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Project Forester XT STi Frankenwagen


99StockGT

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We've all been there, trying to finish one project and get it back on the road when another opportunity comes up. So in the process of finishing off some other rides before it truly becomes racing/cruising season of course something else has to show up..

 

.. in the form of a 2004 Subaru Forester XT automatic with 118000 on the clock. Unfortunately this particular car while appearing well kept and clean was hiding a very dirty secret, it was a turbo eater. Specifically 2 stock turbos in just a few thousand miles. Now whether that was due to shoddy workmanship at the factory, or a previous shops slip up... well we don't want to point any fingers.

 

So at this point she goes up on the lift to see what damage is done and what her future life will become. Stock turbo replacement again and see what happens? Sell it off as a roller in need of an engine/turbo? Large square flower pot? ... or super angry shop car and parts go getter?

 

Guess which option we chose? Photos soon to come!

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mmmmmm... forester XT.. I love the look of hte forrester, i really do.. just doesnt fit my needs.. interested to see what you are doing to fix the issue.

Is this yoru first subaru? How long have you had it? Have you removed the banjo fitting?

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Unfortunately when the turbo scattered the first time it pulled shiny metal flake through.. well everything. Second time, seems to have done the same thing. Unless the previous shop used that new fangled Sparkles Added Oil..

 

We have worked on a ton of other Subaru for customers but this is the first WE will have as a shop. Its been ours for about a week :)

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:popcorn:

 

will be taking notes and learning via your busted knuckles while waiting to see how this plays out... you know this thing is begging to be a fun little daily sleeper. and "that's never a good sign" is what jumped into my mind upon seeing these first pics.

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Cheap fun low profile performance is hard to pass up Mr Gump :) Also, as a parts go getter vehicle its hard to pass up on something with this much storage and functionality.

 

Compare to what?

 

The freaking '04 you have is the red headed step child of Subaru. Try finding axles for them. The stupid exhaust note is good for about two days and it'll get annoying as shit.

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Alright so far so good, she's back in one piece with a few small modifications just for a little bit of break in mileage. STi Headers and turbo on, all fluids flushed one last time, and screens checked for any sparkles or chunks. Fires up and moves around under her own power well, this weekend we'll put her through her paces for some shake down... then Monday back under the knife for Upgrade time as long as all is well! A couple boring photos to follow.

 

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/LucoreRacing/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150421_163933_459_zpsdcpgzt9q.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/LucoreRacing/Mobile%20Uploads/0413152013_zpsz23bbgv4.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/LucoreRacing/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150421_164002_817_zpsenf1lfue.jpg

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Well, after putting a few hundred miles on her over the past few days picking up parts (and lunch), checking compression and everything else we need to keep an eye on... looks like its time for some of the fun stuff.

 

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/LucoreRacing/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150424_150642_957_zpsm5vwld42.jpg

 

Pictured here, full stainless steel from the turbo back, stainless up pipe and two options for TMIC. We are unsure of fitment at this point as to which we are going to be using so we will see how that goes. NOT pictured here is the new VF39 turbo, and ported '05 STi headers with enlarged cross pipe. Barring any unforeseen circumstances we should have all this stuff bolted up and ready for some testing by tonight! Hopefully make it to Cars and Coffee in the morning, then IFO on Sunday! Woo woo!

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Me? Stirrin'? No sir! :) Just finished the Turbo Back Exhaust a couple minutes ago, she doesn't sound too bad! I'll bring her to Cars and Coffee tomorrow of ya'll to take a look then tomorrow, new TMIC and Up-pipe then tuning time :)
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  • 2 weeks later...

Alright so a bit of an update on the Forester, got distracted by the new WRX teardown so sorry about that. Ended up swapping into our oversized TMIC to keep the air charge on the VF39 nice and cool, HKS BOV and a new much better flowing Up-pipe. Suspension is still up in the air, not sure how low we want to go at this point.

 

Through the miles over the past few days she's seemed pretty solid, no material in fluids, seems like we are in the clear. So, exhaust is on, all upgrades to feed the turbo are done. Tuning begins next week to see where we are then back under the knife beginning of the week for Wheels/Tires/Brakes/Suspension.

 

Photos Weee!

 

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/LucoreRacing/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150507_111216_643_zpso9uuevnk.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/LucoreRacing/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150507_111154_824_zpso2drxlrx.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/LucoreRacing/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150507_103622_zpss8vgohsl.jpg

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Tuning completed! On a conservative tune as this car will be DD'd and used as a parts runner we have a nice linear power band holding peak power almost flat from 3500 to 6500 which is not too shabby! Time to have a little fun with her, take her out this weekend for a 'lil rasin' and see how she does. Hoping for mid/high 12s at this point.
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She's coming along, suspension should be arriving late today not sure we'll have time to put it all together before Friday night but we'll see. As a cruise around car she's remarkably well behaved until you put your foot into it. Hey who doesn't need a 12 second shop car? :)
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