Forester: ExPo Subaru Project

[bigfoot]

Watching this thread...

With gas prices creeping back up and forecast by some to be around $5 / gallon in the not-to-distant future, a grocery getter / weekend warrior is a great idea for a build.

[Storz]

Assuming you're talking about handbrake turns, you're not supposed to with a Subaru. At least on the WRX it was a no-no, supposed to harm the center diff. Not sure yours even has a center diff. Since it's an auto, it might have the clutch pack instead of a diff. And since it's gutless, it won't oversteer easy. Subaru also tuned the suspension for massive understeer. Look for a set of front and rear swaybars that may help.

Yeah, ebrake sliding an awd car will def grenade the center diff in short order. I added a larger 17mm rear sway bar to mine, had a good alignment done at a race shop and it was a completely different animal afterwards. You can get some good lift throttle oversteer going in a Subie though

[EmergDoc]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/05/s...escue-vehicle/

[Paladin]

ACT-4. No center diff. Just a (re)active clutch pack. Probably OK to e-brake turn it. But won't have the power to sustain a slide on anything other than snow and ice.

http://www.awdwiki.com/article.html?inc=sub

The Forester is a decent vehicle. But it ain't a rally car just because it's got a Subaru badge on it.

[Owyhee H]

+1 on the Primitive Racing skids....good stuff. The guys who make them REALY love their Subies.

[Jrally]

I helped out Primative at a race years ago, VERY nice bunch from up north. Ground clearance will get you more protection than the skid plates, but having both is obviously ideal. I will keep an eye on this project as well. It's like a big brother to my Celica. Those Michelin rally/gravel tires mentioned are great in the dirt, but rocks and the highway will quickly chew them up, they aren't meant to last.
-Jon

[Project510]

If your in need of some inspiration, a buddy of mine passed along this link to me:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1228188

A lifted suby thread on the NASIOC forums

[dzzz]

Scott has the best tax writeoffs of anyone I know.
I'm in the market for an Forester or Outback, so I will follow this closely. Good to see the required subaru dog is already in place.

[Maddmatt]

I'v been running this Rallitek one on my 2nd gen Outback for about 4 years now - love the hole to change the oil filter:
http://www.rallitek.com/Skid-Plate-L...03-2006/p-4452

Looks like they have them for the Forrester:
http://www.rallitek.com/Skid-Plate-W...02-2007/p-4453

[Martinjmpr]

I'll be interested to watch this. I like Subarus and the 03-07 body style is my favorite Forester design. I love the Hexagon tailgate and the aggressive front styling.

Would have been nicer if you'd gotten the 5 speed though. Better economy and better performance.

Better yet, swap out the US spec for an Aussie spec 5 speed with a 2 speed T-case in it.