2004 Forester XT "Stage 3" Build!

FozzyXT · 10-26-2019, 08:10 PM

Hi All, I'm continuing my members journal from Subaruforester.org!

You can see the start of it here!
https://www.subaruforester.org/threa...-subie.805689/

Today I installed a 02-03 JDM v7 STi hood scoop in PSM onto my car. I took some photos to share!

You can see a few starting photos:
https://i.imgur.com/qlaQVVK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/G5cs0TY.jpg

And a comparison of how different they are in size:
https://i.imgur.com/ytNqjWo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Jp7HzDd.jpg

So jumping ahead a bit, this is after I removed the old hood scoop as well as the hood duct. The new hood scoop is resting on a large plastic bag I placed in the engine bay to catch any falling screws or bolts as I did this! Total time saver to prevent you from digging in the engine bay!
https://i.imgur.com/2LVgjiY.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UqEl2L2.jpg

As well as a photo of the hood:
https://i.imgur.com/yh22sLa.jpg

And checking fitment:
https://i.imgur.com/gXKdEwB.jpg

Got the hood all lined up:
https://i.imgur.com/V6HYCf9.jpg

And screws on:
https://i.imgur.com/X0MdPb3.jpg

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

FozzyXT · 10-26-2019, 08:11 PM

And the IC shroud back on:
https://i.imgur.com/dV3RnR3.jpg

Before and after comparison:
https://i.imgur.com/AZNlXDH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/G5cs0TY.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KCHpPzs.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qlaQVVK.jpg

FozzyXT · 10-26-2019, 08:36 PM

I also sold a 08-14 brembo today, pic of it here:
https://i.imgur.com/cgFOwWR.jpg

Turns out those suckers are big! I got a mismatched set for free, the 08-14 was in good condition and the 04-07 needs additional parts. The 04-07 will be a project for a later day, but for now I wanted some cash and don't plan on putting Brembos on my car right away so I sold the good one for $250! Pretty cheap, maybe, but it's also only the drivers side Brembo and you need to pair it with a passengers side, plus you need to rebuild it for good measure, aaaaaand it needs a hardware kit. The buyer knows how to rebuild Brembos and has an 08-14 passengers side laying around. It was a good fit and opportunity for both of us. Plus that $250 will help me buy a JDM SG5 front lip!

I also have some new parts that have arrived... more to come...

Drivez · 10-28-2019, 08:29 PM

Love a good fozzy build, keep it going!

D-Rodman · 10-29-2019, 01:28 AM

Let’s see some profile pictures, the jdm hood scoop looks great.

stereoxide · 11-01-2019, 04:32 PM

Nice! I've always wanted an FXT. It's really hard to find in manual round here though. Keep it up!

KAub · 11-02-2019, 07:46 PM

FozzyXT · 11-05-2019, 12:29 AM

Got an 05 Baja TCU and Sport Shifter in the mail the other day. Whiteline end links too.

FozzyXT · 11-05-2019, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stereoxide

Nice! I've always wanted an FXT. It's really hard to find in manual round here though. Keep it up!

Thank you!

FozzyXT · 11-05-2019, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drivez

Love a good fozzy build, keep it going!

Thanks! Will do!

FozzyXT · 11-05-2019, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Rodman

Let’s see some profile pictures, the jdm hood scoop looks great.

What kind do you want? Like from the side of the car?

Mooseinabox. · 11-11-2019, 09:58 PM

Could you enlighten me on the TCU+shifter upgrade? I also have a 4eat XT that Ive started modifying im curious about transmission upgrades.

FozzyXT · 11-22-2019, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseinabox.

Could you enlighten me on the TCU+shifter upgrade? I also have a 4eat XT that Ive started modifying im curious about transmission upgrades.

Hi Moose,

Yeah absolutely. If you snag a 05 Baja Turbo TCU (Transmission Control Unit) and Floor Shifter (go to car-part.com and search for Floor Shifter Assembly and Computer, non engine, Transmission you'll find them). They bolt up directly into your car, though you need to get some additional TCU pins from iWire (https://www.iwireservices.com/produc...-ecu-terminals).

