AWDfreak

The 2011 Forester 2.5X is already out in the USA. I've seen the engine in person. It is so weird to see dual camshafts on a naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder Subaru since the last one was the EJ25D (which I happen to have). Anyways, the oil filter is now located up top instead of the bottom. I didn't really take a good look at it since I was just glancing around at the Subaru dealer, but it seems less clumped up top. Maybe that's due to the Forester's huge engine bay, or this engine genuinely is more compactly designed. I don't really know, the more experienced members should see it for themselves since they know Subaru engines far better than I could dream of.

The new engine designation is FB25. Sorry for the thread revival, don't know if you guys saw this already, but here it is, in the Fall 2010 issue of Subaru's Drive Magazine: http://drive.subaru.com/Fall10/2011preview.htm

I heard that a disadvantage of LEDs are that they can't melt off ice/snow in very cold climates. Any truth to this?

What they said, Dextron III will do fine on the 4EAT (and also as PSF) However, I heard that the 5EAT requires the Subaru HP-ATF (P/N SOA868V9241). Anyone care to elaborate on that?

higher ground clearance of course

The turbo is available with the 5-speed manual, I think. Probably extremely rare. Also, Subaru's turbo models have almost always been lifted over their non-turbo versions.

Yes. I think in the Drive Performance magazine article, it's 30 seconds before shutoff. Yeah, this is what Subaru of America says about turbocharged engine care: http://www.drive.subaru.com/sum08/sum08_turbo.htm And here's the official oil change interval and driving tips: Agreed on this. If you simply drive it moderately with the occasional redlining of the engine, most full synthetics will do. As for factory recommendations, there's the Subaru brand synthetic (which is said to be made by Idemitsu), Castrol Synthetic, or Elf Racing Synthetic. And if you REALLY push it hard, just go all-out and get yourself some Motul full-synthetic oil, which I'm sure is a Group IV or higher motor oil. Hell, they run it on all Subaru-factory race teams (both rally and road racing)

Wow I never really thought about that... OP, I apologize if I hijack the thread, but I guess that's the reason why some rally cars have these: note the huge mesh guard in front of the radiator

I get parts from 2 of the 3 local Subaru dealerships and also I sometimes use subarupartsdepartment.com

Exactly my thoughts. Maybe you could try a Varex muffler? j/k, those are from Australia and could be too expensive.

5 quarts of Castrol Syntec Blend (formerly known as GTX Synthetic Blend) 5W-30 with the Subaru OEM filter (blue, made by Honeywell). If I were to use an alternative oil filter... FRAM: DO NOT use anything lower than the Tough Guard Purolator: only heard good things about them, I would run their PureOne filter

I'm pretty sure the white one was made by Purolator. Purolator makes decent filters but from what I remember, the white Subaru Purolator filters had a leaking problem or something.

From what I've heard from the parts guy at my local Subaru dealer, all EJ engines use the same oil filter, so I would assume it would work. However, I would never buy an "XtraGuard" FRAM filter for my Subaru. I either get the FRAM Tough Guard or the Subaru oil filter. The Subaru supposedly has a specific bypass valve setting for Subaru engines, but it's not too different to the FRAM filters since the current Subaru blue oil filters are made by Honeywell, the same company that owns and makes FRAM oil filters.

I've only Honda-hunted once. Was a Civic Si hatch, easily beat it off the line (yay AWD!) and kept a 1 car lead up until 50MPH in which I felt going any further was pointless. But really, I don't like street racing that much (that's probably the last time I try). Maybe a closed mountain pass or road circuit would be OK but those are expensive. As for the gearing, the short gearing makes for great acceleration

Exactly. When I'm at freeway speeds, I don't have to downshift to get enough acceleration to pass. But if I'm impatient, I just shove it to 3rd (or 4th if at or above 70 MPH) and pass while hearing the awesome sound that the boxer engine screams As for flooring it to near redline, I do that every day. No problems caused by it *knock on wood*

I could get scared. Something as important as the suspension can make me nervous as hell. The most work I've ever done on my car was change the brake pads and change the anti-roll bar. (And I still have an odd issue with the anti-roll bar clanking) Wait... Installing a 2" lift only involves putting on lift blocks, right? I think I can handle that, but I'm not sure if any other components could be affected by a lift. Of course, I've heard that one should go get the suspension aligned immediately (obviously since the geometry has changed).

Hey, I'm not going to lie, I'm a whore for such things. Maybe later on in life I'll learn, but for now, I'm still a *********************. I hate being young... EDIT: as for making sense, people ask me why I got a Subaru. I tell them I like to have an AWD passenger vehicle. But it makes no sense to them... I came here to get tips and info, not some hatred. I do understand what I want is absolutely stupid and blind, but it is what I want. Back on topic. Anyways, anything else you guys think would fit? Any of the strut mounts? I doubt the suspension bushings would fit.. I know that I can get KYB shocks, but I wish not to lower the ride height. Speaking of ride height, are any of the newer Outback struts interchangable? I'd love to have 8.3 to 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

Yeah, I was quite sleepy when I replied, thanks for clarification. I of course know that the center differential is a VLSD (on MT). (I thought you were talking about the rear VLSD, but that's what lack of sleep can do to one's thinking...) The center diff being locked is what may be causing the front and rear wheels to be "fighting" during tight turning, hence my suspicion for the torque bind. We just wanted to confirm if you guys would've thought the same. Anyways, the Forester is going to be serviced at the local Subaru dealer, we'll have them verify it since I'm still such a newcomer to Subies (despite much reading on USMB and other Subaru boards).

Thankfully the Forester L doesn't have the VLSD, the Forester S does. I don't know about the tires, but all 4 tires are brand new, and all the same exact type. Just last night I checked the tire pressures and set them to the recommended pressures (29PSI front, 26PSI rear). There wasn't a huge difference in pressure (no more than a 3 to 4 PSI difference side-to-side or front-to-back).

I know very well it isn't a speed machine (but I do like the short gearing in mountain passes), but at the very least I'd like to have a few performance parts. I don't care if the gains are minimal, I would simply like to get some SPT/STI parts in the future on my Outback, even if it means wasting money and time for such minimal gains. I want some from the Subaru performance parts catalog that don't require too much work to put on (to me, drilling holes is calling for too much, I'm too afraid to mess up). As for the exhaust, yes, I'm getting it mostly for the sound, not necessarily the performance. Even the stock exhaust though, sounds awesome (especially at 4000RPM!), but I'd like to replace the stock one for an SPT (since most other aftermarket will be obnoxiously loud).

According to the previous owner, it has already been done. BTW, I am ImpuleGundam's brother. In addition to already-said problems, there seems to be an odd whine, with a whine directly related to wheel speed. I don't know if it's a transmission or a bad CV/wheel bearing, but it's quite annoying.

You forgot to mention it's the 5-speed manual and that the front gear oil was at minimum. Well, I'm not sure about the front diff gear oil since you checked it on a surface I doubt was level ground...

I've noticed that the SPT performance exhaust for the 1996-1999 Subaru Legacy GT (part number P/N SOA8376400 wagon, SOA8376300 for you people with sedans) isn't applicable to a 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon. Does anyone know why it can't fit, and if there's a way I can modify it (not too badly) to fit??? I know it's quite pricey for a so-so exhaust but I would really like it on my Outback since the stock muffler is so quiet. Also, I'm wondering if any other SPT/STI parts from Subaru of America's Performance Parts catalog can be used on a 1999 Outback without too much fuss. I heard the WRX wagon rear strut tower brace could fit the rear, but I'd like you experts to confirm.

I'm a complete noob when it comes to very technical stuff, so take my advice lightly. If you want to lower, lowering springs ftw. I'd recommend Eibach springs (hell, Subaru relied on them for the legendary 22B!). Maybe some KYB or Bilstein shocks will help. Also, you could try the SPT/STI parts catalog (but it says the suspension upgrades only apply to the 2.5RS). As for sway bars, the general consensus is that a stiffer rear bar makes for improved oversteer. Nice to know you want to have a nice street Imprza and a badass BRAT.

That I would like to see. Wait, LED headlights w/ LED DRLs???