I'm deciding between getting a 2004 WRX Wagon or a 2004 Forester XT. They are around the same price but I have some conerns.

1) What kind of transmission does the F-XT have in it? Is it the same gearbox as the WRX? (kinda weak). Is it an actual gearbox specific to the forester?
2) What RPM is the engine around when going about 70-75? Noisy?
3) What's the stop speed of the Forester? Is it gear limited or drag limited?
4) Can it be made to handle better? Who makes suspension parts for it?
5) Any thing you guys don't like about your F-XTs?
6) Anyone know if Cobb will come out with a Access Port for the F-XT?
7) Does the EJ25T in the Forester have as much potential as the EJ20T? I'm guessing the engine in the forester and the STi are pretty much the same but I just want to verify.
8) What kinds of performance brake pads are available? I looked on tirerack and they don't carry anything for the front of the F-XT.

Where did the extra HP that the STi has go in the Forester?

I'd love to have a F-XT with the Access Port, Up and Down pipe, maybe STi intercooler. =) Info on the forester is tough to come by. I've already did most of my homework on the WRX.

Thanks in advance.
ZuM

 

1) Same gearbox as the WRX, but lower geared differentials. It's strong enough if you treat it kindly.

2) I don't own one, so I dunno... but I'll guess around 32-3400. Shouldn't be particularly loud, as the stock muffler is quite quiet.

3) Top speed is probably 130ish, drag limited. It's aerodynamics suck.

4)Absolutely! The suspension is the same as the Imprezas, so you can make it quite good.

5) Again, I don't own one... but if I was in the market for a new Subaru, I think that's what I'd get, even over an STi.

6) Possibly, but if so, it will be quite some time. The FXT ecu is the same as the STi, which nobody has cracked yet, not even EcuTek. They will be ready to reflash them within a month or two though.

7) Yes and no. The engine is the same as the STi basically, but it's a WRX turbo, the TD04. Of course, the STi turbo and injectors bolt right up, so... Basically, anything you can do to an STi you can do to the Forester.

8) The caliper should match either the WRX or the Legacy, so you can use pads for that model.

the lower power in the STi is from the smaller turbo. By adding a larger one it has all the same potential.

 

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I can't wait till the ECU upgrades get on the market. I think I'll be ready to buy a F-XT in about 3-4 months. =) Maybe by then there will be more aftermarket. My current plans are:

ECU (Hopefully Access Port)
Up-pipe
Sealth Back exhaust
STI Intercooler
New Grille!!! The Forester grill doesn't really do it for me.

Maybe later on turbo and injectors. =)

 

EcuTek will be ready long before accessport will be, so I'd start looking for a reflash tuner instead. Also, the Forester has a catless uppipe, so there's no ned to replace it. Good luck with your purchase soon!

 

I think the pre production F-XT was that way but not so now:


http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...&threadid=2727

I have a scan there of the whole system, #19 in first pic, Pre-cat

Peaty

 

Bummer. I wonder why Subaru got away with it in the STi but not the Forester? ZuMBle, I stand corrected- go with the uppipe after all.

 

does the FXT have variable valve timing like the STI? I was under the impression that the internals were very different between the two cars. I've on the fence too... been thinking about selling my wagon and getting the FXT.


To part out or not to part out... hmmmmm


Ash

 

After reading many many threads.. I'll pass on what I've read. The internals of the F-XT and the STi are very very if not exactly similar. And yes, the F-XT has vvt like the sti.

What you have to worry about is the tranny. It's not the STi tranny. I think its more related to the WRX tranny. Lots of people are breaking WRX gear boxes.. Now you have the WRX gearbox; mated to a engine that makes a lot more torque. That's one issue to think about.

We need more dyno data from totally stock F-XTs. We need to determine how much power the stock FX-T makes once and for all.

ZuM

 

It could be just another issue of protecting sales? Maybe they wanted to choke down the F-XT and keep the HP down so people looking at the STi won't go buy a cheaper F-XT instead? You could argue that people looking at STis won't go for a forester. But that's wrong because I was initally looking at the STi and now I want a forester.. =P Haha. We needs to see more dyno #s so we can confirm how much HP the engine is actually making.

 

There are dyno plots around the last one I saw was 174 at the wheels, I'll try to find it. The tranny is not the same as the WRX the gears are wider. There is a lot of info here:

http://subaru.com.au/explore/foreste...asp?item=23218

the second PDF

here is a link:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...light=Forester

From Cobb:



At this link:

http://www.wrxforum.com/cgi-bin/ulti...1;t=000013;p=2

 

I've actually seen the Cobb dyno plot. I'd like to see more plots just because it does happen that there are factory freaks out there. One car could make 174 while another 5 make 165 etc.

What's typical driveline loss for a AWD vehicle? With FWD its usually 10-15% for a manual tranny car.. That can't be the case with AWD, lots more driveline loss. I assuming FWHP, RWHP, and AWHP numbers can't be compared directly. Because if that were the case, my maxima would be faster than a F-XT since I'm in the 180fwp range in a 3100lb car. But I doubt my car is faster than a F-XT.

btw: The PDF was excellent reading. Anyone looking to purchase or anyone that has a forester should read it. =)

ZuM

 

Is this thread for real??? Cause that's a ton of horsies in a forester https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...threadid=45412

In theory, if the internals are the same... Someone could buy an STI engine kit containing a new turbo, sti intercooler, sti catless up pipe, and an STI ECU and have 300hp to a tranny that can easily handle 340 if you know how to treat it ( I have a bout 340 in my wagon). I'm going to do more research... if the FXT does in fact have the forged pistons and the cam profiles of the STI ( probly cheaper to manufacture that way) I'll be parting out my wagon soon

I've read that the tranny is the same as the WRX with different final drive ratios that are lower.

Anyone with true knowledge please enlighten us,

Ash

 

You didn't read the PDF above did you? The info is in there. No it's not the same.

I saw that thread but did not any Dyno Plot, till then I'll go with what I posted above

 

That's not a stock dyno plot though. He's using some type of airbox mod and no muffler. Some of WRX guys experience boost creep after changing out the muffler. It may not be a good idea to run the Forester without a muffler without monitoring air/fuel at least.

According to Cobb's dyno, the forester is making at least as much HP as the WRX and a lot more torque in stock form. In the end is all about power under the curve. A 300hp forester would be sweet. A 320hp forester would be sweeter.

The PDF states that the actual gears are wider in the forester tranny. That probably means it can handle a bit more power. There aren't enough forester owners putting out more than stock power to test the reliability of the tranny.

ZuM

 

Yeah... I read it after. That's why I asked for enlightenment... I'm seriously thinking about doing this.

We'll see,

Ash