I know this subject has been beaten like a dead horse elsewhere but I haven't seen it addressed w/r/t Foresters. What are the part numbers for the K&N and Amsoil filters for the various MY Foresters? As you can see I have a MY00 with the Phase II EJ25 but it wouldn't hurt for Phase I owners to know too.

Further, has anyone had any experience with either in their Foresters? Some say that the K&N doesn't do as good a job in filtering particulates as the Amsoil; some argue that neither filters as well as the factory paper filter; some say that the potential for harm to the engine outweighs the slight butt dyno HP gains from using either. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Ed

Ed,

I have an Amsoil filter on my MY98 Forester S. The part number is TS74. You can look up the part numbers for any model at:
http://amsoil2.cpinternet.com/

I ended up getting the Amsoil over a K&N because of reports that it filters better. The Amsoil filter is constructed of two types of foam of varying density. It looks like it would do a good job in filtering.

I've used mine now for 1 year and I've had no problems with it. I don't have any objective data for support, but it does feel like my engine revs easier with the Amsoil. The intake noise is also a bit louder with it in, too.

I also recently cleaned my Amsoil filter for the first time. The foam/steel mesh construction is made well and holds up to washing in soap and water. Very easy to clean and re-oil.

Ken

Thanks, Ken, for the link. Was going to ask you if Phase I and II part numbers were the same but I'll go take a look for myself. Sounds as though this will be a cheap and easy swap that will be beneficial.

Ed

Edit: Okay, I followed the link and entered the correct info and the search results came up blank (!?!). Maybe a problem with the site; I'll check back later.

[This message has been edited by lark6 (edited April 19, 2001).]

I've got the K&N filter in my 99 sohc. I like it. It was the last thing I did (after the Gen 3 Borla header and the exhaust) and I really felt a substantial gain... maybe 5hp. I don't know the pn, but I got it from Cobb Tuning. I think their price was the best I could find at like $39.95...

Larry Ganz (ImprezaRS.com) can get you amsoil filters pretty cheaply. I just recieved mine (forget the price, was under $40 shipped).

Also, if you get your K&N filter from autozone... don't.

They ordered me TWO wrong sizes. The first one was about 4 inches too long the next was 2 inches too wide. Both said on the receipt 'Subaru Forester'. I believe the 99 forester/legacy share the same airbox design as my Amsoil filter is part number TS74.

I will be putting it in this evening, I have already done the snorkusectomy with great results.

-Marc
http://www.remarcable.net/misc/legacy_outback/

Yeah, it looks that way. I guess either most Forester owners don't do much modifying or they just don't visit often...

I thought I could look here and discuss future mods with other like-minded (read: deranged) Forester owners. Talk about hi-po and j-spec stuff, ground effect kits, which springs / coil-overs seem to make the phat subie handle best, custom stero install ideas, etc.etc.etc.

Instead all I see is like once a week, which cargo container is best? Not that there is anyting wrong with that, but are there only three of us in the U.S. that want high-performance phoresters? I have been driving my wife NUTS talking to her about which japan-only body kit to buy or what I am thinking about doing next, etc.etc.etc.

That's what this forum is for isn't it? So I can save my marriage by driving all of you nuts? http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif

Don't worry about the rest of us conservatives and keep those mod-related posts coming! It's very cool to know that there are Forester owners out there that are pushing the envelope.

It's probably a combination of Forester owners not modding their vehicles and also not too many people knowing that this forum exists in i-club.

Hey, it's just a baby step, but I just ordered my Kartboy short shifter for my 98 Forester.

Ken

YO Hey Over Here, One more forester owner wanting to do the performance thing.

fp: yep, seems like many of us are married folk whose spice think we should be doing better things with our disposable income. I also have the excuse of having another car as a money pit. I haven't sunk much into that one for a while because when I do I know it'll be a good chunk (car is pretty much restored except for interior and body rubber).

Forester owners seem to be the odd ones out among current Subie owners. I keep hearing the phrases "soccer moms" and "SUV wannabes" when reference is made to this car - and I'm pretty sure that the majority of Forester owners are in fact women. That's not to say that there aren't women who mod their cars; there's a few very prominent ones on this board. Many more people who bought them have no intention to mod and want them for their utility (no pun intended). In fact there are days that I use mine more like a small truck than a car, and the back seats stay folded down as often as not lately.

If I had to venture a guess, I'd guess most of us are aware that there's a lot of aftermarket parts for Imprezas that can be made to fit Foresters but we're afraid we'll have to cobble them up instead of bolting them on.

