Considering moving from WRX Wagon to Forester STI

[Ryvita]

Any advice? I'm looking at going from a standard '03 plate WRX wagon to a modified '04 Forester STI.

I'm expecting a step up in running costs on the consumables and the like, being a bigger heavier tuned car, but is there anything exceptional I should be on the look out for? Do the STIs have the self levelling rear suspension (which I believe can be an issue with the XTs of this era)? Cam belt is I believe 5 years/50K miles? Insurance will be unpleasant but manageable.

I'm half trying to convince myself I shouldn't do it, but I've got a lead on this one particular car which sounds rather special (350bhp/400lbft, current owner works at a subaru garage)...

UPDATED: Seven months later, July 2014 and I've finally got one... See last post.

Edited by Ryvita on Wednesday 23 July 17:02

Edited by Ryvita on Wednesday 23 July 17:03

[Ryvita]

I've owned tuned and standard cars before, and there's things to be said for both approaches. (A Celica GT-four tuned to about 280bhp, and a standard E46 M3 that miraculously made 343bhp - i.e. bang on the factory figure even at 9 years old)

I've had my current WRX for a year, and basically I just want more of the same - a bit more power, a bit better brakes, a bit less understeer and roll. So I'd already started planning out some mods for the coming year along the lines of, anti-lift kit, whiteline roll bars, fast road pads, Milltek exhaust and probably a K&N typhoon kit and a dump valve (I know it's childish, but I really like the whooshy noises!).

Thing is, as well as this "a bit more of everything" I could also do with "a bit more space" which means buying up into the Forester chassis, and if you're going to do that you might as well go the whole hog and get into an STI with the Litchfield upgrades or equivalent... And then this particular example comes along and does look very interesting given it's provenance. Am budgetting around the 10K mark.

[Ryvita]

Dammit, I almost went to look at that at the weekend. Would have made the extra effort if I'd known it was a PH car.

[Ryvita]

Thread Resurrection!

I finally got one! Blue Litchfield car, 66K miles, with AP Racing 6 pots on the front as well. From Wynford, the dealership mentioned above. First thoughts: My god it's fast. Tracking, anti-lift kit and ARBs needed to curb a bit of the body roll, and maybe a slight lowering?

Will get a photo up soon. Anyone want my old WRX wagon?

[Ryvita]

[Ryvita]

Isn't it just! About 100 bhp more and over 150 LbFt more, with a commensurate upgrade to brakes from the AP 6-pots. It's taking a while to adjust to the ride height is the only thing, and I may look at the Tein superwagon coilover kit to lower it a touch.

At the moment I feel like I'm towering over things slightly. My other car is a Lotus, which could probably drive straight under the FSTI at the moment.

[Ryvita]

What would you recomend to dial out a bit of the roll? Uprated ARBs only?

[Ryvita]

Good advice all, and I'm certainly not going to rush into anything until I've got at least 1000 miles under the wheels. I'd definitely like to get it out on track somewhere where I can get a (safe) feel for the limits. At the moment I think it's a confidence thing that I'm just not quite sure what it will do when provoked, and the height of it (by comparison to the lotus particularly) leaves me feeling nervous.

I think I'm fine on braking capability with AP Racing 6 pots on the front.

I did 500 miles in the Lotus at the weekend combining a wedding up north with a detour via the Evo Triangle. Need to do the same roads in the FSTI.

[Ryvita]

For my later reference, do you have a recommended setting for the full alignment? Castor, toe etc?

Shocks are being left. Will look at the Whiteline adjustable ARB in the coming month. Is the ARB a do-able self-install or is it one of the awkward ones that needs a full lift to fiddle it around the exhaust?

The other thing that is going to be on the list in the next six months will be a full new set of rubber. I'm aware from prior experience that different rubber can have huge effect on the drive. It's on Toyo Proxes currently which are ok but not brilliant. My personal preference from use on other cars would be Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetrics. Any guidance on this? I know enough to stay well clear of Geolanders!

Edited by Ryvita on Monday 18th August 13:59

[Ryvita]

Thanks for the info. Will start hunting on tyres I think. Something with stiffer sidewalls will be the priority I think.

Last night I put on a GFB variable recirc/atmospheric BOV. Went for one of these because they have fully variable 0-100% atmospheric venting, with independent preload spring adjustment. There was an amusing tuning session where I went from a rifle crack backfire on every blip, back down to a level idle with a bit more pre-load, and about 50/50 atmospheric/recirc. And fully recirc operation is just a hand wheel twist away if that becomes too offensive. Nice bit of kit. Easy fit, apart from getting the old gasket off.

Anyone know where I could get hold of a Cosworth air filter to fit? Is the airbox the same sizing as that on an XT or does it match the STI Impreza?

[Ryvita]

Should be since it's a Litchfield, but I believe they should be replaced every 10K miles or thereabouts, and I'm not sure when it will have last been done?

[Ryvita]

Wait a second... am I talking to the previous owner here...?

[Ryvita]

Written off?? And here was me about to congratulate you on an excellently maintained and serviced specimen. So what I've got is the stapled together remains of the two is it?

Did you do the AP Racing brakes on the front too? a)They're awesome! b) What pads and discs is it running, so that I know once replacement time comes around.

[Ryvita]

There is a tonne of documentation, yes! I'll have a dig through, it must be in there somewhere. Finding an FSTI with full service history from new was one of the big plusses on this example.

...You are joking about the write off, right? I had a minor heart attack there for a minute.

[Ryvita]

*relieved*

[Ryvita]

Good info, thanks. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread and will add in anything further I do. Uprated rear ARB is first on the list.