Have yet to do it myself, TCU pins are on the way. Refer to these threads (https://www.subaruforester.org/threa....663994/page-7, https://www.subaruforester.org/vbull...05/index4.html)

Will pm you this info as well just in case

Cheers

FozzyXT · 11-22-2019, 10:45 PM

Hi All, following up!

The STI TMIC, Grimmspeed IC shroud and Grimmspeed 3 port ebcs arrived. Also bought some 3/8" saggy butt spacers. Installed WRX wagon suspension last weekend!

but first, hit 100k the day after I installed the WRX suspension!
https://i.imgur.com/cAnCdHq.jpg

Anyway,
after you remove the wheel, take out the two bolts holding the strut to the wheel assembly (this is a rear left strut)
https://i.imgur.com/eXJZeHp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zAvFSI9.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/S7CoAd0.jpg

Then remove the plastic cover on your rear strut inside your car:
https://i.imgur.com/bO4dLgV.jpg

And pull the foam liner out of the way:
https://i.imgur.com/VOW9CAd.jpg

And remove the bolts holding the cap on:
https://i.imgur.com/NuN7Kkg.jpg

And honestly it's pretty easy to wiggle the strut out of the wheel well after that. This is what the empty top strut mount looks from the inside:
https://i.imgur.com/CywmADW.jpg

And the wheel well:
https://i.imgur.com/ZD0Lcse.jpg

Me after removing the rear strut:
https://i.imgur.com/GuZfrGW.jpg
Goddamn good photo of me

FozzyXT · 11-22-2019, 10:45 PM

Rear strut comparison, you can see about an inch difference, but whoo boy does the car ride lower! And stiffer too! It handles great!
https://i.imgur.com/9G55ho0.jpg

The WRX struts are on the left
https://i.imgur.com/pgFK1yp.jpg

So this is me feeding the WRX strut into the wheel well, to be bolted up:
https://i.imgur.com/ohxAxCb.jpg

Using a jack to support the strut and compress it a bit, so we could bolt everything up. Those suckers are heavy and holding them up/getting them slightly compressed is a lot of work. Remember you have 4 of these to do!
https://i.imgur.com/HX681Rt.jpg

Putting the cap back on, before placing the nuts on. Remember to place the cap on!
https://i.imgur.com/eLBsRYu.jpg

Cover back on:
https://i.imgur.com/MAjcVGH.jpg

And viola! You have one done!
Some more photos of the front, the front left turned out to be a bear.
https://i.imgur.com/czF9RwH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/O3ZmeO2.jpg

So guess what happens when you buy struts and springs and one of the top hats is off for some reason? You have to go rent a coil over spring compressor and compress that ****er to get it on the strut:
https://i.imgur.com/x62BzsC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rJUmMep.jpg

FozzyXT · 11-22-2019, 10:52 PM

Uh yeah this was a ****fest. Whatever, all done!
https://i.imgur.com/mo00dy0.jpg

You gotta hold the strut in place and keep it from spinning when you are screwing on the nut the holds the top hat. Keeping the rod in place protects the strut internals from damage, hence the vice grips:
https://i.imgur.com/V8NfKZG.jpg

Okay so I **** you not the struts I put in are blown, or at least the top hats are bad so I'm ordering some new KYB's from amazon here in a week or so and will do it all over again LOL. Whatever.

FozzyXT · 11-22-2019, 10:55 PM

Anyone know why the images above aren't showing?

GalaxyWide · 11-23-2019, 01:42 AM

Are you going to swap in a VTD center diff too, since you'll already have the Baja TCU? I'm collecting parts for my own trans upgrades at the moment, figure sportshift ought to tide me over until I can afford an STI swap.

Looks good, that's one clean looking foz!

FozzyXT · 11-23-2019, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalaxyWide

Are you going to swap in a VTD center diff too, since you'll already have the Baja TCU? I'm collecting parts for my own trans upgrades at the moment, figure sportshift ought to tide me over until I can afford an STI swap.

Looks good, that's one clean looking foz!

Thanks m8!

Thinking about doing the VTD center diff, however people have said that it really comes into play at 350+ hp, and the goal is right around 260 for longevity of the block.

Think it's part of the plan though. What's the benefit of the VTD diff? I heard it helps with the torque steer and of course changes the power split to 45/55 front/rear...

