie wrong and you have to pull the motor. Wait till your kids get 16 and then start Honda projects with them. Yeah Honda JDM with 12 inch subs for my boys!:lol:

The glass is half empty prspective, Robert is great very true, but a certian percentage of new motors will crap out, nothing to do with the installer mind you. If that happens to you, you will nneed another motor and yet another swap. That is not warranty, that is crappy luck. Best case $4.5K worst case $9K. Consider the worst case. If you are not ready to deal with the worst case I would reconsider. Hoping and banking on the best outcome is not really a good plan if it is your primary car especially if you family depds on it. 4K buys alot of toys for the kids. It was cheaper to sell mine and buy another car thant it was to fix it best case, worst case I cound not handle at this time. All the crys to put another motor in it is not being funded by them is it. All thse guys mean well and most would help do the work to lower cost, great guys.

At some point enough is enough and it is time to move on. For me at least Different threshold for different people. Hence why I sold it mine. May be differrent for you, granted. Just giving you my perspective, take it or leave it but it is the often overlooked perspective which is "What is the worst case here?"

Good luck with a really tough choice brotha!:)

Thanks for the ideas you guys! Still thinking real hard about all of this. On one hand like Ebeck mentioned reliability, that is something you take for granted until the car brakes down. On the other hand if Robert builds my motor, he is not far away and gaurantees his work. Tough choices by far... Hondaslayer, you've got the right idea and until this delima came up I was considering like an old imprezza for a DD before this happened. Now a 3rd vehicle is out of the picture sadly.:(

Just make your wife drive you around everywere and then you can keep the baby for fun only

I said to go bullet proof only because your Forester is awesome and if you were to build it through F.A.T. you said you would have a warranty with it. So the amount to build it compared to paying the difference between your car now and a new car on the trade in would probably be less.

from my experience just sell it and get something new, maybe something fun again not a soccer mom pos. Because when u put that much into the car its not worth it unless u are serious in racing. thats what i think, i would have just sold it and got something new

Build the motor man :D

I garaged mine, bought the wife a Legacy 2.5i (both our wives have great taste) and took over her old wagon.

Of course I had to mod it a bit (like a 5in lift :lol: )


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v96/Hondaslayer/2004_0101CrossSport0001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v96/Hondaslayer/Lilred.jpg

I paid $1200 for it a little over 2 years ago, have not put a dime into it (260k on it now) but I will be doing radiator hoses tommorow (ooohhhhh $30 :lol: )

Keep the Forester and get a junker DD.

Wow, more folks are leaning towards a built motor than expected!:eek: It may be cheaper going that route looking at our taxes for the year so we're are leaning heavily in that direction! We'll see how things pan out shortly.:) If only the 08' Tribecca were here, it would be an easy choice if the new car option were to take place. It would still be a scoob and the wife would be happy, and the looks may be better than the 06-07's...:(

I will build ya a motor man and put it in for ya save you some money :D

I will build ya a motor man and put it in for ya save you some money :DActually I was thinking about asking you to do my tune when all is done.:)

Get a Cobb shortblock (entry level is just an Sti block with pistons and balancing - bout 2 g's) and have Robert install it along with a small SZ turbo (SZ49 or a green). I believe all you would need on top of what you have now is some injectors and maybe an inlet. Your FXT has always been one of the best looking for me... keep it (or sell it to me dirt cheap ;)).

Actually I was thinking about asking you to do my tune when all is done.:)

I can do that too man :D Just trying to help ya out with the motor also man :D

Get a Cobb shortblock (entry level is just an Sti block with pistons and balancing - bout 2 g's) and have Robert install it along with a small SZ turbo (SZ49 or a green). I believe all you would need on top of what you have now is some injectors and maybe an inlet. Your FXT has always been one of the best looking for me... keep it (or sell it to me dirt cheap ;)).

Yeah, thought about the cobb stg.1 but if I'm keeping her, may as well get it all done through Robert just in case since he truly honors his work and I'm not sure how cobb's customer service is if things go wrong. On the bigger turbo...hmmm maybe later on, something nice!:devil:

I can do that too man :D Just trying to help ya out with the motor also man :D

Thank you kindly T! I'll keep in touch.:cool:

Your FXT is sick. Shame its in pain at the moment. I'd say keep it if you can, I always love seen it at the meets/rides.

trading in would probably be the more expensive way to go but ur fxt is sweet so i would def build it

Thanks again you guy's! There is light at the end of the tunnel and it's becoming clear what will be done.:alien:

I vote to keep her to Virg, plus, if you look at the cost $ wise ... the monthly payments on a Tribugla are going to eat at you each month. Where your XT isn't costing you as much, just the initial investment on getting the motor issue resolved. I say keep the XT!!! On a side note, I called the bank today for pre-approval for a loan .... looks like the wifey will be getting rid of her XT soon :(

