Okay, thought I'd start a new thread. Foresters and Performance can be synonymous. As many of you know, I have a web page devoted to this sort of thing. It is at: www.foresterperformance.fanspace.com (http://www.foresterperformance.fanspace.com)

I make no money from this site. I get no discounts from the vendors I post links to. I just want to provide a forum for others like myself to learn stuff that has taken me a while to learn myself, and maybe teach me a thing or two.

So please, post here what kinds of mods you have done and how you like / dislike them. That way we can all learn. Things like:
What oversize wheels are you running?
With the Stock suspension?
Lowered suspension?
What Springs / Struts are you using?
Does it bounce or rub?
Does it look good? Too high in front? (post pics)
etc.

Thanks.

I'll start.

I have lowered my suspension using KYB / AGX struts and FHI Springs (they are actually used stck Impreza RS springs.)

I am very happy with the ride quality, now that they have "settled". At first it was really bouncy. I am hoping that the fronts wil settle more, since the front gap is much larger than the rear (no gap above tire in rear). It is very close to level, so I don't worry much. I have about a 3" to 3" drop, front & rear.

A couple of members here are using the 5Zigen springs, and get a slightly lower ride height than I do. I was told by Pam at iSR that the 5Zigen springs would not allow enough suspension travel for a comfortable ride. Since I was swapping for the second time (originally I used Tein Impreza S-Tech Medium Springs. I got a 5" drop and NO suspension travel.) I didn't want to take any chances.

I also am running 17x7 wheels (they have a 48mm offset I think) with 235/45 17 tires. I get no rubbing at all. Ideally I should have 225/50 17s but I had to compromise (since they didn't have that size where I bought the wheels. I got 4 wheels + tires for less than $700, so I wasn't going to argue.) My overall diameter is 1" less than stock, so my speedometer is off by 5mph at 80mph. (reads 85). I get a little worse gas milage because of this, but better "off the line" response. Great for embarassing those pesky Civics.

Hey FP:
My Forester is my daily source (nee ONLY SOURCE) of transportation. I bought it because I liked the car ride plus truck like qualties with the AWD. I have had it for a year now and I am going to order a Gantz Flow intake, a bigger rear sway bar and a front tower brace. Plus I am trying to figure out what my next set of tires will be. Because its my daily driver I can't get too caried away. Performancd cost $$ and my wife will only let me go so http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif fast.http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Z rated tires ARE a safety item if you live in a hot climate. Here is Sothern NM, T rated tires start to melt at 40-50mph in the summer. I even overheated a pair of Z rated tires crossing the desert in south eastern CA doing only 90mph in 119degree heat. Those tires were crap after that. Round, black, and held air, but thats all they were good for.

Mine is my daily driver too. I make a 50 mile round trip commute in bumper to bumper traffic every day. I guess it is all in what your personal tastes are.

Explain to your wife that the performance tires are not to go faster (speed limiter on these Foresters is 112mph btw) but to handle and stop quicker. Yeah, its a SAFETY issue. Tires that stop quicker or swerve better to avoid an accident are MUCH cheaper than the deductible and raised insurance rates that an accident afford, right?

Or maybe you could convince your wife that the lighter wheels make starts and stops quicker, thus improving mileage and brake use. More money savings and safety (due to the quicker stops)...

Or maybe I just have it easy 'cause my wife drives a '00 Impreza RS sedan and wants more performance too... http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif