Hodaka Rider

So, maybe it's just because I'm used to a car with a very balanced, firm, coilover setup - but my Forester feels really soft. With a load in it, the rear end sinks like 2 inches. Has anyone found a way to firm it up a little? Maybe a set of springs that have a slightly (30%-40%) higher rate?

mtsfabman http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23659&highlight=solid+axle

There was an XT6 done with solid front and rear. Other than that, there's Ken's Brat with a solid rear only - maybe some others I don't know about.

Here's a question: has anyone had this happen with one of the updated AA kits?

Many people have done it, look in the "Subaru Offroad" forum for FAQ's and such. Difficulty depends on your experience, the car's condition, and tools available. I'd say anywhere from 4-12 hours install time. BYB/Ozified is probably the most popular, partly because they've been around the longest.

Glad you got into it! I had this happen in my '83 Wagon (yes, I know, Zap). We tried about 20 different Soob keys that RGuyver had at home - and none of them worked! Strangely enough, the key that was locked inside worked with all 3 of the wagons I had (2 parts cars). AAA guy took 3 seconds with the slimjim.

This is for increasing turbulance in the chamber during the compression, combustion, and exhaust processes.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=56657&highlight=seafoam

Well, it's relatively easy for Canadians to import cars like the Loyales into Canada. Just start advertising them on Canadian Craigslist sites (Vancouver, for example) and state very plainly where the car is located, and that the buyer is responsible for all importation requirements. I see lots of different cars from Cali, Ore, WA, ID, Mont., etc on Vancouver CL.

One word: Canuhduh. A '93 Loyale with a little rust goes for $2000-$4000 around where I live.

OK, unfortunately (due to an extra busy schedule mentioned in the first post), this will not be happening this year. I may try to actually schedule a trail ride for next year, and invite him to it. That way, we all have more time to plan, and once he's scheduled in, it's very unlikely he will cancel.

Hmmm. Wouldn't a tendency for some castings to soak up oil be a good thing? I mean, at that point it's basically impregnated with lubricant. Who doesn't want a better lubed engine?

high speed jerking. dirty. Seriously, what is the service history (recent tuneups, etc.) When was the last trans. fluid change? Any CEL's? What exactly do you mean by high speeds?

Cool. Would've been cooler to follow that with the Subaru making it through the same pit, though.

Are you coming back the same way? If you came through Cranbrook, you probably came through (or near to) Nelson. I'll be around pretty much all week, be nice to say hi.

Keep in mind that Synthetic oil does not cause leaks, it finds leaks. The synth will usually help clean nasty deposits out of the engine, but during the process it might clean out some deposits that were plugging a leak you didn't know was there. This just means that you have found the leak sooner than you would have if you had not switched to synth.

About a hour. But at the eastern side of the state. (2.5 hrs north of Spokane)

Dude, I've got a vid. cam. I'll be your friend, and I live a lot closer than they do! (although in a different country!)

As I have thought many times before, but never voiced, "If only I lived closer!"

Well, if he truly is only getting 48mph out of it, he needs to add a word to his vocabulary: tuneup. On that note, a swap will definitely net him a lot more power, but he needs to budget more than a weekend for it.

Yup, Passat is AWD. No, it is not just because the Forester is higher off the ground. For example: The Passat pulls harder up the hill out of town in 5th than the Forester does in 4th. Anyways, I guess it's just the "area under the curve" again. I guess there is a replacement for displacement. It's called a supercharger. (no, I don't think it's gearing. If anything, I believe the Forester has a slightly lower final gear ratio)

As stated, both vehicles weigh about the same, and they have close to the same HP/TQ, but the Forester is rated higher. Guess I'll just have to take it as it is!

Forester is non-turbo. Passat is supercharged, but it's a 1.8 litre. They both weigh approximately the same, and the Forester has a higher HP rating. Forester has had recent full tuneup, filters, plugs, wires, etc. Checked codes, and only found a pending for the vapor lines, I think it was (prolly had a loose gas cap at some point) The Passat always feels like it's ready to jump, pulls hills like there's no tomorrow. The Forester feels fairly strong, but just not the same, not like 165 HP should.

I saw a f'n huge F-series in Kelowna (no, you're right, that's not WA) The bumper was just over the top of a chain-link fence. Yah, about 4' high. Now THAT's retarded. Obviously, the roid-monkey driving it has 0 regard for anyone else on the road.

Any performance items I should look into for my '02 Forester Sport? Be nice to have a little more power, feels kinda lethargic compared to my Passat.