GalaxyWide · 11-26-2019, 11:58 AM

From what I've heard, it makes the car significantly more tail-happy and reduces the FWD-esque understeer in corners. It also should help a lot with traction in situations where the MPT clutch isn't already locked and has to wait for wheelspin, which is any time the shifter isn't in 1 or 2. Also I'm not anywhere near 350whp (more like 250!), and I got brief front wheelspin from a roll in 2nd gear. I will say that I was on damp pavement with snow tires, but I still did not expect to have the front wheels break loose!

So overall I think it's definitely a worthwhile upgrade regardless of power level, and if you already have the Baja TCU you almost don't have an excuse not to do it!

10-26-2019, 08:10 PM	#1
FozzyXT Scooby Newbie Member#: 499936 Join Date: Apr 2019	2004 Forester XT "Stage 3" Build! Hi All, I'm continuing my members journal from Subaruforester.org! You can see the start of it here! https://www.subaruforester.org/threa...-subie.805689/ Today I installed a 02-03 JDM v7 STi hood scoop in PSM onto my car. I took some photos to share! You can see a few starting photos: https://i.imgur.com/qlaQVVK.jpg https://i.imgur.com/G5cs0TY.jpg And a comparison of how different they are in size: https://i.imgur.com/ytNqjWo.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Jp7HzDd.jpg So jumping ahead a bit, this is after I removed the old hood scoop as well as the hood duct. The new hood scoop is resting on a large plastic bag I placed in the engine bay to catch any falling screws or bolts as I did this! Total time saver to prevent you from digging in the engine bay! https://i.imgur.com/2LVgjiY.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UqEl2L2.jpg As well as a photo of the hood: https://i.imgur.com/yh22sLa.jpg And checking fitment: https://i.imgur.com/gXKdEwB.jpg Got the hood all lined up: https://i.imgur.com/V6HYCf9.jpg And screws on: https://i.imgur.com/X0MdPb3.jpg * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by FozzyXT; 11-30-2019 at 01:49 AM.

11-05-2019, 12:29 AM	#8
FozzyXT Scooby Newbie Member#: 499936 Join Date: Apr 2019	Got an 05 Baja TCU and Sport Shifter in the mail the other day. Whiteline end links too. Last edited by FozzyXT; 11-22-2019 at 10:56 PM.

11-22-2019, 10:45 PM	#15
FozzyXT Scooby Newbie Member#: 499936 Join Date: Apr 2019	Rear strut comparison, you can see about an inch difference, but whoo boy does the car ride lower! And stiffer too! It handles great! https://i.imgur.com/9G55ho0.jpg The WRX struts are on the left https://i.imgur.com/pgFK1yp.jpg So this is me feeding the WRX strut into the wheel well, to be bolted up: https://i.imgur.com/ohxAxCb.jpg Using a jack to support the strut and compress it a bit, so we could bolt everything up. Those suckers are heavy and holding them up/getting them slightly compressed is a lot of work. Remember you have 4 of these to do! https://i.imgur.com/HX681Rt.jpg Putting the cap back on, before placing the nuts on. Remember to place the cap on! https://i.imgur.com/eLBsRYu.jpg Cover back on: https://i.imgur.com/MAjcVGH.jpg And viola! You have one done! Some more photos of the front, the front left turned out to be a bear. https://i.imgur.com/czF9RwH.jpg https://i.imgur.com/O3ZmeO2.jpg So guess what happens when you buy struts and springs and one of the top hats is off for some reason? You have to go rent a coil over spring compressor and compress that ***er to get it on the strut: https://i.imgur.com/x62BzsC.jpg https://i.imgur.com/rJUmMep.jpg Last edited by FozzyXT; 11-23-2019 at 03:03 PM.*

11-22-2019, 10:52 PM	#16
FozzyXT Scooby Newbie Member#: 499936 Join Date: Apr 2019	Uh yeah this was a **fest. Whatever, all done! https://i.imgur.com/mo00dy0.jpg You gotta hold the strut in place and keep it from spinning when you are screwing on the nut the holds the top hat. Keeping the rod in place protects the strut internals from damage, hence the vice grips: https://i.imgur.com/V8NfKZG.jpg Okay so I ** you not the struts I put in are blown, or at least the top hats are bad so I'm ordering some new KYB's from amazon here in a week or so and will do it all over again LOL. Whatever. Last edited by FozzyXT; 11-23-2019 at 02:59 PM.