Ed

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't trying to flame anyone for not modding their Foresters. I was only trying to get a little bit of "action" going on this forum in the mods direction. I realize that almost no one who owns a Forester plans on doing anything more than changing the oil, and I think that is what makes mine even MORE unique. That is why I chose to spend a good chunk of my tax returns this year getting it where it is now.

I realize that these mods are expen$ive. I know this first hand, and I don't have alot of disposable income myself. I just keep comming here, every day, and reading about all of the really cool stuff the impreza people are doing, and want to read about the REALLY COOL stuff the Forester people are doing, and there isn't anything. I know I have a list ($6000-$7000 worth) of future mods I want to do as cash permits. And with work being kind of slow right now, I think about them all day and have now real outlet for them. I guess I was hoping this could be the outlet. Maybe I should just trade the damn thing in on a WRX.

All,

I ordered a filter from Larry Ganz this week. The new part number for the 2000 Forester is TS129. It went from being a special order part from AMSOIL to a stocked item. I will keep you all posted.

Ed

PS: This is a very sleepy corner of i-club, no?

fp: No harm, no foul. I realize that my mods are gonna have to start out subtle so as not to attract any attention http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/blush.gif . The only significant thing I've done so far is to upgrade the rear sway bar to 18mm. Intake and exhaust mods to follow. I'd love to upgrade wheel/tire to 17" and good summer rubber and put snows on my 16" stock wheels but dunno when that will happen.

BTW, Forester will get pressed into truck duty again this AM as I just got a honeydo from upstairs to go to the quarry and fetch some bluestone to make a path.

gotta run...
Ed

Hey guys!
Yes it's me again, you know...Ferretboy to the rescue..http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif well I just got off the phone with George from Rallispec and was told that MY exhaust is the last one in this batch that is being made so it'll be done sometime by the end of next week. MMMMMM stainlesssss!
I'm just a dork anyway... Look for Rallispec to be offering FORESTER suspension bits from whiteline and YES! they do have a girl working for them that owns a Forester so if any of you want a catback system in full stainless they can surely do it. Please don't go emailing or calling them too soon as it was a heads up on what will be coming as a update on their website (George was nice enough to let me in on) So far I've installed a 20mm rear swaybar, I love it!! just gotta be careful in the wet I was told. Thats all my ramblings for now, take care and have a wonderful weekend my fellow FATSUBE friends! btw what do you think about FATSUBE or PHATSUBE or FATSUBIE for my plates??
~ferretboy signing out. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Ferretboy,

Thanks for the heads up on Rallispec. Forester specific parts would be very cool. I'll keep an eye out on their website.

My vote's for PHATSUBE.

Ken

Hey anyone using the Ganz Flo Intake, If so would you comment on it. Thanx. I just E-Mailed Larry with a few questions I had and depending on what else I hear I will be installing an intake of some sort once I get my Forester back from the dealer. I got a recall notice the other day about a O2 sensor. Good thing too my MPG's are going way down http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/mad.gif

ferretboy: Again as before, keep us posted. Pix and sound files would be great (and of course, the cost if you don't mind http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif ). Are the Rallispec folks amenable to having visitors? I'd like to drop in on a Saturday morning and check them out.

White Wolf: I had that O2 sensor replaced yesterday. Never had the problem with the CEL but why take chances? I went through 3 sensors with my old VW Jetta.

Ed

Ed & Ken,
The guys at Rallispec probably don't mind too much if you drop by as they are very friendly despite how busy they are. The cost for my catback system is costly (read stainless) $600.00 shipped, but hey..it'll be on there forever http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif as far as a soundclip I'm not sure if I can get one, but I'll be sure to get some pics up. btw George at Rallispec might be posting some clips on the updated website. I also received an email from MRT today and the do have a header back system available for our cars. @900.00 + 450.00 shipping Australian dollars to the U.S. I've heard that theirs is a very quiet and nice unit, not stainless, but the price is great when you consider what you get and it is supposed to give about a 8-10% gain in hp (@180 in the end)
~ferretboy signing out.

Thanks, ferretboy, for all the info. $600 for a stainless unit beats $1350 (oh, wait, that's about $675 US, still beats it) for a non-stainless one. That assumes similar power gains and a sound that won't get you ticketed in conservative suburbia. Then again, my neighbors have a Mini Cooper S and a Lotus Europa so why should I worry?

Ken's out on the left coast with you so it'll be me more than likely who'll visit Rallispec. I'll be all over the country this week so will try to set up a visit when I return.

We may have to switch this to a different thread http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/confused.gif and leave this one for discussing air filters.

Thanks again,
Ed

[This message has been edited by lark6 (edited April 29, 2001).]