I vote to keep her to Virg, plus, if you look at the cost $ wise ... the monthly payments on a Tribugla are going to eat at you each month. Where your XT isn't costing you as much, just the initial investment on getting the motor issue resolved. I say keep the XT!!! On a side note, I called the bank today for pre-approval for a loan .... looks like the wifey will be getting rid of her XT soon :(
Nope, the wife keeps the XT!:D j/k Oh and LOL at "Tribugla"!:lol:
Yeah, the overall cost of a new car is not so appealing. Just thinking of what the FXT has cost me so far, and what it might be costing in the future if another tranny blows or something else goes wrong. Then again, what's left to go wrong now?:lol:

Nope, the wife keeps the XT!:D j/k Oh and LOL at "Tribugla"!:lol:
Yeah, the overall cost of a new car is not so appealing. Just thinking of what the FXT has cost me so far, and what it might be costing in the future if another tranny blows or something else goes wrong. Then again, what's left to go wrong now?:lol:

Someone on Nasioc would probably buy your car in a heartbeat. especially if you have a bulletproof block. As it would be with a 6 spd.:banana: :banana:
Since your car is so unique, if it comes down to it, someone would snatch it up in a hurry.

I really like your ride - it started me hounding my wife to get one. I am trying to talk her into selling the jeep to get it :lol: but I am afraid with 2 subies in the house I am goign to go broke. Good luck with you decision.

PS. Ebeck - did you grow up or something? You're talking like some rational adult or something. Stop it please I do not want that rubbing off on any other members.


VSBFXT good luck with the decision -

Yo VSB, I saw you driving down 7th street yesterday. Your FXT is sick...keep it! So many people get rid of their fun cars when they are young and always regret it. What tranny do you currently have in there?

Yo VSB, I saw you driving down 7th street yesterday. Your FXT is sick...keep it! So many people get rid of their fun cars when they are young and always regret it. What tranny do you currently have in there?On 7th street, It wasn't me, I stayed in this weekend due to a bad cold. It was either Kastle or Alan but most likely Alan since he lives kinda close to the 7th street area.
The tranny that's in there is actually a complete 5spd RA tranny and a 3.90 rear diff w/ a (modified to fit) STI 6 speed clutch.
Thanks for the props you guys, it's making me really think about what would be given up if she were sold off. Although she is already starting to show her age w/ the factory subaru paint job ,she does deserve to romp the streets of Phoenix for a good 20 years. :)

Virgil...your XT is the reason I wanted to get a forester STI when it gets here. It will be a sad day if you have to sell it but I do understand what you're talking about. On the other hand here's how I'm looking at a somewhat similar situation. I don't have as much put into my car as you do but I'm looking forward to not having car payments and a car that I really enjoy(even if I'd have to put some money into it). That's what's keeping me from getting rid of my car and going for a newer subie...that and BUGEYES RULE :devil:

Virgil...your XT is the reason I wanted to get a forester STI when it gets here. It will be a sad day if you have to sell it but I do understand what you're talking about. On the other hand here's how I'm looking at a somewhat similar situation. I don't have as much put into my car as you do but I'm looking forward to not having car payments and a car that I really enjoy(even if I'd have to put some money into it). That's what's keeping me from getting rid of my car and going for a newer subie...that and BUGEYES RULE :devil:
So true! Nuffin' hotter than a buy eye w/ JDM headlights either!:eek:
You know that the new 07' Forester XT Sport has basically an F-STI bumper just w/out the decals and it comes in WRB right? There's an option for you to look into.:devil: Here is a pic of one where the owner smoked the headlights.:eek:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/jwright77/Forester/headlight/3-1.jpg

you gotta build the motor man! ur car is a one of a kind vergil! you gotta keep it. you might regret it if u get rid of it. and you never know who it would end up going to. maybe some one that wont appreciate it as much as you did you know?

ill give you 5 bucks for the fxt, or you should keep it, either option is cool with me

TRIBECA with 3.6l

you gotta build the motor man! ur car is a one of a kind vergil! you gotta keep it. you might regret it if u get rid of it. and you never know who it would end up going to. maybe some one that wont appreciate it as much as you did you know?
True! Someone may spank her in ways that I would not spank her. She's not into that.:alien:
ill give you 5 bucks for the fxt, or you should keep it, either option is cool with me

That offer is hard to refuse!:lol:
TRIBECA with 3.6l

And a supercharger!:devil: But seriously I'd be forbidden to mod ever again after what I've done.:D

:So true! Nuffin' hotter than a buy eye w/ JDM headlights either!

True...but mine are EDMs ;)

I saw that thread in members gallery...that sport is really tempting...they don't make it in another color do they? All of my speeding tickets have been when I was driving blue cars so they are off limits now :D

:

True...but mine are EDMs ;)

I saw that thread in members gallery...that sport is really tempting...they don't make it in another color do they? All of my speeding tickets have been when I was driving blue cars so they are off limits now :DYeah, pretty sure it only comes in "pull me over" WRB. Oh, and forgot about the EDM's! Either way JDM or EDM FTMFW!:banana:

Yeah, pretty sure it only comes in "pull me over" WRB. Oh, and forgot about the EDM's! Either way JDM or EDM FTMFW!:banana:
Nope comes in Obsidian Black Pearl, Urban Gray Metallic and WR Blue Mica

http://www.subaru.com/shop/colors.jsp?model=FORESTER&trim=SPORTS_25_XT&command=colors

TRIBECA 3.6 WRB supercharged.

TRIBECA 3.6 WRB supercharged.Ahhh! You're killing me!:lol:

Welp, it's %100 decided that I'm gonna keep her! Now off to thinking about this motor build.:D

Well if u decide to change ur mind, ill give ya 5 bucks and with the other guys 5 ull be rich!!! dont worry Im sure we could split it every other weekend or soemthing

Welp, it's %100 decided that I'm gonna keep her! Now off to thinking about this motor build.:D

YAY the SWIC is now happy again.:banana:

Well if u decide to change ur mind, ill give ya 5 bucks and with the other guys 5 ull be rich!!! dont worry Im sure we could split it every other weekend or soemthing

Problem is, I'd spend it all in one place.:p
YAY the SWIC is now happy again.:banana:

That is all I ask in life.:D

Welp, it's %100 decided that I'm gonna keep her! Now off to thinking about this motor build.:D

I have only one thing to say about this

http://dts.ystoretools.com/1025/images/200x200/simrbuexma.jpg

I have only one thing to say about this

http://dts.ystoretools.com/1025/images/200x200/simrbuexma.jpgYes, there should be good times ahead! Sadly however, I'll be rocking the vf30 for a very very long time.:(

Welp, the build starts today. Dropping a check off and it will be under way!:banana:

I was gonna say.......

I was gonna say, sell me your forester for the superb price of 42k so you can buy a new BMW 3 Twin Turbo.......I guess we could make a deal.:D

Welp, the build starts today. Dropping a check off and it will be under way!:banana:

Awesome! Good luck!

Awesome! Good luck!
Thank you, I'll need every bit of it with this car.:(

i have faith keep us or at least me updated :)

i have faith keep us or at least me updated :)
Will do! Gonna get a SWIC write up going once I've harvested pics.:)

Ok, here is a pic of the soon to be built block! More pics to come. Dropped the check off in advance to Robert and he will be ordering all the bits and pieces for the good stuff.
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=4473&d=1169783632

Looks like it's going to be either JE or CP pistons going in with Cosworth bearings so far....

the famous droppin off the check thingamajiggie

the famous droppin off the check thingamajiggie
Yes! It should smooth things over for such a major transaction. Personally, I'm into freebies though.:D

Well virgil i hope everything goes good.. and smoothly.

Well virgil i hope everything goes good.. and smoothly.
Me too! It would be nice to have some good luck for a change.... Thanks man.:)

hey virgil gl with the block man hope it all goes well..

hey virgil gl with the block man hope it all goes well..
Thanks man! We'll see. :cool:

Latest news: The new shortblock should be done by the end of next week or the 1st of the week after. So really, it's a little over a week away, then prolly a month for break-in. :disco:

niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice


too bad - i know where there a few already built blocks that all you need to do is pay for them!

at least one of them is an H6! :lol:

niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice


too bad - i know where there a few already built blocks that all you need to do is pay for them!

at least one of them is an H6! :lol:
Bummer! I'd actually thought heavily about an H6 but I guess tuning would have been an issue along w/ a new ECU etc. but still it could have been fun!:( If lucky, this will be the last shortblock I'll ever need but if there is a next time, it would be fun for a Twiny Twin Turbo H6 conversion.:eek:

Welp, maybe this week it will happen. It's not too much fun having to baby the car around town and now it seems like there is a new problem. When getting into 1st gear it seems to hold RPM's around 2500 and had to shift into 2nd to get the car moving again. It's done this a few times in the last couple of weeks but this morning it was pretty bad. Prolly the clutch going bad now....:mad:

Damn Virg, that sucks :( hopefully it isn't anything big :(

Damn Virg, that sucks :( hopefully it isn't anything big :(
Always sumfin man.:(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/jwright77/Forester/headlight/3-1.jpg

Why does that look like a Toyota tacoma?

It's the new FXT-Runner?:confused: In person it prolly looks much better!:cool:

^^^ hahahahaha that does look like a tacoma ^^^