11-22-2019, 10:55 PM	#17
FozzyXT Scooby Newbie Member#: 499936 Join Date: Apr 2019	Anyone know why the images above aren't showing? Last edited by FozzyXT; 11-22-2019 at 11:48 PM.

10-26-2019, 08:11 PM	#2
FozzyXT Scooby Newbie Member#: 499936 Join Date: Apr 2019	And the IC shroud back on: https://i.imgur.com/dV3RnR3.jpg Before and after comparison: https://i.imgur.com/AZNlXDH.jpg https://i.imgur.com/G5cs0TY.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KCHpPzs.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qlaQVVK.jpg

10-26-2019, 08:36 PM	#3
FozzyXT Scooby Newbie Member#: 499936 Join Date: Apr 2019	I also sold a 08-14 brembo today, pic of it here: https://i.imgur.com/cgFOwWR.jpg Turns out those suckers are big! I got a mismatched set for free, the 08-14 was in good condition and the 04-07 needs additional parts. The 04-07 will be a project for a later day, but for now I wanted some cash and don't plan on putting Brembos on my car right away so I sold the good one for $250! Pretty cheap, maybe, but it's also only the drivers side Brembo and you need to pair it with a passengers side, plus you need to rebuild it for good measure, aaaaaand it needs a hardware kit. The buyer knows how to rebuild Brembos and has an 08-14 passengers side laying around. It was a good fit and opportunity for both of us. Plus that $250 will help me buy a JDM SG5 front lip! I also have some new parts that have arrived... more to come...

10-28-2019, 08:29 PM	#4
Drivez Scooby Newbie Member#: 280995 Join Date: Apr 2011 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Boston, MA Vehicle: 2019 STi Crystal Black Silica	Love a good fozzy build, keep it going!

10-29-2019, 01:28 AM	#5
D-Rodman Scooby Specialist Member#: 110078 Join Date: Mar 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Long Island N.Y. Vehicle: 05 Saabaru JDM STi Black Ver 7 VF48 6sp RA	Let’s see some profile pictures, the jdm hood scoop looks great.

11-01-2019, 04:32 PM	#6
stereoxide Scooby Newbie Member#: 502831 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: MD Vehicle: 2005 Saab 92-x Aero black	Nice! I've always wanted an FXT. It's really hard to find in manual round here though. Keep it up!

11-02-2019, 07:46 PM	#7
KAub Scooby Newbie Member#: 252732 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Providence, RI Vehicle: 2005 WRX Wagon

11-11-2019, 09:58 PM	#12
Mooseinabox. Scooby Newbie Member#: 332071 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Maine Vehicle: 2004 FXT Cayenne Red Pearl	Could you enlighten me on the TCU+shifter upgrade? I also have a 4eat XT that Ive started modifying im curious about transmission upgrades.

11-23-2019, 01:42 AM	#18
GalaxyWide Scooby Newbie Member#: 383291 Join Date: Mar 2014 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Great White North Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT Cayenne Red	Are you going to swap in a VTD center diff too, since you'll already have the Baja TCU? I'm collecting parts for my own trans upgrades at the moment, figure sportshift ought to tide me over until I can afford an STI swap. Looks good, that's one clean looking foz!

11-26-2019, 11:58 AM	#20
GalaxyWide Scooby Newbie Member#: 383291 Join Date: Mar 2014 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Great White North Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT Cayenne Red	From what I've heard, it makes the car significantly more tail-happy and reduces the FWD-esque understeer in corners. It also should help a lot with traction in situations where the MPT clutch isn't already locked and has to wait for wheelspin, which is any time the shifter isn't in 1 or 2. Also I'm not anywhere near 350whp (more like 250!), and I got brief front wheelspin from a roll in 2nd gear. I will say that I was on damp pavement with snow tires, but I still did not expect to have the front wheels break loose! So overall I think it's definitely a worthwhile upgrade regardless of power level, and if you already have the Baja TCU you almost don't have an excuse not to do it!

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